"DaveC" wrote in message
...
The reason to use a contactor instead of just an on / off switch is
that the
insides of the switch can get full of saw dust and turn on the saw
with the
switch in the off position. I've seen this happen!
Regular AC switches are not sealed well enough, but you can buy
sealed
switches with lower current ratings which is enough to engage the
contactor.

Shaun.

Best answer yet.

Yes, we all know about "during a power failure" but many times this
won't be
an issue (actually the friend would appreciate the saw continuing
the cut
after power comes back!), but the "auto turn-on" feature )c: is one
I hadn't
thought of.

Thanks!

The problem is that the contactor needs a bulky and expensive sealed
enclosure. I've wired my machinery with waterproof outdoor boxes and
flex conduit from big-box stores, but they don't carry large JIC boxes
with watertight doors.
http://www.austinenclosures.com/prod...s_Hinge_Boxes/