I built a router table out of a salvaged Subway table, drawers from an
old office desk found curbside and some 5/8" plywood shelving I found
in the house I bought and had to tear out because of the mildew that
was on it.

Long story short, I wanted to incorporate a foot switch I had laying
about, but the way it was wired, the switch would plug into an AC
outlet and the router would plug into the switch (down on the floor).
This meant two cables strewn about.

I thought about re-wiring the inside of the foot switch - even opened
it up to take a look - but figured it would be too much trouble and
the result would be a switch that wouldn't work as intended. But, but
shorting across the white and black terminals of a standard grounded
plug, I could effectively "re-wire" the switch without changing its
internal circuitry - thus preserving it for use "as designed/
intended."

I solved my "problem" with a three-way switch and a duplex outlet. I
wired the HOT feed into the switch "common" and one "Traveler" to the
HOT/BLACK of the top outlet and the other "Traveler" to the WHITE/
NEUTRAL side of the bottom outlet. I broke the "knock out/off" link
between the top and bottom outlets on the WHITE/NEUTRAL side of the
duplex outlet.

Now, I plug the router into the top outlet and the foot switch into
the bottom outlet. When the three-way switch is in POSITION "A."
power is fed directly to the router. When in the other position, power
is fed to the router through the foot switch. When the "shorting plug"
is inserted int the foot switch, pressing it allows power to flow to
the router, releasing it cuts the power.

When the foot switch is unplugged (to use with another tool/device),
the three-way switch works like a normal single pole switch to apply/
cut power to the router plugged into the top outlet.

I'll post pictures and wiring diagrams if there is any interest. So
far, I've spent less than three dollars on the complete setup - table,
base and electrical.

Did you actually have a need for a foot operated switch or do you believe
that this would be is a useful feature?
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a
foot operated switch would be more problematic for me. I prefer to turn on
the router and be free to move around.

I would however like to see your pics.




"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message
ups.com...
I built a router table out of a salvaged Subway table, drawers from an
old office desk found curbside and some 5/8" plywood shelving I found
in the house I bought and had to tear out because of the mildew that
was on it.

Long story short, I wanted to incorporate a foot switch I had laying
about, but the way it was wired, the switch would plug into an AC
outlet and the router would plug into the switch (down on the floor).
This meant two cables strewn about.

I thought about re-wiring the inside of the foot switch - even opened
it up to take a look - but figured it would be too much trouble and
the result would be a switch that wouldn't work as intended. But, but
shorting across the white and black terminals of a standard grounded
plug, I could effectively "re-wire" the switch without changing its
internal circuitry - thus preserving it for use "as designed/
intended."

I solved my "problem" with a three-way switch and a duplex outlet. I
wired the HOT feed into the switch "common" and one "Traveler" to the
HOT/BLACK of the top outlet and the other "Traveler" to the WHITE/
NEUTRAL side of the bottom outlet. I broke the "knock out/off" link
between the top and bottom outlets on the WHITE/NEUTRAL side of the
duplex outlet.

Now, I plug the router into the top outlet and the foot switch into
the bottom outlet. When the three-way switch is in POSITION "A."
power is fed directly to the router. When in the other position, power
is fed to the router through the foot switch. When the "shorting plug"
is inserted int the foot switch, pressing it allows power to flow to
the router, releasing it cuts the power.

When the foot switch is unplugged (to use with another tool/device),
the three-way switch works like a normal single pole switch to apply/
cut power to the router plugged into the top outlet.

I'll post pictures and wiring diagrams if there is any interest. So
far, I've spent less than three dollars on the complete setup - table,
base and electrical.

"Leon" wrote in message
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a
foot operated switch would be more problematic for me. I prefer to turn
on
the router and be free to move around.

Of course it costs a few dollars more than what he is proposing, but I'd
consider the Lee Valley air actuated switch.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,240,41065
Since I wouldn't be stepping on anything very fast, I'd mount it a little
higher up to bang with my knee or somewhere else to know with my elbow.

On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 08:09:22 -0500, "Leon"
wrote:

Did you actually have a need for a foot operated switch or do you believe
that this would be is a useful feature?
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a
foot operated switch would be more problematic for me. I prefer to turn on
the router and be free to move around.

The other day using the router out of the table when it went *BANG*
and started smoking I sure wouldn't have minded a foot switch, as
inconvenient as it might be. For use in the table I think a switch
mounted on the table is best though.

I wouldn't mind a momentary foot switch on the drill press though.
When it rips something out of my hand I'd like to just be able to back
away and have it stop, and you're always going to be standing in the
same spot.


