DIY Speed Control for Flex Shaft Tool

[@tomjacobson4817]

Thank you for all the information! Please continue to be safety consious. You never know when you’re making a mistake until it’s complete. Keep your fingers please.

[@DKWalser]

I wish I had some way of sharing this with you privately because I don't wish to call you out publicly. However, there are a couple of safety issues you should address. First, you should add a strain-relief clamp to the power cord as it enters the box. This will prevent an accidental pull on the cord from weakening the wire connections inside the box. Even though you soldered some of the connections, and the other connections are made with J-hooks and screws, over time frequent tugging of the cord can loosen the connections -- causing them to short or arc. Second, I don't know how much heat this switch might generate, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable if there were some air holes drilled in strategic locations to allow in some cooling air flow. Finally, when connecting the switch, you installed some of your J-hooks backward. You want to install the hook so as the screw is tightened, the counter-clockwise rotation of the screw draws the open end of the wire closer into the screw. This last one isn't a big deal -- unless the wires aren't properly secured by a strain-relief clamp. I hope you'll forgive my bringing these items to your attention. I'm not a member of the safety police, but I'd never forgive myself if you house were to burn down. That said, it was an enjoyable video and I learned from it.

[@bill12690]

there aren't holes drilled in switch boxes in your home, are there? this would be no different in that aspect.

[@ArtVanAuggie]

@@bill12690 There is very little voltage drop across a simple switch. However, this is not a simple switch, it is a variable resistor which drops the voltage, but generates heat to do that. Some variable lighting controls have heat sink fins on the front of the switchplates. In this case, he is controlling a 230 watt motor which can be easily handled by the fan motor switch.

[@josephdesbois495]

I just drilled a hole thru pedal, attached a 3.5” X 1/4” lag bolt with washers & a wing nut Allowing me to make precise adjustments Total cost $6.00 & a drive to my local hardware store

[@ba2swoodfever219]

I don't understand why they have not made the correct changes to the pedal to make it work more efficiently. I have seen several videos that mention this same problem. Thanks for the video!

[@Matey-850cc]

Your video was very helpful. I did have to keep muting the awful background music but I did get the gist of it. Thank you.

[@torstenneuer1560]

I would have stayed with a foot pedal. You only have two hands, not three, and I find working with a foot controller much more convenient. You're a wood worker, so making a wooden box for the regulator is a nice idea. You could possibly have made a wooden foot pedal as well, I think. Otherwise, I would probably see if there is a regulator that fits in one of the cheap MIDI foot controllers for keyboards. Those are usually pretty sturdy compared to the Vevor foot controller and still do not cost an arm and a leg either. NB: I had a lot more luck with the Vevor stuff I bought. I do have a good pendant motor anyway, but I wanted a second and did not want to spend too much money on it, so I opted for the Vevor. The flex shaft that I got with it feels a bit short compared to my other. The foot pedal is crappy but at least it works flawlessly (yet, I don't feel comfortable to "step on it" as it is so fragile). Maybe, I take it apart and 3D print a more sturdy one as the regulator works fine.

[@jtjones73]

You should try using a router speed controller. Pretty much the exact same thing you made and about the same price, some cheaper, some more expensive.

[@Patrick-jd1ku]

would any router speed control work for this purpose?

[@tonypage9175]

I got a router speed controller for many tools around the shop

[@MrIgottap]

Sewing machine pedal should work as well

[@williamdavis8910]

@@MrIgottapslready has one lol thats why he built this

[@williamdavis8910]

Damit !!! Two years too late . Yes 17 dollars instead of 120 .. gkn rediculous what fordon charges ..

[@Kiaindonesiaofficial]

Ukuran kunci mata bornya berapa ya gann .... kuncinya ilang soalnya 😢

[@alainvandenbosch2685]

Very well done !!! Please give us a feedback after using it after a while...

[@ddsworkshop4371]

Absolutely, I've puttered around with it a bit and it works amazingly. I'm starting a relief carving with it so hopefully I'll have that up soon.

[@christopherfothergil]

been using mine three to four days a week and not had a problem with the foot pedal, maybe you were unlucky.

[@matthewking6860]

how do you like the skill router?

[@williamdavis8910]

Glad i finally saw someone do this , 120 dollars from fordom lol , been a cabinetmaker for many years , we use router speed controllers, would work perfect for like 20 bucks ..

[@torstenneuer1560]

Depends on what you use it for. As a jeweller, I prefer foot control. You keep the rotary tool at stationary until just before you start working on the piece you're at. And then you want to be able to cut power every now and then or change speeds. No third hand available to do that unless you're a mutant.

[@Greyswyndir]

Nice job, but you have to flip your dimmer switch around. You have it going anti-clock-wise for more power.

[@ddsworkshop4371]

Yeah, after I set it up I switched it but it did the same thing. I researched it and it's not actually a dimmer switch, it's fan controller which apparently just works that way.

[@benjamingouerec745]

@@ddsworkshop4371 hello could you advice me about somthing , i whould like to use the " router dial controler speed " from harbor freight" do you think it can work ?

[@DayWatch77]

use a light dimmer switch, it starts off @ nothing and then speeds up as you you turn up

[@jimblanchard343]

Do foredom hand pieces fit your flex shaft

[@ddsworkshop4371]

They do. I just bought a Foredom reciprocating chisel handpiece and it fits perfectly. It's pretty much a Foredom clone.

[@Greyswyndir]

@@ddsworkshop4371 - There selling some knock-off Foredom hand-pieces on eBay now. I'm not sure of the quality, but I'd like a quick release over the chuck that came with my Harbor Freight version. Surprisingly, the foot pedal works well. I'm just not sure if I'll need to buy a new flex-shaft to take a Foredom hand-piece or not.

[@LaoZi2023]

Nice! I think I will make too.

[@DayWatch77]

Tinning is good

[@joekosednar5676]

Isn't the flex Shaft motor DC?

[@ddsworkshop4371]

Nope, it's actually AC. 110V, 50Hz, 230W. A lot of micromotor rotary tools are DC like my Dremel Stylo.

[@joekosednar5676]

@@ddsworkshop4371 Thanks for correcting me. My mistake.

[@imagitu6409]

your supposed to use only mechanical connections on ac circuits, but you will be alright

[@moonolyth]

I may try a dimmer switch also. I have a video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4WwqpmFoN6onKs Where I shorten the spring in foot pedal (switch). It works much better now. The switch is a slide switch with electrical component's in it and around 3/4 ways through the actuation the slide drops of and it is powered directly so it takes off!! No graduation. $15 switch. There are nice pedals for around $100-150. More than the price I payd for my rotary. These machines are a bargain get two or three for the price of the Real McCoy.

[@spocker22]

Came for the soldering and hated the woodworking

[@mdzaid-ss6ne]

ωєℓℓ ∂σиє вяσ

[@Mongoman-oq9bq]

Jesus wept !!!!!! The background noise is irritating.