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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 6, 2023 14:57:51 GMT -5
... Just curious, the black, blue and pink wheels you mentioned you use on your Foredom, are those like the woven "Scotch-Brite" type wheels? I'm thinking of trying a dremel or flex-shaft at some point. Thanks!
The specific wheels that I use are equivalent to Rio's Eve brand: Black (medium), Blue (fine), and Pink (extra fine). I use both flat-edge and knife-edge.
When you're ready, you might consider buying a used flex-shaft on eBay.
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goldfinder
Cave Dweller 
Member since December 2020
Posts: 273
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Post by goldfinder on Jan 6, 2023 16:54:29 GMT -5
... Just curious, the black, blue and pink wheels you mentioned you use on your Foredom, are those like the woven "Scotch-Brite" type wheels? I'm thinking of trying a dremel or flex-shaft at some point. Thanks!
The specific wheels that I use are equivalent to Rio's Eve brand: Black (medium), Blue (fine), and Pink (extra fine). I use both flat-edge and knife-edge.
When you're ready, you might consider buying a used flex-shaft on eBay.
Thanks a lot for the great info and links! It's super helpful because those are definitely not what I was envisioning lol. Also good call on the used Foredoms on eBay, looks like a lot of selection and good prices. Thanks!! |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2023 17:06:00 GMT -5
... Just curious, the black, blue and pink wheels you mentioned you use on your Foredom, are those like the woven "Scotch-Brite" type wheels? I'm thinking of trying a dremel or flex-shaft at some point. Thanks!
The specific wheels that I use are equivalent to Rio's Eve brand: Black (medium), Blue (fine), and Pink (extra fine). I use both flat-edge and knife-edge.
When you're ready, you might consider buying a used flex-shaft on eBay.
This might be posted somewhere on the forum...but...what are the benefits of a flex-shaft compared to a Dremel?? |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 6, 2023 17:26:53 GMT -5
...
When you're ready, you might consider buying a used flex-shaft on eBay.
Thanks a lot for the great info and links! It's super helpful because those are definitely not what I was envisioning lol. Also good call on the used Foredoms on eBay, looks like a lot of selection and good prices. Thanks!!
When and if you're ready to buy a Foredom flexshaft and you see one or two that catch your eye, it would be good to ask for advice from folks here. Here's just one example:
This is currently a good buy: the price is still low (see shipping), and it has a built-in speed control (very nice!). It includes a handpiece, too, but it's a hammer handpiece — great for texturing or setting stones, but absolutely useless for polishing wheels or cutting burs. So this one would require also buying a standard Foredom #30 handpiece. Just FYI...
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 6, 2023 19:27:30 GMT -5
This might be posted somewhere on the forum...but...what are the benefits of a flex-shaft compared to a Dremel??
I couldn't find anything here like a comparison. Online searching will find some comparisons, but they tend to old, model specific, or with a perspective other than jewelry or lapidary. But I'll give it a try. I don't own a Dremel, but I did own one when I was in high school (which might well have been the original first model!  ).
— Foredom is a heavy duty pro tool that will outlast a Dremel. You can pass it on to your kids.
— Foredom handpieces are relatively lightweight and not as heavy or bulky as a Dremel. — Foredoms have a wider range of speeds and can generally be run at slower speeds.
— Foredoms are (probably) quieter. — Foredoms have a greater range of burs, bits, and related tools. — Foredoms have a range of possible handsets: the workhorse #30, quick-change handsets, and hammer handsets.
But Foredoms cost more. So maybe a Dremel is the right tool for someone, or if you aren't sure that you'll continue with jewelry.
Perhaps some other folks have additional insights into pros and cons.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2023 19:34:54 GMT -5
This might be posted somewhere on the forum...but...what are the benefits of a flex-shaft compared to a Dremel??
I couldn't find anything here like a comparison. Online searching will find some comparisons, but they tend to old, model specific, or with a perspective other than jewelry or lapidary. But I'll give it a try. I don't own a Dremel, but I did own one when I was in high school (which might well have been the original first model! ).
— Foredom is a heavy duty pro tool that will outlast a Dremel. You can pass it on to your kids.
— Foredom handpieces are relatively lightweight and not as heavy or bulky as a Dremel. — Foredoms have a wider range of speeds and can generally be run at slower speeds.
— Foredoms are (probably) quieter. — Foredoms have a greater range of burs, bits, and related tools. — Foredoms have a range of possible handsets: the workhorse #30, quick-change handsets, and hammer handsets.
But Foredoms cost more. So maybe a Dremel is the right tool for someone, or if you aren't sure that you'll continue with jewelry.
Perhaps some other folks have additional insights into pros and cons.
