sick dremel

[esantoro]

I think my Dremel is coming down with Swine Flu. It's lethargic, groggy, horse. Just doesn't have the same get up and go. Does this mean it's time to replace something? I've heard of brushes, but don't actually know what those do.

Ed

[Vikti]

The brushes in a motor is what make the physical, electrical contact with the rotor (the shaft) and they do eventually wear down to nothing. I doubt that they are replaceable unless you have one of the high end Dremel tools

Damon

[kevinhopkins]

Hi...Damon's got it...more than likely, it's time for a new dremel shopping experience!

Kevin Hopkins

[claybuster101]

Different Dremel problem but my son was able to save it. The Dremel would still rev up to wide open throttle, but the shaft wasn't turning. He took it apart (something he has been doing to things around the house since he was a child) and found that the shaft was connected by what he called a plastic or hard rubber sleeve that had cracked. He epoxied the sleeve and voila....Dremel works. I asked him how gunked up it was on the inside and he indicated that there wasn't much gunk on the inside.

Since your Dremel might be DOA, consider taking it apart and seeing what the inside looks like. Maybe a gentle blast with some compressed air might restore some life into it.

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

I'm with Kevin, when it totally dies get a new one. I used to go through them with some frequency. I had one that lasted about 11 months into the year long warranty. They sent me a replacement. About 10 months later it crapped out. I sent it back and they determined I was a commercial or industrial user and the warranty didn't apply. After I bought the last one with the "disposable mentality", it has lasted about 4 years.

[Vikti]

I ended up getting this about 6 years ago for glass etching and it still hold strong. A bit underpowered but still good.

[TwinOaks]

Ed, I think I know what you're thinking and you just want a second "aye" before you do it so here it is.

You should disassemble it for cleaning and inspection, and while you've got it apart see if there's a way to increase it's power and collet size to allow for a wider range of rotary tools and applications.

I mean, c'mon, why shouldn't a dremel be able to double as a lathe motor?

Incidentally, depending on the number of 'brushes' it has, you'll probably want extra hands---divide the total number of brushes by two and round up. The brushes will look like little blocks of gray-black....stuff....with a curved face against the stator, and spring on the other end. You'll need really small tools and those magnifying lamps you rebuilt.

[ABC3]

Their cheap. Buy a new one. And they keep adding new attachments with every release.

[HorsehairBraider]

Get a Foredom. Foredom They make them for jewelers and dentists, and expect the person is going to actually use it day in and day out. You can get different hand pieces, motor, chucks and collets etc. The one I have has been going strong for about 12 years now. Best money I ever spent. Plus, you can easily get replacement parts, and they are easy to put on. (Well, I can do it, and I am no mechanic!) I've used mine for carving rocks, even.

I talked to a fellow who is an equine dentist and he had been using a Dremel, and sure enough, they wore out in about a year's time. That would drive me crazy... If I'd had to buy a new Dremel every year for the past 12 years, well, they might be "cheap" but they are not worth it to me. I'd just as soon have something that will last.

[esantoro]

Ed, I think I know what you're thinking and you just want a second "aye" before you do it so here it is.

You should disassemble it for cleaning and inspection, and while you've got it apart see if there's a way to increase it's power and collet size to allow for a wider range of rotary tools and applications.

I mean, c'mon, why shouldn't a dremel be able to double as a lathe motor?

Incidentally, depending on the number of 'brushes' it has, you'll probably want extra hands---divide the total number of brushes by two and round up. The brushes will look like little blocks of gray-black....stuff....with a curved face against the stator, and spring on the other end. You'll need really small tools and those magnifying lamps you rebuilt.

Just read your post 30 minutes after complete disassembly and.... Wait for it.......

....

...

...

wait for it...

...

...

...

...

Successful REASSEMBLY .

It had died completely. Happened to have the torx drivers on hand and just couldn't say no. I opened it up, played around with the parts, blew on it, put it back together, and Voila! However, I think it will die again in a week or so. Pictures are forthcoming. Yes, pictures of the innards of the 400 XPR.

And to think all this on the same day I actually closed the case officially on the 22-watt circline lamps and returned them to full active duty.

Ed

Get a Foredom. Foredom They make them for jewelers and dentists, and expect the person is going to actually use it day in and day out. You can get different hand pieces, motor, chucks and collets etc. The one I have has been going strong for about 12 years now. Best money I ever spent. Plus, you can easily get replacement parts, and they are easy to put on. (Well, I can do it, and I am no mechanic!) I've used mine for carving rocks, even.

I talked to a fellow who is an equine dentist and he had been using a Dremel, and sure enough, they wore out in about a year's time. That would drive me crazy... If I'd had to buy a new Dremel every year for the past 12 years, well, they might be "cheap" but they are not worth it to me. I'd just as soon have something that will last.

I will definitely look into the Foredom. Thanks.

ed

[esantoro]

I ended up getting this about 6 years ago for glass etching and it still hold strong. A bit underpowered but still good.

