Vintage Dremels

[tym]

I didn't find a thread (probably there is one, deeply buried). I picked up this nice Model 2, c. late 40s or early 50s, at a yard sale this weekend. I am regluing some joints in the wooden case.

The motor brushes are in good shape and it runs well. Any idea what the small hole in the body is? From what little info I could find, these were "lubricated for life," so it's probably not an oil hole.

 

[The Cobbler]

that looks in really great shape. no idea on the hole

 

[ndnchf]

Wow, great find. I had no idea they went back that far. I have one I bought about 30 years ago, I thought it was a new thing back then - lol!

 

[RTM]

These aren’t much help, as they only show the brushes on the body, any you seem to know where they are

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?query=Dremel&sin=&sort=-date

I wonder if that mid body screw is to mount it to a desktop cradle for shaft mounted work. Is there a twin on the other side?

My mom had one in the 70s, and we thought they were new dangled them, little did we know

 

[Davefr]

I'm guessing it helped secure/align the motor to the case.

 

[tym]

These aren’t much help, as they only show the brushes on the body, any you seem to know where they are

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?query=Dremel&sin=&sort=-date

I wonder if that mid body screw is to mount it to a desktop cradle for shaft mounted work. Is there a twin on the other side?

My mom had one in the 70s, and we thought they were new dangled them, little did we know

It's only on the one side and gets quite warm after the unit has been running for a while.

 

[tym]

These aren’t much help, as they only show the brushes on the body, any you seem to know where they are

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?query=Dremel&sin=&sort=-date

I wonder if that mid body screw is to mount it to a desktop cradle for shaft mounted work. Is there a twin on the other side?

Actually, one of the catalogs you linked indicates that is an oil hole and should get 10w oil every 30-40 hours of use. Check page 2 here.

Thanks for finding these catalogs!

 

[RTM]

Actually, one of the catalogs you linked indicates that is an oil hole and should get 10w oil every 30-40 hours of use. Check page 2 here.

Thanks for finding these catalogs!

Oops, that's what I get for looking at small pictures on my iPad. On the big monitor that's almost visible.

Glad I could help.

 

[tym]

And there are actually two oil holes! Just noticed that myself.

Next up is a lot of sparking from the commutator. Cleaning it had no effect. The brushes "look" good, but are close to the 1/4" length at which the catalog advises replacement. Any idea where to buy a pair?

 

[ndnchf]

What size, shape and connection are the brushes? I have a couple boxes of small brushes. I'll send you some if I can match them.

 

[tym]

What size, shape and connection are the brushes? I have a couple boxes of small brushes. I'll send you some if I can match them.

Thanks! They look to be 3/16" square with a simple spring connection. My brush stash is all bigger stuff.

 

[RTM]

If Nd... can’t help you out, my Ace hardware store carries brushes by size in the nuts and bolts section. 1/4” in square shape should be doable.

 

[ndnchf]

I've got some 3/16 square. You'll just need to use your springs. Does this look like it will wotk?

 

[tym]

Those look exact! Mine measure 0.185" square on the dot. I'll send a PM...if the forum doesn't go down for maintenance again. ;-)

 

[tym]

Big thanks to ndnchf for sending me a pair of brushes! After shortening and shaping them to the commutator (and cleaning up the resultant mess), I ran the motor for a while to bed in the brushes. The Dremel now runs smoothly again! I will re-clean the commutator for good measure as the bedding in likely created a fair bit of dirt.

I had ordered some brushes for delivery to the local Ace, but they managed to FUBAR the order, so GJ to the rescue again!

 

[tym]

After re-cleaning the commutator, I also found that I get fewer sparks and cooler operation if I run the Dremel at 110V (as specified on the label) using a Variac. I get anywhere from 120-128V out of the wall, and vintage devices often do not appreciate 10-15% overvoltage.

 

[Jim C.]

My dad got this Dremel scroll saw for me when I was about nine or ten years old (or about fifty years ago.) I used it to cut out Christmas ornaments from 1/8” thick birch ply wood. My sisters and I would sit at the kitchen table and paint them.

I most recently used it to cut decorative, but still functional, wedges for a blanket ladder I made for my wife.

Jim C.

 

[tym]

Nice scroll saw. It looks practically brand new!

 

[Jim C.]

Thanks tym. Yes, it’s still in pretty good shape for its age. It’s certainly not a high end machine but it’s remarkably accurate and very stable. I guess that’s why I keep using it. I’ll take a look around, because I think I might still have the owner’s manual.

JIm C.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Mine, probably 1940s.