Opinions on Fordom Grinders anyone???

G

godogs57

Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
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My Dremel has about bitten the dust, shaft warped, chuck won't hold onto anything anymore. I am strongly considering a Fordom now. Anybody have one? Opinions are certainly appreciated!

Thanks,

Hank
 
I don't have one, but my sister is a professional jeweler, and she has 4. She wont even look a anything else. It's a huge step up from a Dremel!
 
I have both. The Fordom is one without much use that I bought to replace the Dremel. I'm back on the Dremel. The dremel has a more powerful motor so it does a better job. I would not buy another flex shaft model unless it had the bigger motor size. Frank
 
The Fordom's I am seeing run two hundred and up...and have 1/6 hp motors....I figured that would be more powerful than any dremel....am I wrong?
 
I have a dremel and a foredom. The dremel pretty much stays in the drawer and the foredom gets use on every knife. Love it. The variable speed and reversing motor are high points. Very good tool. If this one ever dies I will buy another.
Brion
 
I'm not one to discourage tool buying, buy you can uy replacement chucks too.

woops didn't read the bent shaft part...
 
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I use my Fordom all the time. There are many handpices available, I have a slim quick change handpice and can change tools in 5 seconds. Every goldsmith I have met uses a Fordom or similar flex shaft.
 
I have a Grobet made flexshaft, it looks like a Foredom and takes the same handpieces but was only around $120.
 
Even the $50.00 Chinese Foredom clones are great. All of them certainly have more power than a Dremel. Foredoms are top notch, professional's tools.
I use 3 flex shaft machines and about 6 Dremels.
Don't get the Dremel flex shaft machine, as it has little advantage over the standard Dremel, and it's not nearly as powerful as the real flexible shafts.
 
I have a Foredom and my Dremel hardly get used at all anymore. I love the foot control and the Foredom has way more power than my Dremel.
 
BTW, guys- you can use a rheostat foot control with Dremels. It makes them a lot more versatile. Still, a flex shaft will outperform them.
 
I use 2 Dremels but the Foredom is on my to buy list. I've heard that the 1/3HP was the one to choose over the 1/6HP.
 
I have a foredom, it's from my grandma's jewelry making business, and is older than me by about a decade. It still spins like a top.
 
I have a Wecheer, Chinese make. Have used it for about 4 years with no regrets. Much cheaper than dremel and the handpieces interchange. Wouldn't stay home without it!
Chip Kunkle
 
I have 4 Foredoms.
Would like to have a few more for another another station!
There's no comparison, IMO.
 
For the money you can not beat an American Made Grobet Flex Shaft. You can get a 1/8hp with flex shaft and foot pedal for $160.
 
I have the 1/8 HP version of the Foredom that Rio Grande was selling back in 1987, it still is running its original flexable shaft and brushes, I have several handpieces for it. It is much more versatile than a dremel, and a whole lot more torque. The fact that the motor is not in your hand makes it much easier to hold and control than the dremel. I ditched my dremel and bought the flex shaft when I was cutting stone seat notches in a prong, and the bearings on the dremel wiggled in the plastic housing and the cutter moved, ruining the prongset. Dremels are cheap hobby tools and not really suited to precision work

just my opinion

-Page
 
I have the China clone with the foot control.They are pretty nice except it gets hot when i use it for long periods.Id like a foredom,but im so cheap i buy used dremels at the pawn shop for $10-$12 and use them till they burn up.Ill snag a foredom one of these days at the flea market or pawn shop.Did i mention im cheap?:)
 
The "loose chuck" issue, even though I could replace it, is perfect justification for a new grinder don't you think? No offense intended 12345678910.
 
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