Opinions on Fordom Grinders anyone???

Man I've used Dremels for several years making bows and knives and loved them. However I think the quality has went way down lately. I couldn't keep one running more than a month doing occasional hobby work. Someone mentioned you could get a flex shaft for a Roto Zip tool I already had for $30. Man I love it, plenty of power, I just hang the motor part on my belt with one of those belt clip hooks. The only thing I don't like is that the hand piece seems to have more vibration than I'm use to with the standard Dremel. I doubt I'll ever buy another Dremel though, just don't last long enough for me.
 
Most Foredom flex shafts you see are 1/6 HP. I have a Dremei flex shaft with a 1/5 HP motor. Sure if you start off with the 1/6 HP it seems great but isn't near as great as a Foredom or Dremel with a 1/5 HP motor. If you're looking at buying, stay open to spending a few more bucks and see what you can find in a 1/5 HP machine.
 
I own over a dozen flex shaft units. The best ones are 1/4HP and reversible. In tools you will use heavily and constantly....you get what you pay for.
As said by others, a normal duty Fordham will work, but getting a heavier duty unit is advisable for our type of work.
 
I have a 1/4 hp and 1/6 hp model foredoms and love em both for some applications but also love the dremel 300 varible speed for finer work. I wouldnt get rid of any of em. I wish the dremel was made to last longer, the electronics are whimpy.
 
David Metzger said:
OK, I give. What are you guys using these flexible shaft grinders for?

David
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Mostly inside curves but great for contouring handles. Heres a fine example of what they can do. The barrel is about the only part that didnt get the dremel or foredom used.

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Hello everyone, my first post here. I recently got into knife making through woodcarving. Foredom is great. I went through 4 dremels before I saw the light. However there is another unit that I use now called a Mastercarver. It's just like a Foredom except less expensive and comes with a half horse motor. I got it from wood carvers supply (i am not affiliated with them, just letting you know where I found it). I look forward to showing you guys and gals my work.
 
I've been looking at the Mastercarver in that catalog too. Seems attractive. The sheer
number of listings for the exact same Mastercarver systems in one catalog (something
like five scattered around the catalog) does make me wonder why they're pushing it so hard
though.

Looking forward to seeing some of your work too!
 
BTW- Bruce's engraving was NOT done with a Dremel or Foredom.
Many people buy rotary tools thinking engraving can be done with them. It can't, effectively.
I use my rotary tools for: drilling (hardly ever use the drill press!), cutting, grinding, slotting, finishing small parts (with rubber wheels), I turn small pin stock with them, shaping (burrs, sanding drums, and flap wheels.)
Most users never learn the nuances of rotary hand tools. Instead, they immediately try to sharpen a lawnmower blade, and decide the tools are no good, or they wear them out.
I have original Dremels from the early 1970s that still work.
 
I have 10 of them. I also use Dremels. I keep different sanding discs and tools in them and having so many keeps me from having to stop and change out grits and allows more than one person to finish rings at a time. I love them.
 
I take care of a university jewelry/art metals studio with about 15 flex shafts (and spent several semesters in the same studio as a student a few years before). I also have a jewelry supplier branded clone in my home shop. This is what I’ve learned from my experience and talking to the professor and several visiting artists.

The flex shafts are used hard by 30 to 50 people each semester, half to 2/3 of which are beginning students. About 5 years ago we added 10 Foredom TXH’s. The other 5 are a mix of Otto Frei and Rio Grande branded Foredom clones and 1 or 2 of the genuine Foredoms. The oldest of them probably go back to near the start of the metals program in the mid-1970’s.

I’ve had very few problems, one of the old ones I’ve retired for parts or as an emergency replacement, but it is still functional. Since a lot of the use in the studio is drilling with small number size drill bits they all have drill chuck handpieces, but we have a couple hammer handpieces also. The handpiece is responsible for most problems I deal with, they get dropped and banged around, people over tighten the chuck and the gear teeth that close the chuck wear eventually, especially if you are sloppy with the chuck key. The good thing is that replacement handpieces are fairly cheap. The inner shaft can break, especially if the shafts are bent too tightly, it’s fairly rare, but I keep a spare on hand. Now and then I’ll have an issue with the foot switch, so far nothing a bit of cleaning and adjustment hasn’t taken care of.

There are now a couple of different shaft/handpiece configurations. The Foredom TXH uses a larger diameter (and longer) shaft that has a square section that fits the socket on the handpiece. At least so far there isn’t the selection of handpieces and I don’t think any aftermarket handpieces for the TXH. The older style seem to be universal, no matter the maker, a keyed metal piece that fits a keyed socket in the handpiece. There is a lot of choice of style, quality (and price) in handpieces, thinner ones, ones with a spring where the shaft joins the handpiece for more flexibility, drill chuck, lever quick release collets and hammer handpieces. There are also aftermarket foot controls, most people like the heavier cast iron cased versions, they stay where you put them. Handpieces and foot controls run from inexpensive clone replacements to, especially for handpieces, high quality imported (Badeco or Technique) that cost more than $200. It takes only a few seconds to change handpieces.

Foredom is Foredom, the gold standard, but from my experience the clones are nearly as bulletproof, if not quite the feel and quality in the handpiece and foot control. Buy what fits your budget, the most powerful motor you can get and you can upgrade the handpiece and foot controller later should you decide to.

Todd
 
One of the ways I judge a gunsmith is by looking around the shop. If he has a dremel I walk away; if he has a foredom he's good. It may be a small point, but in my mind a professional uses professional tools.

As many have pointed out, the foredom offers precision, power, and versatility over the dremel. What many know and have not said is that the use of the flexshaft requires less effort on the part of the user. Having the motor in your hand (with the dremel) gets tiring much quicker than having just the handset.

And, if repairs are needed the foredom is much easier to work on.
 
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