mM

[email protected] (Malcolm Webb)

06/10/2004 6:00 PM

Router Tables

Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You didn't
ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you don't want
to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".

I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e let
the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed into a
commercial router table?

Malcolm Webb


This topic has 14 replies

AR

"Al Reid"

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 1:01 PM

"Malcolm Webb" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You didn't
> ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you don't want
> to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".
>
> I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e let
> the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed into a
> commercial router table?
>
> Malcolm Webb
>
>

First, make sure you have an external power switch on the table. then you can use duct tale or open the unit and bypass the power
switch. Otherwise get a 3-1/4 HP unit and dedicate it to the table.

I'm sure there are other options as well.

--
Al Reid

How will I know when I get there...
If I don't know where I'm going?

b

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 11:13 AM

On Wed, 6 Oct 2004 18:00 +0100 (BST), [email protected] (Malcolm Webb)
wrote:

>Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You didn't
>ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you don't want
>to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".
>
>I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e let
>the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed into a
>commercial router table?
>
>Malcolm Webb
>


provide a switch outside of the table, one you can reach easily when
you're using the table. I use one of those router speed control boxes.
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43060>

if this router is going to stay in the table you can lock the switch
with a loop of electrical tape. if you're going to take it in and out
make the switch lock be something attached to the cord such that in
order to plug the router in you have to unlock the switch.....

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

07/10/2004 3:47 AM

On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 19:17:41 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>>Don't use a lightswitch - the surge currents on something the size of
>>a table-mounted router will kill it.
>
>maybe. I had a 2HP induction motor running on one for several years.

Induction motor - lower surge than a brush motor.


>>I strongly suggest a no-volt release switch, as for any machine tool.
>>It also avoids the main risk of accidentally plugging the router into
>>a live outlet.
>
>I've never seen a stand alone one for sale. I wish I had a source for
>them... know of one?

Axminster do a few for the UK / Euro market. They sell one as an NVR
switch for small machinery, or the same thing in a neater box with a
socket for rather rmore markup. I just use one from an old table saw.


>>Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
>>this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.
>
>different countries have different safety rules, and some places
>disallow lock-on able switches for some tools....

Which countries ? They're OK in Europe and presumably in the USA. I
keep hearing this as an explanation, but can't find anything to back
it up.

--
Smert' spamionam

RV

"Rob V"

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

07/10/2004 12:05 AM

Zip tie and a light switch

"Malcolm Webb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You didn't
> ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you don't want
> to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".
>
> I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e let
> the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed into a
> commercial router table?
>
> Malcolm Webb
>
>

LD

Lobby Dosser

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 8:36 PM

[email protected] (Malcolm Webb) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You
> didn't ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you
> don't want to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".
>
> I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e
> let the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed
> into a commercial router table?
>
> Malcolm Webb
>
>

As others have stated, you need an external switch box so that you can turn
the router on and off easily. For keeping the trigger depressed, use one of
those velcro strips sold for bundling cord. Less messy than peeling off
duct tape when you use it out of the table. It's very tempting to use a
cable tie, but then you have to remember where you left the side cutters.

Be sure your external switch is OFF before you plug in the router!

cN

[email protected] (Noel Hegan)

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

07/10/2004 10:50 AM

Andy Dingley <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 19:17:41 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
> >>Don't use a lightswitch - the surge currents on something the size of
> >>a table-mounted router will kill it.
> >
> >maybe. I had a 2HP induction motor running on one for several years.
>
> Induction motor - lower surge than a brush motor.
>
>
> >>I strongly suggest a no-volt release switch, as for any machine tool.
> >>It also avoids the main risk of accidentally plugging the router into
> >>a live outlet.
> >
> >I've never seen a stand alone one for sale. I wish I had a source for
> >them... know of one?
>
> Axminster do a few for the UK / Euro market. They sell one as an NVR
> switch for small machinery, or the same thing in a neater box with a
> socket for rather rmore markup. I just use one from an old table saw.
>
>
> >>Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
> >>this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.
> >
> >different countries have different safety rules, and some places
> >disallow lock-on able switches for some tools....
>
> Which countries ? They're OK in Europe and presumably in the USA. I
> keep hearing this as an explanation, but can't find anything to back
> it up.
I think lock on switches are banned from Jan 05 onwards thanks to Brussels.

Noel

b

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 10:04 PM

On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 03:47:32 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 19:17:41 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>>>Don't use a lightswitch - the surge currents on something the size of
>>>a table-mounted router will kill it.
>>
>>maybe. I had a 2HP induction motor running on one for several years.
>
>Induction motor - lower surge than a brush motor.

yes, but....

it was 2HP running on 110V... and the OP never said how big his router
was.



