From the electronic side for anyone new with a machine reading this thread. The Cut Motor is tied to the computer through the X Termination Board. The Q1 Transistor or the 3 leg device is a simple electronic switch. When ever the machine is turned on one side of the voltage to run the cut motor is on one leg of the 3 leg transistor. IF this component were to fail it will do so in one of 2 ways. It either opens or it shorts. SO if it shorts the cut motor starts even if the computer did not tell it to start. The 2nd component failure I experienced twice was the C1 Capacitor snapping one leg and intermittently touching. This intermittent touching caused MY machine to spin up the cut motor. I could pound my fist on the top of the machine and make the cut motor spin up for a second. IF you are changing a bit and have your fingers inside the machine Normally the Right Side Cut Motor Safety Switch protects you as the clear cover is open. BUT.. IF you bypass this Right Side Switch either component failure could cause the cut motor to turn on and if your fingers are inside it could be bad.
This is like changing the table saw blade with it still plugged in. With the low bidder on off switch to protect you.
So for the new guys this is why I have never bypassed a Safety Switch.
Here are some pictures. If you look at the very early 2008 dates on the pictures you can find a post that I did when the cut motor was starting when it should not and it took me some time to find the broken wire on the C1 Capacitor.
I don't consider myself the Safety Police but I want to explain it in detail so as a new user reading this understands why a fellow member raised the flag. We don't want to let a post slide that goes against the manufacture design and recommendations. We don't want it to be considered "Normal... Everyone bypasses Safety Switches". And it is not true in my opinion.
I have the benefit of working for SONY making Picture Tubes starting in 1995 where in a plant of 4000 Employees some bypassed some safety devices and joined the 8 and 9 digit club. The Safety Department would bring them in to speak to the new employees and show the results. I also have 20 years in the Navy operating and repairing Radars and Computers. I posted the last picture of me in 1984. I was a student then but ended up teaching this Weapons System for 3 years. So I am always thinking Safety...
Pictures 6 and 7 are BURNT Boards.... I copied the photos from the Forum. Not sure why they burnt. But imagine if one burnt when you were changing your bit with the safety switch bypassed... Ouch.
AL
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