Does the sewing machine pedal work best with a wound rotor motor? I hear a lot about power tools but I have even heard stuff about fans. This can't be right. Thanks in advance

 

Depends on the pedal.

The old ones that have the jack to the wall, then feed the machine from the pedal will directly control motors with a triac chopper.

The motors in Sewing machines are "universal" AC/DC w/brushes. The current rating isn't very high.

The newer pedals that have a small gauge cord/wire going into the machine are usually digital control, and won't work for controlling motors.

 

I run a Dremel moto-tool - universal motor - with an old sewing machine foot rheostat.. It consists of a contact on a bellcrank for lateral movement, and a ni-chrome wire coil wound between several speed-level contacts. very simple, and works very well.