FOOT SWITCH TYPE

[Alexam]

Excuse my ignorance, but a foot switch operation for the scrollsaw is press to start and press again to stop, or start when depressed and only run when foot continues pressure, so foot lifted and motor stops ?

I have a Record SSD16 and would like to get something appropriate, so any ideas where and which one would be appreciated.

 

[Chippygeoff]

Hi Alex. When i bought my Hegner I did a deal with them, which included the foot switch, I press down to start the saw and lift my foot off and the saw stops. I did have a spare foot switch but I was looking for it a few weeks back but failed to find it, you could have had that one. When buying a foot switch, say from e-bay, you have to be careful as many of them are for guitars and not suitable for the scroll saw. I understand Axminster do one that is quite reasonable. No doubt other members will come forward as to where they got theirs. Once you start using a foot switch you will wonder how you ever got on without one.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Geoff. I was curious about 'momentary' foot switches and not shure what that meant. Will have a look at Axminster.

There are loads on Amazon, but not sure if they area all suitable http://stuccu.co.uk/s/Scroll+Saw+Foot+S ... 2wodvJAOWg

 

[MMUK]

From a safety point of view, I'd recommend a non-latching, or momentary, foot switch.

This would be ideal and under £13.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EDK2CRM/r ... Y5RA4PFTP2

 

[AES]

Hullo Alexam,

Yes, confirm, the foot switch that I posted here a week or two back for use with my Excali (which I'm pretty sure could be used for other makes of scroll saw and many other things too) is of the "momentary" type - i.e. press with the foot the saw runs; lift the foot off the saw stops. Note also that in the case of my Excali, the original ON/OFF switch is still active - i.e. until the ON/OFF switch is set to ON then the foot switch doesn't operate at all.

HTH
AES

 

[Alexam]

Thanks both very much. The monetary switch it is then. Will gert one ordered.

 

[Lons]

Probably a stupid question but is there any reason why a foot switch from an old sewing machine wouldn't work?
Variable speed and off when you lift your foot. I haven't looked at loadings but assume a scrollsaw motor isn't going to draw more power than a sewing machine?

Bob

 

[AES]

It's a very good question Lons. I had the same thought when I was having problems with getting a foot switch for my Excali. I did a bit of googling and found several threads where it said (in short) "Be careful, they don't all work", and my wife was not at all willing to let me try her sewing machine switch out on my saw!

So I gave up the idea and (eventually) bought the "proper" switch.

But I must say that when I look at the cable on my foot switch, it looks to me like it could happily handle 13 amps at least, whereas the saw has a data plate clearly saying "rated at 1.5 amps", and is fitted with a 5 amp fuse (BTW, the motor on my saw is 60 V DC).

I'm not sure about using a sewing machine with a variable speed (rheostat?) built in, but I still have the feeling that if using "only" a momentary on/off switch just about anything would do - I can't believe the electrical characteristics of a typical 220 Volt sewing machine motor and a typical 220 Volt scroll saw motor are all that different. But in the end I was just too chicken to risk voiding the warranty on my new saw and bought the "proper" one - at considerably more than 13 quid I may say.

Finally I should add that I was in touch with Axi (the UK distributor for Excali) and their customer support people told me they had NO foot switch in their range suitable for my Excali.

So perhaps it's the DC motor on my saw that is a special characteristic, but finally, I just dunno mate!

AES

 

[Lons]

Reason I asked is because I have a switch. Replaced my wifes' ancient sewing machine recently (hardly used 'cos she hates sewing ), and rather than chuck in the skip i salvaged the motor, footswitch and some other bits - as you do :lol:.
I have a cheap scroll saw and will give it a go when I get a chance.

Interestingly I have a Foredom woodcarving machine with a very similar footswitch so will compare those as well.

cheers
Bob

 

[AES]

- as you do :lol:.

Yes Lons, you're dead right, "as you do".

I for one (and I guess several other members?) would be interested to hear the results of any experiments you make in that area. Is your wife's sewing machine foot switch fitted with a speed control as well, or is it just on/off?

The Foredom switch is interesting too. How much did it cost (or was it included within the kit)?

AES

 

[Lons]

- as you do :lol:.

Yes Lons, you're dead right, "as you do".

I for one (and I guess several other members?) would be interested to hear the results of any experiments you make in that area. Is your wife's sewing machine foot switch fitted with a speed control as well, or is it just on/off?

The Foredom switch is interesting too. How much did it cost (or was it included within the kit)?

AES

The sewing machine switch is variable speed and the Fordom switch came with the kit which I bought s/h a few years ago. Fordom gear isn't cheap though.
I thought all sewing machine footswitches were variable speed but really don't know as haven't given it much thought before now.

Bob

 

[AES]

Bob:

QUOTE: I thought all sewing machine footswitches were variable speed but really don't know as haven't given it much thought before now.
UNQUOTE:

Maybe, I dunno, but if yours is variable speed and it works OK on your saw then you'll have discovered a cheap way of getting both on/off and variable speed on your saw. I would be interested to hear how that experiment goes.

AES

 

[Alexam]

Hi Guys,

the foot switch recommended by Steve (MMUK) has just been delivered and looks very solid.

Just wanted to check with the electricians amongst you about the wiring. It has three points to connect wires, Com 1 - No 3 and NC 2. Which way do I wire these terminals to get the correct oiperation with the scroll saw to work when the foot switch is depressed.

It seems thre is no earth connection, so should I put a screw in the metal case?

 

[Claymore]

Malcolm I have had one of those for months but haven't a clue how to wire it up 8-( they seem to be a solid bit of kit but it would help if they had a wiring diagram for us non sparky's
Brian
Ps if you get yours sorted any chance of a photo of the wiring plus the odd tip? lol

 

[Alexam]

I'd be happy to once I have to information.

 

[Monkey Mark]

Malcolm I have had one of those for months but haven't a clue how to wire it up 8-( they seem to be a solid bit of kit but it would help if they had a wiring diagram for us non sparky's
Brian
Ps if you get yours sorted any chance of a photo of the wiring plus the odd tip? lol

If it helps, I've just answered that on this thread. https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post983832.html#p983832

 

[Monkey Mark]

With regards to using a sewing machine foot pedal. Just keep in mind that as you slow the speed down the amperage will increase. Make sure the cabling and motor can take it.

 

[Lons]

With regards to using a sewing machine foot pedal. Just keep in mind that as you slow the speed down the amperage will increase. Make sure the cabling and motor can take it.

Yep thanks Mark.

 

[Monkey Mark]

Not sure how helpful it would be but on instructables someone shows how they used a sewing machine pedal to control something like an exact saw.http://m.instructables.com/id/cheap-diy-foot-speed-control-for-dremel-or-other-t/

 

[Alexam]

Sorted, as it was a question asked some time ago. A member redmoorphil did a diagram which I hope you can find here found-a-decent-foot-switch-for-my-scroll-saw-t70311.html

I have done another similar diagram and can e-mail to anyone who wishes.

Alex

PS - NOT QUITE ................. Have now wired iit up and it works BUT. The switch on the scrollsaw (two button - on & off plus twospeed fast and slow........ once running with the footswitch depressed, releasing to footrswitch does cut the power, but it will not start again when foot depressed again - it has to be switched on with the button. This must be something to do with the scrollsaw switching.

The red and green buttons have 4 contacts and there are other contacts connected to the speed switch. I need to make a change if the footswitch is to be fully operational and don't know what that change is. Any ideas please. It's a Record SDD16.