So my Dremel FINALLY ate it. Die grinder or Foredom?

G

gixxer

Joined
Sep 21, 2006
Messages
1,472
I have had that dremel for about 10 years now, and have abused the heck out of it. So... I was cutting a piece of 1/4 mild plate for some tinkering, and the thing just slowed down and stopped.

I have been wanting more out of my rotary tools, especially since that is what I use to cut my steel. I was thinking 1/4 die grinder cause I want more hp for cut off ops, but OTOH I would like the dexterity of something smaller when using sanding bands. I used my dremel about 60 40% the former being sanding and random stuff, the latter cut off ops.

I have a big enough compressor for the die grinder, but not really the funds for the Foredom. Anybody using sanding bands with a die grinder?
 
"I have a big enough compressor for the die grinder"

they use a LOT of air.
I like seperate tools running of electric power...personal preferance

If you have or can get an electric motor free/ cheap...
you can purchase a Dremel flex handpeice and adapt it to your scrounged motor for a Foredom experience at a homebuilt price.


and / or how about an angle grinder/disc grinder with cut off blades for your rough work
china crap for 20$ can do a lota work.
 
"I have a big enough compressor for the die grinder"

they use a LOT of air.
I like separate tools running of electric power...personal preference

If you have or can get an electric motor free/ cheap...1/3 or even 1/2 hp
you can purchase a Dremel flex handpeice and adapt it to your scrounged motor for a Foredom experience at a homebuilt price.


and / or how about an angle grinder/disc grinder with cut off blades for your rough work
china crap for 20$ can do a lota work.
 
I did not even think about making a homebuilt. I already have the flex shaft. Not a bad idea to look into. My compressor is 60gal and moves 11CFM @90psi.
 
After 10 years I would have expected the bearings to go first. You got your money's worth.

Over the years I've resurrected 3 skill saws (Rockwell & Makita) simply by changing the motor brushes. I've had these well over 15 years. These are tools I use every day, 6 days a week at times. I found it peculiar that the tool quit suddenly while in use, at times it's been the trigger that quit too. Sometimes the simple answer is the simple fix. Just a thought.
 
Go to sears or home depot and look at the roto zip. it can be used as a dremel and mine came with a flex shaft so I use it as a fordom tool as well
 
There is nothing like a dremel for small work. I use mine a bunch. I also see them in the local pawn shops all the time for $30 or less. I also have die grinders. both electric and air, also and use them some, mostly with rotary files as I have a band saw for cutting. a good die grinder is a great tool, but, I don't use mine much on knife stuff. I also have a foredom clone from Grizzly that hangs there. I just seldom think to use it with the dremel hanging there to. I wouldn't want to cut to much 1/4" plate with any of them. Jim
 
why not get replacement parts and rebuild it? maybe its something as simple as worn out brushes. a friend was going to throw out an old one so i took it. the thing was as old as yours but this was back in 1991. it just needed some new brushes and i used it for another 3 years before the shoes on the commutator came loose and ruined it. take it apart and look at it, you might be able to repair it for a few dollars.
 
So... assuming it were the brushes, what would I see if I took the brushes out to tell me that they were bad? I do know where they are located, and know what they look like for the most part, but how would I know if it were the brushes that were bad? OR am I just gonna look at em and go WOW!! No wonder the thing quit?

I also went to Depot and purchased a die grinder and accessories today. They did not have the right size arbor for the cut off wheels, so I had to hob knob some stuff, and do some cutting on the lathe. That lathe was such an awesome purchase.

Hopefully it is the brushes cause then I got a die grinder almost for "no" reason!!
 
I have cut ¼” with a die grinder, if its all you have you make do, but that’s too much for a Dremel or Foredom, and not much fun with a die grinder if it’s a very long cut. I have a low end Foredom type tool at home from Contenti, for the price I have been really happy with it. It isn’t a Foredom, but at about a third the price I wasn’t expecting one. I believe Otto Frie also has a version they sell under their name for less than a genuine Foredom. Foredoms are great, I see the use and abuse they take at the hands of students, haven’t had one break beyond repair in the almost 6 years I’ve been in that studio.

Todd
 
The brushes are just a small graphite stick with a copper coil connected to one end. If you pull that copper coil out and see a very short graphite stick.... or NONE at all... then they're definitely shot. Usually when they're down to an ineffective length, the end will look glazed over.

A super cheap fix if that's it. I've replaced the brushes in mine twice (took about 11 years of use). Usually a tool will spit and sputter a bit before it just quits, if it's the brushes... but it certainly could be your problem.

I'll probably buy a 1/4 or even 1/3 hp Foredom one of these days, but I haven't done it yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top