Reliable Dremel Alternative, What Are The Options?

[Ubernoob]

I have had two Dremels, the first needed repair in the first few months and my 4000 lasted a year and a half of occasional use. The 4000 seemed to get hot no matter what you were doing with it and as it was purchased on an OS holiday I have no warranty.

Like my first one it's max speed dropped then died completely, the first was a connection issue and the second has two winding that are open circuit but there seems to be another issue too.

So, I want something for power carving wood and if possible has the option of using Dremel size bits.

Does anyone use anything better than a Dremel?

I was looking at a Metabo electric Die Grinder but it is quite large for day to day use and bit selection would be limited.

Cheers ladies and gents.

[elanjacobs]

Find one that runs on air; no electronics to cr@p out and the pencil grinders are absolutely tiny.

You can pick them up on ebay for $30 with free shipping pencil grinder | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2141725.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xpencil+grinder.TRS0&_nkw=pencil+grinder&_sacat=0)
...or you can drop $800 for an Ingersoll Rand that'll still be around to hand down to your grandkids

[Ubernoob]

Compressor motor, cut out switch, draining tank, reg/water sep/oiler or die grinder motor and speed controller?

I have an oilless compressor but it is a bit low on flow, I also find air tool pretty annoying as if you use them at high speed for long periods you really need a glove to stop your hand getting stupidly cold. If I did go that way I'd go a Shinano unit and a new compressor but people that do head porting seem to use electric now and that would be the only other thing I would ever use such a tool for.

I like the look of the Fein unit but it seems to be over $1000 for a die grinder, for now I remembered my old GMC spiral saw used the same size bits as my dremel so I am using that where possible but I see a Hitachi or Metabo die grinder in my future. I have had a few beers so this may make no sense.

[China]

Have a look here Foredom Electric Co. (http://www.foredom.net/)

[Nanigai]

I have the Foredom and it came with a US plug which I just changed it out for an 230V aussie plug and its all good. There is possibly a lower voltage version (110V) avail so if you buy one just make sure it's the higher voltage machine. I have a dremel as well but was never happy with it and dont use it at all now I have the foredom. I bought mine when the dollar was over par and it might be more economical to buy locally now due to freight costs.
Hope you find what you need.
Cheers, Ian

[Robson Valley]

Dremel makes a flex-shaft, hanging motor unit that looks a lot like a Foredom.
Several in the rustic furnture shop down my street, I never hear complaints.
I know that they will carve for days at a time with those.

[rob streeper]

+1 for Foredom - really strong machines with lots of great accessories.

[Ubernoob]

Thanks guys, any idea how much power you lose through the shaft or do they have a max speed limit?

I have a couple of Dremel flex shafts, the first one was garbage and I haven't used the second one, it just came in the kit.


I know this will probably sound stupid but I really like making stuff and I'm not terrible at fibreglassing, my dad is a retired electrician and a friend has a couple of metal lathes and a CNC machine at home. A brushless RC car motor, a flex coupling(to reduce radial load on the motor), a speed controller and a mini chuck would probably make something useable. Then again it would probably cost the same as a cheap Foredom but I would like to avoid using a flex shaft if I can.

[Robson Valley]

Problem that I see is that for more hand-held power, you wind up with more motor in your hand.

I confess that I have done a lot of rough-out carving with a RotoZip.
One bit, no accessories at all and the depth adjustment is a POS.
That thing, at 30,000rpm, is a big handful to hang onto.
Did the job but I was quite nervous, all the time.

[rob streeper]

The Foredom I have will turn 24k r.p.m. if I'm remembering correctly. The flex shaft of the Foredom vibrates a lot less than does a Dremel motor held in the hand. It has an additional advantage in that the handpiece doesn't get hot. The Foredom flex shaft has a quick disconnect feature allowing rapid handpiece changes. The Foredom will also turn burrs with 1/4" shafts allowing the use of die-grinder burrs, a feature I've found very useful. The desk-top and foot operated speed controls are extremely handy as well. The motor is 1/6 H.P. but it has enough torque that I've never had problems with it bogging, even when I use it to turn a 2.5" diameter flap wheel.

[homey]

Uber,
i have a Dremel for light work, but use a Proxxon where I need a bit more. Proxxonworld.com.au has a range of gear depending on your particular use. I have the IBS/E (Professional drill/grinder IBS/E (220-240V) | Proxxon World (http://www.proxxonworld.com.au/product/professional_drill_grinder_ibs_e_220-240v)) which I use with the micro-plunge super-accrate router base from microfence.com for routing channels for inlay banding.

That said, I've looked at a lot of reviews of the Foredom units and they seem to be much loved in professional shops.

Good hunting!

Brian

[Ubernoob]

I did look at that model but with a third less power than my Dremel.......had, it would have to have mountains of torque to be useful to me.

I am going to join the two segments on my Dremel's com so that should get me a bit more power and torque back.

[Cliff Rogers]

I got a Foredom from Chippingaway in Canada.

