Toggle switch for older Harbor Freight band saw

[samari46]

Have an old Harbor Freight chinese band saw. Need a toggle switch with extra long toggle because when the saw comes down it hits the extra long toggle handle to shut it off. Has a induction motor with 100mfd capacitor. Can I juts install a 10amp 125 volt toggle switch and when it goes off only break the hot wire (black) or do I need a toggle switch that breaks both the hot and neutral legs at the same time. And where would I get the on/off toggle switch with an extra long toggle?. Checked with Grainger but no mention of an extra long toggle. Thanks in advance for your help. Frank

[Winger Ed.]

Of all the power tools I've run across, the on/off switches only break the hot wire.

I've got a el-cheapo drill press that the switch went bad on, and I couldn't find a replacement.
I mounted a 120V house hold light switch in a blue plastic box a couple inches directly above it and ran the switch wires to it.

So far, so good.

[firebyprolong]

That’s what I did when mine went out on my China freight saw, just replaced it with a standard ace hardware store toggle switch, I can’t remember if it was double or single pole. I did have to bend the little shutoff tab a bit to get it to work.

[samari46]

Well replaced the switch and still didn't work. So just looking at the power cord on the darn thing. No wonder it didn't work. Only the ground wire was still intact. Seems maybe a critter got in my garage and ate part of the wiring. So replaced the cord and off she went. Cleaned up the vise part and squirted some LPS #1 to keep it from rusting. So just saved about $300 to buy another one. But will be getting some Lennox bi-metallic blades in different teeth per inch. Thanks for all your help. Frank

[Hdskip]

check out Grizzly . they offer switches and parts for their equipment and you may be able to adapt something. Prices are reasonable also

[Froogal]

Of all the power tools I've run across, the on/off switches only break the hot wire.

I've got a el-cheapo drill press that the switch went bad on, and I couldn't find a replacement.
I mounted a 120V house hold light switch in a blue plastic box a couple inches directly above it and ran the switch wires to it.

So far, so good.

I did the same thing on a Chinese bench grinder, except I was able to mount the box right on the grinder.

[country gent]

In a bind a piece of snug fitting tubing glued on the lever of the switch will extend it enough to work. On a lot an old arrow shaft may work,

Older equipment had the electrical box and switch when new, todays panels are much more involved at times

[samari46]

Actually, the toggle switch worked perfectly after I adjusted the tab that comes down with the saw and pushes the toggle to the off position. Tested it more than a couple times to make sure it worked. Thanks again. Frank

[Acorn]

In a bind a piece of snug fitting tubing glued on the lever of the switch will extend it enough to work. On a lot an old arrow shaft may work,

Older equipment had the electrical box and switch when new, todays panels are much more involved at times

This is what I’ve done with my brake rotor/drum lathe. Got a 125v rated switch a put a piece of rubber vacuum hose over the toggle.

[samari46]

Thanks again, had a longer toggle on the switch I had in one of my storage bins. But replaced the old one anyway. Frank

[jonp]

I just watched a video of a guy that bought an HF bandsaw on Craigs for $1500 I think. He also replaced that switch and had a problem with belt fitting. One called for was 2in too short so he went up an inch and still had to drill out the motor mounts to lengthen them a bit but otherwise likes it for 20in or so logs.

How do you like yours? In your opinion, would it be suitable for a non professional to cut up some boards and posts