Vridar yes you could, but you might loose some low end torque depending on the type of circuitry in the dimmer. although I haven't actually tried it yet.

Tammi, Love the lazy Susan and the pool noodle ideas.

Probably, but the idea is to be able to "floor" the machine's foot pedal without the machine running away with me. And, actually I'll be using an old resistance-type foot control in the pig-tail to the electrical box, not a dimmer switch. I'm going to recycle an old foot peddle upon removing the return spring.

one of my old foot controls has an adjustable stop, beieve it was becsuse they might not want from and wear on the converted from treadle heads. I like the dimmer though for testing a motor, can leave it running at a constant med speed.

With the spring that returns the pedal to off removed, I'll also be able to adjust to a predetermined controlled resistance. Just a matter of what's available and individual adjustments to fit each of our needs.

It's a great tool! The looks on people's faces when I pull it out of my bag is priceless too. :)
I took it with me today when I went to look at an industrial, and used it to tip the machine back and the gal goes "What's that!?!" It also cushioned the motor when we put it in the truck and I officially upped my machine count again... *sigh*

I love this!! My little brain is just chugging away looking for a good way to use this with a singer machine (which is most of what i have) too .... I think it can be done and I would love it for a couple of things: 1. working on them 2. teaching people to FMQ an not have to worry about the speed while they get the hand motion....

That's a great idea! I have the enlarger, but am not quite at the point where I want to disassemble it, despite the fact that I haven't used it in a few years.

Jim,
I got DH to wire up a box for me with a foot control pedal. My cheap Dremel now has variable speed with a foot control! WOW! AND I can plug in a sewing machine I'm working on.

glad that worked out 4 ya miriam! It also doubles as the dimmer to my incandescent lamp when not used otherwise. It would be beneficial, though i haven't tried it yet is to use a GFCI outlet even tho it's ungrounded. The Gfci will trip pretty quick for an imbalance like a short. Please DO NOT take anything Im saying here as gospil. AC can kill, and a qualified electrician can advise you. Also do research online. At the very least a 1.5 A fast blow fuse would be good

Inline Rheostat to Increase Resistance of Foot Controller
 

I'm rigging up a rheostat to have available for whatever purpose. But, again, I am thinking of placing it in series before a resistance speed controller to limit maximum speed. This one I'm working on has the power supply cord and two outlet box common to this type controller.The re-worked controller will control only the "motor" outlet unless I decide to rewire to control both outlets. Notice I had the old controller marked in the parts bin as N/G. I've tested it and believe it will work. I will remove the return spring under the foot lever so I can manually set it at a particular resistance. The screw on the duplex box is even present. ready to screw onto the underside of my work table. Voila![ATTACH=CONFIG]470078[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]470080[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]470079[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]470081[/ATTACH] Jim's Caveat - "Please DO NOT take anything Im saying here as gospil. AC can kill, and a qualified electrician can advise you. Also do research online." At the very least a 1.5 A fast blow fuse would be good" I agree, unless one knows about electricity, leave it to others who do.

you're planning on having a cover over that rheostat guts, right? unless you live alone... ;-)