Thread: Sturdee's foot switch.

Did a quick search on the internet.

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SP0760

Thanks again for the pointer, Scott

Originally Posted by himzol

Just on foot switches,

All the lasers I work with have a foot switch actuator, all have a metal hood over the foot switch to stop you accidently stepping on said switch when walking around.
Peter you may want to make something like that up for your units, it may not be necessary but I've always been of the opinion that you can't be too carefull.

Himzo.

I agree totally with you here Himzol! My brother-in-law took the tips of his fingers off when a work mate walked behind him when he was working ona metal press. The natural reaction is to step foward to let someone through but he forgot that the foot switch was infront of his foot and that his hand was in the press!

Cheers,
Craig Gordon

I think a footswitch should only be used in conjunction with a NVR (no voltage release) switch.
A quick check on my bandsaw and pedestal drill revealed that the drill has NVR but the bandsaw doesn't. For anyone not sure weather their gear is fitted with NVR, turn it on as you usually would when using the machine and leave it running, now go over to the outlet on the wall (where the machine gets its power from) and turn the power off then back on again. If the machine restarts there is no NVR fitted to the starting circuit.
One other thing to remember about fitting a footswitch to a machine with NVR is that the footswitch will need to be operated first, then the machines normal "on" button will still need to be pushed to get the machine running, but stopping will require only the footswitch to opened.

Hello Guys (& Gals),


The switches are $19.95 and available from pretty much any Jaycar store.

For those who understand(and are not going to fry themselves!), simply wire the normally open switch contact and the common in series with the active cable and hey presto...deadmans switch.

Very handy with the bandsaw. Especially when the magnetic switch on my Hafco BP-14 melted!

The plate on the bottom removes so that you can mount it to something sturdy (like a big lump of wood) and then fit a guard bent out of some scrap metal (ali plate or similar)


Hope this helps.


Regards,


Scott.

Himzol, Generally speaking fitting a guard over the switch is a very good idea. My drill press foot switch is located in a corner so it is not likely to be accidentally activated. However I will incorporate it in the mobile one.

Dan, My footswitch is a deadman switch. It only works whilst pressed in and as soon as pressure is released the switch stops. Therefore the footswitch is actually a NVR switch and it is not necessary to have one on the actual machine and in fact it would a hindrance if it had one. Therefore I leave the drill press switch permanently in the on position.

Tonto, it does not matter if Jaycar sells switches, the important thing is improving our workshops. But it would be funny if based on this sudden rush they permanently increase their stocklevels.


Peter.

We'll see what happens with Jaycar. I bought one of their switches and sent them an email pointing to this forum. Not had a reply yet.

Simon