Power tool rocker switch keys and kids

[coleman10]

How many of you guys with young kids actually remove the rocker switch keys from your power tools?

If you do, where you do put them? I’m thinking of just locking them up in a little cash box and then hiding the key. The only one I’m really concerned about is the one for the table saw. I’d prefer if my 8 year old not get too curious with that when I’m not around. I remember when I was that age being fascinated with my dad’s radial arm saw. He never took the key out and looking back at how careless I was at that age, he really should have.

 

[JRC3]

 

[coleman10]

Ha! At that age they know how to put the plug back in!

 

[RTM]

I always unplugged all power tools when the kids were under 10 years old. Over 10 they had to help, so they made sure they were hard to find.

Only the TS had the key, I only removed it while it was actively plugged in, and it went in my pocket. Due to 220V power cord, getting to the saw, getting it out and powering it up was a major PITA, so never too worried.

If yours are permanently set up and plugged in, I'd suggest your box may work, but they will know where the box, and the key to the box, are.

I am always reminded of the episode of Picket Fences where the youngest kid (Zachary) climbs up and gets the key for dad's locked gun box, and opens it. More chilling stuff happens. Kids are much more observant than we realize.

 

[The Cobbler]

remove the locks,hide somewhere . remove the plugs.turn off the breakers.. don't let the little gaffers see you doing this

 

[MushCreek]

Can you buy replacement keys? I somehow lost the one off of my old Craftsman bandsaw. The one from my Ridgid table saw fits it, so I suppose that there's some kind of standard fit to these things?

 

[matt_i]

I had it used against me once when I was about 12yo. Dad cleaned up the shop (long, difficult task) and shortly thereafter I got out all kinds of things to do some project or other and left it all sitting out. He then took the power tool "keys" for the next two weeks while I focused on cleanup

 

[coleman10]

Can you buy replacement keys? I somehow lost the one off of my old Craftsman bandsaw. The one from my Ridgid table saw fits it, so I suppose that there's some kind of standard fit to these things?

Yes. I just discovered that all of mine are the same except for one. It also looks like the table saw I’m getting today is the same, generic key.

These supposedly work for the two-prong type. I have one takes a smaller, single tab. I’m sure that must be available somewhere, too.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5S39J2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[coleman10]

Found out that the switch on the table saw I got actually accommodates a padlock, so problem solved for that since that is what I was most concerned about. Difficult to lose your fingers on a sander or scroll saw.