Project Information
Ridgid 3660 and 3650 are good saws for the money especially if you were able to get that 10% or 20% off of the blowout price of 399. But being a contractor saws, they have few shortcoming. My main gripe with this saw has always been the power switch.
Although I do like the removable safety key feature of the switch, Still in an emergency when every nano second counts, this switch is a disaster waiting to happen.
Hence…this upgrade.
Parts used: ¼ inch aluminum plate 5000 series. wire adapters. Rubber grommet (snap bushing) cable protect. 20 AMP Paddle Safety "Motor" Power Switch. (15AMP Router table switches will do) Few miscellaneous screws and nuts.
Since this was going to be a permanent modification, I decided to make it as clean and EZ on the eyes as possible. Cutting the plate to useful width and cleaning the sharp edges, bending it to 135 degree angle for mounting to the fence as the original. Mounting the rubber grommets and using wire adapters to preserve the original wire connectors and going a little overboard and using tap on few screw holes.
I tested the switch with my multimeter before mounting it making sure no shorts in the switch. And last decision was deciding on a comfortable location to the left.
The most difficult and time consuming part was trying to get the angle connectors through the rubber grommets but despite that, To me this upgrade was worth the few hours and approximately extra $40.
It provides the safety that should have been included in the first place.
Although I do like the removable safety key feature of the switch, Still in an emergency when every nano second counts, this switch is a disaster waiting to happen.
Hence…this upgrade.
Parts used: ¼ inch aluminum plate 5000 series. wire adapters. Rubber grommet (snap bushing) cable protect. 20 AMP Paddle Safety "Motor" Power Switch. (15AMP Router table switches will do) Few miscellaneous screws and nuts.
Since this was going to be a permanent modification, I decided to make it as clean and EZ on the eyes as possible. Cutting the plate to useful width and cleaning the sharp edges, bending it to 135 degree angle for mounting to the fence as the original. Mounting the rubber grommets and using wire adapters to preserve the original wire connectors and going a little overboard and using tap on few screw holes.
I tested the switch with my multimeter before mounting it making sure no shorts in the switch. And last decision was deciding on a comfortable location to the left.
The most difficult and time consuming part was trying to get the angle connectors through the rubber grommets but despite that, To me this upgrade was worth the few hours and approximately extra $40.
It provides the safety that should have been included in the first place.