I do use the Dremel daily at the lowest setting of 5000 RPM. I think buying a few of the cheapos at HArbor Freight might be a very good idea. Plus I need an excuse for another excursion to America ( The NYC to Saddlebrook, New Jersey Harbor Freight Run). Now I realize that the Dremel is all marketing and very little of a well-built tool. The cheapos cannot be constructed any more poorly. I think it has been about a year. I'll double check and look into the warranty.

I like the Foredom idea, but that will be over $300. I'm off to HF's website.

Thanks for the responses.

ed

[esantoro]

I have grown quite fond of the quick-change chuck I bought for my Dremel. Anyone know if this could be used on the less expensive rotary tools from Harbor Freight?

ed

[hiloboy]

do over

Edited May 15, 2009 by hiloboy

[hiloboy]

over the years i have went thought lots of Dremels and a couple Foredoms for the type work i do.i'd put my money on a Foredom but if you need something better i would go with a NSK presto aqua 2.it is what i have used for about two year and i can say its the best. you can use water for cooling when working on metal, bone, ivory, glass, when working on leather you don't have to use water..its a little on the high side but its hard the beat..but if you don't need the water for cooling they have a NSK presto2 with out the water for cooling..

http://www.avtecdental.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=39

you can see the two at the bottom of this page..

[hiloboy]

sorry about the two post. i was trying to get the link to work...

[esantoro]

Whether I purchase another Dremel, which is unlikely, or purchase a couple of cheapos from Harbor Freight, Im looking at $50 to $60.

The Foredom is too pricey for me right now, but there is a guy in Ebay selling something similar with a five-year warranty for about $60 to $80.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-3HP-DIE-GRINDER-Flex...n%3D7%26ps%3D48

I am tempted to pull the trigger but would like to know if I should think again. Is the speed of these devices easy to control with the foot pedal? I do like the idea of 500 to 20k rpm.

Thanks,

Ed

[hiloboy]

Whether I purchase another Dremel, which is unlikely, or purchase a couple of cheapos from Harbor Freight, Im looking at $50 to $60.

The Foredom is too pricey for me right now, but there is a guy in Ebay selling something similar with a five-year warranty for about $60 to $80.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-3HP-DIE-GRINDER-Flex...n%3D7%26ps%3D48

I am tempted to pull the trigger but would like to know if I should think again. Is the speed of these devices easy to control with the foot pedal? I do like the idea of 500 to 20k rpm.

Thanks,

Ed

it kind of looks like a foredom but at that price who cares who makes it as long as works. if its anything like a foredom the speed is easy to control with the foot pedal..go ahead pull that triggger

[esantoro]

I have a mini phaser rheostat to control power to my soldering iron and regulate the temperature of the tip.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...p;category=4770

Does anyone know if I could also use this rheostat as a table-top speed control knob with the flex shaft rotary tool on Ebay?

Ed

Edited May 16, 2009 by esantoro

[esantoro]

did a bit more research. I think this mini phaser will work as a speed control dial for single speed rotary tools, as well as for soldering irons.

Now a few of the $10 cheapo rotary tools from harbor freight is a viable backup tool.

The seemingly disparate insane ventures into soldering irons, lamp wiring, and rotary tools merge.

ed

I have a mini phaser rheostat to control power to my soldering iron and regulate the temperature of the tip.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...p;category=4770

Does anyone know if I could also use this rheostat as a table-top speed control knob with the flex shaft rotary tool on Ebay?

Ed

[laney1566]

I own a dremel and I am learning leathercraft. What the heck is a dremel used for? Sorry....Noob here.

[yehagirl]

I own a dremel and I am learning leathercraft. What the heck is a dremel used for? Sorry....Noob here.

I second that...... What is the dremel used for in leather craft???

[Elliot]

The foredom will do 10 times the work of a dremel.

The dremel is good for making noise and falling apart.

Foredom will be less money in time, does the work faster and does not break when you need it most.

[esantoro]

How loud are the Foredoms?

I just purchased a rather inexpensive Chinese version of the Foredom, the one I link to earlier in this thread. I'll let everyone know how it works out. It comes with a five year warranty, so for $92 shipped, and including quite a few accessories, I figured it was a no lose situation, unlike $50 for one year's or less use of the Dremel.

Ed

The foredom will do 10 times the work of a dremel.

The dremel is good for making noise and falling apart.

Foredom will be less money in time, does the work faster and does not break when you need it most.

[Elliot]

How loud are the Foredoms?

Ed

You can talk over the foredom. If they have been abused, out of balance grinding wheels, bent tool shafts, the bearings will make noise.

Most of the noise comes from the cutting tool in use.

[esantoro]

I use the dremel/rotary tool for

sanding edges

burnishing edges

filing metal parts

grinding metal parts

and for those odd things that pop up around the house from time to time.

ed