UK Question - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Bill68 · 02-18-2007, 12:36 PM

Hi All
Does anybody know where to buy a footswitch for a scrollsaw that does not cost more than the saw,my saw cost £60 the cheapest footswitch I can locate is £59+vat.
Thanks for any help given.

Bill

MikeDingas · 02-18-2007, 01:30 PM

Sloans sells one for $30 USD. Don't know what S/H would add. It's rated in US terms but I guess it should work okay across the pond.

Gill · 02-18-2007, 02:33 PM

I'd be wary of using US electrical goods in conjunction with those rated for the EU. They're often not compatible.

To answer your question, Bill, I don't know anyone who sells footswitches in the UK at a reasonable price.

Gill

MikeDingas · 02-18-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill

I'd be wary of using US electrical goods in conjunction with those rated for the EU. They're often not compatible.

Gill

Well, I guess that depends upon the voltage of your saw. Admittedly, I don't know beans about the voltage level scroll saws made for UK run on nor the electrical plug style. That said, 220V systems require half the amperage of a 110V. So, the current rating of the switch should be closely scrutinized. If the plug fits and the current/voltage rating okay, why wouldn't it be a safe purchase?

Here's a link about compatability.

Gill · 02-18-2007, 05:59 PM

Perhaps it would be safe, Mike - I just said it's something to be wary of. Since I'm not an electrician, I don't know how these things work. However, I do know that there can be compatibility issues and it would be wise to check them out before making a purchase.

I'd be tempted to ask this question over on the UK Workshop forum where there are plenty of British woodworkers who have imported American equipment.

Gill

chrispuzzle · 02-18-2007, 11:03 PM

Since the foot switch is doing the same sort of job, I wonder if a sewing machine foot switch can be pressed into service?

Chris

MikeDingas · 02-18-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill

I'd be tempted to ask this question over on the UK Workshop forum where there are plenty of British woodworkers who have imported American equipment.

Gill

Excellent idea, Gill. No one should sacrifice safety to save a few pounds.

Bill68 · 02-20-2007, 10:07 AM

Hi Mike,Gill and Chris
Thank you for your help.
Chris I thought about a sewing machine footswitch,my wifes machine actually,she's not to keen on me trying it, there is a problem, the switch controls the speed of the sewing machine,I could switch my saw to run flat out and then control it with the footswitch but I am not certain that would work,the contacts on the switch would probably soon burn out as the sewing m/c is not rated that high,and I was really looking for a switch just to stop and start the m/c and turn a light on.
Bill

MikeDingas · 02-21-2007, 12:29 AM

Bill, I've also toyed with the idea of making my own using a rocker-style light switch. I just haven't gotten around to designing a suitable housing for it.

Bill68 · 02-21-2007, 08:24 PM

Hi Mike
Some of these new modern design standard lights have a footswitch on the floor,if they would work why do the machinery manufacturers charge so much for ones they supply.
Bill

02-18-2007, 12:36 PM	#1
Bill68 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Ashby-De-La-Zouch Posts: 12	UK Question Hi All Does anybody know where to buy a footswitch for a scrollsaw that does not cost more than the saw,my saw cost £60 the cheapest footswitch I can locate is £59+vat. Thanks for any help given. Bill

02-18-2007, 01:30 PM	#2
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 803	Sloans sells one for $30 USD. Don't know what S/H would add. It's rated in US terms but I guess it should work okay across the pond. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed)

02-18-2007, 02:33 PM	#3
Gill Fallen Angel Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,605	I'd be wary of using US electrical goods in conjunction with those rated for the EU. They're often not compatible. To answer your question, Bill, I don't know anyone who sells footswitches in the UK at a reasonable price. Gill __________________ There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is readily adopted. (Schopenhauer, Die Kunst Recht zu Behalten)

02-18-2007, 05:59 PM	#5
Gill Fallen Angel Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,605	Perhaps it would be safe, Mike - I just said it's something to be wary of. Since I'm not an electrician, I don't know how these things work. However, I do know that there can be compatibility issues and it would be wise to check them out before making a purchase. I'd be tempted to ask this question over on the UK Workshop forum where there are plenty of British woodworkers who have imported American equipment. Gill __________________ There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is readily adopted. (Schopenhauer, Die Kunst Recht zu Behalten)

02-18-2007, 11:03 PM	#6
chrispuzzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 228	Since the foot switch is doing the same sort of job, I wonder if a sewing machine foot switch can be pressed into service? Chris __________________ "If you march your Winter Journeys you will have your reward, so long as all you want is a penguin's egg." Saws: AWSF18, Meccano Mk II

02-20-2007, 10:07 AM	#8
Bill68 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Ashby-De-La-Zouch Posts: 12	Hi Mike,Gill and Chris Thank you for your help. Chris I thought about a sewing machine footswitch,my wifes machine actually,she's not to keen on me trying it, there is a problem, the switch controls the speed of the sewing machine,I could switch my saw to run flat out and then control it with the footswitch but I am not certain that would work,the contacts on the switch would probably soon burn out as the sewing m/c is not rated that high,and I was really looking for a switch just to stop and start the m/c and turn a light on. Bill

02-21-2007, 12:29 AM	#9
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 803	Bill, I've also toyed with the idea of making my own using a rocker-style light switch. I just haven't gotten around to designing a suitable housing for it. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed)

02-21-2007, 08:24 PM	#10
Bill68 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nr Ashby-De-La-Zouch Posts: 12	Hi Mike Some of these new modern design standard lights have a footswitch on the floor,if they would work why do the machinery manufacturers charge so much for ones they supply. Bill

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