Well, I got the parts for the wiring. An old computer power cable, metal junction box, standard duty light switch and three-prong power plug.
I stripped the rubber computer end off the computer power cable as far as I could, then cut the rest off with diagonal cutters. Then I fed the cable through a already-punched hole in one side, stripped the cable sheathing and wired the Neutral, ground and hot to the plug as normal. I left about 4” of cable sheathed, then stripped off about another 3” and wired the hot to each side of the light switch.
I tested this with a plug tester and it works! The switch switched the plug off and on just like I wanted. Awesome!!
Here’s a pic of the assembly.
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
12 comments so far
Bogeyguy
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548 posts in 2037 days
#1 posted 11-04-2012 01:01 AM
You really should have a box connector where your wire/cable enters the box to prevent fraying and pulling on the wire connections in the box.
-- Art, Pittsburgh.
mIps
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188 posts in 2024 days
#2 posted 11-04-2012 02:19 AM
Yep, I know that a box connector should be / have been used but I didn’t have one. I may see what they cost and, if not too spendy, get one.
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
yrob
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340 posts in 3622 days
#3 posted 11-04-2012 02:56 AM
I hope you are going to put a face plate on this. With the saw dust you will generate this could be a fire waiting to happen.
-- Yves
exelectrician
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2327 posts in 2396 days
#4 posted 11-04-2012 07:27 AM
Cost of proper safety switch +/- $40.00 http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-PRS3100-Multi-Purpose-Router-Switch/dp/B002AKJ2FC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1352013941&sr=8-9&keywords=safety+switch+for+saw
Cost of fire or worse … you do the math.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
mIps
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188 posts in 2024 days
#5 posted 11-04-2012 03:35 PM
yrob: Gonna try to make one.
Exelectrician: I hear what you’re saying but, right now, it’s more like: cost of proper safety switch V. being able to pay mortgage. As much as I appreciate being able to have the “right” stuff, I have to work with what I have or can scrounge for free or uber-cheap.
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
exelectrician
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2327 posts in 2396 days
#6 posted 11-04-2012 11:18 PM
Okay mIps I understand your position much better now. I will see what what I have in my box of goodies, you are not far away from me, I will send you a metal cover and the thing to protect the cord. I was a elecrtical contractor so I have a lot of stuff left over just taking up space.
I really want you – and all the other LJs’ out there to be safe.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
Bogeyguy
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548 posts in 2037 days
#7 posted 11-04-2012 11:30 PM
mIps, if you can’t do it safely, don’t do it at all. Cutting corners with electricity is a major no no. Electical fires can happen quickly and you don’t even have to be around. How would you like to paying a mortgage payment on a house that is burned down because you wanted to save a couple dollars. You seem to be doing your electrical work without any knowledge of electricity and this is very dangerous.
-- Art, Pittsburgh.
mIps
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188 posts in 2024 days
#8 posted 11-05-2012 12:51 AM
exelectrician: If you want to send me a faceplate, I certainly won’t complain.
Bogeyguy: I appreciate the sentiment but appearances are not always as they seem. I DO have some, certainly not professional level, knowledge. Unfortunately, right now, I have to accept a certain level of risk to get ANYTHING done. Sometimes this means cutting corners that I might not ordinarily cut, using things in ways that I might not ordinarily use them or in ways that they were not originally intended. I don’t gripe or complain about it, it is what it is and I have good hopes that it won’t last. But, until such time as I am able to return to doing things in what I would normally consider the proper way, I have to try and muddle my way through as best I can. All I can say is that I will take every precaution I can given the limitations I have.
Thanks again to all who have commented or provided opinions, I really do appreciate all of it.
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
mIps
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188 posts in 2024 days
#9 posted 11-05-2012 07:53 PM
Update: I managed to get to a couple of our local “used stuff” stores and found a wire clamp:

Paid $0.10 for it. Sadly it was the wrong size for the existing hole. The clamp is for a 3/4” hole and the existing hole was closer to 1”. Gonna have to see about covering the existing hole somehow.
Also found a cover:

Again, a bargain at $0.10.
Hopefully this will make some of you a little more comfortable with this project.
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
Bogeyguy
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548 posts in 2037 days
#10 posted 11-06-2012 02:16 AM
:) They also have a closure piece for the open knockout, cheap.
-- Art, Pittsburgh.
exelectrician
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2327 posts in 2396 days
#11 posted 11-06-2012 09:36 AM
Wow. I guess we prompted you to do the right thing.
Good for you. You have gumption, and the will to get things done.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
mIps
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188 posts in 2024 days
#12 posted 11-07-2012 09:57 PM
All: Thanks for all the comments and scoldings. :)
Ex: LOL. Thanks. There is a guy who lives near me who has invested the cost of both of my cars or more in tools (mostly Jet and Woodfox as well as a stinking shopbot) and I envy his shop every time I go by. But then I think “would he be able to regress to having just the basics” and this makes me happy with that I am able to do what I can with what I have. Some year maybe I’ll have a shop and I can call it “Creative Solutions”. :P
-- Be honest, honorable, kind, work hard, and generally be awesome.
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