I’ve got an old Foredom flexshaft which connects to its foot pedal with a 4-conductor plug. The old pedal died, and I’ve got a newer one which is set up to connect with a regular 3-prong 110v plug, two hot wires and a ground, the same as goes into a grounded receptacle. Can I use this to run my old motor? If so, which wires go where? Is one of the 4 redundant, or are there 4 hot wires in that plug?
Have you been able to find a schematic for the older model?
This is a great question for Foredom tech support. They’ll know what foot control can be used with your older Foredom flex shaft.
I’ve got a friend who is one of the managers at Foredom. Let me know what the model number of your flex shaft is (like CC, TX, SR etc. not the serial number). I’ll ask him what foot controls are possible to work with your flex shaft.
Thanks!
Jeff
2 Likes
Thanks, Jeff. My Foredom motor is a series “R”, which probably dates it to the Paleolithic era, although I think it still works. I looked online for information about it, but everything seemed to refer to other models. (To recap, since my original post doesn’t seem to have posted here, I’m trying to fit it to a modern foot pedal, but the motor has 4 wires and the pedal has 3.) I’m willing to do some wire cutting and/or soldering if necessary to get them to work together.
I looked here, but didn’t see any schematics to see what the wiring is.
Is it green and just a ground wire? I have two Lucas Dental foot pedals that I like a lot better than the one that comes with a Foredom…Rob
1 Like
I’ll reach out to my friend at Foredom tomorrow when he’s back to work to see what he says. I know what you’re asking, but all of the different models of Foredoms are wired the way they are for a reason. I just think it’s best, if possible, to check with manufacturer before digging in, cutting wires and resoldering connections.
I asked a similar question a while back ago. Why can’t I change the end of a Foredom TX flex shaft and use a SR foot control. The two model’s foot controls look the same, but have different plugs. I forget the specifics of the answer, but somehow the energy modulates differently in the two flex shafts.
I’ll let you know what my friend says when I hear back.
Jeff
1 Like
I just received one of these based on you and @wldlzrd1 suggestions.
It’s SO MUCH BETTER.
1 Like
I reached out to Mike Zagielski national sales manager for Blackstone Industries (which Foredom is part of) to ask the question about the R series foot control. Here’s Mike’s response. Basically, feel free to cut the wires and add a 3 prong (US) plug. Mike also said it was okay to include his contact info to Orchid members, which I thought was really generous!
Hi Jeff,
The R motor was my first flex shaft bought in 1988. It was discontinued in the late 1990’s. Basically, it is a CC model with load feedback (the red wire). Too bad it was a good idea. When too much load was applied, more power was sent to the motor. We no longer have components for the speed controls. So, we are recommending that customers with good motors, but bad speed controls just cut the plug off the motor cord set. Then connect a new 3-prong plug purchased at a local hardware store on the cord set. Connect the black wire to the hot lead, the white wire on the return or neutral lead, the green wire to the ground lead and tape over the red wire with electrician’s tape and tuck it out of the way. Then they can use one of our standard speed controls C.FCT-1, C.SCT-1 or C.EM-1.
Stay well
Michael Zagielski - Sales Manager
Blackstone Industries, Foredom Electric, Olson Saw, Zona Tool
Phone: (203) 730-4530
mzagielski@blackstoneind.com
Well that is easy 
1 Like