Dremel Confusion

[Fyrsmith]

Tink,
Another vote for Foredom flexshaft. I have worn out several Dremel/Mototool units, but the Foredom that I bought when I was teaching jewelry in the late ’70s is still going strong. Advantages are great selection of handpiece types, flex shafts etc, built like a tank. Mine has shaft connections for both high and low speed outputs, and I run it through an external speed controller. I have two handpieces, one lightweight and very flexilbe, one with a keyed chuck that fits every tool and bit I have. Nothing compares with its durability.
-Don-

"It all depends on how you look at things" said the Churkendoose.
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[Emily]

I just checked Dremel.com, which is probably what I should have done in the first place. The foot pedal (the #221 Foot Speed Control) works only with the single speed (35,000 rpm) Dremel tool (#275), but using the pedal gives the tool variable speed. If you’re going to be using the tool in one fixed location where you can always use the foot pedal, I’d go with this option.

The writeup for the single-speed tool says you can’t use it with brushes because they’re not supposed to be used over 15,000 rpm, but I suppose you could use them if you keep the speed low using the pedal.

Emily

To those who question the real value of the Web: Sea slugs. Now, please fall into a respectful silence, and don't speak again until you understand why you were wrong.
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[Tink]

So here’s what I did today: Bought a Dremel tool, #275-02. It’s corded, and single speed.

I got the drill press thingie #212 which I *think* will kill two stones with one bird, making the #2222 FlexShaft stand unnecessary.

I also got the FlexShaft thingamajigger.

I had NO LUCK finding the foot pedal locally, so I will be ordering it online. Emily, Dremel makes a variable speed foot pedal for use with their single speed tool, which is what I got. I will have a dedicated area set up for the Dremel, so that should be cool.

Now, where to get the foot pedal… Hmmmm….

Oops! I see we were posting at the same time, Emily. LOL!

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
Etsy

[Ignuss-Fatuus]

You might want to check out Rio Grande and check out the hanging Dremel type tihng they have its not dremel but uses similar bits and has a attached long flexi shaft and you can get a foot pedal too they are really nice most jewelers I know have them….they are around $200 or so but very well worth it and have more torque than dremels …
karin

I have everything I have ever wanted, and now I realize I have wanted all the wrong things.
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[Tink]

Found a Dremel Foot Pedal on eBay for $16. YAY! It’s mine! The guy has another one up for auction if anyone is interested.

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
Etsy

[firstin]

Hi Tink, I don’t want to sway your decision from a dremel. My son went to a professional gunsmithing and manufacturing college and faced a similar delima when initally listing out his tool inventory and cost data.
The college in question did not mandate or indorse any tool over another. They did however let the prospective students view all the machinery that the school owned and it is the machinery they were requred to use in class. They also provided the names of the graduates in this two year program about 1 or two months ahead of class start, to allow mentoring and advise of those who had now accquired real life experience working this fine art full time.
Fordem was used by every single one of them! However, dremel tools were lighter, smaller and more affordable. It all came down to how much you wanted to spend and how long the tool would last. You can obtain a chuck for a fordem to fit almost any available bit out there.
One thing about the foredom that I had a little problem with was the heaviness of the flex shaft and what felt like pulsating power and or speed. Well we found out it was an electrical problem and I soon was very impressed when he invited me to try to mess up anything I felt the need to. Well a lot of things anyway.
I use a dremel at this time, but as soon as $ allow I will be buying the Foredom.
You are a very intelligent and gifted artist, you can’t go wrong.
God bless,

[Tink]

I just love this place… How extraordinary to be able to pick your colleagues’ brains 24/7. LOL!

Thanks for the thoughtful post, firstin! I have already decided that if I really enjoy metalsmithing after I take a class or two that I will move up to a Foredom. For now, I think the Dremel setup will truly do the job for me. I’ve been working solely with a Dremel MiniMite until this point. I’m amazed I was able to do any of the metal work that I did.

Life will be easier now, for sure.

NOTE: My brilliant idea to kill two stones with one bird fizzled… I had planned to hang the Dremel tool from the drill press when using the FlexShaft instead of getting the specific hanger. It won’t work that way. When the FlexShaft unit is mounted on the Dremel body, it won’t fit into the holders on the drill press unit. Just so you know. LOL!

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
Etsy

[Dale_M]

NOTE: My brilliant idea to kill two stones with one bird fizzled… I had planned to hang the Dremel tool from the drill press when using the FlexShaft instead of getting the specific hanger. It won’t work that way. When the FlexShaft unit is mounted on the Dremel body, it won’t fit into the holders on the drill press unit. Just so you know. LOL!

Yah but, a hanger is a hook, is most anyting….

You don’t need to purchase the Dremel hanger when a screw hook under overhead shelf or “L” bracket out from wall will work…

Dale

Who will teach the young?
Only the old that have survived!
And only if the young will listen.

[Author]

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