They have a 240v model, I am very happy with it.

Foredom Carving Power Tools Archives - ChippingAway (http://www.chippingaway.com/cat/power-woodcarving-tools/foredom-carving-power-tools/)

[homey]

Can't speak for the numbers, but I find the Proxxon can do a lot that my Dremel 4000 can't.

Amazon's review says: "The Proxxon Professional Grinder is the smoothest and most powerful hand held rotary tool we have ever tested. The quality of this tool is exceptional. This tool has features not found on other rotary tools."

Brian

[Ubernoob]

Thanks for the replies gents but I had a look at the Milwaukee and like it for the money but thought it was odd that it was made in Germany so I thought I'd try to work out if it was just a re-badged Metabo and I spotted this- Product catalogue accessories handheld powertools - Products - Metabo Australia - Power tools built by professionals for professionals (http://www.metabo.com.au/Product-catalogue-accessories-handheld-powertools.24126+M53553ea061d.0.html)
Metabo make flex shafts to fit their die grinders and routers so I think that seals it for me, the price is similar to the Foredom but it is more powerful and for me, more useful.

[homey]

Uber,

Good find! Hope to hear how it goes for you once you've had it a while - looks like it would be a very powerful combo.

thanks,

Brian

[Cliff Rogers]

:2tsup:

[Ubernoob]

Now for a bit more info, any recommendations for carving bits with 6mm shanks?

[Ubernoob]

Can't speak for the numbers, but I find the Proxxon can do a lot that my Dremel 4000 can't.

Amazon's review says: "The Proxxon Professional Grinder is the smoothest and most powerful hand held rotary tool we have ever tested. The quality of this tool is exceptional. This tool has features not found on other rotary tools."

Brian

That is good to know, it would be nice if all manufacturers had to list output power of their tools. The Dremel did get insanely hot so I could see it making 50W in heat pretty easily. The Proxxon's proper balancing would probably make it a bit more efficient too.

[Kidbee]

Can't speak for the numbers, but I find the Proxxon can do a lot that my Dremel 4000 can't.

Amazon's review says: "The Proxxon Professional Grinder is the smoothest and most powerful hand held rotary tool we have ever tested. The quality of this tool is exceptional. This tool has features not found on other rotary tools."

Brian
Would the Proxon accept bits and cutters that I purchased for the Dremel?

[homey]

Hi Kidbee,

i use both dremel and Proxxon bits in my Proxxon. It comes with a number of different collets. Have a look at the IBS/E at proxxonworld.com.au

Brian

[Ubernoob]

I never did end up getting the Metabo but I did buy the Proxxon 28481 and I absolutely hate it, it is ergonomically awful and the 20000RPM max speed isn't really high enough for me, plus I keep hitting the collet lock when the tool is operating.

I did just get a Fein battery Die Grinder but it is a bit much for anything but rough shaping something very quickly, hahaha!

So I'm back looking again and I liked the look of the MINIfix 25-R from Suhner but the price is just insane, for industry the price is no doubt justifiable but for occasional home use it is not.

I have still been using my ancient GMC spiral saw as an oversized Dremel and it is cumbersome but it has some power and has an of switch that I can just bang against my leg to turn off, it also runs really cool.
The Proxxon speed and power switch are awkwardly located at the back meaning you really need a second hand to operate them, no fun unless you clamp whatever you are working.

Has anyone tried a universal flex shaft? I see that there are a few 6mm ones so I may be able to fit that to my current die grinder just to see if I like using the flex shaft or if I want to go back to a motor in the handpiece type tool.
`

[homey]

Ubernoob,

Sorry to hear you didn’t like the Proxxon. I use the Proxxon foot pedal as the on/off switch - with this type of tool you seem to need three hands so I bought the foot pedal and it has made life much easier - especially when using the tool in a router base.

As to flex shafts, I like the Foredom tools FOREDOM | Quality & Service Since 1922 (https://www.foredom.net/)
they’ve been in business for nearly 100 years so they probably have got it right :)

As an aside, a few years ago I damaged my glasses while in Croatia. I managed to locate a spectacle repair specialist in Zagreb - a tiny shop buried in the bowels of a building way outside town. They had SIX Foredom machines in a space not much bigger than two telephone boxes ( remember them?). The love of my life wondered why I was away so long........

Brian

[Nanigai]

Plus one for the Foredom. Had mine for a fair while now and never a problem, runs fine bits and larger burrs with no issues at all and never had any problems with it. Well worth the investment :)
Cheers, Ian

[Ubernoob]

Well, I eat some of my words, I had to use the Proxxon today.

After snapping two easy outs in a cylinder head the workshop Dremel came out, I asked the boss if it had been dropped as the runout made it unusable for what I was doing, so I went home and got the Proxxon.
I had to flatten the end of the easy out with an abrasive bit so I could drill it out with a Dimohard drill, whiiiich also snapped as it cut through the end of the broken exhaust stud :(