Question about Foredom speed control

9

95yjinpa

Joined
Jun 15, 2012
Messages
2
I purchased a used Foredom CC, and it has a foot speed control. Issue is I am paralyzed, and dont have foot control.
Can I use the Harbor Freight router speed control dial part # 43060 for this Foredom?
 
I believe Stacy is correct. Those older foredoms (at least the ones I've seen) have the same brushed universal motor as the SR series, and the typical wood router. Now their are different ways to achieve speed control on universal motors, and I'd rather expect foredom uses one of the more advance ones (I know for a fact the HF speed controller is the most cheap and dirty thing possible) but if money is an issue, the harbor freight should work, and should do it without hurting your tool. You may end up loosing some low end torque, but that likely isn't the end of the world.

The other option would be just not using a speed control. My dad has a rather ancient foredom without one, and even my new SRM (bench model with speed control knob) is on full speed 99% of the time. I personally would see a lot more use for variable speed in jewelers work, than what the typical knifemaker uses them for.
 
Here is a good idea:
I knew a jeweler who was wheelchair bound with no leg use for a good while. He took a cheap sewing machine speed control that had a knee arm on it and put it on his arm rest board that pulls out from the bench. He used his elbow to deflect the arm and run his old SR flex shaft. You can easily find them at the thrift stores or on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-el...325487?hash=item33e4b3df6f:g:6PwAAOSwo0JWIEMv
 
Thank you very much for your ideas.
Money is the hindrance from buying the Foredom desktop controller. Maybe after I sell a few pieces.....lol.
I think i will try the Harbor Freight controller, if it doesn't work I can take it back.
I haven't ran the unit I bought yet, it was not run for 10 years, so I am doing some maintenance on it. The bearings in the handset were tight, so I'm waiting on them, and some grease for the flex shaft to get here. Brushes are like new, and it came with a new flex shaft, and outer cover.
 
If you already have a foot pedal, rig up a wooden box that the pedal fits inside and a screw that pokes down and screws against the pedal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top