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Problem with on/off switch on Jet mini...

Lanietheberner

Lanietheberner

Joined
Jul 13, 2008
Messages
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Location
Grass Valley, CA
Is anyone else having a problem with on/off switch on Jet mini? This has been a great tool, but I had one problem with the switch (I checked the continuity and the switch was dead.) so I got a second switch from one week later again from Jet and this one lasted 1 week....

I called them and unfortunately they will not warranty the switch, and I have one more, so I'm going to give this a try again, as I have a demo this coming Friday evening, but I was wondering if I'm just a "problem child"?

Brad Glasse
Grass Valley, CA
 
Are you talking about the toggle switch on the variable speed model?

The power switch on my Jet VS mini died a while ago. I replaced it with a higher (and more correctly) rated toggle switch from the hardware store. It has the same form-factor (dimensions and connectors), cost less than $10 and has worked flawlessly.
 
From the number of complaints in various forums, it's a cheap switch. Pay the dollars and get one that's "motor-rated" for the surge and spark. About eight-twelve bucks gets one with the proper rating and alloy.

Keep it clean with some compressed air to avoid loss of current due to sawdust, and it should last a long time.
 
I agree with MM. I've seen a lot of the switches go bad. By an aftermarket higher quality switch if you can find one. I'm going to look for one to use on my project lathe but that project has been on the back burner for awhile. I need to get in gear and finish that lathe up.
 
Also had issues with this switch. It basically fell apart on me. I took it all the way apart, cleaned it well, and loaded it up with dielectric grease. (Unplugged from the wall that is!)

So far so good, but I am planning on replacing it in the next year or so with something of higher quality.
 
Thanks for the suggestions...

I'll try to get them implemented before I have to use it again later this week.

😀
 
Mine had the switch replaced with a factory part before it left the store because the one in it failed. The replacement failed the next day. It failed in the on position. I now have it plugged into a power cord and use the on/off switch on it for turning it off and on. I probably will get around to replacing it with a good one some time in the future. I have a demo next Monday. Bad on the part of Jet tools.
robo hippy
 
Mine failed too. I figured out the problem of the failure was the slamming/shutting of the variavle speed housing, every time I changed the belt range, would jar the switch and make it fail. Thats why the replacement switches fail too. So I removed the variable speed box and screwed it down to the table so I had enough room to get my hand in to change the belt speed. No more switch problems. I suspect it is not good for any of the componants in that box to be jarred every time the belts get changed and the door is slammed shut to get it to catch on the latch. Lyle Jamieson
 
PaulStroik said:
Okay, before mine goes out what type of replacement switch will I be looking for?
Click to expand...

Look for the same style of switch (i.e. toggle) that is rated for a motor load that is at least as large as your motor size. I would suggest a switch that is rated for at least 15A at 125V AC and 3/4 hp at 125V AC. Currently about $10 at a my local (Ace) hardware store.
 
Switch

Thanks everyone for the posting on this problem. My switch just went out (stuck in the on position)two nights ago and with the info I went over to local hardware store, picked up a switch and swapped it out. This is the second issue I have had with this Jet Mini VS in two months and it is less than two years old.

Since I first saw this topic a few weeks ago, before I was having any problems, I am wondering if it jinxed me?

Thanks agian.
 
I have had my Jet VS Mini for less than six months and have not experienced any problems with switch failure ... yet.

One of the issues I do have with the switch is that it seems a little to easy to switch it on when you don't want to. I do realize we are to unplug the lathe when changing belt settings, tightening a chuck. etc., etc., etc. but...

My question is, have any of you given thought to a different switch configuration, e.g. "Pull On - Push Off" or others that decrease the chances of hitting the switch when you don't want to?

Also, am I correct this is a SPST switch?
 
SPST stands for single pole, single throw. Per wikipedia, "A simple on-off switch: The two terminals are either connected together or not connected to anything. An example is a light switch."

Aaron
 
Thanks MM I was wondering if someone who had replaced it would know. As I am thinking about a Pull On - Push Off switch, I will need to specify if it is SPST or DPST. All in all I think my biggest issue will be getting one to fit.
 
If you have any doubt or difficulty fitting, you can use a DPST as a SPST. Just one side, that's all.
 
Ive had a jet mini for about 2 1/2 years and used the daylights out of it without problem. It is the 5 speed vs the variable though.
 
MichaelMouse said:
If you have any doubt or difficulty fitting, you can use a DPST as a SPST. Just one side, that's all.
Click to expand...

MM is correct that a DPST could be used on one side only, but tying both halves of the switch together in parallel would allow 'sharing' of the current through the make and break contacts on both sides of the switch, and this will ultimately handle the load better, overall. Nothing wrong with over-rating the switch contacts vs. the actual load demand on motor saturation and start-up. Would lengthen the life of the switch considerably. High current relays do this all the time in industrial equipment.

Rob
 
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