Just burnt up another Dremel the other day, my fault admittedly. Are there better options out there. I was considering a shaft driven tool but they can get pretty pricey and seem most are for production type use. Anybody know of a shaft driven tool geared more for home use but can still take fairly heavy use? I used my Dremels a lot.
Rotary tools.
- Thread starter Bradc1989
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matt_i
Well-known member
Foredom? Its expensive yes but so much better. Good news is all of your Dremel "bits" will cross right over.
The Foredom edge tools and abrasives are also much better than what you can buy locally with the Dremel name on them and not that much more expensive. One just has to plan ahead or build inventory because its a couple day drop ship.
The Foredom edge tools and abrasives are also much better than what you can buy locally with the Dremel name on them and not that much more expensive. One just has to plan ahead or build inventory because its a couple day drop ship.
GrantCee
Well-known member
Foredom. One of mine is over 40 years old and still going strong; my Dad, who was a jeweler, bought it second-hand from another jeweler and used it hard for a couple of decades before I got it.
That’s the answer I was expecting. I have a been around them once, a machine I built integrated 2 of them into the system to cut the weld start/stop tab off a sig sauer magazine. They were nice units. I started eyeing them about 2years ago for personal use, just kind of hard to get around the price. How are you guys set up? Hanging or bench top motor? Which speeed control? Did you buy a set or piece your own together?
GrantCee
Well-known member
Both of mine have the hanging motor and foot rheostat. I’ve never used any other configuration — it would feel foreign to me!
Mine also have the Jacobs handpiece, since I often use it for drilling. (I have other handpieces for specialized tasks.)
One of mine was purchased new, and as I mentioned the second one came from my Dad. When I bought my own I just ordered the standard package from the local jeweler's supply house, where I had an account. (Just realized my "new" one is over 30 years old!)
seber
Well-known member
Electric die grinders split the difference. They're heavy but cheaper than a Foredom setup.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I've come to accept I try to use my Dremel (corded variable speed Dremel brand and a cordless m12 Milwaukee) in too many applications and should go bigger. My current train of thought is to go for one of the m12 die grinders.
I’ll probably go with a foredome, been contemplating one for a couple years. I have the m12 90* die grinder and I use it a lot but regular die grinders are kind of for a different type of application IMO. Plus my m12 90* EATS batteries, even the bigger ones. And their charge time vs discharge ratio leaves me without a charged battery little too much. But that’s neither here nor there for this thread
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
^^+1^^
I have the M12 right angle die grinder; it's been awesome- just ordered the straight version as well.
Dremels are junk, IMO. I've got two of them with stripped out collet locks, another two with finicky switches- if you shake them, bump them and hold your mouth just right they might actually turn on. They mostrly live in a drawer now, I use my M12 die grinders or the cordless rotary tool almost exclusively- better performance and significantly lower frustration level.
matt_i
Well-known member
Personally I hang it from a jib crane in the shop. Any hook into solid overhead material would do though. I have also just laid it down on a piece of plywood. The motor doesn't care very much about its orientiation as long as the shaft isn't bent into a tight radius.
I have seen magnetic bases (like a dial indicator) that attach to various steel bench and cart surfaces.
I don't use the speed control at all, I find the extra cords cumbersome and non flexible and a huge mess that gets in the way. Possibly if the footpedal was heavier it would be better...I could probably solve that problem...
On the Foredom one has to be very careful of the rocker switch. Gentle touch to recenter the switch. Twice I got overzealous and pressed the reverse direction. Big blue arc, big pop and tripped the GFI....thankfully no immediate damage to the Foredom though.
I have seen magnetic bases (like a dial indicator) that attach to various steel bench and cart surfaces.
I don't use the speed control at all, I find the extra cords cumbersome and non flexible and a huge mess that gets in the way. Possibly if the footpedal was heavier it would be better...I could probably solve that problem...
On the Foredom one has to be very careful of the rocker switch. Gentle touch to recenter the switch. Twice I got overzealous and pressed the reverse direction. Big blue arc, big pop and tripped the GFI....thankfully no immediate damage to the Foredom though.
Dave455
Well-known member
Have you got a compressor? I’m guessing not, but if so go for an air powered die grinder. If you go for one of the small air turbine tools, it will get in everywhere you can with your Dremel, but you won’t believe the power. These are durable tools for the most part, so I wouldn’t hesitate to buy used.
If you don’t have a compressor, and use the Dremel a lot, I’d maybe think about getting one.
An electric die grinder is another option. Not as durable as the air version, and more bulky, but these tools have cone on a lot in recent years. Probably a lot less costly than a Foredom.
The Foredom seems to suit certain trades, such as the jewellery trade, and the quality is certainly good, but for general use I’d probably go for either type of die grinder in preference. Both types shown below.
If you don’t have a compressor, and use the Dremel a lot, I’d maybe think about getting one.
An electric die grinder is another option. Not as durable as the air version, and more bulky, but these tools have cone on a lot in recent years. Probably a lot less costly than a Foredom.
The Foredom seems to suit certain trades, such as the jewellery trade, and the quality is certainly good, but for general use I’d probably go for either type of die grinder in preference. Both types shown below.
