scrollerpete Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 I first used the on/off switch and then I got the dead man one which I like better, my set-up is the same as Iggy (shopvac and switch together). OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erv Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I move around a bit, so the deadman would be a nuisance for me. I made my own switch and can also run my shop vac while the saw is on. Generally don’t though because the noise of the vac drives me nuts. SCROLLSAW703, new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 On 2/3/2018 at 10:16 AM, ike said: 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 Your more than right IKE OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Gotta do what works for you. I tried both and liked neither. Even tried on/off mounted on stand so could be switched with a knee bump but did not like that. I use the switch on the saw. new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 one thing i love about the deadman footswitch: in the event im in a fragile area, i get a little crazy feeding too hard, and the workpiece starts to jump, lift my foot and powers off instantly. OCtoolguy, SCROLLSAW703 and new2woodwrk 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Deadman here also, I like having both hands on the project piece before the blade starts moving. And as mentioned earlier, when a blade breaks my natural instinct is to lift my foot which cuts off the saw. Chris new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy, tomsteve and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted February 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 6 minutes ago, Hawk said: Deadman here also, I like having both hands on the project piece before the blade starts moving. And as mentioned earlier, when a blade breaks my natural instinct is to lift my foot which cuts off the saw. Chris My natural instinct (I've broken 2 now) is to jump back and say #&$*(%#()#* *whew* OCtoolguy and Hawk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 I sit in a barbers chair while I'm scrollin'. I'm fairly short legged compared to some. I bought my on/off foot switch from Hawk. But what I done was made a 90* out of some 1" x 4" & bolted it across the back end of my BM 26, & mounted my foot switch to that. After 2 major back surgeries, I don't do much standiin' to scroll. I have my shop set up so that I can sit close to every tool if I need to give my back & legs a break. Sometimes its kinda embarassin', especially no older than I am, but since 2009, my health has rapidly declined. So I do what I have to do to keep enjoyin' wood workin'. Otherwise, my bride would have me in a looney bin some place.:( new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 now all someone has to do is create a suicide knob for scrollsaws. new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwoscroller220 Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Scrolling for one year and learned using the foot on-off switch. Purchased on from Wooden Teddybear for my brand new Dewalt 788 and it works great! OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McDonald Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I used the saw switch for about a year, then got a HF deadman switch. Took me all of about 30 seconds to know that was the best accessory I ever bought for a tool. Thinking of adding one to my drill press, but since I got the press at such a bargain, the switch would just about double the resale value of the press! new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenie Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 I do most of my work sitting and prefer the switch on /switch off. I like the fact that I can hold my work with both hands while I turn on /off OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Henry Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 On 2/3/2018 at 9:26 AM, Scrappile said: 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. haha, never mind his fingers, this man's priority is his work!!! I like it OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 (edited) "The Best" is often what you grow to be familiar with - and in this case I have a wall type switch beside the scrollsaw which does me just fine - I don't think I would like any kind of foot switch that required me to keep my foot on it - after two knee replacements I've grown to understand that they like being free to move around or they stiffen up dramatically - and locked into a foot switch without the opportunity to move is something I know would not be comfortable during lengthy scrolling sessions. Jay Edited April 12, 2018 by RangerJay SCROLLSAW703, OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted April 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 9 minutes ago, RangerJay said: "The Best" is often what you grow to be familiar with - and in this case I have a wall type switch beside the scrollsaw which does me just fine - I don't think I would like any kind of foot switch that required me to keep my foot on it - after two knee replacements I've grown to understand that they like being free to move around or they stiffen up dramatically - and locked into a foot switch without the opportunity to move is something I know would not be comfortable during lengthy scrolling sessions. Jay I'm kinda in