Dremel died, looking at Foredom

J

jawilder

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
2,331
Well, the Dremel hasn't died just yet but its on it's last leg so it's time to replace or upgrade.

I mainly use it with a carbide bit to add jimping and the notch at the base of the edge, so it does get some pretty good use for long periods of time.

For those of you who have a Foredom, which model do you have and are you satisfied? For those who might have an import, are you satisfied as well?

Thanks,
 
Subscribed. I'm also curious about the Foredom. They seem to have a lot of different models, and I don't know which is best.
 
A Foredom flex shaft is to a Dremel as a bicycle is to a Suzuki Ninja, or as a HF 1X30 is to a KMG. You will never use a Dremel again after moving up.
 
Jesse Latham said:
Buy a Foredom. Mine has a foot pedal, I wish it had a hand dial. Jess
Click to expand...

I actually love the foot pedal, great control when feathering out of the inside edge of a guard, or blending. Having to stop and adjust the speed would drive me nuts.

I guess since I've got a lot of hours tig welding, the pedal feels like home.

I inherited my foredom from my grandma who had used it for years as a professional jeweler. I've been using it for a few years myself, and it's just now showing some signs of wear.
 
bladsmth said:
A Foredom flex shaft is to a Dremel as a bicycle is to a Suzuki Ninja, or as a HF 1X30 is to a KMG. You will never use a Dremel again after moving up.
Click to expand...

Foredom flex is Dremel like ninja is to bike and kmg is to 1x30. Sorry, had to clean it up cause I get easily confused. :)
 
You can get a Foredom with a bench control ( dial) or a foot pedal, and if you want, you can use both. The imports and clones are inferior to a Foredom in my experience. I have burned out almost every Gesswein or other import, but have 25 year old Foredoms still running.


Or, for PTDoc:
I have Guessed that wein fore the dom, to burn a bench under control.
 
Kawasaki does make the Ninja. I have a Suzuki, great bike. :)

I have a Dremel with the flex-shaft and... Meh. I'd love a Foredom. I carve wood, all with carving knives, but the Foredom is supposed to be fun, it would be great for scales too.

If you don't mind a simple add on question, does the Foredom use the same bits/collets as the Dremel? If so that would be an easy switch.

Also, how important is the stand?
 
The best thing about a Foredom like machine (Foredom has become a generic term like 'Coke') is the ease of maintenance. Most parts are interchangeable with Foredom parts. They are VERY easy to maintain, with just a little effort.

The #30 styled handpiece will take both 3/32 and 1/8 shanks. It is also the base for many accessories, such as a belt grinder (3/10 "), a 2" angle grinder, a scroll saw, quick release hand pieces, and the number and type of 'bits' you can get is astounding.

In my opinion, if I were person who used a flex shaft day in and day out for heavy work, I would get the best quality one available. If knife making is a hobby, I would get an import and spend the extra $'s on steel. :)
 
The #30 handpiece will accept any bit from a #60 drill to a 3/32 drill bit.
I use both imports and Foredoms. As Goldsmithy said, if you don't use it much, the imports are good deals.
 
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