The Foredom flexshaft tool I mentioned above (that I used to use for jewelry) is an older model that still works perfectly after 25 years. I paid a lot for it back then. I am pretty sure it is this one:
It says it is "new". I used to just hang it on a hook above my work station, put the pedal on the floor and did some fine jewelry work with it.
John
@Craftech posted:The Foredom flexshaft tool I mentioned above (that I used to use for jewelry) is an older model that still works perfectly after 25 years. I paid a lot for it back then. I am pretty sure it is this one:
It says it is "new". I used to just hang it on a hook above my work station, put the pedal on the floor and did some fine jewelry work with it.
John
I believe that is a Foredom copy. Might be OK but not the real deal. I also noticed a lot handpieces made in China too at waaaaay below Foredom prices.. I suspect the patent expired some time ago.
Pete
@Norton posted:I believe that is a Foredom copy. Might be OK but not the real deal. I also noticed a lot handpieces made in China too at waaaaay below Foredom prices.. I suspect the patent expired some time ago.
Pete
How can you tell? They have all new models now when I looked at their website. Are flexshaft fakes a thing now?
I just went down and dug it out. It says VIGOR MO 199H made in Bethel Ct. Came with a foredom tool set. I think I bought it at Myron Toback in the NYC jewelry district. VIGOR is now a division of Grobet, USA
https://www.vigoroptical.com/repa14.html
John
The Flexwand works on my 8220, it has the same fit as my Dremel 4000. I've used the want and the 90 degree adapter on the 8220, they work fine.
@Craftech posted:How can you tell? They have all new models now when I looked at their website. Are flexshaft fakes a thing now?
John
The motors are labeled Ark Precision, others marked Grobet. AFAIK tools from Foredom are still labeled Foredom and list for four times what that one is listed for.
This is from the Foredom website.
As I said if its a good copy it may be OK.
Pete
@Norton posted:The motors are labeled Ark Precision, others marked Grobet. AFAIK tools from Foredom are still labeled Foredom and list for four times what that one is listed for.
This is from the Foredom website.
As I said if its a good copy it may be OK.
Pete
I modified my post (added a few things)
John
While on the subject of rotary tools, the tool is only as good as the devices and bits put in them. For anyone doing heavy fab/demolition work, I highly recommend coming off the greenbacks for these,….yes, expensive, but you get what you pay for!…these carbide bits make short work of any metal, including diecast zinc, WITHOUT CLOGGING!……these are probably the finest set of carbide cutters I’ve ever used,….only downside is the cost, but if you do a lot of fab work, these are worth their weight in gold,…
Pat
Well, my carbide cutters aren't Snap-On, but I've used them for years and they're still as sharp as when new. They do indeed take a lot of diecast off in a hurry, fingers too if you're not careful! 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:For me it's the Dremel 8220, a battery powered tool with the grunt to do almost any rotary tool job. I also have a Dremel 4000, but being a corded tool, it gets much less use. The convenience of cordless power can't be overstated.
John,
There seems to be no genuine Dremel spare batteries available for this (B814-01). Did you buy an after market spare battery? If so, which one? Thanks.
ADDED: found a couple by using B814-01 instead of 8220 battery. Not cheap.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, my carbide cutters aren't Snap-On, but I've used them for years and they're still as sharp as when new. They do indeed take a lot of diecast off in a hurry, fingers too if you're not careful!
I had run the gamut with cheap carbide bits, ones that clog, turn blue after a few passes, quit cutting altogether, …….if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all these years, good tools aren’t cheap, and cheap tools aren’t good,…..buy the best, and you’ll never be disappointed,…..😉
Pat
I use a Cordless Dremel, Model 800 and for those hard to reach areas I use the Milwaukee Cordless right angle tool Model #2415-20 with a M12 Lithium Battery.
Hope this helps: Gary 🚂
I have 4 or 5 corded Dremel Rotary grinders, one new at $32 and the rest at $2 to $5, some with the kit of grinding tools too. I have one Roybi grinder for a few bucks that I use for rough work to save the Dremel bearings. I have one Dremel upstairs in the train room and 4 of the others plugged in with different bits to reduce always changing bits out.
