Variable-speed controller for use with an electric device

A variable-speed controller for use with an electric power tool including:

• a variable resistor element having a variable resistor element contact surface;
• a membrane including a first membrane contact surface spaced-apart from the variable resistor element contact surface by a spacer element, and, a second membrane contact surface;
• a slider configured for slidable movement along the second membrane contact surface wherein responsive to the slider slidably moving along the second membrane contact surface, the first membrane contact surface is able to be urged into contact with the variable resistor element contact surface in a plurality of contact point configurations whereby effective resistance of the variable resistor element is configured to change in response to the first membrane contact surface being urged into contact with the variable resistor element contact surface in each of the plurality of contact point configurations;
• an actuator assembly including an actuator operably-connected with the slider whereby the slider is slidably moved relative to the second membrane contact surface responsive to movement of the actuator, and said actuator includes a hand-operable portion via which force is able to be applied to the actuator by a user's hand to move the actuator inwardly of a housing;
• and
• wherein said electric power tool includes at least one of a hand-operable electric drill, electric grinder, electric sander, electric saw, electric rotary driving tool, power tool, and electric gardening tool.