i need a machinist

peter r

peter r

Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
1,690
i have a 6 year old foredom rotary tool. i was a bit rough removing the flex shaft from the motor and i broke the threaded head that attaches the motor to the shaft. now i kept the piece. it broke cleanly in 2 pieces. i need someone who i can send it to who can make me a new one out of steel instead of the crap this one is made of. i dont know the dimensions so youd have to be able to work from having the piece in hand.

any help would be greatly appreciated.


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Have you called Foredom yet? If they sell the part it will be far far cheaper than having a one off made by a machinist.
And it might also be possible to silver solder or braze that back together.
Chris
 
Agreed.
If it's magnetic, I can silver solder it. But I'm sure Foredom can fix you up.
 
foredom was very firm when they told me they no longer held this piece or made it. i was suggested to buy a new machine as mine was obsolete. and this was 5 years ago.
 
I would definitely go the silver solder route if you can find someone willing to do it. If Bill is willing definitely go that route,most machinists could make that on a decent lathe/mill but it would probably take about 6-8 hours or so and by the time you pay someones shop rate you have about hit what a new machine cost.
 
Ditto on the above replys its going to be VERY expensive to have a one of machined, depending on material it could be soldered or possibly tig welded.
 
what kind of solder should i use? just step me through it quick. i have a regular torch and im a good plumber.
 
Silver solder operates at a higher temp than regular plumbing or electrical solder allowing it to have a stronger bond. Every time we have done it at work we use a oxy-acetylene torch to achieve proper temps. You need to determine if it is cast steel or cast alum. Is it magnetic or not?

If its alum then your options are very limited, tig welding cast alum is possible but its small size is going to cause trouble.

What state are you located in.
 
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You can buy a Chinese flex shaft grinder, complete for 50 bucks. They aren't quite as precise as a Foredom, but they work well. I use them in my shop.
 
Drop me a line, this sort of thing is my specialty. doc (at) docsmachine (dot) com

Though keep in mind that, while I work cheaper than big shops, it still won't be a particularly inexpensive part. I do, however, also take tools and other interesting bits in trade. :D

Doc.
 
its a high tension joint. under alot of torque will it hold?
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i'm taking a stab in the dark here but i'd say at least as well as a cast aluminum flange that broke under normal use.
 
That looks like die cast aluminum to me. I tried to repair a similar casting by tig welding once, but it wasn't as strong as new and eventually failed. Thin wall castings are tough. They don't weld the same as wrought.

I warms my heart to hear the folks here who understand that one off machined stuff isn't cheep. Bright folks around here. Some people might think it should only cost $20 because that is a reasonable replacement cost. lord...

Does it need to be tapered like that? A straight side wall makes gripping it in a regular lathe chuck simpler. Do the holes need to be countersunk or would you be okay mounting it with pan head screws?

If I were making that, you'd probably be better off buying a used one off ebay and scavenging the part. But I expect that Doc is one of those old timers that can whip that out before I could even write a program...

Let me throw this out there: What if you salvaged the flange and barrel part and replaced the threaded end with something like a custom bulkhead fitting? That's a part that looks a little like a top hat and is held in place with a retaining ring. ...hum...
 
or drilled the base piece out and built the threaded piece to slip in from the bottom with a flange on it. Then pin the flange to the existing base.

or drill and tap the base piece to the same threads as the nose and make a longer threaded piece and thread it into the reworked base with maybe a custom nut to go inside the base. or make the new threaded piece with a flange and thread it in to the now threaded base from the bottom
 
what about this hts 2000 stuff im seeing? is it worth a shot? ive also been considering a new motor unit, ive found them for 150-180$
 
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