So I'm trying out two rotary power tools - one is of course the Dreemel. It goes 30,000 rpm,s and to this day, I've never been able to stall it and it has guts.
The other is a new tool, it also goes 30,000 but has a very flexible coil shaft instead of the stiff cable shaft of the Dreml and the motor is pin drop silent.
What I can't figure out since I know nothing of electronics, is why this other little tool which should be a dream, is so gutless and easy to stall if too much pressure is demanded?
Is it the Hz or or volts or what? I'm looking at the labels on the sides to see if I can figure out what shows the engine difference.
A lot of the better tools use electronic speed control which monitors RPM and provides power when needed to maintain speed. I have a Makita polisher with it as well as 'soft start' and you cannot get it to vary more than a few RPM regardless of how much pressure you apply.. that sucker will twist your arms off first. I think Dremel calls it 'electronic feedback' or something, but it's the same. As for the flex wand.. most of the rotary tools today are modeled around the dremel and many parts are interchangable.. I have a kawasaki, built-tuff (northern tool) and dremel and all the parts fit each other just fine. See if that flexible wand will fit on the dremel.. you may be surprised.
Hi Jordon
I would never call you dumb. If the one tool that is stalling id the flexible shaft tool I think it has to to with the flexible shaft, I have a Fordem flexible shaft tool and had experience the same thing even to the point that I had to replace the shaft after putting lots of pressure on it. I don't know if this helps or not,perhaps someone else has a better answer .
Pintodeluxe is on to it… the number of wraps and size of the electric coils in the motor determine how much current can run through it. Motors with more copper wrapped into the coils can handle more amperage. More amperage leads to more torque applied to the shaft. More torque at the shaft means it can resist more torque that you apply to the end of the tool. Sounds like the dremel has a beefier motor, while the no-name comes up short. Also probably accounts for the difference in sound… more power is usually noisier in motors of that design.
Jordan, sounds like the no name tool is not built for heavy removal. Too bad as it sounds like that tool is much more efficient.
I like my Proxon for heavy gouging (when not at my bench)....I use my dremel for metal and finish stuff as it tends to overheat so quickly. The only thing wrong with the Proxon is that it does not have the ability to use the dremel accessories - although it can use all the same burrs. On my bench I have one of the 1/2hp Mastercarver rotaries and it is excellent - I have used it to hog off metal and it won't even slow down when I put some pretty heavy pressure on it.
Reggie, I tried the Proxxon too - the little chain, same thing, I found it just didn't have enough oomph and I could stall the wheel. I find this little rotary tool is about the same power as the Proxxon. How many rpm does the mastercarver have?
Guys,
There are dozens of other options for small hand held grinders, flex shaft tools and what have you. Many of them are specefic to jewelry manufacturing and I have never seen them outside of speciality supply houses.
The Foredom has been around for a very long time, has a 1/10 to 1/2 hp motor (depends on model) and a flex shaft with many different handpieces available to hold the tools. They make a handpiece with planetary gearing to get 35,000 RPM from a 10,000 RPM motor and flex shaft, for instance.
There are some German built DC powered tools that have the power of the Foredom tool but the micro motor is entirely in the handpiece; there is no flex shaft to rob power.
Dremel tools have also been around for a long time and they have profesional tools that are not offered in the usual mass market retailers.
The problem is that most of these high powered tools carry high powered price tags. Pretty easy to spend $400 to $500 for some of these. But, if I make my living setting $10,000 diamonds I can afford a precision tool that I know won't stall or vibrate or sound like a jet engine.
I have not considered the Foredom because I did not know that they had a hand piece with the high rpm ability - but I will certainly look into that.
It's not the cost that matters to me, I just happen to be trying out a new tool for a company and was trying to figure out why it didn't have the same power as the noisy old Dremel - which has worked great, has been cost efficient and out run my old Foredom by about 15 years.
My Dremel just died on me. It;s speed dropped down noticeably to about half speed. But it would pick back up when not grinding. After a while, the switch turned itself off as soon as I turn it on!
The above link and picture are what many pro and amateur carvers use. It has a variable speed form 1,000 to 65,000 rpm (at least mine does ). The carving device has forward and reverse motion which is great for hair type fibers found in woods like basswood etc.,. It also has a quick release chuck and takes 2 different diameter bits being 1/8" and 3/32.
there are choices of the actual "carver" but are are small, super easy to manoeuvre and come with an old fashioned telephone type cord making them almost like a paint brush.
the actual transformer/motor above has a fuse and a "breaker" which when the the pencil is driven to hard, the breaker will trip avoiding costly repairs.
I've had mine for more then 10 years, and it has worked flawlessly. I personally love it.
Noooo…dumb is NOT asking. If I ever get into power carving, the Gesswein would be the way to go. Nice! My Dremel is worn out from making auto repairs. I can't bring myself to buy another when all this appears to need is a front bearing. Guess I'm too cheap.
Can I back up here? Since I posted this, I looked at all of the micro motors out there. I guess what I'm asking and you know I'm not a "hobbyist" yet I still rely heavily on the Dremel and I do know that a 1/4 or 1/2hp motor has more torque(but less rpm's) than the Dremel, but I do not know what - amps, volts etc. makes the micro motor go 35,000 yet not be able to have as much torque as the basic Dremel rotary tool - is it the hand piece, the engine, the coil shaft? I just don't know, which is why I have always declined the Gesswein etc. and am even disappointed in this tool I'm trying, which is almost like the Foredom micro.
Inside the Gesswein, is it the same motor that is in the Dremel? How would a person know?
Sorry guys but I am really interested in a powerful tool with 35,000 and a bit quieter of a motor. I buy 3 Dremels a year at about $300 and I've yet to be disappointed, so perhaps I should have never looked out of my shell. LOL.
One time I bought a 14v drill and was really turned off of cordless drills - until someone introduced me to an 18v drill - THEN I KNEW. But is the volts the same with rotary tool motors?
I'm not a carver but I have a lot of experience with air tools from my bit and spur days. The air tools developed much higher RPMs and are easy to control. They last a long time and are much cheaper and lighter than electric tools. The main downside is the need for a larger compressor. In my opinion, air tools are underutilized by woodworkers.
Thats what your previous profession taught me : ))
Do you really think they would put a Dremel motor in a Gesswein box ? seriously Dude, its night and day. I blew up at least three dremels ….KABOOM. Gone, 300, 200, 100 dollars right out the window, didnt even get a chance to say good bye. Happy thoughts.
Buy once, cry once.
Explore your level of expertise. See and watch, suck it in like a sponge. There is a stratosphere of information out there you apparently missed so check out the "Ward World Championships" Google it, and if you do your homework you will find that the "Winners" of the masters division of that competition, that the majority of consistent winners have an arsenal of tools you will love.
I cant argue with the merits of air driven dental tools but
IMHO, AMPS would be the best way to compare Power from one to another… the more amps it has, the more H.P. it has… H.P. is what it takes to carve without bogging down…
If you like the more flexible cable, based on what I've read here, it might fit your Dremel and you would like it along with it's POWER…
I'm with pinto deluxe on amps ! and with Katdaddy on the use of traditional carving tools.. Go Swiss made or Cherries brand and ditch the spinning thingies ! If you live anywhere near Tallahassee Florida, stop by anytime and I'll show you how to get the most out of hand carving tools to get you started (ha ha ! as if you would need that kind of help, I've seen your fantastic work !)
but come by anyway talk shop & visit if you'd care to ! you are always welcome ! Don S.
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