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I need advice on a rotary tool


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I need some input from users of rotary tools.  Dremel seems to be the most common, but reviews are pro and con and different models are  favored over others.  I did my first small POB and did fine with common tools, but there were times a small rotary device would have done a faster and maybe better job.  I have a lot of tools for working on full size boats but few for small ones.

I am expecting my new build shortly and want to be ready.

 

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I have had a few Dremel rotary tools in the past and the thing that was the most helpful is the flexible extension with a place to hang it near the workspace.  This flex ext was much more important than the individual model.

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I have a Foredom tool that I use a great deal and like. It is much more powerful than a Dremel and can use the same bits, but also has a foot switch for speed control. There are a number of different hand pieces to choose from. 

Bill

Chantilly, VA

 

Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon!

 

Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle

 

Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli

Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli

 

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I use a dremel 3000 variable speed and a flex shaft. No issues to report.

Jeff

 

In progress:
Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale

USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76

HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48

HMS Sphinx - Vanguard

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I've been using rotary tools in carving for the last 15 years or so, much longer than I've been ship modeling. I have the big Foredom, which I use for fast wood removal, as in roughing out a carving, because they have very high torque. For detail work I use a micro-motor tool (mine is from Gesswein) that will spin up to 55,000 rpm. The Gessweins are pretty pricey, but you can get other brands for less (the trade-off is generally in speed - other brands averaging about 35,000 RPM). However, the other brands still cost much more than a Dremel would cost. The advantages are that you get higher speeds, most are reversible, and there's a much wider selection of bits available at 3/32 than at the Dremel's 1/8 shank. I would look at some woodcarving sites on the web to see what's available.

 

I've found that the rotary carving tools do come in handy on some of the ship modeling work, and when used with a foot pedal are very easy to control.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Frank

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I picked up a cheap rotary tool from Harbor Freight several years ago and it is still going strong.  Variable speed to 35,000rpm and it comes with several accessories including a flex shaft and hanger.  I think I paid $15 for it on sale.  Probably not as good as a Dremel but for the price it has worked out well.

My advice and comments are always worth what you paid for them.

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I picked up a cheap rotary tool from Harbor Freight several years ago and it is still going strong.  Variable speed to 35,000rpm and it comes with several accessories including a flex shaft and hanger.  I think I paid $15 for it on sale.  Probably not as good as a Dremel but for the price it has worked out well.

I have a couple of these now. Only issue is that they are probably a bit noisier than premium models?

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From what you have seen so far there is a wide range of mototools and everyone uses what they have found is comfortable.

David B

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To be honest, proxxon accessories for a rotary tool are cheaper and there is a bigger variety, then for Dremel. And they are not compatible (different shaft size). 

P.S.: I use Dremel, but can't say that I'm very happy with it, mostly due to a price of accessories.

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I have two Dremels, one of them has the flex-shaft adapter. Unfortunately there is no foot control for the Dremel. I understand that if you try to install a foot control, it might burn out the rheostat that controls the speed on the Dremel (is this true?). For this reason I am considering a replacement tool, perhaps a Proxxon or a Foredom. 

Regards, Keith

 

gallery_1526_572_501.jpg 2007 (completed): HMS Bounty - Artesania Latina  gallery_1526_579_484.jpg 2013 (completed): Viking Ship Drakkar - Amati  post-1526-0-02110200-1403452426.jpg 2014 (completed): HMS Bounty Launch - Model Shipways

post-1526-0-63099100-1404175751.jpg Current: HMS Royal William - Euromodel

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Here is my two cents worth.

I have had this Monkey Ward's 'rotary tool' for probably fifty years. It still works great, but I have used it sparingly. It comes in handy when I need to drill a bunch of small holes. So I adapted it to my old drill press and I can use the quill accordingly. Whether or not the speed is adjustable does not matter to me (10,000 or 30,000 rpm, who knows what is the best for what???)

Unlike others here I don't use it too much 'free-hand', but I use it more on either my mini-mill or drill-press as shown below.

post-246-0-72145100-1397003553_thumb.jpg

The transition from 'large wood working' to 'tiny stuff' takes a bit of adjusting.

But you will find lots of satisfaction in creating the 'small stuff'.

 

 

Jay

 

Current build Cross Section USS Constitution  http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10120-cross-section-forward-area-of-the-uss-constitution/

Finished USS Constitution:  http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/103-uss-constitution-by-modeler12/

 

'A picture is worth a  . . . . .'      More is better . . . .

