Thread: Buying advice please

Could you zip tie the trigger in the on position & plug the router to an inline switch that you use for on/off?

I very much doubt that you will be able to buy a router that does not have the same sort of trigger lock.

It's the nanny state, you know.

The Tritons have a locking ON/OFF switch, and my old Mak has a heavy duty toggle switch.

However, I agree with Snapman that it is viable to lock the switch in the ON position with a cable tie or velcro wrap ( double sided strip of velcro, hooks one side, loops other, sticks to itself but seperates when you want), and control the router from a remote switch conveniently located on the table frame. Triton supplied such a switch for their saw and router tables, and it appears that it is still available as a spare part. Alternatively, you could have a normal power point in a sealed housing fed by an extension cord.

At worst, you might loose access to the soft start function, but this should not be an issue for a solidly set up table machine.

Thanks for the suggestions.

A couple of points. Firstly, there are some routers available that do have the locking on switch. Ozito have them and I understand so do some models of Hitachi.

Secondly, whilst I fully concur with the comments on the 'nanny state' if this is reason then it just does not make any damn sense at all!

My table saw can be locked on, so can my circular saw and my jig saw. These have got to be in the same danger category as a router. Also, how come some brands brands have the safety feature and some don't. No logic in it at all.

Hey TORB, I wasn't trying to start an argument.

I still think that you will find it difficult to find a router, or any other power tool, for sale in Australia that does not have some form of lockout on the power switch. I would guess that the switch on your table saw (if it is less than about 10 years old), has some sort of cover over it that you have to lift before you can turn it on. Every power tool that I have seen in recent years has some sort of two step lockout device to prevent accidental turn on.

Even self propelled lawn mowers have had "dead mans handles" for some years now.

I know that my table saw, bandsaw, mitre saw, lathe, circular saw (x2), jigsaw, router (x2), and even my hedgetrimmer all have some sort of two step lockout. My drill press and jointer don't , but they are both over 50 years old

I think many of these devices are unneccessary and can even be a bit silly, but that is the way things are. You don't have to like it, you just have to live with it.

Things may even get more complicated and expensive in the future. Check out the threads here about table saws in the USA and the "saw stop" device.

I know that the router under my table has a suitably positioned cable tie to overcome the two step lockout.

If you know of a new router for sale that does not have a lockout feature, then go buy it and be happy.

Avery,

No worries; I didn't think you were trying to start an argument.

I agree with your comments about the two step lock out..... sort of. And even two stage start mechanisms also make sense to stop machines being accidentally turned on by Darwin Award contenders.

Here is an 'interesting' one. My Dewalt Table Saw (latest model) has a red cover over the on and off switch but its default setting is spring loaded to the uncover the switches. When I read the destructions that came with it, I am pretty sure it said that it was for a quick emergency shut down, which makes sense as the two switches are exposed, making it easy to turn on.

Also, whilst safety features that stop accidental power up may be a good idea, many power tools still have the ability to be locked in the on position once they are started. My circular saw, jig saw etc all allow the power to be locked on. And that's what I would like in a router.

My (new) research shows there are a few available but they are all about $400+, which is not a show stopper, although I would like to keep it under $500.

Decided on a Dewalt DW621 as it will do all I want to do and should last the distance. Also, I found Dewalt had fantastic customer service when my newly purchased table saw had a problem, and that's always a big consideration for me.

Hi Torb,

I noticed you have the Kreg router table.
Does it have a metric rule on the fence?

I am looking to purchase the table from the US but they only supply an imperial scale.

Cheers, Jack

Originally Posted by Jack E

Hi Torb,

I noticed you have the Kreg router table.
Does it have a metric rule on the fence?

I am looking to purchase the table from the US but they only supply an imperial scale.

Cheers, Jack

Hi Jack,

I got mine from the US as well. No one here had stock when I wanted to buy it. There are a number of places that sell replacement metric tapes, so I bought one, and its a breeze to fit.

Cheers
Ric

Thanks Torbs, I'll see if I can find someone selling the replacement tapes.