The Switch that Makes me Twitch

March 31 update: Saw Stop now says I might need a new spring clip for my switch. After the clip arrives, I’ll install it and report back to y’all.

Hands down, the paddle switch on my Saw Stop table saw is the worst switch in woodworking.

In theory, it’s a good idea. You pull the paddle out to spin up the blade. Then you push it in to stop the blade. The paddle switch is huge (compared to other machinery switches) so you can turn it off easily with a bump of your leg.

In practice, however, the switch is a nightmare for production work. A stiff breeze will turn the switch off in the middle of a cut. Bump the saw (not the switch) with your hip, and the saw will turn off. Drop something on the table, ditto.

Caress it like the cheeks of a newborn kitten. Off.