For those of you who use a Dremel or similar rotory tool here’s a great tip. I’m sure you’ve seen the foot pedal potentiometer you can buy as an accessory that are extremely handy but a little pricey. With some basic electrical knowledge you can make this yourself with an old sewing machine pedal. I just spliced a short extension cord through the pedal and plugged the Dremel into it. They are both rated for the same output and the pedal combined with my flex-shaft Dremel extention are what I consider a “super-tool”.
Hope this is usefull,
Mahoney
mahoney,
Thanks for the tip. All I have to do is get the foot pedal when the wife isn’t looking. LOL I do want to try it as I cut a lot of plastic with a saw blade and this will prevent it from getting too hot.
Richard
Thanks for the good idea. I’ll have to look for one at garage sales since I dont think I can snag the wifes since she quilts and sews quite a bit. Very cool idea, I was wondering do you set it at the fastest speed and the pot in pedal regulates the speed? Or do you set the speed you want and go.
David
I also saw a thread about using a type of fan motor controller (for a ceiling fan) to vary the speed of the Dremel. I can’t remember who posted though…
[bow]how can ya not just love this forum…
[bow]GREAT idea mahoney…
[bow]thanks…[:D]
I’ve used a dimmer(light) switch with my dremels for several years now to use various speeds. Used an extra extension cord and wired the dimmer switch into the cord. Also made a small outlet box with a dimmer switch to plug various power tools into.
There is such a foot pedal available from micro-mark. It costs around $22 less than the official Dremel one. I don’t know if it’s really safe for the Dremel though. I might give it a shot. There are two pedals at micro-mark. One is the variable speed that we’re talking about. The other is an on/off pedal.
I believe Dremel use to make a variable speed controller way back when. My old man has/had one (haven’t seen it around, so it could of busted on him).
Anyways, it was simply a box that you plugged your Dremel into and had a speed-control knob. I used to snag it from the old man when i was younger and it came in very handy.
You ‘may’ (i use that term cautiously) be able to find one still if you look hard enough.
All: Be careful doing this if you have a variable-speed Dremel. Word is you can burn the motor of the Dremel out using any foot-feeds, even Dremel’s own. [}:)]
how about getting both pedals? theres an idea for you guys but, its just a thought
how could you burn the motor out ? its not like you are running more current through it … or have i missed something ? personally i use a flexi shaft and a normal bosh drill for all my dremelling needs. just clamp the drill to the bench, set the speed, press th button and go. free and variable speed