Gary, seriously...thank you for taking the time to give a rundown on the Foredom like this!! It's been sitting on a figurative shelf in the back of my mind for awhile now. It does make sense to look into getting one with your reasonings... |
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goldfinder
Cave Dweller
Member since December 2020
Posts: 273
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Post by goldfinder on Jan 6, 2023 19:45:43 GMT -5
I would never have guessed that was your first foray into silversmithing!! It looks perfect! Sorry I somehow missed this earlier. Thanks so much for the encouraging words! They are greatly appreciated!! Maybe this one was a bit of beginners luck lol! |
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goldfinder
Cave Dweller
Member since December 2020
Posts: 273
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Post by goldfinder on Jan 6, 2023 19:56:10 GMT -5
Thanks a lot for the great info and links! It's super helpful because those are definitely not what I was envisioning lol. Also good call on the used Foredoms on eBay, looks like a lot of selection and good prices. Thanks!! When and if you're ready to buy a Foredom flexshaft and you see one or two that catch your eye, it would be good to ask for advice from folks here. Here's just one example: This is currently a good buy: the price is still low (see shipping), and it has a built-in speed control (very nice!). It includes a handpiece, too, but it's a hammer handpiece — great for texturing or setting stones, but absolutely useless for polishing wheels or cutting burs. So this one would require also buying a standard Foredom #30 handpiece. Just FYI...
Thanks a lot for the info and link! I'll keep an eye on the eBay auctions. Also great detailed comparison between flex-shafts and Dremels! jasoninsd one thing I've also heard (not sure where) is that flex-shafts have a significant amount of torque, where with a Dremel torque is sort of non-existent and they rely more on high speeds. That torque component is very beneficial for lapidary type like grinding etc. |
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Post by liveoak on Jan 6, 2023 19:56:50 GMT -5
Just thought I'd throw it out there,
I purchased this exact flex-shaft more than 10 years ago for my bench & it has served me well.
It has a standard Foredom style hand piece so you can upgrade to a quick change (I did) without any issue.
I have another Foredom, with an industrial shaft and hand piece, that I use for rock carving,
but that original cheap Chinese one hasn't let me down for working with metal on my bench.
Patty
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 6, 2023 20:02:28 GMT -5
jasoninsd if you have the flexshaft attachment for the Dremel and a speed control foot pedal, you can basically do the same things as a Foredom. The advantages of the Foredom compared to a Dremel flexshaft set-up are you can switch out handpieces if you need to and the Foredom #30 handpiece has a chuck that will fit any mandrel up to 5/32". It uses a chuck key. You have to switch out collets on the Dremel, so are limited to available collet sizes and have to pay attention to mandrel size when buying them. I had the Dremel flexshaft and foot pedal set-up until I got my Foredom SR. Now Vince has it. 
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2023 20:08:41 GMT -5
When and if you're ready to buy a Foredom flexshaft and you see one or two that catch your eye, it would be good to ask for advice from folks here. Here's just one example: This is currently a good buy: the price is still low (see shipping), and it has a built-in speed control (very nice!). It includes a handpiece, too, but it's a hammer handpiece — great for texturing or setting stones, but absolutely useless for polishing wheels or cutting burs. So this one would require also buying a standard Foredom #30 handpiece. Just FYI...
Thanks a lot for the info and link! I'll keep an eye on the eBay auctions. Also great detailed comparison between flex-shafts and Dremels! jasoninsd one thing I've also heard (not sure where) is that flex-shafts have a significant amount of torque, where with a Dremel torque is sort of non-existent and they rely more on high speeds. That torque component is very beneficial for lapidary type like grinding etc. Well...from my experience, the Dremel has very high torque...because I've gotten VERY torqued off using it! LOL Totally kidding on the first part of that! Thanks for adding that info. That's another huge advantage!! |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2023 20:12:58 GMT -5
jasoninsd if you have the flexshaft attachment for the Dremel and a speed control foot pedal, you can basically do the same things as a Foredom. The advantages of the Foredom compared to a Dremel flexshaft set-up are you can switch out handpieces if you need to and the Foredom #30 handpiece has a chuck that will fit any mandrel up to 5/32". It uses a chuck key. You have to switch out collets on the Dremel, so are limited to available collet sizes and have to pay attention to mandrel size when buying them. I had the Dremel flexshaft and foot pedal set-up until I got my Foredom SR. Now Vince has it. Thanks for chiming in on this Robin! It really sounds like the Foredom is the way to go!! Now... You gotta love hand me downs! LOL  |
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dirtsifter
Cave Dweller
Co to za kamyczek?
Member since September 2022
Posts: 402 
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Post by dirtsifter on Jan 8, 2023 3:32:19 GMT -5
That is some beautiful work.
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