Anyone using floor pedal?

A

alexmin

Joined
Nov 16, 2005
Messages
513
I wonder if anyone here is using floor switch/pedal for belt grinder.
I know some people are using pedal on disk grinder. I guess it might also be useful for belt grinder. What do you think?

This pedal on www.mcmaster.com (#8793T12) looks like it shoud work for us.
 
BTW This pedal has tree leads. How can I connect it to variable speed KMG grinder setup? Motor is 3 phase and has 3 wires plus ground wire going to it.

Thanks,
Alex
 
looks interesting, but i really cant see the necessity for it presonally. and i dont know how well it would work with a varriable speed, how would you change speeds with it? but i dont have much experience, so id look to the wiser folks around for the good advice :D
 
Floor pedal is ON when you keep pressing on it. Pedal doesn't control speed. It's just for on/off control.
When grinding you must be very careful when touching blade against belt. If belt is not absolutely parallel it will leave a gouge. I am getting better at it but still have to pay a lot of attention when starting to grind. It would be nice to first press blade against belt than start grinder.
For more experienced knife makers it's probably not a problem at all but not for me.
 
alexmin said:
Floor pedal is ON when you keep pressing on it. Pedal doesn't control speed. It's just for on/off control.
When grinding you must be very careful when touching blade against belt. If belt is not absolutely parallel it will leave a gouge. I am getting better at it but still have to pay a lot of attention when starting to grind. It would be nice to first press blade against belt than start grinder.
For more experienced knife makers it's probably not a problem at all but not for me.
Click to expand...

I was wondering about a floor pedal too, for the same reason. However, I find I really need to get and stay "stable" (arms locked, feet firmly planted etc.) to avoid serious grinding problems, and I can't see how I could do that while holding down a foot pedal.

I've found that if I approach the belt very slowly, and press against the belt very gently until the bevel flattens against the belt before applying pressure, I have pretty good (and improving) results.
 
I've thought about trying to rig up an old wah pedal to control a variable speed setup :D I've never used a foot pedal on a grinder, but for a forge blower it can't be beat. It's really nice to be able to shut down the air blast on a coal forge with both hands full.

-d
 
I have a 20 amp on/off foot pedal in the wood shop.I plug any tool into it and can turn it on or off without having to move my hands until the machine is stopped.On some tools (like a grinder) this would be an advantage in the fact that the power switch is not at a safe or convenient location.You could also mount your VFD farther away from the grinder,and control it with the foot switch.A variable speed foot control is useful for flex shaft motor units and sharpening tools (tools used sitting down),but would not be much good for a grinder.
 
I aint a knife maker but I have a rheostat mounted on my bench for my Baldor 1 1/2 ,3600.
I like full, stable, footing when buffing or sanding so a foot pedal is out of the question.. for me,
I just reach over and change it a tad and continue..
 
Blammo said:
I aint a knife maker but I have a rheostat mounted on my bench for my Baldor 1 1/2 ,3600.
I like full, stable, footing when buffing or sanding so a foot pedal is out of the question.. for me,
I just reach over and change it a tad and continue..
Click to expand...

Good onya! I was just about to mention that. Safety!

I do use a foot switch to turn on the vacuum on my bead blaster cabinet though. Nice to have when your hands are in the gloves and you are ready to blast.
 
some of the foot pedals out there are so small i dont think it would effect solid footing. i use a router control with a foot switch for numerous tools in my shop including my lathe. i like the "not putting my hands in harms way" thing. its also nice for voltage control.
 
I am going to to put a piece of wood of comparable to pedal size/shape and try to grind while "pressing pedal" I'll let you know about results.
I know from my experience that sometimes something that looks awkward and uncomfortable in fact is better that "obviously better solution"
 
I use a foot pedal for my drill press, its nice to use both hands to hold the piece. Much safer I think. I have used it for the disc before with good results but on the belt grinder I dont know if its needed. Just plain VS would be nice for me.
 
Report:

I just tried "a dummy" pedal with good results!
Considering that after you press pedal it becomes "solid" so there is no rocking or anything like that. Pedal in ON position provides same support as floor.
Here is my sequence:
1. Place the blade against belt.
2. Press pedal. Grind.
3. Take off blade off belt. (belt is still running)
4. Release pedal.

If you release pedal first than take the blade off belt you won't have solid footing when taking blade off belt. Much easier to take blade off belt while belt is still running. I personally never had problem taking blade off belt.
 
I think you're going to find thats its bad for your motor to start and stop it that frequently. The motor draws the most power at startup, which is why most larger motors have a capacitor and centrifugal switch to get them up to speed. Its a lot better for them to get to operating speed and just stay there.
 
Bruce Bump said:
I use a foot pedal for my drill press, its nice to use both hands to hold the piece. Much safer I think. I have used it for the disc before with good results but on the belt grinder I dont know if its needed. Just plain VS would be nice for me.
Click to expand...
I said I aint a knife builder.. BUT YOU DANG SURE ARE !!! :)
I just spent a while on your site and emailed you.. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Us gun guys do all of our drill press work with fixtures and vices, locked down.
What's you doing freehand ? Drum sander work ? :p
 
Hello Alex

The manual for your VFD should show how to connect a remote start switch. As you have said, the switch only controls the operation of the VFD. It does not switch the input power to the VFD nor does it switch the power going to the motor. Only a tiny amount of power, at low voltage, would run through the switch. You have made a good choice. That footswitch is rated for harsh environments. You don't want metal dust getting into the footswitch and causing it to make your motor turn on when you did not want it to turn on.

Since your footswitch is actually rated to AC power, the third wire is probably a ground for safety (green wire). The ground wire should be connected to the ground terminal of your VFD.

There are usually several different switch connection schemes shown in the manuals. Chose one where there is a "Run/Stop" switch shown (closed for Run, open for Stop). Connect your switch contacts where shown in the manual. Often there is also a "Forward/Reverse" switch. You can connect a toggle switch, if you need this function. If you only want the machine to run in one direction, then install a jumper (or no jumper) instead of a second switch.

If you are having trouble figuring it out, let me know what the brand and model number of your VFD is. I will see what I can do to help you.

Phil
 
Hi Alex,

I wouldn't worry about any problem starting/stopping your motor with the foot switch. I've been using one on on my disc grinder for a great many years with out the slightest hint of a problem.
Also, in my trade (journeyman electrician in industrial environments) I've worked around a lot of shop euipment hooked up this way and have never seen any motor problem...and I've been doing this for 35+ years.
You would have to continuously start/stop the motor every few seconds for quite a while before you'd risk any damage to the motor.

The only thing I would suggest changing in how you're doing things would be to stop the disc before removing the blade from it. It's a whole lot easier to keep things flat this way.

Phil (pso) is right, all you are doing with the foot switch is using it as a start switch. The owners manual should show how to wire a remote start switch. All you need to do is wire the foot switch in as a start switch. The VFD will switch off as soon as you lift your foot from the switch.

-Mike-
 
Thanks guys,
I've read the manual and found how to connect a foot switch.
On/off switch has only 24V so I found a less expensive sealed foot pedal that should work fine.
 
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