Need Help With Dremel Flex-Shaft

medusaoblongata

medusaoblongata

Joined
May 1, 2000
Messages
2,259
I bought a Dremel Flex-Shaft to use with my Black & Decker Wizard (RT550), which is Dremel-like and supposed to be Dremel compatible. The Flex-Shaft attaches to the drill just fine, but I can't get a bit to tighten at the end of the shaft. I've followed all of the directions and used the same bit, collet, & nut that work together on the drill, but no matter how much I tighten it I can still turn the bit with my hand or pull it out. I called both Black & Decker and Dremel and explained my problem and they both agreed that the Flex-Shaft must not be working properly so I brought it back to the store and exchanged it for another one. The new one does the exact same thing! Chances of both being defective are slim, but I can't figure out what I could be doing wrong. Any ideas?
 
Howdy There Jason.!
Not trying to be smart, but with my dremel I have two different size collets for larger and smaller bits. Make sure that you are usng to correct size collet for the size bit or tool that you are using. Good luck ...!

"Possum":cool:
 
Since I'm lazy and too disorganized to find all my collets what I often do is to wrap a little bit of masking tape around a smaller bit to build up the diameter a little. It works well.

A better solution is to pick up a jacobs chuck for your Dremel. I have one and will put it on my flexshaft handle if I can find it....:D
 
I know I'm using the right size bit with the right size collet because they both fit when on the end of the drill, they just won't tighten at the end of the flex-shaft. I'm beginning to suspect that it's the B+D nut that doesn't fit with the flex-shaft. I've just ordered a nut that should, so hopefully that'll be all I need.
 
the part that hods the bit is composed of 4 parts.

the collet housing, the collet, the collet nut, the bit

the housing is on the flexible shaft and we will aasume nothing is wrong with it,

the collet should fit tightly into the housing. you should be able to feel it toutch the sides of the housing.

the collet nut should tighten on the houseing and cause thecollet to contract. if the collet nut is tightening properly the collet opening will contract. with the nut finger tight you should not be able to insert a bit.

You are using a black and decker collet and nut in a dremmil housing
make sure that the collet is contracting properly.
try a different bit, do they all do it?
if the collet is opperating properly, but will not hold a bit take it out and clean it.
(never lubricate a collet.It make the bits slip)

If you are still having problems E-mail me and we'll figure it out.
they work the same as routers, and I've been fighting them for years.
 
Right, there are four parts. I can use a collet, bit, & nut together on the end of the drill and they work fine, but when I transfer the same collet, bit, & nut onto the end of the flex-shaft they don't work. That's why I thought the flex-shaft was the problem. But since the new flex-shaft did the same thing I started thinking that it must be the B&D nut that didn't work with the Dremel flex-shaft. So I ordered a Dremel Keyless Chuck #4486, which was advertised as fitting on the flex-shaft. With this it works. It also allows you to change different size bits without changing collets.

I've also found that eBay is a great place to get Dremel bits. They have a much larger selection than my Home Depot, and better prices. And some of the regular Dremel stuff sellers on eBay have websites selling the same stuff.

I also found www.dremel.com which has some information, and they have a bulletin board there which might be a good place for similar information in the future. You can find it here: http://www.dremel.com/html/owners_club/index_fr.html Unfortunately, it uses that annoying archaic software so I won't be spending much time there.

Thanks all for the advice. I'm adding this post as a BTTT in hopes that it might help someone else out.
 
:
Jason this is so simple, but often the simple things are overlooked.

Are you putting a pin in the hole near the end of the flex shaft to hold the shaft locked while you tighten the collet with the wrench?
Mine takes about an 1/8" pin and when the shaft is turned to reveal the lock hole in the shaft the pin will slide all the way in. I just use the shank of a small drill for a pin.
 
Yes, I was using a pin in the hole to keep the shaft still to screw the nut on. It must be the B&D nut not working with the flex-shaft, which is easily possible since even some of the older Dremel brand nuts don't work with the flex-shaft. With the new nut I've got it working now though.
 
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