Question for the electrician/electronics guys

[jrfan]

A couple months ago I put a WTB pottery wheel in the classifieds. I wasn’t able to find one and buying a good wheel is not cheap so I decided to build one. I have it almost complete and ordered a bridge rectifier and a potentiometer to control the speed of the thread mill motor. My question is does anyone know how I can control this DC motor with a foot controller?

[Pstraw]

Old sewing machine pedal control.

[jrfan]

I actually though about one of those. Didn’t know if it would handle 130v DC

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

That's 130vdc at 10 amps! Yikes. Do you really need that much power? It will make the speed adjustment tough. You could check out some fan speed controls. They have them rated to 10 amps. Available at the usual places HD, Lowes, Northern, HF.

[Pedernal]

I know you already have the motor but have you considered something smaller that won't be pushing 2 hp?? Full disclosure, I know nothing about pottery wheels. Is that about what a regular wheel pushes?