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Foot Stop Switch for Jet 1642?

D

David Louie

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Apr 13, 2010
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Does anyone know where I could get a foot stop switch for my Jet 1642 lathe? I've seen a lot of commentary that foot stop switches are safer than reaching across the line of fire of the rotating piece, especially in an emergency. I would like to get such a switch, but haven't seen any advertised. Can I just plug the lathe into any switch which cuts power, or do I need some special wiring for the lathe itself? Thanks for whatever help or advice can be provided.
 
Do a search on this forum for "remote switch". The one I did for my Jet was the one offred by Jack Savoma. It gives me full control ( on-off, forward-reverse and speed ) any- where I want.
Putting an on-off switch at the plug doesn't work, the inverter will need to be re-set each time the power is cut.

Dwight
 
I removed my on/off/foward/reverse/speed control module. It was simple to do, basically a one for one wire swap with 6 wire cable and a 3/4 junction box. Very easy to do and extremely handy.....and a safety feature when hollowing and coring IMHO.
 

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David Louie said:
Does anyone know where I could get a foot stop switch for my Jet 1642 lathe? I've seen a lot of commentary that foot stop switches are safer than reaching across the line of fire of the rotating piece, especially in an emergency. I would like to get such a switch, but haven't seen any advertised. Can I just plug the lathe into any switch which cuts power, or do I need some special wiring for the lathe itself? Thanks for whatever help or advice can be provided.
Click to expand...

If you are asking about a "dead man" switch, as mentioned by Dwight, it can't simply be in line with the input power. Additionally, it would be very restrictive for your movements at the lathe since it would force you to keep one foot in a fixed position as well as having an uncomfortable stance with your weight on the heel and the toes elevated on the switch (assuming that it would be similar to the foot switch used on the Foredom tool. Something else to consider is that such an arrangement would leave the lathe free-wheeling since power is required for dynamic braking.

The suggestions offered by Nate and Dwight are more workable in my opinion. A box with super-magnets works great for placing the controls wherever you wish. If you only want start and stop functions, I believe that Jet offers a remote switch -- at least they do for the Powermatic. However, the remote switch for the Powermatic seems to be terribly wimpy. You would be better off just getting a light switch, a length of appliance cord, and a plastic box to make your own.
 
Matt Lewis said:
David,

You don't mention which version of 1642, but this is the foot switch I use on my mini - http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2020340/21516/foot-switchonoff.aspx. Only gives on/off.

Best regards,

Matt
Click to expand...

The rating on that switch is too low for the 120 VAC model, not to mention that it would not work as intended because of the reasons cited above. Any power line switch for a 240 VAC machine would need to have both sides of the power switched. This is not relevant for a switched logic input to the inverter. In that case, what is known as a "dry circuit" switch is needed.
 
Thanks to all of you who replied to enlighten me. I have a Jet 1642 EVFS, so I am concerned about doing damage to the electronics of the lathe. I was unable to find the switch mentioned by Dwight by Jack Savoma. Do you have an email or web address for him? I am not adept at electronics, so I hesitate to try and make and install a switch without really clear instructions. I liked the photo of the switch by Nate, is a model of that available anywhere or did you build it? I also could not find a Jet remote switch mentioned by Bill. Does anyone have a web address for such a product? Thanks again for assisting.
 
KurtB said:
Look at item four under accessories on this page. http://www.powermatic.com/Products.aspx?Part=1352001&cat=332178. I could not find a switch on the Jet website.
Click to expand...

I don't know if they just had a bad production run or if the problem is more widespread, but a friend who has a Powermatic 3520B bought one of the switches a few months ago and it has been a very poor reliability product. Based on our limited sample, it seems like the MTBF was on the order of ten hours.

He asked me to diagnose the problem when operation of the switch became erratic. First I verified that his wiring and installation were done correctly and then started troubleshooting the new remote switch. I found that switch operation was erratic and the contacts showed variable high impedance when measured with a Fluke 87V. I also found after opening the unit that it was a DPST switch and that the unused contacts were in fine condition. I rewired the switch to use the second set of contacts and everything was wonderful.

It turned out that "wonderful" only lasted a couple hours before the switch operation was once again intermittent and then non-functional. My friend called Powermatic tech support and spoke with a friendly person who had a replacement shipped out pronto.

The replacement switch lasted a bit longer than the first one, but not by much. Once again my friend called Powermatic tech support, but this time the person on the other end of the line was an obnoxious bozo who refused to offer any sort of help. I suggested to my friend that he would be better off making his own remote switch from hardware store parts. That's what he did and he has been happy ever since (except for the money he wasted on the Powermatic switch).
 
David Louie said:
Thanks to all of you who replied to enlighten me. I have a Jet 1642 EVFS, so I am concerned about doing damage to the electronics of the lathe. I was unable to find the switch mentioned by Dwight by Jack Savoma. Do you have an email or web address for him? I am not adept at electronics, so I hesitate to try and make and install a switch without really clear instructions. I liked the photo of the switch by Nate, is a model of that available anywhere or did you build it? I also could not find a Jet remote switch mentioned by Bill. Does anyone have a web address for such a product? Thanks again for assisting.
Click to expand...

David,
I also have the Jet 1642 EVFS. The entire switch assembly you currently have installed is removed from it's location on the headstock. All you have to do is re-wire an extension cord that has 5 wires. I found an appropriate 7 foot length of cable at a local electronics store.

You will need a new houseing for the remote switch. I found one at my local "Ace Hardware". It is made by Carlin, (# E986F, 1-in type-LB PVC Fitting). Cost was under $4.00. Also can be obtained from an electrical distributer. Grind or cut off the port on the back of the PVC box and epoxy the supplied cover to the back.

Epoxy three (quarter size ) rare earth magnets to the back of the box and you are now able to have complete control of your lathe from any location.

Last, I took a 2 in wide scrap of steel and screwed it over the hole in the headstock. This allows me to place the controls back where the started.
Regards
Dwight
 
David,

This is the response to an inquiry I sent to Automation Direct regarding your question. I have purchased a VFD/motor combo from them in the past. It is probably worth giving them call as I find them to be very helpful.

Regards,

Matt

"We can only offer a foot switch that will be able to start & stop the VFD/motor combo. Unfortunately, we do not carry a foot switch that will control the speed of the VFD/motor.

The foot switch for starting & stopping is as follows:

http://www.automationdirect.com/static/specs/footswitches.pdf

Thanks for inquiry!"
 
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Update from tech support for the foot switch from Automation Direct I provided a link to earlier -

"The switch will be tied into the start/stop circuitry of the VFD. It will signal the VFD to interrupt the output power to the motor. Power will still be applied to the drive, but there will not be power applied to the motor whenever the footswitch tells the VFD to turn off. A reset will not be required. The VFD will respond to the start/stop commands originating from the foot switch."

David, if you want a foot switch then it looks like this one will meet the requirement.

Best regards,
 
I tapped a Powermatic remote switch into the back of the red pull switch on mine. It plugged right in with no problems. Now, either switch will turn the lathe on and off. Of course, if you turn it on with the remote, you have to turn it off with the remote, and vice-versa.
 
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