Battery operated tools are not an option for me. I have too many tools like drills, grinders, etc. to bother with keeping them charged and to buy batteries for as I keep they forever. I have hundreds of feet of extension cords from 3ft to 100ft. I also have most garden tools, like two chain saws, four blowers and a hedge cutter, all plug in electrical as I want them to work when I need them.
If I did roofing work and had only one or two tools I would consider a battery operated tool. I see at least a dozen DeWalt battery operated electric drills, with dead batteries, every year at garage sales, as most can be purchased new for about the cost of new batteries. I have a couple for the chucks.
Charlie
@CAPPilot posted:John,
There seems to be no genuine Dremel spare batteries available for this (B814-01). Did you buy an after market spare battery? If so, which one? Thanks.
ADDED: found a couple by using B814-01 instead of 8220 battery. Not cheap.
Home Depot has the real thing: Dremel 8220 Battery. When I bought my 8220 the spare battery came with it.
I did just order this from Amazon yesterday, haven't gotten it yet. POWTREE 3500mAh 12V B812-02 Lithium-Ion Replacement Battery for Dremel. I was just curious how good it would be, and I can return it if I don't like it.
@harmonyards posted:I had run the gamut with cheap carbide bits, ones that clog, turn blue after a few passes, quit cutting altogether, …….if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all these years, good tools aren’t cheap, and cheap tools aren’t good,…..buy the best, and you’ll never be disappointed,…..😉
Well, I'm not disappointed in my set of carbide bits, and I while they weren't super cheap, they didn't cost anything like the Snap-On set. I've also had them for quite a few years, they have lots of miles, and they haven't done any of those bad things you mention.
I have a similar mindset to yours with an exception. For tools I use all the time, my Dremel, my DeWalt screwdriver, my Milwaukee drill & impact driver, my bench 'scope, meters, power supplies, etc., I buy a name brand. However for tools I'll only use occasionally, my close quarters drill comes to mind, I buy Harbor Freight. I've used that close quarters drill half a dozen times, and it's worked fine. I'm sure if I used it ever day, I'd be on my 3rd one. However, I still have the original, and I have an extra locomotive I bought with the money I saved.
Proxxon rotary tool is better than Dremels. Very smooth and little vibration or torque. Easier to control for fine detail work and not much more expensive. Made in Germany I think.
@J Musser posted:Proxxon rotary tool is better than Dremels. Very smooth and little vibration or torque. Easier to control for fine detail work and not much more expensive. Made in Germany I think.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. 
I agree with GRG. My Dremel 8220 is the only rotary tool I have and it has done everything I have asked of it. I have never had a problem with torque and the battery charge life. And the freedom from a cord has been a real plus. I have the remote head which is useful for getting into smaller spaces.
Here is the new Drexel A300 Advanced Rotary Tool. No batteries! No charging! No wires! Completely portable. Ecologically safe for the environment.
@Bruce Brown posted:Here is the new Drexel A300 Advanced Rotary Tool. No batteries! No charging! No wires! Completely portable. Ecologically safe for the environment.
That's some high end tech @Bruce Brown!
Just a quick follow up:
I chopped a great deal of zinc off the tender on my steamer that I'm upgrading and it used half the battery. I didn't hold back or try to be efficient about it. I used a cutoff wheel to make two slices through 5/16" diameter metal cylinder pieces that screws go into. Then I used a burr (a bur?) to grind away some of the material so I could break the pieces off with pliers. Then I used the burr and a grinding disk to smooth the area. After all that, it didn't work! I had to go top side and slice a slot into the top of the tender to fish wires through. That did work. I used a grinding disc to remove some of the sharp edges and then used the brush to clean everything up (the dust on the tender and in the coal load).
It put out some power! It got pretty warm but I wasn't being smart about how I made the cuts so it was a lot of extra cuts. I like the 8220 so far. I would have been stuck drilling holes and filing them into slots without it.
It'll get fairly warm if you're push it long enough, but I suspect if you can still hold it, you aren't in too much danger.
It ran for a half hour or so, nonstop. It was warm but you could definitely hold it. The workpiece on the other hand was getting too hot to hold.
I have the original full set Dremel with the carry case. Used it and liked it for years. I recently also acquired the battery operated one and like it just as well.
Dennis
@BillYo414 posted:It ran for a half hour or so, nonstop. It was warm but you could definitely hold it. The workpiece on the other hand was getting too hot to hold.
