Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Foot Switch-Powered Shop Tools!

After returning from a recent stint helping out at Tom Sach's workshop, Adam is inspired to add foot pedals to power his shop tools! He starts by adding a foot pedal to activate his mini tabletop bandsaw, rewiring the power switch to route this new switch and making that tool more convenient and satisfying to use. Quite the worthwhile upgrade!

Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

#adamsavage #onedaybuilds #workshop

[BumblingSailor]

"I probably won't need strain relief" *drags foot switch around shop by wire* 😂😂😂 don't ever change, Adam.

[rawf]

Shows safety feature by climbing on rolling chair and work bench. Love it!

[phuzzygreene]

Props to the editing team. Love the enhanced *Bandsaw Noise* wave form presentation.

[aaro_n]

I love this. After working in a couple of factories I've learned workers seem to like foot switches and managers hate them due to safety reasons

[editguy]

Immediately pulling the "not necessary" strain relief to the test! LOVE IT!

[thegamingeconomist]

Nice video and love that you showed how easy this is to do! But... The third wire should be used for ground and connected to the metal housing at the switch end, and connected to the ground and casing at the machine end. This will provide operator protection against a live short anywhere in the system. This is especially important where you are physically connecting two parts of your body to a device (insulated boots or otherwise) with live current and potentially providing electricity with a route passing through your heart.
Some kind of rubber grommet should also be used to provide at least some protection against spilled liquids and swarf from entering the switch body and causing shorts.

[justincheger]

I would have added a cord to plug into the wall and the a cord to plug in the tool that way the foot switch is more universal and can be use with almost any tool if needed. This would also not require an modification to the existing tool. I love this build and this is a great idea.

[kggav]

I use footswitches all the time, for all sorts of different applications.
When I was a 911 dispatcher, we had foot switches to key up the radio and muting the phone, so that both hands were open for typing.
In my present life as a broadcast engineer, I have wired them for resetting countdown timers for TV break control, for triggering video switcher transitions, and intercom. Usually the intercom is hot all the time, so in that use case, it acts a a mute or 'cough drop' so you don't cough of send too many expletives down the line!

[BG_MillerPhoto]

One of my favorite "shop hacks" for stripping wire I learned from FIL, a sewing seam ripper. It works on a lot of gauges and is an easy, safe way to strip the outer sheath.

[nickrivera]

A couple others have said it, but I would definitely feel more comfortable if that pedal was grounded. Especially without a regular strain relief in place to isolate the cord movement from the connections, there’s a lot of potential for the wires or crimps to work themselves loose or wear through the insulation over time. [Not an electrician, but a commercial coffee equipment tech]

Also, did I spy a box of Knipex goodies back there?

[roryevans]

Adam/Tested, the wiring as you have shown it in that switch box is unsafe, as no earth connection is made to the metal enclosure. A fault in the switch or wire, or debris entering the box could cause the housing to become live risking electrocution to the operator. I appreciate that this is more regulated in Europe than America due to the higher voltage, and that this failure is unlikely, but there is still risk of harm.

Apart from that I like that this is more safe than typical rocker switches as it acts like a deadman switch.

[Max-xlml]

I do bicycle fabrication and the shop I work in has foot switches on all the drill presses, grinders and belt Sanders. It's definitely my favorite little feature because you can start and stop all the tools while holding your Steel or Ti tubing with both hands.

[brandonyoung-kemkes]

When Adam dropped the foot switch and said “that’s enough out of you“. It reminded me of how I like to verbally quiet the ovens at work when they’re blaring ”I’m done”! Like I walk up going “all right, all right geez Calm down”.

[GoingApeCostume]

My Dremel is hooked up to a switch pedal that's older than I am, and I'm not a young'un! Dad got it for me at a yard sale for two dollars. LOVE that thing.

[Etna.]

I love to watch US shop wiring. Here in Germany we would use a Motor Safety Switch with a separate connection for an external switch or at least a relais so the footswitch wouldn't see the full power of the motor all the time.

Regards,
Etna.

[Mike-the-Jedi]

Love the continuous evolution of the mini bandsaw. Who knows where it will go next.

[Silkari]

Hahaha!, Love it: I was literally yelling at the screen to connect the common to the normal closed, then he spoke to me. Love this foot switch, I want one… I guess I need space for a workshop first 😅

[vonSaufenberg]

The wiring on this is definitely a safety risk. Any metal part that could get into contact with mains voltage should be grounded. The Ground wire should be longer than the mains wire to ensure it is the last wire to loose contact to what it is grounding. Not having a proper strain relieve can also be a fire hazard as dust and metal chips make their way into the housing of the switch. I strongly urge you to revisit this especially because this is something people might do at home.

[scholberger]

I love the little editing flourishes that pop up here and there in these videos. They really add a lot of charm!

[zakharyfalo]

I knew it! They exist. Because why not. I just finished mine yesterday from a doorbell case connected in a power outlet for my rotary tool. Made it easier to turn on and off.