How to Wire a Table Saw Switch: #1 Best Guide

How to Wire a Table Saw Switch

Steps:

Step 1:  Safety First! If you’re not sure what electric tools do to your body, take a look at our article on electric shock safety.  And if it’s been a while since you were last shocked, then take another look through our post here .

Step 2:  Before you can wire your saw, you need to remove the top cover on the saw.  Most top covers use one hex bolt and one Phillips screw.

Step 3:  Now you need to disconnect the switch from the wiring. To do that, you’ll have to pull on a tab located under where the switch appears.  Once it’s been pulled off, disconnect it from the wiring with a screwdriver.

Step 4: Next we need to get rid of the cord for this table saw, because we’ll be replacing it with different wires so we can wire our table saw correctly in this tutorial.  To do that, you’ll have to remove the cord grip and wire cover. 

Step 5: Now we need to get rid of the blade retainer (sometimes called retainer clip).  To do that, lift the blade up and out by lifting the bar with a wrench. Then remove its metal screw.

Step 6: Now it’s time to remove the top cover.  To do that, set your table saw on a level surface then lift up slowly while you simultaneously push down on the front of it at where your power cord came through.  Once you’re at this point, place one hand behind the saw and use your other hand to slip under it slowly while pulling back at where your power cord came through.

Step 7: Now you need to remove three hex bolts (sometimes called ear nuts).  Set them aside.  Each one is located under a handle that remains in the top of your saw.

Step 8: Finally, we need to disconnect four wires connected to the switch.  To do that, bend each one with a pair of pliers or a pair of flat tip screwdrivers. Once they have been bent and are disconnected, disconnect them from the wiring by pulling the wire off with a pair of pliers or flat tip screwdriver so it can be removed from the switch.

Step 9: Now you need to locate where the wiring for your saw is coming from.  Usually you’ll find a cord or a wire coming from the back of it.  If you see any screws, you’ll need to remove them.  Alternatively, if your electric box is located on the wall with its bars exposed, unscrew it and take out the wire by hand.

Step 10: Now we need to attach red wires coming from the switch to a black wire coming from our cord or wire source.  In order to do that, we’ll have to twist them together using a pair of pliers or a pair of flat tip screwdrivers until the wires become one solid piece.

Step 11: Now we’ll attach the black wire coming from our cord or wire source to the black wires from the switch.  In order to do that, twist them together using a pair of pliers or a pair of flat tip screwdrivers until they are one solid piece.

Step 12: Now we need to attach the ground wire from our cord or wire source to a green or bare copper screw from our table saw.  We’ll need to twist them together using a pair of pliers or a pair of flat tip screwdrivers until they become one solid piece and are securely attached to each other.

Step 13: Now that we have attached each wire to the correct spots, it’s time to test out our work before we start putting the cover back on.  Simply plug in your table saw and turn it on.  If the saw turns on, then you’ve successfully wired your table saw!

Step 14: If the saw didn’t turn on, your wires may have been attached to the wrong spots.  Check your wiring and get rid of any shorts by unscrewing the wire and twisting it back together on the correct spot.

Step 15: Now we need to put our cover back on.  To do that, simply lay it back into place and screw it down with your hex bolts or ear nuts.  Once that is done, you’ll be ready to use your table saw!

Overall this is a very easy project to complete.  It will take a few hours to complete, but is very simple and provides you with what you need in order for your table saw to be safely functioning again.

How to Wire a Table Saw Switch Video