Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jan 10, 2008 07:48pm | #1

   Hotwire the toasted switch and add a good paddle switch on the front of the stand to control the saw. Makes it safer, too.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   dgreen | Jan 10, 2008 08:06pm | #2

   You might post on this forum, there's a guy there that says he bought a switch for that saw from a company on the east coast. Maybe he can give you the name of the company.

   ------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

3. 
   jeff100 | Jan 10, 2008 10:48pm | #3

   See if you can retrofit an old Sears RAS switch. Sears has parts going back forever for their stuff. The switch might be the same for those old saws. I think you can check the drawings online. Just a thought...

   Jeff

4. 
   [email protected] | Jan 11, 2008 06:25am | #4

   I agree with the suggestion to jumper past the existing switch, and mount a paddle switch up front. 

   Also, if your Dad's ras is the Powerkraft that has the 12,000-rpm output shaft on it, it is a definite keeper.  They do double duty as a pin router, and shaper. 

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 11, 2008 04:16pm | #5

   My old Craftsman RAS has one of them thangs too.  It also came with a long flexible shaft with a chuck on the end of it for mounting various bits that can be used for power carving and shaping.  I've also mounted sanding discs to it.

   Works great!

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

5. 
   JohnWW | Jan 11, 2008 06:15pm | #6

   Try to find an electric motor repair shop, preferably one that has been in business for 50 years or more.  The old switches were fairly standard and the exact same switches were used on various machines by numerous manufacturers.  With luck the saw will have one of the more common switches and the shop will have one still sitting in a drawer.  Occasionally you can also find switches at older well stocked real hardware stores.

   John White 

1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 11, 2008 10:03pm | #7

   ...older well stocked real hardware stores....

   Ahhh John...these should be on the endangered species list!!  Older REAL hardware stores are becomming very hard to find these days.  Brings a tear to my eye thinking about it. 

   Years ago I bought property in a very rural area (that is now GONE, developed and paved over) and they had this little general store.  This place had EVERYTHING a feller ever needed, the only problem was finding where...the item that you needed...was hidden at.  The family that ran the place knew where everything was luckily.  When you did find your part or whatever, the price tag on it (and price charged for it) was probably ten or more years old!  Sadly, that place is long gone now....lost to the big developers and their strip malls.

   At the Big Box Stores you can't hardly find a decent bolt or screw in the size you need.  The customer No service ("we don't have any control over what we carry") is an abomination!!  I don't know how these places stay in business.  The few old timey REAL hardware stores we have left around here, I make a point of patronizing as much as I can so they hopefully stay in business for a little while longer..... !!

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 11, 2008 10:14pm | #8

   My sentiments exactly.

   John W.

1. 
   BruceS | Jan 12, 2008 04:35am | #11

   If your the nostalgic type.  Check out Joughin Hardware in Painesville Oh.  Jeff Joughin is the fourth generation store owner.  He collects old hand tools foot powered scroll saws, you name it. And sells antique tools also.  The floor creaks, pressed tin ceilings, Walls full of pigeon hole drawers.  Great service, if he doesn't have it he'll find and order it for you.   Could be a good article for FWW.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 11, 2008 10:33pm | #9

   jeff,

   Your description of that oldtime hardware store describes the one we have in our little town.  You walk into the place and your first thought is, "Oh Gawd how will I ever find that bolt or whatever".  The old gent knows where everything is.  The bisuness has been in the family since 1879.

   Most parts bins have several prices so you know they've been there a long time.  Living in the booneys does have it perks, I guess.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   TonyCz | Jan 12, 2008 04:18am | #10

   Look on line for a similar switch on Granger or Mc Master Carr.

   http://www.mcmaster.com/

   http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml

   Edited 1/11/2008 10:51 pm ET by TonyCz

6. 
   woodworker52A | Jan 16, 2016 05:11pm | #12

   Switch for MW ras

    I have one of the same models,my switch recently broke,I think it is the plastic triggeritself,the top broke off,I need a new one