Thread: Rotary tool for game calls?

Hi There,
I've been using a G Force M / Tool, for many years now.
Yes, it was a cheap one, & it has not failed me yet. It doesn't get a lot of work, but when it does get an outing, it just keeps going.
I think I paid $19.95.
Just went a had a look, & the Plastic Box it's in says 6/8/2000, so that I wood think was about when I bought it.
130W, 8000 - 30000 RPM, & made in CHINA.
So it appears, not all Chinese is bad.

Is it variable speed, or is it like the Dremel 200 where its just low or high speed? And if anyone could direct me to info about what bits/speeds are commonly used for certain tasks? I've never worked with a rotary tool, so I've done some reading and have an idea, but found nothing for the application I'm using it for. So I'm just guessing more or less what bit I would use for what task

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Any guidance to info that may pertain to me and what I'm wanting to use the tool for? I couldn't find anything online, so I've pieced it together kind of guessing what bits/speeds I'd use for what steps..but like I said. I can't find an article where someone has made a call almost start to finish with a rotary tool, so I've got no idea what I'm doing with a rotary tool yet, and have no info that I can find for what I'm doing! Lol

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Woops. Apologies. Didn't show my first reply had posted! Ignore one or the other, your pick!

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Months ago I couldn't resist an Aldi rotary tool because, although at the time my Dremel was working, the Aldi kit had a flexible extension and stand and heaps of bits. Or maybe I bought that seperately at the same time. Doesn't matter it was all cheap and works great in my opinion. Later my Dremel seized up and I haven't had it assessed and probably won't bother. The Aldi tool is variable speed, for like $40, and for the currently small amount of time I use it, it does it for for. Problem is having to wait for Aldi to put them in store, maybe only once or twice a year.

If I go with a cheap rotary tool to get in to it, will it accept any manufacturers bits with the appropriate collets, and accept a flexible shaft?

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Originally Posted by twesterfield

If I go with a cheap rotary tool to get in to it, will it accept any manufacturers bits with the appropriate collets, and accept a flexible shaft?

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Almost all bits for these tools have a 1/8" shank, so they're easily interchangeable. That's where it ends, though. The flex shaft is another matter. Generally, they'll only fit the specific tool they were designed for.

On speeds, there's nothing like trial and error. Generally, on timber, I use 25,000 for routing, 10,000 to 15,000 for sanding drums and 10,000 to 20,000 for burrs. (If the tool chatters, up the speed a little.) That's using a late-model Dremel 4000. Speed infinitely variable from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM. Most accessories have their max speed on the packaging.

Keep in mind, too, that like the flex shafts many attachments only fit the machine they were designed for, so if you buy a cheap one then the Dremel plunge router, edge-planer, router table, jigsaw, mini circular saw etc are probably out. For this reason alone, I'd buy an original Dremel. Mine came with a flex shaft as a standard accessory.
For sanding, small cutting etc, the Dremel MiniMax is hard to go by, too.

Originally Posted by Hermit

Almost all bits for these tools have a 1/8" shank, so they're easily interchangeable. That's where it ends, though. The flex shaft is another matter. Generally, they'll only fit the specific tool they were designed for.

On speeds, there's nothing like trial and error. Generally, on timber, I use 25,000 for routing, 10,000 to 15,000 for sanding drums and 10,000 to 20,000 for burrs. (If the tool chatters, up the speed a little.) That's using a late-model Dremel 4000. Speed infinitely variable from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM. Most accessories have their max speed on the packaging.

Keep in mind, too, that like the flex shafts many attachments only fit the machine they were designed for, so if you buy a cheap one then the Dremel plunge router, edge-planer, router table, jigsaw, mini circular saw etc are probably out. For this reason alone, I'd buy an original Dremel. Mine came with a flex shaft as a standard accessory.
For sanding, small cutting etc, the Dremel MiniMax is hard to go by, too.

The flexible shaft from Aldi presents an 1/8" connection that worked on my Dremel like it was made for it - it was probably a direct rip-off of Dremel's. The business end of the flexible shaft presented a standard 1/8" shaft too. I certainly agree though if you want to use accessories that attach to the body of the tool then it's a case of "one size fits one" as the cheaper body's are usually bigger, (and also don't feel as good in the hand. That's especially important if you are doing a lot of work without the flex shaft.) If you buy a Dremel you'll have a world of accessories and attachments constantly available - maybe not so with the cheapies.

Originally Posted by r3nov8or

The flexible shaft from Aldi presents an 1/8" connection that worked on my Dremel like it was made for it - it was probably a direct rip-off of Dremel's. The business end of the flexible shaft presented a standard 1/8" shaft too.

Lucky, and handy to remember. I tried the flex shaft from my Scheppach Decoflex scroll saw, but it wouldn't fit the Dremel. It too, though, takes all standard Dremel 1/8" bits. Not as nice to use as the Dremel one, though, and the Decoflex flex shaft only goes to 5000rpm.

I think to get started I'm gonna pick up a kit with variable speed and a flex shaft, since it seems the bits I'm going to need will run me up a little bit. If I get handy enough with it and really enjoy it, then I may look into a dremel. I'm not truly interested in the saw attachments or anything like that, yet at least. Any suggestions on bits for taking away larger segments of wood (relative to the size of a duck call) and some good finishing bits? I'm looking for what will make it easier on me, but last awhile too

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Originally Posted by twesterfield

I think to get started I'm gonna pick up a kit with variable speed and a flex shaft, since it seems the bits I'm going to need will run me up a little bit. If I get handy enough with it and really enjoy it, then I may look into a dremel. I'm not truly interested in the saw attachments or anything like that, yet at least. Any suggestions on bits for taking away larger segments of wood (relative to the size of a duck call) and some good finishing bits? I'm looking for what will make it easier on me, but last awhile too

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Take a look at the Dremel high-speed cutters for faster material removal and also the 1/4" and 1/2" sanding drums, for starters. The Dremel EZ-Lock sanding discs are handy, too. The rest is up to you, depending on what shapes you're trying to achieve.
When getting started, I bought a cheap 140 piece set from the local cheap tools store - contains just about everything you need except the EZ-Lock mandrels etc. You might be able to find something similar.

These are the high speed cutters, bought individually, that I find most useful, p/n 115, 134 and 199:

Dremel high speed cutters.JPG

Thanks! I think the big kit is the route I'll start. I'm sure I'll be investing in a dremel and other equipment later though!

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Originally Posted by twesterfield

Thanks! I think the big kit is the route I'll start. I'm sure I'll be investing in a dremel and other equipment later though!

No worries. Glad to help. You should be able to pick up one of those cheap accessory kits for $40 or $50.

Any suggestions for a vice of a sort? Anything with a heavy base that doesn't take bolting? I have nothing to bolt a vise to, so its gotta be a table top or something that would hold it tight in hand.

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