Adding a switch to an older sliding table saw
5/18/15
Hello everyone. I have recently purchased a Holzher sliding table saw. I believe the machine is about 15 years old. This is my first slider and I find the inaccessibility of the power switch to be really frustrating. I am looking for advise on adding a second switch to this machine. Perhaps one on the user end of the slider (wireless perhaps). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know who actually made this machine?
5/20/15 #2: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
Post a pic but when I was looking for a slider the Holzher's looked like they were made by Altendorf. I too would like a switch on the user end and I'm planning on installing one. It's a matter of tying it into the mag starter on the control panel. You would then use an appropriate cord from the sliding table back to the cabinet. While wireless sounds good it goes against all safety issues you can imagine.
Post a pic of the user end as well.
5/20/15 #3: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
Thanks Ken,
Here is a picture of my new/old saw. I suppose I should clarify. I would attach the remote to the user end of the sliding table. There would never be someone walking around the shop with a remote to the saw in their pocket. I contacted a supplier of these remotes for 3 phase machines and it seems it can be done. Now, he would never officially suggest anyone ever connect a remote to a saw. He mentioned that their is always a small possibility of a false start due to radio interference, but that would likely never happen. I always shut down the power when changing the blade and don't really see much danger if the saw started on it's own one day as unlikely as that is. It's probably also important to mention that I am the only one who touches the saw (1-1/2 man shop). Also, I have the saw connected to a phase converter that is shut off every night and generally only on intermittently during the day (when I'm using the saw or edgebander). Are you aware of any other potential dangers of this situation that I may not understand?
As far as hard wiring it as you mentioned, are you thinking of running a coiled wire that stretches back and forth from the back side of the slider? If not, what are your ideas for running the wire?
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5/20/15 #4: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
Sure looks like an Altendorf. You don't need the 3 phase remote. The mag starter is low voltage, 24 volts. Adding simple start/stop buttons on the end panel of the slider and using a 3 conductor coiled cord is all you need. Simple connections in the control panel. You've motivated me to do this so I'll post my results.
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5/21/15 #5: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
Yes your right. Not a 3phase switch, but one capable of connecting in to a 3 phase machine. His description of how to connect it matches your description.
I must confess, I ordered this wireless remote a few hours after my original post, so as of now, it looks like I'm going in that direction unless someone can alert me of any safety issues I've overlooked here. I can use the remote for other things.
I'm really looking forward to seeing your when it's done.
5/21/15 #6: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
I'm interested in how he proposed on setting this up. If the receiver basically is a relay that supplies 24v to the coil of the mag starter this would disable the stop button. Remember the stop/start buttons are momentary and either "make" then release to operate the coil, and "break" on the off button to open the circuit to the coil so the aux contacts get opened.
5/21/15 #7: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
I'll post the results, good or bad. We didn't get into details yet, due to my admitted ignorance of the matter. He did promise tech support to get me though the process when I receive his product. If it doesn't work, I will immediately move on to your plan. If so, hopefully you get yours done first so I can learn from your experience.
5/21/15 #8: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
Don't know if you've ever had the control panel off but I found a full set of schematics inside of mine.
6/13/15 #9: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
I have a wireless remote on my dust collector, you couldn't give me one on a saw. Mine turns on all by itself at various times. My guess is interference from something in the neighborhood. I suppose it is possible but in the cost cutting world of switch makers, is it worth the chance? I'd run a wire the length of the carriage and install a momentary starter switch.
9/28/15 #10: Adding a switch to an older sliding ...
I've seen factory switches installed on the end of the sliders. I think they ran the wires inside of the table extrusion because the coil cord was at the opposite end where it wouldn't get in the way of operating the saw. The controls in the cabinet are most likely 24V and the push buttons momentary contact. Wiring is simple, one wire carries the power through all of the off buttons (series connections) the on buttons are parallel connections and just feed power from the power wire to the pickup coil, through the overload relay. Once the coil operates the auxiliary contact makes and provides power to the coil. That power is coming from the series wired stop buttons. I'd avoid the radio control. If my explanation is too poor just google motor starters. For what its worth you can use the auxiliary contacts on the starter of most any tool to start you dust collector. It's best to put a time delay relay on the off function so you can go from one tool to the next w/o having the dust collector start and stop too often. All the parts are fairly cheap and can be had from automationdirect.com Never work on it while it is powered. Buy one of the cheap AC power detectors that you just wand along any AC wire to check for power.