"mac davis" wrote in message
...

So, it's not a "deadman" switch, but a quick "no hands" way to shut
the saw off?


Yes, that's correct -- there are times, not often thankfully, when ripping
certain pieces of wood that the kerf wants to spread ahead of the cut and
bind against the fence or close (pinch) on the blade. This is often the
result of "reaction" wood, where the wood has grown under stress because of
a bend in the tree. If the binding is not severe and you are using a good
push block you can usually work through it, but every so often the only safe
solution is to shut the saw down and finish the cut with a bandsaw or find
another way to cut the board. With the knee switch you don't have to take
your eyes off the board to cut the power.
--
Ken Vaughn
Visit My Workshop: http://home.earthlink.net/~kvaughn65/