footswitch - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

boogatoo · 11-22-2005, 01:27 AM

Hi, I have an old sewing machine and tough of taking the footswitch for my scrollsaw. I will modify the 2 prongs cable to a 3 prongs for the ground. The scrollsaw motor is 1.4 Amps.

Anyone knows if the "footswitch" will bottleneck the power and leading the scrollsaw motor to force for nothing?

CanadianScroller · 11-22-2005, 02:13 AM

I am not sure of the current draw from your sewing machine but I would think it would be lower than that of the scroll saw.
The current draw going through the foot pedal could be excessive and cause a fire hazard.
The footswitch on a sewing machine is basically a large coil of wire with a wiper that slides across the coil.
The coil produces a resistance to the current and dissapates the energy as heat.

I would check with someone in the know before I did it.

I have thought of using one of the footswitches that you can buy for Christmas lights, They are cheap and can handle the current. You would have to add a third wire for the ground, but that would not be hard.
No variable speed, but on and off is handy too.

jttheclockman · 11-22-2005, 04:16 AM

Do not do it. A sewing machine switch has a variable switch and you can not use it.

boogatoo · 11-22-2005, 12:06 PM

Your comments probably saved my saw in the long term. The switch is unsutable for the scrollsaw but I have another idea...

I have been given this '60s-'70s sewing machine table. This is the kind with 3 drawers and the flip top that extend a table extention. The sewing machine is attached to a hinged top that hide the machine within when not in use. This is a very strong piece of furniture that will do a very good router table.

Thanks for all of your hints...

jttheclockman · 11-22-2005, 03:28 PM

Just one note about your table idea. If you plan on storing the saw the way a sewing machine was stored you need to devise a system to lift it up other than pulling on the arm. You never carry a scrollsaw by its top arm. Can do damage. Happy scrolling.

oaklysawyer · 11-22-2005, 03:37 PM

John T. I think he meant for a router table

jttheclockman · 11-22-2005, 04:53 PM

Thanks, I missed that. Didn't realized we switched gears. I should read more carefully. Router table , interesting idea.

11-22-2005, 01:27 AM	#1
boogatoo Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	footswitch Hi, I have an old sewing machine and tough of taking the footswitch for my scrollsaw. I will modify the 2 prongs cable to a 3 prongs for the ground. The scrollsaw motor is 1.4 Amps. Anyone knows if the "footswitch" will bottleneck the power and leading the scrollsaw motor to force for nothing? Last edited by boogatoo; 11-22-2005 at 12:08 PM.

11-22-2005, 02:13 AM	#2
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,937 Blog Entries: 12	don't get burned I am not sure of the current draw from your sewing machine but I would think it would be lower than that of the scroll saw. The current draw going through the foot pedal could be excessive and cause a fire hazard. The footswitch on a sewing machine is basically a large coil of wire with a wiper that slides across the coil. The coil produces a resistance to the current and dissapates the energy as heat. I would check with someone in the know before I did it. I have thought of using one of the footswitches that you can buy for Christmas lights, They are cheap and can handle the current. You would have to add a third wire for the ground, but that would not be hard. No variable speed, but on and off is handy too. __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

11-22-2005, 04:16 AM	#3
jttheclockman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 743	Do not do it. A sewing machine switch has a variable switch and you can not use it. __________________ John T.

11-22-2005, 12:06 PM	#4
boogatoo Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	Thanks to all of you Your comments probably saved my saw in the long term. The switch is unsutable for the scrollsaw but I have another idea... I have been given this '60s-'70s sewing machine table. This is the kind with 3 drawers and the flip top that extend a table extention. The sewing machine is attached to a hinged top that hide the machine within when not in use. This is a very strong piece of furniture that will do a very good router table. Thanks for all of your hints...

11-22-2005, 03:28 PM	#5
jttheclockman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 743	Just one note about your table idea. If you plan on storing the saw the way a sewing machine was stored you need to devise a system to lift it up other than pulling on the arm. You never carry a scrollsaw by its top arm. Can do damage. Happy scrolling. __________________ John T.

11-22-2005, 03:37 PM	#6
oaklysawyer Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: AZ, USA Posts: 57	John T. I think he meant for a router table

11-22-2005, 04:53 PM	#7
jttheclockman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 743	Thanks, I missed that. Didn't realized we switched gears. I should read more carefully. Router table , interesting idea. __________________ John T.

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