Proxxon alternatives?

[Dcox]

What other manufactures make tools for shipbuilding or other hobbies? I know of Dispaie and Tamiya but looking for other quality makers.

 

Tia

Dave

[No Idea]

In the UK Lidl or Aldi supermarkets sell a Proxxon copy under the label of Parkside. They are a very close copy and about 1/3 of the price. 

[Roger Pellett]

Tia and Dave,

 

Ship model building tools cover a wide spectrum so let’s limit your choices to woodworking bench top power tools.

 

The gold standard is the family of tools manufactured and sold by Byrnes Model Machines.  IMHO nothing else come close.  Unfortunately the owner of this small business recently died.  His widow is trying to sort things out and the word is that she plans to reopen in the near future.

 

The model tool company Micro-Mark offers a line of power tools superficial similar to  Proxxon, branded as Microlux.  I have no experience buying or using their tools.

 

Roger

[Dcox]

1 hour ago, Roger Pellett said:

Tia and Dave,

 

Ship model building tools cover a wide spectrum so let’s limit your choices to woodworking bench top power tools.

 

The gold standard is the family of tools manufactured and sold by Byrnes Model Machines.  IMHO nothing else come close.  Unfortunately the owner of this small business recently died.  His widow is trying to sort things out and the word is that she plans to reopen in the near future.

 

The model tool company Micro-Mark offers a line of power tools superficial similar to  Proxxon, branded as Microlux.  I have no experience buying or using their tools.

 

Roger

lol......I meant TIA (Thanks in advance)  I'd of made the same conclusion as you. Thanks for the info.

[Bob Cleek]

Aside from a few exceptions such as Byrnes Model Machines, Syren "Rope Rocket" and Domanoff's rope-making machines, Sherline and Taig mini lathes and mini milling machines, which are probably the best of their type available, you will generally find that tools made for sale to the "home hobbyist" can often cost more for a much lower quality product than the same tool purchased from a source catering to a professional clientele in an allied craft or trade. For example, the Foredom flex-shaft rotary tools or any of the slow, belt driven dental engines (now used for fabricating dental appliances in dental labs and not for drilling teeth, thank God!) and their handpieces will do a much better job than under-powered high-speed / low-torque Dremel or Proxxon Mototools and the like. I don't suppose Proxxon tools are substandard for what they are and they do have their fans (particularly in parts of the world where nothing else is available,) but they frequently strike me as being overly specialized in some instances and "more sizzle than steak." (Who needs a 1/4" hand held belt sander?) 

 

Lathes and milling machines are a separate category, but one should be aware that "hobby" retailers such as MicroMark, Model Expo, and Proxxon will frequently sell much higher priced "house branded" versions of tools which can be obtained from other sources at lower prices. The Chinese manufacture identical power tools such as mini lathes, mini milling machines, and rotary tools, etc., and wholesale these at varying prices based on the degree of fit, finish, and quality control, providing their wholesale customers with custom paint colors and branding. Grizzly is one US retailer that sells higher quality Chinese-built power tools at a somewhat higher price than the same tool will sell for at "Horror Fright," but the Grizzly tool will have a better fit and finish and have been fettled, tuned, and tested, while the Harbor Freight version will quite possibly have casting sand in the cosmoline grease it was coated in before it was shipped in from China.  It's best to do what research you can on YouTube watching "unboxing" and "review" videos before you pull the pin and buy any Chinese made power tool. The bottom line is that you will not go too far wrong keeping in mind that "you get what you pay for." 

 

You will almost certainly find that the highest quality tools will be found in the professional suppliers' catalogs for the various trades and professions. For example, look for hand tools in commercial jewelry supply house catalogs and medical instrument supply house catalogs. Keep in mind, however, that it is possible to spend too much in the professional catalogs. A lower quality Pakistani surgical or dental instrument will often be entirely adequate for modeling work, while the same instrument made by a top of the line US or European manufacturer may exceed the quality requirements of a ship modeler.