Certainly, we can be sensible about this.  One can make a modification
in such a way that it would not damage the authenticity of the
instrument and still provide a safe and "sane" instrument.

For instance -- if one could keep the knife switch but reduce the
voltage to that switch to, say, 12 - 24 volts, and then use that current
to activate a relay set into a safe place, away from harm.  There would
be no damage to the authenticity of the instrument since it could be
done in such a way that it could easily be removed without damaging or
permanently altering the instrument.

By the way -- if you get an electrical shock, no matter how slight, from
any part of an instrument, there is something wrong!Electric motors
and other electrical components do not leak current to other parts of a
machine unless they have been damaged in some way (including wear).  That
leaking current indicates not just a potential shock hazard, but a
potential fire hazard.

I can't stress this more: no one will enjoy these machines if they are
injured or KILLED!

Bill Budenholzer¶
<bluemax@esm3max.esmrahd.com>¶
http://www.icon-stl.net/~bluemax/index.htm