Thread: How difficult/practical

There is or was one manufacturer who had something similar on their power tools. It may have been Matabo.
You could perhaps have a key switch isolator installed either on the saw or somewhere in your power lead.

I know of a CNC Router set up that has a floor sensor that will shut down the machine if you walk on a mat. You have to do the programming and setting up press start and.....clear out. You too could have such a set up if you were willing to spend $180,000 for the privilege.
I don't know of an after market type of safety set up that offers what you are talking about. Its not a bad idea when there are kids about. I have 2 daughters so even having to share shed space is non existent because they don't come out to the shed at all. So I can't blame anyone elas but me for the mess!!!!

Clipsal make an access card operated switch. You may have seen them in a hotel room. You need to insert the room key card before the lights will work.
This could be easily mounted on your SCMS. If you are leaving the area, withdraw the card.

Something like this -
Buy Reed Switches Switch,sensor,proximity,reed,HD,form A,N/O RS N/O3/RS online from RS for next day delivery.
spliced into the live feed would do the job. You'd just need a magnet attached with string to your belt. As soon as you walk away the power is cut.

I've had a quick search and I've not found any able to handle 240V/10A, so you'd probably just need to go for a lower spec one in a low power circuit to drive a relay.

Alternatively (and certainly simpler, if not a wee bit on the iffy side). Get a non-Australian trailing mains socket (European is the most suitable I can think of, you'll see why not to use an Australian one)) and wire the live feed to the live hole and the neutral hole to the live on the piece of equipment. This effectively gives you a break in the live feed. Now get yourself a matching plug and connect the live plug pin to the neutral plug pin and use that to complete the circuit. Attach it to yourself and you won't be able to walk away without unplugging it.

You can see now why you wouldn't want to use an Australian one!


Graeme

One manufacturer (at least) used a switch with a removable childproof key in the toggle for stationary machines. With the key removed, the unit would not switch on. From memory the switch toggle is red and the key yellow. Something similar could be built into a junction box on the tool, wired in series with the regular switch, if you could get one as a spare part. Not quite what you were after, as it requires action from you to activate/deactivate, rather than just walking up or away, but would be better than nothing.

My reading of the RS offering above is that it is rated at 3A, which is probably light for a dropsaw.

I had a bit of a think about this yesterday when I was using various potentially limb severing tools to build a chicken coop.

A very simple way of doing this would be to put a mains rated micro-switch in the live line. Put it in some sort of box along with a short section of pipe/tubing such that the switch lever pokes through a gap in the side of the pipe. Now cut an appropriate section of dowel to fit in the pipe and attach that to you with a line. Hopefully the attached picture should help clarify what I mean.

Graeme

Attachment 215105

How about converting an aftermarket car remote locking system? Jaycar sell all the bits individually or you can pick up complete kits from Supercheap, Repco, WOW etc. All you'd need extra would be a small 240VAC-12VDC transformer to power it and a contactor in place of one of the servo actuators. Then when you walk away just press the remote "lock" button and the tools are protected. Plus, if you accidently forget and remember when you're halfway up a ladder you will probably still be in range. You'll have to get it put together by an electrician unless you have some experience with contactors and their various NO/NC switching.