FW foot control
 

I have a question for other FW owners. Does your foot control get hot while you are using it? Or do I have a problem? Just noticed it yesterday. I think I'm going to make a storage glove for it and put the ironing silver inside it. It was really hot! Bobbie

Yes, they do get warm / hot. They work by reducing the voltage to the motor by resistance. Some like the Singers use a carbon pile, others use wire resisters. Either way the slower you go the more the voltage is reduced. This voltage has to go somewhere so it's dissipated as heat. Some controllers get hotter than others.

I have some I can't sew slow on without a shoe. Others are fine. I think it's age and use that contributes to them getting hot.
I also use one of those silicone iron pads under the controller on a carpeted floor.

As for damaging the machine, don't worry about that, the controller is doing what it's supposed to.

Joe

Thanks Joe, that eases my mind. I was sewing rather fast yesterday to get finished.

Joe, I'm glad you answered that. I was getting ready to order new foot pedals for mine. Thanks, as usual, for your great answers.

I still make sure all my vintage machine are unplugged from the wall. My OCD mind would not be able to sleep otherwise. I think I was also using my petal backwards when I first used it and noticed the heat.

Oh, me too. I normally sew barefoot, but yesterday I had on shoes and didn't notice it until I got ready to leave my DD. I always unplug, just to be safe. The machines are on surge protectors.

The rule of thumb is NEVER leave a rheostat foot controller plugged in unless you are using it...they do get hot and for safety sake it is better that you unplug them. I agree with Joe that they are safe, unless of course you smell smoke like my willcox foot controller.

I have mine plugged into a surge protector and turn the power to it off when I finish sewing. Should I still unplug them each time?

Mine gets a bit warm during use