Recommend me a good rotary tool

[YorkieT]

Hi All,

In the past I have used cheap rotary dremel type tools and they have been abused and lasted well but 2 years ago I bought a Dremel 4000 and to be honest due to other hobbies it's had a very easy life and has been mainly used for sharpening my chainsaws.
I attempted to sharpen my chainsaw yesterday and the Dremel sounded awful, it was making horrible grating noises on high speed and on low speed it was very intermittent, I opened it up and all seemed fine. If I squeeze on the casing it sounds better but still turns intermittently on low speed.
After paying well in excess of £100 2 years ago for the kit and having hardly used it I am now thinking about binning the Dremel and buying something else but what do you guys recommend?
I would like to use the new tool for shaping walking stick handles as well as sharpening the chain saws.

 

[marcros]

I have the proton version. Proxxon Precision drill/grinder FBS 240/E 410475 (Ref: 28472)

I haven't used it heavily, but it performs well. bought it about 18 months ago.

the Dremel that it replaced hadn't been used heavily either though, and this is much better.

if you are a heavy user, the foredom is supposed to be the bees knees. much more money though.

 

[Geordie Joe]

I have one of these

https://www.reichelt.com/Power-Tool...wQATcAAEZuZtwcd4ef7781e47b456cb6f1f949a1513cb

and one of these

https://www.reichelt.com/Power-Tool...80&GROUPID=575&artnr=PROXXON+28481&SEARCH=%2A

And I am very happy with them. Cheapest place I found them too, and very quick delivery. They come with 2 pin plugs, but I just cut them off and fitted 3 pin plugs.

If you do a search of the site they also do cheaper proxxons, with batteries or with a separate power supply.

Edit: forgot to mention, Proxxons have a smooth collar, not a threaded one, so Dremel attachements won't fit them.

 

[marcros]

good prices there. I used http://www.germantools.co.uk/tools/Prox ... Tools.html. British plugs, but more money.

 

[Keithie]

I've had my foredom pendant motor & no30 handpiece for just about 15 years ..

https://www.riogrande.com/Product/Fored ... tem/117534

It was used for an hours or two a day, 5 days a week for about 6 of those years, and most weeks ever since, almost always on metals.

Totally rock solid and as good now as it was on day one. Not cheap though.

 

[YorkieT]

Cheers for the info so far, I do like the idea of the Foredom but the price is a lot more than I wanted to pay. Has anyone tried the Axminster equivalent? It sounds good for the money but is it up to the job?

 

[Geordie Joe]

Cheers for the info so far, I do like the idea of the Foredom but the price is a lot more than I wanted to pay. Has anyone tried the Axminster equivalent? It sounds good for the money but is it up to the job?

Didn't know they did them! Have you got a link or code number?

 

[Lons]

Cheers for the info so far, I do like the idea of the Foredom but the price is a lot more than I wanted to pay. Has anyone tried the Axminster equivalent? It sounds good for the money but is it up to the job?

Didn't know they did them! Have you got a link or code number?

i think it's this one
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hd ... eal-718669
Never tried it as I have a Fordom but looks pretty good

Bob

 

[YorkieT]

Cheers for the info so far, I do like the idea of the Foredom but the price is a lot more than I wanted to pay. Has anyone tried the Axminster equivalent? It sounds good for the money but is it up to the job?

Didn't know they did them! Have you got a link or code number?

i think it's this one
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hd ... eal-718669
Never tried it as I have a Fordom but looks pretty good

Bob

That's the one Bob, I thought it looked good for the money, would love to know if any members have tried it and what their thoughts are.

 

[Keithie]

I'm biased...obviously with 15 years on one piece of kit. Foredom SR is the jsilversmith goto.

Cousins, Cookson and HS Walsh are the key Birmigham jewellery quarter retailers.

So putting bias aside ...compare Axminster with Foredom. Price vs Quality.

Unlikely anyone has both and can give a true comparison

Foredom price with pedal but weaker handset (h30 is really good and worth paying extra for imo) : £195

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/slip- ... de=FDSR2CE

Axminster price as above : £170 .. but weak handset

Realistically Axminster is probably more than good enough. But I dont 'know' that. I know Foredom is bomb proof.

 

[YorkieT]

I'm biased...obviously with 15 years on one piece of kit. Foredom SR is the jsilversmith goto.

Cousins, Cookson and HS Walsh are the key Birmigham jewellery quarter retailers.

So putting bias aside ...compare Axminster with Foredom. Price vs Quality.

Unlikely anyone has both and can give a true comparison

Foredom price with pedal but weaker handset (h30 is really good and worth paying extra for imo) : £195

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/slip- ... de=FDSR2CE

Axminster price as above : £170 .. but weak handset

Realistically Axminster is probably more than good enough. But I dont 'know' that. I know Foredom is bomb proof.

Hi Keith,

The reason for looking at the Axminster was due to it including a handset whereas according to the last pic on the advert the Foredom SR does not include one and would mean an extra £44 on top but your probably right in the long run the Foredom would probably be the best bet :wink:

 

[Lons]

I feel the same Keith but got my Foredom a few years ago s/h and it's quite old. The shafts on mine are hd square drive and I bought a another handpiece, chuck type rather than collet, a few months ago. I certainly wouldn't swap it but in reality for the amount of work it does if I had to buy new then the Axminster probably is ok. At least they have a decent warranty and aftersales service.

Bob

 

[Keithie]

No worries ..I was trying to make a business from precious metal casting/fettling/finishing back thren...hence foredom.

These days I just hack at wood (though I hope to get better!) ..so the Foredom is nice to have...but def not necessary.