Yep, cutting metal tends to make things hot!
@BillYo414 posted:It ran for a half hour or so, nonstop. It was warm but you could definitely hold it. The workpiece on the other hand was getting too hot to hold.
When cutting on zinc, or zamac or whatever you’d like to call die cast metal these days, I keep a bowl of ice water loaded with cotton balls and a small pair of tongs, ….use the wet cotton balls as heat sinks near where your cutting,….the nice thing about that is, it the heat stays localized to where you’re cutting, and the wet cotton balls collect a lot of the waste ……cheap, easy, & effective,….😉
Pat
That's a handy tip @harmonyards!
@BillYo414 posted:It ran for a half hour or so, nonstop. It was warm but you could definitely hold it. The workpiece on the other hand was getting too hot to hold.
This is why folks who use these tools all day prefer cable drive handpieces powered by large motors. Heat is not a problem on either end.
Pete
Pete, I'm with you... I bought my Foredom around 1981 and never looked back. About 2 months after I got the Foredom, I purchased their flexible hand piece. That made a great tool even better! Its still hanging from the ceiling above my Steelcase desk with the foot pedal below and tackles any job I throw at it - HIGHLY recommend this tool and it's accessories. Yes I have numerous Dremels but I keep going back to the Foredom.
Dave
Anyone use the Dremel EZ Lock system? The convenience is appealing, but then there is the price premium . . .
@RRDOC posted:Anyone use the Dremel EZ Lock system? The convenience is appealing, but then there is the price premium . . .
I think the largest disk you can get with that system is 1 1/2”. I like the 2” disks for cutting track.
@RRDOC posted:Anyone use the Dremel EZ Lock system? The convenience is appealing, but then there is the price premium . . .
I bought it but I didn't use it yet. Figured I would use up the stock disk that came with it.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Everyone's entitled to their opinion.
Proxxon vs Dremel Rotary Tool Comparison: Which Rotary Tool Is Better?
This is quite an interesting article!
@Norton posted:This is why folks who use these tools all day prefer cable drive handpieces powered by large motors. Heat is not a problem on either end.
True, but I don't use the Dremel all day, just when I need it. Having the Dremel get hot has never been a problem for me. Warm, sure, hot, not really. Now, if I couldn't hold the soldering iron for long periods of time, that would be a different matter! 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:True, but I don't use the Dremel all day, just when I need it. Having the Dremel get hot has never been a problem for me. Warm, sure, hot, not really. Now, if I couldn't hold the soldering iron for long periods of time, that would be a different matter!
John, what is next gig going to be after this thread fades away? Leaf free gutters or Medicare advantage plans? I think you made your point that you prefer this particular battery tool. Many of us prefer other solutions.
Pete
I think leaf free gutters, a pet peeve of mine. How about you, when you move on, what will be your next gig. 
@RRDOC posted:Anyone use the Dremel EZ Lock system? The convenience is appealing, but then there is the price premium . . .
I have the EZ lock arbor on all but two of rotary tools. It is just too neat and quick not to use it. Plus the disk never spins free under a slightly loose screw head. (my bad)
The only draw back from my perspective is that those EZ disks are thick. I use the screw attached disks for opening up Atlas switch frog/rail joints on two rail switches.
There are a few areas (very few!) where I turn a blind eye to cost. EZ Lock is one of them
Most of my cutting is done with the large Dremel or Roto Zip motors with the flex shaft.
Two of my regular size Dremels have 90 degree heads but they can get hot with continued use.
I figure hot + small bearing = not good in the long run.
I did learn another use with a rotary motor. Podiatrist around here use them for trimming toe nails. So I keep one just for that purpose. Along the line of what Jim Carey did in one of his movies, but no sparks. I think he used an angle grinder...
Milwaukee 12 volt rotary tool.
Gerry
I might go 3 months between uses and if I had a battery one the battery would be dead
@Bruce Brown posted:Here is the new Drexel A300 Advanced Rotary Tool. No batteries! No charging! No wires! Completely portable. Ecologically safe for the environment.
Turning that crank fast could lead to some heavy breathing and produce a lot of excess CO2
j
@Dennis Rempel posted:I might go 3 months between uses and if I had a battery one the battery would be dead
If you only use it once ever two-three months, the battery powered model may not be appropriate for you. 
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