-Leuf

On Aug 8, 9:09 am, "Leon" wrote:
Did you actually have a need for a foot operated switch or do you believe
that this would be is a useful feature?
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a
foot operated switch would be more problematic for me. I prefer to turn on
the router and be free to move around.

I would however like to see your pics.

"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message

ups.com...

Did you actually have a need for a foot operated switch


Naw, but I had it laying about and now, I have a router control that
accepts it as, if and when I decide to use it.

Also, as it, now, just plugs in to the table, its easy to remove it
and store it in one of the drawers.

On Aug 8, 9:22 am, "Upscale" wrote:
"Leon" wrote in message
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a

"Consider the Lee Valley air actuated switch"

OK, I took a look. And, if i'd had that one laying about the
shop . . .

But, my approach offers the benefit of being able to use either the FS
or the Table-mounted switch to turn the router on or off - with out
without removing the able to the FS. A task that is remarkably easier
to do than with the alternative presented at
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,240,41065

I imagine adding a compressor air coupler would facilitate removing
the foot switch, but that would not allow operation via a table
mounted switch w/o additional wiring.

On Aug 8, 11:36 am, Leuf wrote:
On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 08:09:22 -0500, "Leon"

wrote:
Did you actually have a need for a foot operated switch or do you believe
that this would be is a useful feature?
I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a


I wouldn't mind a momentary foot switch on the drill press

My approach would work with the drill press as well. Depending on how
it is presently switched, I would lok into a DPDT replacement so you
might use the same approach - removable FS while maintainingthe
original operation and control on the drill press.

But I think i need to devise a crank switch so that, as soon as you
took your hand off the hand crank - when the workpiece gets caught,
etc) the power is cut. Hmmm, you've given me a patentable idea. Let's
keep it to ourselves until I can register it!

On Aug 8, 9:22 am, "Upscale" wrote:
"Leon" wrote in message

and be free to move around.

Hey, another patentable idea! A flip flop FS that straps to your boot.
A micro switch embedded into shoe leather controlling an X-10 wireless
controller so that squeezing one's big toe into one's shoe closes te
circuit. Of course there would be some delay involved as one would
have to press toe once to start and again to end. Hmmm. . .


I find that I do a lot of moving around while using my router table and a
foot operated switch would be more problematic for me. I prefer to turn
on
the router and be free to move around.

Of course it costs a few dollars more than what he is proposing, but I'd
consider the Lee Valley air actuated switch.http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,240,41065
Since I wouldn't be stepping on anything very fast, I'd mount it a little
higher up to bang with my knee or somewhere else to know with my elbow.

"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message
ps.com...

Hey, another patentable idea! A flip flop FS that straps to your boot.
A micro switch embedded into shoe leather controlling an X-10 wireless
controller so that squeezing one's big toe into one's shoe closes te
circuit.

In Texas we might have a bad accident stomping on some of our giant cock
roaches and accidentally turning on the router.

Bob wrote:

In Texas we might have a bad accident stomping on some of our giant cock
roaches and accidentally turning on the router.


In Texas, the cockroaches would step on the switch themselves. ;-))))

Bill


--
I'm not not at the above address.
http://nmwoodworks.com


---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 000764-3, 08/09/2007
Tested on: 8/9/2007 11:47:41 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

Hoosierpopi wrote:

But I think i need to devise a crank switch so that, as soon as you
took your hand off the hand crank - when the workpiece gets caught,
etc) the power is cut. Hmmm, you've given me a patentable idea. Let's
keep it to ourselves until I can register it!


How's about one of those "touch to activate" lamp switches that were all
the rage a decade or so ago? SOMEBODY got stuck with a warehouse full of
'em. ;-)

Bill


--
I'm not not at the above address.
http://nmwoodworks.com


---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 000764-3, 08/09/2007
Tested on: 8/9/2007 11:49:36 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

I would however like to see your pics.

"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message

[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc040.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc044.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc043.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc018.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc016.jpg[/IMG]

"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message
oups.com...


I would however like to see your pics.

"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message

[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc040.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc044.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc043.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc018.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/charlessenf/Projects/
misc016.jpg[/IMG]


Site requires login with username and password.

--

-Mike-

On Aug 22, 8:54 am, "Mike Marlow" wrote:
"Hoosierpopi" wrote in message

oups.com...

OK, try these, please. I am hopeful these will work.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ts/misc040.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...th_misc044.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ts/misc043.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ts/misc018.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ts/misc016.jpg



Site requires login with username and password.

--

-Mike-