TT, about the lever, I would suggest you be very careful tightening the clamp, even with the thumbscrew that comes with the saw. I have heard of people stripping the threads in the aluminum and having to buy new clamps.
I think I tend to over-tighten the clamp and keep telling myself that the aluminum isn't very strong. I find it doesn't take much to hold the blade in place and I always sand the ends to roughen the metal and to remove any residual oil on the blade. Some in this forum wipe the blade ends with mineral spirits to remove the oil.
Having said that, some people have made their own from a piece of wood.
I got my foot switch at Busy Bee Tools for $20 Canadian. If you are in the US, there are a number of sources for switches. I selected the deadman type that stops the saw if I lift my foot but some like the type that you don't have to hold down to keep sawing, it's your choice.
Best of luck,
Jim
