araspitfire, thanks for your input,
I am not sure about using bicycle parts/cable, the foot controller do need to be quite a robust constructed unit, it is surprising how these sorts of things get battered about when they are used, especially foot controllers being kept on the floor , we had them in a company I worked for and they were always in for repairs, they were only used for sanding machines,
I do see your idea though, it is a good one.