Flex shaft grinder for a gift

[930dreamer]

A friend wants one for jewelry type work, any recommendations?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am pretty sure this is what the pro's use

Flex Shaft Kits | Foredom Electric Company

www.foredom.net

 

[RTM]

Yup Foredom

 

[pcmeiners]

They have Foredom clones on Ebay, have a couple motors , there is no difference, at far less then a Foredom labeled unit; I do have a true Foredom 1/3hp unit. Would not recommend the the Chinese hand pieces though, you can get Foredom hand piece on Ebay, again for less. As to accessories buffing, grinding burs etc, Foredom is getting them from the third world anyway, but the Chinese stuff can vary in quality. I have a few Vidmar draws full , only occasionally do I find an accessory not up to the job.

 

[senlow]

Like everyone else is recommending: Foredom.

 

[PittsburghTim]

I do a lot of traditional woodcarving and power carving. I have the Foredom SR model which is 1/6 HP and is reversible. The 1/3 HP model is not reversible. That would be a deal breaker for me as a lot of carving burrs cut in both directions and reversing can send the dust away from you. You should also consider electric handpiece sets. The new brushless versions from Ram (made in Korea) and others have torque to compete with the flex shaft versions and are more flexible and less unwieldly than those with the flex shaft. They are also maintenance free where flex shafts require occasional lubrication and shaft replacement.

Off brand flex shaft handpieces are generally considered bad news in the carving world as they have cheap bearings that get very hot with prolonged use.

 

[seber]

I've had two of the Foredom clones. Finally bit the bullet and bought the real thing. The cheap stuff just didn't last long.

 

[RTM]

Off brand flex shaft handpieces are generally considered bad news in the carving world as they have cheap bearings that get very hot with prolonged use

A jeweler acquaintance told me the same thing. Don’t scrimp on the handset.

 

[acer66]

Another vote for Foredom.

 

[johnre]

Also recommend Foredom. And it will need something to hang it up above the workbench, as the flexshaft has to stay up out of your way.

I have a TX series with H44 handpiece; it accepts up to a 1/4" collet. Do note that the handpieces are easily swapped and you aren't committed to just the one you purchase it with.

 

[cgrutt]

Only experience I have with a Foredom was from back in the day (1980s/90s) when I was installing car stereos. My boss bought one for the shop at the time I thought he was nuts as it was so much more expensive than the handheld dremels we were using. But after getting used to it it was awesome. We were mostly carving ABS plastics and dash parts. Have no idea if current Foredoms are as good as the older stuff but imagine they are still top of the line.