Sliding switches on some of my older power tools make it difficult to tell whether they’re switched on or off. I didn’t think much about it until the time my router started right up when I plugged it in—
I had unknowingly switched it on while I was changing bits. Before I could pull the plug, the runaway router had jumped right off my bench.
To easily tell whether my tools are on or off, I slide the switches to the on position—with the tool unplugged, of course—and apply a little bright-colored paint on the portion of the housing exposed by moving the switch. Now, bright paint warns that the power is on.