footswitch

[boogatoo]

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]

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.

[jttheclockman]

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

[boogatoo]

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...

[jttheclockman]

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]

John T. I think he meant for a router table

[jttheclockman]

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