How many folks have a H/F foot switch?

[OCtoolguy]

I bought one of the H/F foot switches a couple of years ago and when I bought the EX saw, it came with one just like it. I have always hated those two switches because of the way the wires run on them. The saw cord plugs in the front of the switch and the power cord comes out the side of the switch. It has always made positioning the switch very difficult. So, today, I finally had had enough of an inanimate object getting the better of me. I took one of them apart to see where everything was positioned inside of the body of the switch and saw that there was room to reroute the wiring and make both power cords come out the front. All I had to do was drill a hole in the plastic body and reroute stuff. Here is a pic of what it was like before I did anything. I failed to take a pic of what it looked like once done but you can figure it out. A very simple fix. I'm glad it's done. Now both switches lay where I want them to.

 

[Rockytime]

The foot switch that I use has only one cord. The end of the cord has a combination male and female connector. I don't have a photo but the cord plugs into the wall socket and the saw plugs into the the female receptacle of the foot switch cord. I guess this does sound a little confusing. I'll try to get a photo later. I have no Idea where I got the switch from. Over the years I accumulated a bunch of foot switches.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Same here

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8VYAAOSwWOdbaf8~/s-l1600.jpg

[Rockytime]

20 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Same here

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8VYAAOSwWOdbaf8~/s-l1600.jpg

Exactly.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Did not realize the photo was going to be so big.

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Rockytime said:

The foot switch that I use has only one cord. The end of the cord has a combination male and female connector. I don't have a photo but the cord plugs into the wall socket and the saw plugs into the the female receptacle of the foot switch cord. I guess this does sound a little confusing. I'll try to get a photo later. I have no Idea where I got the switch from. Over the years I accumulated a bunch of foot switches.

That sounds like the switch that comes from Hegner. 

[kmmcrafts]

That's the same style switch that came with all three of my Hawks.. I have the HF on / off switch on my DW ( I don't have to hold my foot on it  click on click off ) The EX came with a switch that will only work with the EX as it's corded with that goofy style plug that goes to the saw.. and while nothing wrong with the switch.. it's made so I can't put a T connector and run the vac off the foot switch unless I cut the cord and splice into it with a regular plug... I always grab a switch from one of the Hawks if I'm going to run the Vac. or my new hour meters.. 

[OCtoolguy]

6 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

That's the same style switch that came with all three of my Hawks.. I have the HF on / off switch on my DW ( I don't have to hold my foot on it  click on click off ) The EX came with a switch that will only work with the EX as it's corded with that goofy style plug that goes to the saw.. and while nothing wrong with the switch.. it's made so I can't put a T connector and run the vac off the foot switch unless I cut the cord and splice into it with a regular plug... I always grab a switch from one of the Hawks if I'm going to run the Vac. or my new hour meters.. 

That's strange Kevin. I bought my EX used but the switch came with it in a box that has the Excalibur name on it. The switch doesn't have the computer type plugin on it. It's identical to the H/F switch. Anyway, if you decide to do what I did, it's very easy. Takes just a few minutes.

 

[Karl S]

I have the HF switch and it works like a switch, No problem so far I'm a cheapskate.

[OCtoolguy]

5 minutes ago, Karl S said:

I have the HF switch and it works like a switch, No problem so far I'm a cheapskate.

Me too Karl. I bought because of price and I bought the "deadman" style that requires me to keep my foot on the switch to make the saw run. I just found that the crappy wire they are using now and the fact that it came out of the side instead of the same plane as the other wire, made the switch want to find a home of its own. Now, it will stay where I put it.

 

[Karl S]

1 hour ago, octoolguy said:

Me too Karl. I bought because of price and I bought the "deadman" style that requires me to keep my foot on the switch to make the saw run. I just found that the crappy wire they are using now and the fact that it came out of the side instead of the same plane as the other wire, made the switch want to find a home of its own. Now, it will stay where I put it.