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I guess it comes down to what you intend to do with it. If you want to carve, or are sanding/removing material, then for hardwood, you want to be able to run slower speeds. Hardwood will burn with a rotary tool running at higher speeds. Also, if you plan on doing work such as carving then you want to focus on the shape and weight of the hand piece.

Bill

Chantilly, VA

 

Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon!

 

Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle

 

Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli

Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have a Dremel and I bought a foot control that is just an on/off switch, so I use the speed control on the tool and the foot switch to start and stop. I don't think this set up will burn out the rheostat.

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I have the cordless Dremel 7.2 multipro. I like it because its really light weight, it only has two speeds though. Good for beginning a ship, but not good when doing details. It sure as heck beats filing and sanding for hours on end.

Casey

 

"I drank what?" - Socrates

 

Current Builds:  

                                  

Finished Builds: 

 

Future Builds:        

  • Mamoli Golden Hind
  • Mamoli Black Prince
  • AL Swift
     

 

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I have used a Dremel for many years,but having been diagnosed with HAVS(hand arm vibration syndrome) I have changed to a Proxxon IB/E.The difference is night and day.The smoothness of operation is miles ahead of the dremel which is 'agricultural' in comparison.There is not a vast difference in price but the difference in quality is massive.The added bonus is the speed switch is independant from the on/off switch so comes in handy when doing repetitive tasks.Size and weight are virtually the same,but the Proxxon's design is much more ergonomic and comfortable to hold.

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

Edited by NMBROOK

Currently working on Royal Caroline

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  • 3 weeks later...

Not a comment but a bit of information for users of the non-Dremel rotary tools.  The spindle thread on the knock offs is 8x0.75mm (very close to 5/16"x32tpi), the Dremel tread is .274"x40tpi.  For anyone with the non-Dremel tools the Proxxon micromot chucks and other accessories will screw on to the spindle but the Dremel ones will not.

Edited by grsjax

My advice and comments are always worth what you paid for them.

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Don't have any of these fancy things, still using the primitive drill (12V motor in an aluminium tube with a brass collet-holder screwed onto the motor shaft) I bought some 30+ years ago. The collets take the ubiquitous 2.4 mm shaft tools, as well as the 3.2 (1/8") mm shaft ones as used in the Dremels. The same applies to the PROXXON tools, their collets take whatever is on the market (there are also drills and burrs with 1 mm and 1.5 mm shafts).

 

I also have the PROXXON pen-sized grinder, but don't use it too often, because it doesn't have a lot of power and stalls quickly. It also only takes 2.4 mm shafts and nothing else. I improved it by installing a sort of thrust-bearing (a simple round steel plate) at the far end of the motor. This greatly improved its performance.

 

Most of my power-tools are started from non-locking on-off foot-switches. This allows you to keep the speed-controllers set a specific values and to disconnect the power-supply quickly, when needed (in an emergency).

 

wefalck

wefalck

 

panta rhei - Everything is in flux

 

 

M-et-M-72.jpg  Banner-AKHS-72.jpg  Banner-AAMM-72.jpg  ImagoOrbis-72.jpg
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I amplify what Casey has said about the little 7.2 Dremel. Good for getting into places where other tools fear to tread. I use mine a lot.

 

Mike.

Previous Build: LA gun deck cross section.
Previous Build: Lancia Armata. Panart 1:16
Previous Build: HMS Pickle. Jotika Build.

HMS Triton cross section 1:32.

Shelved awaiting improved skills:

Chuck"s Cheerful.

Current build.

Tender Avos.

HM cutter Alert.

 

 

:

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I once used Dremels and then switched to Foredom. I have both the big Foredom and the new micro motor. The huge advantages of Foredoms are the foot switch and slow speeds for drilling. You can get the bit located in the center-punched location, and then slowly rev up the motor so it always stays in the center. With the Dremel, even with a slow-start motor, I couldn't control the bit suddenly spinning up and out the center punch hole. It made all the difference to me in accuracy, to have two hands on the motor braced against the model, and a foot on the switch. And slow speeds help, because you need to pull the small bits out of the hole quite regularly to clear the bit. Dremels would load up a bit faster than I could get the bit pulled back out, leading to impacted sawdust in the bit that had to be cleaned out all the time with a pin. I feel in control with the Foredom in a way that I never did with the Dremels. Plus, the Foredoms are high quality, bullet-proof industrial tools that will last a lifetime. You can feel the quality in your hands. i could imagine the eighteenth century model builders using Foredoms....;-)

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