new2woodwrk Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I've been reading where many use a foot switch for their scrollsaw. If you do, are you using a deadman's switch (press down to start, lift off to stop) or an on and off switch? I tried a deadman's switch, but it was too much "thinking". Thanks as always in advance OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munzieb Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I scroll standing and the deadman switch would make me stand uneven or I would have to block up the other foot. I sometimes move around when I'm cutting and it doesn't work for me. I have a padded pad I stand on and carpet taped the switch to the pad. new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I have both styles.. I honestly prefer the switch on switch off over the dead man style.. while the dead man style also has advantages for doing lot's of small detail cuts.. I find my leg / foot etc get's tired of holding down on the switch to keep the saw running on the larger cutouts.. My Hawks and Excalibur saws came with the deadman style.. so that is why I have that style.. but the one I purchased from Harbor Freight for my DeWalt years ago was a on - off style.. Maybe I like that style better because that is what I always used until 2 years ago when I bought my first Hawk? Not sure.. but this old leg / foot gets tired of holding down on the switch for me.. SCROLLSAW703, new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I used the switch on the machine for over 20 years and then switched to the foot peddle and I love it wouldn't do with out it. IKE amazingkevin, new2woodwrk, SCROLLSAW703 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustLarry Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I use the on /off foot switch on the scroll saw and use the dead man on my Dremel router when drilling starter holes. Both are HF models. I do not like to keep my foot in one position when I am scrolling. Larry new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I use the "dead man" style. Actually have never tried an "off/on" one. If I stood up to scroll, I can see where the off/on would work better. I may have to get one and try it. I always figured I may not be able to locate the off/on switch with my foot, and I don't want to have to look away from my work with the saw running in a delicate area. Maybe that is not a problem. OCtoolguy, new2woodwrk, tomsteve and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I'm a deadman style user, I like being able to quickly "let go" if when a blade snaps or the blade grabs my wood and I scream and cuss. spirithorse, SCROLLSAW703, OCtoolguy and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 "Dead man Walking " that's me!.......The dead man style came with my EX21 , never used anything else. new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I have tried both, but like the dead man style better, I sit on a high stool, the dead man switch is mounted on my stand shelf and very comfortable and works great for me, RJ OCtoolguy, tomsteve, SCROLLSAW703 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Dead man for me also. In my opinion, it makes the saw that much safer. tomsteve, new2woodwrk, SCROLLSAW703 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I just use the switch on the saw. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Side note: I have my saw and my shop-vac/dust deputy connected to the deadman's switch so that they all come on and off together so that I'm not running the shop-vac non-stop. SCROLLSAW703, new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I always did and always use the dead man switch. I sit when scrolling. Rarely will I stand unless I am scrolling a huge project and then the center portion of my body which has many more layers of clothing on seems to get in the way. But still the dead man switch works for me. After awhile you do not think of it. Want to stop just take the foot off and if you need to just bump the saw no need to push on and off. SCROLLSAW703, new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I sit to scroll and use a deadman switch. For me, an on/off switch doesn't have much advantage over just using the switch on the saw. The deadman provides absolute control. I do mostly fretwork, so I'm not running the saw for long periods of continuous operation. Fretwork is a lot of stopping and starting, so the deadman switch is ideal for me. OCtoolguy, new2woodwrk and Gonzo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmansbike Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Never used a foot switch. Here is how I have my Hawk set up. The switch is right by my knee so I don't have to reach back to turn on on. I have my light hooked into it to so they both come on at the same time. new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I use a "dead man" foot switch. Won't go with out it. new2woodwrk, tomsteve and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I've got a dead man switch on both of my saws. It just makes sense to me, at my age, to have something that will stop everything if I keel over. Ray Scrappile, jbrowning, tomsteve and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted February 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 19 minutes ago, octoolguy said: I've got a dead man switch on both of my saws. It just makes sense to me, at my age, to have something that will stop everything if I keel over. Ray LOL - too funny, but makes sense OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 57 minutes ago, octoolguy said: I've got a dead man switch on both of my saws. It just makes sense to me, at my age, to have something that will stop everything if I keel over. Ray Leave it to you Ray to use it as truly a dead... man... switch.... jbrowning, new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoney Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 9 hours ago, new2woodwrk said: I've been reading where many use a foot switch for their scrollsaw. If you do, are you using a deadman's switch (press down to start, lift off to stop) or an on and off switch? I tried a deadman's switch, but it was too much "thinking". Thanks as always in advance Yeah Jes bottom line, if you scroll sitting down the deadman type would be my recommendation. If you do most of your scrolling standing the on/off type would be my recommendation. Just for your information there is a design that can be used either way but it is not as comfortable to use in the deadman mode. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I guess I just need a shorter stool... I sit while sawing, however because of the stand design of the Hawk.. I always feel like there is nowhere to put your legs.. and to reach the foot switch I have to set at the edge of the stool etc.. My deWalt I have the switch zip tied to the ledge near the bottom of the stand and I typically have one foot resting on the switch and the other on the bottom bar of the stool.. most comfortable sawing on the DeWalt.. I need a different set up for my Hawks and EX 21 and while typing this just realized I ordered a new office chair the other day.. when that comes in.. I may try this old one at the saw to see if that will work for me.. new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandaideman Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 I use the dead man style and sit. after many years it is second nature now and don't even think about it just automatic. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crupiea Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Deadman. Works great and has made a great change for the positive for me. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Another "dead man" type switch user. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 5 hours ago, kmmcrafts said: I guess I just need a shorter stool... I sit while sawing, however because of the stand design of the Hawk.. I always feel like there is nowhere to put your legs.. and to reach the foot switch I have to set at the edge of the stool etc.. My deWalt I have the switch zip tied to the ledge near the bottom of the stand and I typically have one foot resting on the switch and the other on the bottom bar of the stool.. most comfortable sawing on the DeWalt.. I need a different set up for my Hawks and EX 21 and while typing this just realized I ordered a new office chair the other day.. when that comes in.. I may try this old one at the saw to see if that will work for me.. I too use a bar stool and what I did is place a board across the bottom rails and lay the foot switch on that. My foot is now at a comfortable height. OCtoolguy, JimErn, kmmcrafts and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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