 

Sounds like a good fix I will have to do mine as you did, Thank's for the idea.

[Roberta Moreton]

I screwed my switch to the floor. It no longer moves. 

[OCtoolguy]

17 minutes ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I screwed my switch to the floor. It no longer moves. 

Well, that's another way of going at it I guess.

 

[new2woodwrk]

I've yet to use a foot switch myself - I tried one when I first started but it wasn't conducive to how I work so I returned it.

Maybe I'll revisit it one day

[OCtoolguy]

31 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

I've yet to use a foot switch myself - I tried one when I first started but it wasn't conducive to how I work so I returned it.

Maybe I'll revisit it one day

I would hate to have to switch the saw off and on from the main switch up on top. And, the foot switch would be far cheaper to replace when it wears out.

 

[new2woodwrk]

8 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

I would hate to have to switch the saw off and on from the main switch up on top. And, the foot switch would be far cheaper to replace when it wears out.

 

I don't find it so bad actually - there's an old adage in teaching - "first learned, first remembered".

I pretty much learned from the beginning to turn it off, raise the arm and put my stop block under it and reposition as necessary

[OCtoolguy]

5 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

I don't find it so bad actually - there's an old adage in teaching - "first learned, first remembered".

I pretty much learned from the beginning to turn it off, raise the arm and put my stop block under it and reposition as necessary

There's also a saying about "old dogs" too. Never stopped from learning something new and different. Different strokes.............

 

[bazzz]

I went out and bought two of them last weekend. 20% off coupon made them $11 each, wife had to go with me to use two coupons. I haven't put them into service yet but since I am a newbie I can make new habits. I bought a momentary and a push on, push off style. Thought I would try each to see what I like. What do most use?

[Rockytime]

Talking about foot switches I screwed up. Should have made the board five inches longer to mount the switch. I would like to make that change but would need someone to do that. I no longer have the strength to muscle the saw around. In the meantime I just chase the switch with my foot.

[OCtoolguy]

6 hours ago, bazzz said:

I went out and bought two of them last weekend. 20% off coupon made them $11 each, wife had to go with me to use two coupons. I haven't put them into service yet but since I am a newbie I can make new habits. I bought a momentary and a push on, push off style. Thought I would try each to see what I like. What do most use?

Momentary. When that blade breaks and scares the bejeebers out of you, the last thing you want to do is start looking for your switch to shut it off. Just my opinion.

 

[OCtoolguy]

5 hours ago, Rockytime said:

Talking about foot switches I screwed up. Should have made the board five inches longer to mount the switch. I would like to make that change but would need someone to do that. I no longer have the strength to muscle the saw around. In the meantime I just chase the switch with my foot.

If you'll cover my gas and lodging, I'd be happy to come fix it for ya.

 

[Roberta Moreton]

9 hours ago, Rockytime said:

Talking about foot switches I screwed up. Should have made the board five inches longer to mount the switch. I would like to make that change but would need someone to do that. I no longer have the strength to muscle the saw around. In the meantime I just chase the switch with my foot.

Double stick carpet tape?

[dennis123]

I bought a HF dead-man type switch a couple of months ago, after not using one for a lot of years, and wonder how I ever got along without it.  I used double-stick carpet tape to attach it to a small stool I keep under my saw.

[MrsN]

I have a foot switch in a box somewhere. I tried to used it for a while, but never really got the hang of it. 

[Scrappile]

12 hours ago, bazzz said:

I went out and bought two of them last weekend. 20% off coupon made them $11 each, wife had to go with me to use two coupons. I haven't put them into service yet but since I am a newbie I can make new habits. I bought a momentary and a push on, push off style. Thought I would try each to see what I like. What do most use?

I think the question has been asked here on the forum a couple times and if I remember correctly, the vast majority prefer the "deadman" type (momentary).  I know I do, if I drop over dead, I don't want my saw to sit there running for the two weeks or more before my wife notices I am gone and come looking for me!