Fortunately Sears (read Ryobi) has provided a plethora of opportunities for customization. Notably, in this case, the one inch T-channel on the bottom of the front rail. By attaching a hinge to a slide inserted in this channel I was able to construct a cutoff switch, which met my requirements. I selected a piano hinge because it could be mounted flush to the slide and the dimensions were appropriate for the narrow slide. To the hinge I mounted two pieces of aluminum, one to carry a bolt used as a finger to push the switch and another to aid in support of a bar for throwing the switch to turn off the saw. A long, but narrow, push bar was added attached to the aluminum supports. Job done, all else is details.
Materials
Slide 1”x 1/8” x 4” steel
Hinge 1 1/16” x 30”
Support 6” x 3” x 1/8” Aluminum
Support 3” x 3 “ x 1/8 Aluminum
Push Bar 6’ x 2” x 1/2” walnut (or what you have)
Hardware #10-32 x 3/8” screws, nuts and washers (used as spacers)
Clamp screws (2) 5/16”
Finger 3” x ¼” bolt + nut and plastic end cap
Tools
# 10-32 Die
5/16 Die
Drill or drill press, drill bits
Hacksaw (for steel)
Jig saw (for Aluminum)
File (to smooth edges of metal)
Wrenches
