On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:01:45 -0400, clare at snyder.on.ca
wrote:

snip
Or do like I did. I took a 600 watt dimmer and put it in a project box
with a cord on one end, and a receptacle on the other. I use it to
control the speed of dremel type tools (anything with universal motor
under about 400 watts) and to regulate output of my soldering iron.
Also comes in handy to dim the occaisional lamp.

As long as you don't run it wide open for long periods of time it will
last as long as if you had the built-in speed control. My luck with
Dremels has been terrible. The cheap chinese crap lasts just as long,
for 1/4 the price. Much as I hate chinese crap.

More China crap...

You can get a Router Speed Control from Harbor Freight for
~$13 on sale pretty often.

"ROUTER SPEED CONTROL

Get better results and longer bit life when routing tough
woods, plastics, even aluminum. Plug your router into the
control unit and you instantly have a variable-speed tool.
Works with any universal AC/DC brush type motor, 15 amps and
under. Will not work with soft- or slow-start motors.

ITEM 43060-1VGA"

See:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43060

I have one and it works okay with my die grinder, drill,
table saw (cheapo, has universal motor), 4 inch angle
grinder...

Your going to have a hard time building one cheaper than
this and have it look and work as well.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
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