experience with Foredom tools?

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
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As I'm getting more into the carved bolsters/handles and probably blades (like Broadwell's ;) ) I'm thinking I want to upgrade from a dremel to a Foredom.

I was hoping to get some insight for preferences on the different models i.e. motor size, hand-piece style, etc.

I've been told by one maker that the Grizzly rotary tool is great for the price. But I know Foredom has a huge reputation behind it too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Nick
 
Nick, Im a big fan of the foredom. I sold mine to a guy here that ports and polishes motorcycle cylinders. I used it hard for 4 years and only sold it because I wanted the 1/4 hp model. 0-18000 rpm. It is awsome! I cant even stop it, It has a heavier flexable shaft and the heavy metal foot control instead of the lightweight plastic one like the cheaper models. I found the best price through Rio Grande at $280. They even have a 1/2 hp model but that may be a bit too much power.
 
As a carver I keep five of then hanging by my bench.In 20 years I have probably worn out eight of them.I would not get a Grizzly.If you are not going to do heavy work get cc or r model.If you need one for heavy carving or grinding get the 1/4 HP H model.I you watch ebay you can get a good used one for a little over $100.If you dont use it every day it will probably last the rest of your life.Be sure to keep the shaft lubed and have a spare.
Chuck
 
i have the cc model i think it is a 1/8hp in five years i have replaced the brush's once i use carbide burrs and3/4 sanding bands. with these two i have put a choil in hardend bg-42 the sanding bands with the 3/4 occolating sanding tube's i have used it to scalupt wood and micarta handle. one point no one has mentioned. get the hand piece that work with a chuck key. they have this other hand piece that use collets i had one years and years ago they were a pain. so go for the 1/4 hp with the chuck and key handpiece
 
Rhino is right about the collets. My kit came with the handpeice that uses the pin and special wrench w/colletts. You are limited to only 3 shaft sizes. 1/8" 3/16" and 1/4" Otherwise its a good handpeice. most bits are these sizes. I have a paragrave for the miniture sizes like dentist 1/16" burrs. Its pretty handy too.
 
Okay, on this hand-piece chuck issue. I had forgotten to mention what Rhino pointed out about the keyed chuck. I was told the same thing by another maker a couple years ago.

So I had just naturally assumed that the keyed chuck hand-piece was the one to get. BUT... The keyed chuck only goes up to 5/32" shanks, while the collet chuck holds up to 1/4." I flipped through all of my Travers, Enco, MSC, etc. catalogs and 1/4" shank carbide cutters and rotary files are in an abundance. However, the 1/8" shank ones are pretty scarce.

Obviously the 1/4 hp H model can handle the heavier burs... So what to do, what to do??? There is a collet kit that allows you to hold any size bit up to 1/4", including metric. I'm not sure that a pin and wrench are that much more of a pain than a chuck key.

Any more thoughts???
Thanks :)

Nick
 
Nick, I dont think the collett type is too bad. Thats all Ive ever had. They sure hold the burrs good and tight, in fact Its easy to overtighten them. You can always get the other handpeice later off ebay. There are always handpeices on there.
 
I have about ten extra hand pieces.Some with collets and some the chuck type.You should have both types.I keep my favorite burrs and sanders in their own handpiece.It is a lot easier to to snap on a handpice than change a bit.I think the best price on Foredoms is Rio Grand (www.riogrand.com).It is very easy to change the berings in a when they wear out .You can get them from Foredom or some dealers carry them.If I just had one Foredom it would defanatly be the H model.
Chuck
 
Food for thought, thanks guys. Turns out there is a WoodWorking Show coming up in a couple weeks and they always have a Foredom rep there...and I will try out the different stuff and see what I think (the greatest thing about the WoodWorking Shows is they let you try it before you buy it). I agree that Rio Grande has the best prices and selection. They also have some awesome stuff like Trizact sanding sleeves and pop-on/pop-off sanding discs.

I have definitely decided on the H model 1/4 hp unit.

akivory...man, I'm too broke for that kind of set-up at this point. And I'm too slow to justify something like that right now. If I was really fast I could see where having shaft/bur set-ups ready to roll would make sense...but again I'm broke:(

I will keep it in mind for when more people start buying my knives though! :)

Thanks again guys!!!
Nick
 
after buying bits that snaped in the first five minutes a friend told me a great place for these in 1/8 & 5/32 shafts. M K tool and abrasives i buy them a dozen at a time. good price too. its been two years but call
[800} 727-5117 ask for fernando lopez he might remenber the two knifemakers. but this the place some of the burrs they make themselves.
]
 
I have had great success making my own Foredom, multi-tool, type tool.
Start with a 1/4 inch electric die grinder, pawn shop 20.00,flex shaft, HF 10.00, wire in a ceiling fan rheostat fo VS, free. Real great tool for under 35.00. You can also use 1/3 and 1/2 HP routers to acheive the same results. I have picked some up at F MKTs and garage sales, between 5.00 and 10.00. I think they work as good as the high dollar gizmos.
KEN (WWJD)
 
well so much for my hot tip on carbide burrs. its seem's that company is gone! i just try to call and order some. called J&L and got some kennametal burrs. where have you guy been getting your's?
 
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