the same boat although I have bad knees, I just feel like my leg gets tired using a foot switch so I opted for a remote switch I keep on the table with the dust control switch, It's easily accessible for me to reach over and push the button. Plus my stool is too high for a switch without adding some platform to the base of the stool or to the bench in front of me. Either way, I've grown accustomed to the remote switch OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 If one does not use the dead man type one might just as well use the on/off switch in the saw. SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Ranger, you've got my curiosity up. You mentioned a wall switch. Ya don't mind me askin', how did ya set your saw up with a wall switch? I've got a BM 26 Hawk that I spend most of my scrollin' time at, when I'm able to. I bought a new barbers chair & had to take my set up for my foot switch apart. So I'm back to usin' the on/off switch. Which, don't misunderstand me, I don't mind, but your wall switch idea caught my attention & just might work for me. And it'd save wear & tear on the power switch. I've already got a couple ideas rollin' around in my mind, but I'd like to hear yours. I'd appreciate it, Sir. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hineps Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 After scrolling with the switch on the saw I went to HF and got a footswitch. I like the push on push off type. I made a platform on the saw base since the stool I use is a tall one. Works very well for me. Phil OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordamir Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 I have both types on different saws. No preference. What I have done is mount them where I can access the switch with my knee to either hit the on off switch or leave off the dead man. Doesn't seem to bother my knee because it's located in just the right position where my knee is in very close proximity to switch and very comfortable. JMO new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 On 2/3/2018 at 10:32 AM, Iguanadon said: 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. That's (almost) exactly what I was going to reply. God Bless! Spirithorse OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 Been using my deadman's footswitch for a month or more now....couldn't live without it!!!! new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) On 4/13/2018 at 11:54 PM, SCROLLSAW703 said: Ranger, you've got my curiosity up. You mentioned a wall switch. Ya don't mind me askin', how did ya set your saw up with a wall switch? I've got a BM 26 Hawk that I spend most of my scrollin' time at, when I'm able to. I bought a new barbers chair & had to take my set up for my foot switch apart. So I'm back to usin' the on/off switch. Which, don't misunderstand me, I don't mind, but your wall switch idea caught my attention & just might work for me. And it'd save wear & tear on the power switch. I've already got a couple ideas rollin' around in my mind, but I'd like to hear yours. I'd appreciate it, Sir. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - didn't see your post till this afternoon. I guess I could have been a little clearer in my description - it is a wall switch mounted on the bench - which controls an outlet - 1/2 of which is the saw - the other 1/2 of the outlet controls a small fan that helps push airborne dust into my dust collector - pictures of my "Scroll Saw Command Centre" below ....... between the two pictures you can see the switch, the outlet, the fan and the dust collector. Jay Edited April 15, 2018 by RangerJay meflick, new2woodwrk, OCtoolguy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 looks like it oughtta work, Ranger. That's similar to what I'm kickin' around. I like your idea. it beats tryin' to figger out how to mount my foot switch to The Hawk without to many modifications. Thank you Sir! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justdraftn Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) ...so, have been following this w/interest. Is a deadman switch called a "deadman switch", because if "the man" drops over dead, the equipment stops? This is not a deadman switch. This is just a switch, correct. https://www.harborfreight.com/momentary-power-foot-switch-96619.html This is a deadman switch, correct? https://www.amazon.com/MLCS-9080-Billy-Switch-Deadman/dp/B000LJNJOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523831913&sr=8-1&keywords=deadman+switch Edited April 15, 2018 by justdraftn added info OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted April 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 22 minutes ago, justdraftn said: ...so, have been following this w/interest. Is a deadman switch called a "deadman switch", because if "the man" drops over dead, the equipment stops? This is not a deadman switch. This is just a switch, correct. https://www.harborfreight.com/momentary-power-foot-switch-96619.html This is a deadman switch, correct? https://www.amazon.com/MLCS-9080-Billy-Switch-Deadman/dp/B000LJNJOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523831913&sr=8-1&keywords=deadman+switch I believe both are the same style - press for on, release for off - if you have to press on and press off then it is not a deadman's switch OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.