Designed To Fail: How Cheap Manufacturing Turns a New Saw Into Trash
How a $7 USD Part Fixed The Profit Margin
Tools Required For The Job
Vice Grips
22mm Deep Socket
Socket Wrench
#2 Philips head screw driver
Digital Multimeter
Spare piece of 12 gauge wire at least 6 inches in length.
NEW 125 v 20 amp Single Pole Single Throw (2 spade connector) Rocker Switch
I'm really happy when I see someone reusing and repairing. Wanna know what sucks? Some people just don't think they have time for anything else than to throw it away and be done. Sometimes, when I'm working with a "facilitator" or "logistics" type person that's serving a another group (the bread winners), we are unable to save things or even spend time considering the reusability of some items that are "in our way."
Pfff... especial if I am "on the clock." I try to convince my boss to let me get it repaired and I use local repair shops. Shops with nice real people in them. Not "burger flippers."
Also twisted is... some consider their trash a potential liability thereby restricting reusability.
We are conditioned to think more is better too. Oh and then there's planned obsolescence... i'm sure you've discussed it all before.
Awesome DIY post!!!
Totally adding this to my little file of examples of 'why design for maintenance and disassembly matters'.
The original switch was rated at 19A@125V and 12A@250V. (using the UL standard)
You will see your new switch is rated similarly (20A@125V and 15V@277V, and a weird 16A@150V below the line), Its just notated differently.
Awesome find though! its amazing what people throw out...
OH so thats what the 19 and 20 mean. I guess those are two different standards, I was confused by the difference in one amp. Figured those might be model numbers, but was also wondering why both voltages were rated at the same amperage.... Still makes you wonder why the switch went before the breaker lol.
well, I think you where right in your assumption that it was to save a few cents on the manufacturing... things are not built like they used to be. that table saw wasn't meant to be put to continuous use, or passed on to your kids... it was a 'disposable' tool... you just gave it a second life :)