Sewing Machine Foot Switches

[CanadianScroller]

The topic of using a sewing machine foot control comes up often.

There are two basic types of foot switches. Simple on/off and speed control.
If your saw has a speed control built in then a basic on/off switch can really add to the comfort and control of your saw.
If you dont have a speed control then the thought of a foot actuated speed control sounds attractive.

Sewing machines have used foot pedals for years.
The motor on a typical sewing machine is around 1/10 of a hp.
The controller is rated for this size motor.
The motor on a typical scroll saw is 1/3 of a hp or more. The sewing machine controller would burn out trying to control the current.
I would not recommend this, it could be dangerous.

Speed controls on scroll saws are typically electronic devices. There are a few saws that use pulleys to control speed.

If you would like to control the speed on a scroll saw there are some aftermarket speed controls designed for routers.
They are usually a simple knob and not a foot control. They offer maximum torque through out the speed range of the saw.

If you use an on/off foot switch along with one of these speed controls you will get satisfactory results.

[Jim McDonald]

Good information Carl:
I spent 20 years in consumer electronics and far too many times people would try something that was a couple of dollars cheaper than my product, but was underrated for the job, so they would eventually come in and either buy my solution (now they have paid twice for the same fix) or they had to replace the device due to the prior "cheap" fix harming their item.

The foot switches from Harbor Freight come in a click on click off configuration or a deadman, where down is on and lift your foot to stop. I can't remember the exact amperage rating on them, but it is several times the draw of my saw. I could see the need for speed control sometimes, but with the upfront speed knobs on most newer saws, I get along fine with my deadman switch and adjusting speed on the top arm of the Hitachi.
With anything electrical, buy it right and only buy it once (Acts of God notwithstanding) .

[woodgeek]

Have burned out 1 harbor freight foot switch on my DW788 but as they are cheap (I paid 10 bucks) I am sticking with them. I can't imagine working without one now and as a bonus I believe it will save the contacts on the switch on the saw.

[Rick-H]

Originally Posted by CanadianScroller

The topic of using a sewing machine foot control comes up often.


If you would like to control the speed on a scroll saw there are some aftermarket speed controls designed for routers.
They are usually a simple knob and not a foot control. They offer maximum torque through out the speed range of the saw.

If you use an on/off foot switch along with one of these speed controls you will get satisfactory results.

Not sure this is right. The topic has come up many times and a router motor is not an induction type motor like most all scrollsaws use. I have been told the router speed control will burn the scrollsaw motor up. Same go for the sewing machine speed control. They are both made for different types of motors.

I hope you have tried this before you tell people it will work. How many hours do you have on the scrollsaw you have done this with? If you have not tried it how do you know it works?

Seems to me if it was that simple someone would be selling either type of variable speed control to the scrollsaw buyers. But the fact that no supplier sells these to scrollsaw users it leads me to believe that they will not work without burning up the motor.