> any thoughts on my ideas ?

Pretty much anything will do. Personally I'd go with the rolling ball
tilt switch. I use them in a couple of products and they're only a $1
from RS. They work well and are much cheaper and "environmentally
conscious" (ugh) than the mercury types

The only problem I can think of might be the motor's inertia, ie run-
on after the power is cut. At worst you might need to apply braking

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