Adding variable speed to a scrollsaw

[Jeff Monson]

My son recently inherited an old delta 15" scrollsaw from his grandpa. Its only got
one speed, and its pretty much wide open. Can I add in a variable speed control or will
this damage the motor?

Also is this considered a pretty decent scrollsaw??? I know absolutely nothing about scrollsaws BTW.
If I had to guess I would say its 15 to 20 years old.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Jeff, your scrollsaw is probably one with a single phase induction motor, so the answer is that unless you can use a step pulley you're stuck with one speed.

If your motor has brushes like a router or drill, you can add variable speed at low cost with a controller for the motor.

Regards, Rod.

[Steve LaFara]

Hmmmmm, last time I looked, my routers had brushes.

[Chris Parks]

Can you use a variable frequency drive? I don't know much about these things but they seem to be able to do what you want.

[Van Huskey]

Can you use a variable frequency drive? I don't know much about these things but they seem to be able to do what you want.

He would need a 3 phase motor for that.

[Van Huskey]

Hmmmmm, last time I looked, my routers had brushes.

And they make variable speed controllers for them.