One day after having a board bind up in my tablesaw and almost kick back, I looked into installing a paddle-style shut-off switch, sometimes called a panic switch. A commercial version I found would have required major alterations and rewiring. So I built this oversize maple paddle and attached it to the saw above the existing switch housing. This concept should work with almost any push-button switch as long as you can find a convenient place to attach the paddle.

It’s very easy to operate. At the end of a cut, a mere flick of my knee cuts off power with both hands still safely above the table and on the workpiece. A rubber bumper (available at most hardware stores) installed over the OFF switch ensures that the paddle hits the switch.

I installed similar switches on my jointer, router table, and bandsaw.

click to enlarge

Jim Richey

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