How many folks have a H/F foot switch?

[meflick]

12 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.

Les, couldn't you glue another 5-6" piece of wood to the end of this one and then add the switch to that with double sided tape or something?  No muscling needed that way.

[Rockytime]

12 hours ago, meflick said:

Les, couldn't you glue another 5-6" piece of wood to the end of this one and then add the switch to that with double sided tape or something?  No muscling needed that way.

I don't know of an adhesive which would be strong enough with a butt weld to withstand the weight of my foot. Easier to have someone to just help me to replace the board with a longer one.

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, Rockytime said:

I don't know of an adhesive which would be strong enough with a butt weld to withstand the weight of my foot. Easier to have someone to just help me to replace the board with a longer one.

Please see my offer above.

[BadBob]

This one came with my EX21 when I bought it used. I don't know where it came from initially. I could not stand trying to find it on the floor. It seemed to move every time I got up for something. So I mounted it to my shop made mobile base. It's under my left foot when I sit on the stool. After a couple of years, I'm still not convinced that I like it. My Hawk saw doesn't have one, and I stand when I use the Hawk. Using a switch when I'm standing is quite awkward.

 

[OCtoolguy]

17 hours ago, BadBob said:

This one came with my EX21 when I bought it used. I don't know where it came from initially. I could not stand trying to find it on the floor. It seemed to move every time I got up for something. So I mounted it to my shop made mobile base. It's under my left foot when I sit on the stool. After a couple of years, I'm still not convinced that I like it. My Hawk saw doesn't have one, and I stand when I use the Hawk. Using a switch when I'm standing is quite awkward.

 

You can buy a nice low profile foot switch from Hegner. Not sure of the price but I would not be without a foot switch. If you go back to the first post in this thread I explained how to "fix" these switches.

[Jim Finn]

I use the HF "click on click off" foot switches.  (I do not do fretwork).  I have one of these footswitches on each of my two scroll saws, the drill press, the 14" band saw, the 9" band saw and on two different stationary belt sanders.  I have not yet set one up to turn on the lights. <grin>  I have them all screwed to the wooden floor.

[dgman]

I’m coming out of the closet..... I do not use a foot switch. I never have and probably never will. Way back in the old days, we didn’t use foot switches! Actually, the way I sit for comfort while scrolling, a foot switch would be impractical. I keep my feet either on the center brace of the saw stand or on the footrest of my drafting chair. I’m comfortable using the saw switch and have never had an issue of having to instantly turn the saw off. 
Im sure there are others like me out there

[OCtoolguy]

I just find it easier to use the foot switch to operate the saw. It allows me to hold the work with both hands. Both of my switches are H/F momentary switches. I would not want a click on - click off switch. As stated above when a blade breaks or the wood jumps I want instant off by lifting my foot. Another thing is if my foot switch wears out, I'm still in business using the saws switch. No down time. 

 

On 6/6/2020 at 3:33 AM, BadBob said:

This one came with my EX21 when I bought it used. I don't know where it came from initially. I could not stand trying to find it on the floor. It seemed to move every time I got up for something. So I mounted it to my shop made mobile base. It's under my left foot when I sit on the stool. After a couple of years, I'm still not convinced that I like it. My Hawk saw doesn't have one, and I stand when I use the Hawk. Using a switch when I'm standing is quite awkward.

 

You can buy a nice low profile foot switch from Hegner. Not sure of the price but I would not be without a foot switch. If you go back to the first post in this thread I explained how to "fix" these switches.

[BadBob]

What about these?

TEMCo Heavy Duty Foot Switch CN0003 - Cast Aluminum Foot Switch 15A SPDT Electric Pedal Momentary 5 Year Warranty

They are also available with a foot guard.

TEMCo Extra Heavy Duty Foot Switch - CN0004 W Guard 15A SPDT Electric Pedal Momentary New 5 Year Warranty by TEMCo Industrial

If my switch fails these would be at the top of my list for replacements.

[Oldmansbike]

I have never used a foot switch and probably never will. I mounted a light switch on the front leg of my Hawk right by my right knee when I'm sitting. All I do is drop my right hand to my knee and the switch is right there. I never liked where rbi mounted the on off switch. It's too far back for me when sitting. 

[avenuewood]

I too use a “deadman” type switch on my Hegner. Much easier than trying to fiddle about under the table to find the switch.

[OCtoolguy]

12 hours ago, BadBob said:

What about these?

TEMCo Heavy Duty Foot Switch CN0003 - Cast Aluminum Foot Switch 15A SPDT Electric Pedal Momentary 5 Year Warranty

They are also available with a foot guard.

TEMCo Extra Heavy Duty Foot Switch - CN0004 W Guard 15A SPDT Electric Pedal Momentary New 5 Year Warranty by TEMCo Industrial

If my switch fails these would be at the top of my list for replacements.

They both look like good durable switches. When I was looking for one, neither of those came up. So far, I'm happy with the H/F switches that I have. Even the one that came with my Ex was in a Ex box and it appears to be identical to the H/F. 

[BadBob]

11 hours ago, octoolguy said:

They both look like good durable switches. When I was looking for one, neither of those came up. So far, I'm happy with the H/F switches that I have. Even the one that came with my Ex was in a Ex box and it appears to be identical to the H/F. 

Note that these are listed in the Industrial & Scientific department. If you search all departments for footswitch, you will find lots of different switches. You will have to scroll through lots of junk to see them all, but there are lots of them.

Or try this google search site:amazon.com "foot switch" and look at the images.

 

[Rolf]

On 3/27/2019 at 6:58 PM, 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

I guess you don't do much fretwork, or you have a vast amount of patience.  

[Rolf]

On 3/27/2019 at 6:31 AM, 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.. 

Kevin To solve that problem on my Hawk I plug the foot switch into power the other end is connected to a small outlet strip that has my saw, and vacuum and hour meter plugged into it.

For the EX I plug the foot switch into the outlet on my Festool vac. The EX seems to draw more current and activates the vacuum, the Hawk does not trigger the vac automatically?

Getting back to the original  ? of how many use a HF foot switch. I don't, but They are probably fine, not much to go wrong. Most of the foot switches have a simple micro switch as the active component. I have been using the same one for 15 years.

I also prefer being in total control of my work by using two hands.  To have to reach down to turn my Hawk on and off or up for the EX, would be very annoying and I feel asking for trouble especially when doing delicate fretwork.  JMO

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by Rolf

[Bill WIlson]

I agree Rolf  I find the additional control provided by the footswitch to be invaluable when cutting delicate fretwork.   I scrolled for the first few years without one, never realizing what I was missing.  I was initially skeptical and it took a little while to get used to using one.  Now you would have to fight me to get me to give it up.  

[new2woodwrk]

9 hours ago, Rolf said:

I guess you don't do much fretwork, or you have a vast amount of patience.  

Actually, no I do not do much fretwork