Thread: Foot operated on/off pedal for my scroll saw in Australia

If the saw you buy does not have variable speed would just get one of these
https://www.ebay.com/p/Variable-Spee...d=171526288544

And then change the plugs on the switch.

As long as the scroll saw draw <6A it should be Ok.
One more thing - I'm pretty sure those pedals only work on brushed motors which I guess most scroll saws use?

If the saw has variable speed and you want the variable speed on the pedal you might be able to just set the saw variable speed to top speed and then use the pedal to control the speed.
Some variable speed setups on machines won't like a second variable speed attached to it so the one on the machine may need to be by passed.

If the scroll saw has a No Volt switch on it that switch will need to be replaced with a direct switch

Originally Posted by BobL

If the saw you buy does not have variable speed would just get one of these
https://www.ebay.com/p/Variable-Spee...d=171526288544

And then change the plugs on the switch.

As long as the scroll saw draw <6A it should be Ok.
One more thing - I'm pretty sure those pedals only work on brushed motors which I guess most scroll saws use?

If the saw has variable speed and you want the variable speed on the pedal you might be able to just set the saw variable speed to top speed and then use the pedal to control the speed.
Some variable speed setups on machines won't like a second variable speed attached to it so the one on the machine may need to be by passed.

If the scroll saw has a No Volt switch on it that switch will need to be replaced with a direct switch

Max 3A at 240v

Originally Posted by Lappa

Max 3A at 240v

Thanks Lappa.

From the looks of it most scroll saws only draw about 1/2A?

I purchased my foot switch from the local electrical wholesaler & is purely an on or off switch & i still use the speed control on the saw .It is installed in the main supply lead to the saw using a junction box . I installed it myself as I am an electrician but if you are not sure as to how to go about it see a sparky to do it for you. If your saw has a no volt switch on the saw itself you will either have to bypass it or change the switch. I think you are inviting trouble if you use a variable speed type foot switch Cheers Peter

I bought mine from Helen Harris...... [email protected]

Great to deal with for scrollsaw blades & accessories

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Here's a reasonably priced one. I'll probably put one of these on my scroll saw once I get it set up.
https://www.jaycar.com.au/foot-switch/p/SP0760

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Here's a reasonably priced one. I'll probably put one of these on my scroll saw once I get it set up.
https://www.jaycar.com.au/foot-switch/p/SP0760

I have one of those on my drill press

Stupid question time, would a sewing machine foot control work, it gives variable speed and on/off.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Stupid question time, would a sewing machine foot control work, it gives variable speed and on/off.

Most sewing machine pedals are 2 mains wire(no earth) on the plug, and 3 contacts out.
I suspect one of the 3 outs is a neutral, one is the Full V active and the other is the variable V active.
The Full V active is probably used for built in machine lighting.

Just have to make use it's a 220/240V and do some testing before hand.
They are usually limited to ~200W so unless you had a built in light you'd be better off with the one I posted which is 3A or 750W.

Here's one for a laugh 22V 100 kW on one of the pictures in the eBay listing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-2...gAAOSwWxNYylKg

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Stupid question time, would a sewing machine foot control work, it gives variable speed and on/off.

It would work, I've had one (and posted the details - link would be useless as the photos went AWOL) for about 13 years.

Peter.

Originally Posted by BobL

Most sewing machine pedals are 2 mains wire(no earth) on the plug, and 3 contacts out.
I suspect one of the 3 outs is a neutral, one is the Full V active and the other is the variable V active.
The Full V active is probably used for built in machine lighting.

Actually the old style Singer foot pedal switch, that I have, has an active going to the foot pedal switch from the plug and an active returning to the plug. No other wires.

This one plugs into the old style sewing machine and pressing the pedal completes the circuit to use the machine.

It is a variable on/off switch that I mainly used with an old drill press so I assume it would work with an jigsaw.

Peter.

Here is another option which is fully wired ready to go. I think if you were to get a variable speed pedal your scrollsawing days would end fairly quickly. Trying to hold your foot stationary on the pedal with nothing pushing back against you would be very difficult after a short time. I don't see any reason why you would want to vary the speed while cutting a particular material, just set and forget.

yep set and forget if you are scrolling lots you don't want to be leaving your foot on the pedal to have it work just tap to go and tap to stop.