Foot Switch

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monark88

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Has anyone here used the PSI Lathe Foot Switch Item #: FS2?

i have a DDL 11" Delta and am wondering if this will work satisfactorily. the switch is high enough amps so should work. Am I missing something that would prevent from using?

thanks for replies
Russ
 
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Russ; No reason why it wouldn't work. Switch plugs into outlet, lathe plugs into switch. No wireing required. I use them on my scroll saws. Jim S
 
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Please do not using on your lathe. I almost lost my fingers in 2002 when I start turning. I forgot to turn off the lathe to change my belt. As I started to change the belt I step on the foot switch. Lucky my hands were not around the pulleys yet. I use mine only for the scroll saw.
 
:rolleyes: Russ; One thing you have to remember. These are not on/off switches. They are spring loaded, so when you take your foot off the switch, power is cut off. This means that you have to keep the pressure on the switch to maintain power to your lathe and stand in one place. Works fine for the scroll saws because I have to stop every time to move to the next hole or when I break a blade. It is nice though, not to have reach over to turn a machine off if something goes wrong. I bought my foot switches from PSI over 10 years ago and have had no problems with them even though they get a lot of use. Jim S
 
I too would never ever use a foot switch on any tool other than a scrollsaw which I have 3 of. Way too many possible accidents can happen. You are constantly walking or moving around a lathe as opposed to a scrollsaw where you are sitting down. Bad bad bad idea.
 
Glad to read this thread... I saw the foot switch in the catalog and considered it, but didn't realize it was more of an accelerator pedal than an on/off switch... as said, I constantly move when turning, so that won't work... do wish my lathe had a switch at the tailstock end rather than on the headstock... I don't like reaching in front of my work piece to start the lathe... I usually stand to the left of the headstock and out of the line of fire when I first start a piece on the lathe....
 
Chuck; You could add a kill switch to the tailstock end of your lathe by interupting the incoming power supply ( plug in cord ) and installing a two pole switch. I would suggest breaking both the black and white wires ( 2 pole switch ) for safety reasons. This can be done with a small toggle switch as long as it's rated at 15 amps or a standard wall switch. Mount either one in a plactic or metal electrical box mounted to the tail stock end of your lathe within easy reach. You could also mount a push/pull ( positive interupt ) switch for even more safety. The ultimate safety switch, would be one that you could move a cover over the switch and place a lock on when the lathe or other tool is not being used or you are working on them. After working in the paper mill for amost 40 years installing safety switches to keep people safe, I have found one factor to be true 100% of the time. " You can't keep a fool away from his or her destiny ". If there is a way to over-ride a safety switch, they will find it, or die trying!!! Jim S
 
TellicoTurning said:
Glad to read this thread... I saw the foot switch in the catalog and considered it, but didn't realize it was more of an accelerator pedal than an on/off switch... as said, I constantly move when turning, so that won't work... do wish my lathe had a switch at the tailstock end rather than on the headstock... I don't like reaching in front of my work piece to start the lathe... I usually stand to the left of the headstock and out of the line of fire when I first start a piece on the lathe....
Click to expand...


This is exactly how I work with the lathe.
I wasn't thinking clearly, apparently. I used to use the foot switch on my Rod winding lathe, but I was constantly increasing/decreasing speed/stopping lathe.

Realizing, after reminders by all you guys, that this ain't gonna work, especially in light of how I'm always moving about.

I'll just chalk it up to a brain backfire.

Thanks guys.

Russ
 
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