>
>
>>>I strongly suggest a no-volt release switch, as for any machine tool.
>>>It also avoids the main risk of accidentally plugging the router into
>>>a live outlet.
>>
>>I've never seen a stand alone one for sale. I wish I had a source for
>>them... know of one?
>
>Axminster do a few for the UK / Euro market. They sell one as an NVR
>switch for small machinery, or the same thing in a neater box with a
>socket for rather rmore markup. I just use one from an old table saw.

thanks. found them on axminster's website:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=35573&sfile=1&jump=0
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21289&sfile=1&jump=4
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21280&sfile=1&jump=0

I've never seen these for sale this side of the pond. I'm sure there
would be a market. listening, Robin Lee?



>
>
>>>Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
>>>this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.
>>
>>different countries have different safety rules, and some places
>>disallow lock-on able switches for some tools....
>
>Which countries ? They're OK in Europe and presumably in the USA. I
>keep hearing this as an explanation, but can't find anything to back
>it up.

Japan, though that was for a handheld planer, not a router. I don't
have any information about routers there.

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

07/10/2004 2:12 AM

On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 00:05:10 GMT, "Rob V" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Zip tie and a light switch

Don't use a lightswitch - the surge currents on something the size of
a table-mounted router will kill it.

I strongly suggest a no-volt release switch, as for any machine tool.
It also avoids the main risk of accidentally plugging the router into
a live outlet.


Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.

--
Smert' spamionam

mM

[email protected] (Malcolm Webb)

in reply to Andy Dingley on 07/10/2004 2:12 AM

07/10/2004 7:45 AM

> Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
> this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.

As this is my first router, I wasn't aware that some are provided with a
lock-on switch, but maybe I should have been because my other power tools
have lock-on switches.

Malcolm Webb

b

in reply to Andy Dingley on 07/10/2004 2:12 AM

07/10/2004 7:32 AM

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 07:45 +0100 (BST), [email protected] (Malcolm Webb)
wrote:

>> Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
>> this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.
>
>As this is my first router, I wasn't aware that some are provided with a
>lock-on switch, but maybe I should have been because my other power tools
>have lock-on switches.
>
>Malcolm Webb
>


Malcolm-

what make and model is your router?
what kind of woodworking did you buy it for?

mM

[email protected] (Malcolm Webb)

in reply to [email protected] on 07/10/2004 7:32 AM

07/10/2004 5:48 PM

Router is a Performance Pro 2050CLR, sold here in the UK exckusively by B
& Q under the PerformancePro badge. It appears to be identical to Model
950 marketed in Australia under the GMC badge looking at a review of it on
the internet.

Malcolm Webb

b

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 7:17 PM

On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 02:12:33 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 00:05:10 GMT, "Rob V" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Zip tie and a light switch
>
>Don't use a lightswitch - the surge currents on something the size of
>a table-mounted router will kill it.

maybe. I had a 2HP induction motor running on one for several years.
it came to me from my grampa that way and was old then, and when I
sent it to my BIL it was still there and running fine....






>
>I strongly suggest a no-volt release switch, as for any machine tool.
>It also avoids the main risk of accidentally plugging the router into
>a live outlet.

I've never seen a stand alone one for sale. I wish I had a source for
them... know of one?




>
>
>Personally I wouldn't buy a router with an intermittent switch like
>this. I hope the manufacturers are listening.


different countries have different safety rules, and some places
disallow lock-on able switches for some tools....

Rr

"RonB"

in reply to [email protected] (Malcolm Webb) on 06/10/2004 6:00 PM

06/10/2004 12:22 PM

Those trigger switches are nice for hand routing but a pain with tables.
Question, does it have a pin next to the trigger that locks the trigger
until you tweak it? If so, you can use it as is.


"Malcolm Webb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Another silly question but, as an old boss once said to me -- "You didn't
> ask. And if you don't ask you don't want to know. And if you don't want
> to know I'm not going to waste my time telling you".
>
> I have a router which does not have a lock-on for the power switch i.e let
> the switch go -- the router stops. How could this router be fixed into a
> commercial router table?
>
> Malcolm Webb
>
>

mM

[email protected] (Malcolm Webb)

in reply to "RonB" on 06/10/2004 12:22 PM

06/10/2004 9:34 PM

No, my router doesn't have a lock-on pin. It has a pin which has to be
pressed in to enable the power switch to be depressed, but as soon as the
switch is released the motor cuts.

Malcolm Webb


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