Advice on Proxxon handhelds vs Dremel

[mmagliaro]

I have never been particularly happy with the vibration and concentricity of Dremel tools.
Even though I have a mini mill for precision work, there are lots of things I still prefer to do with a Dremel.

I've heard that the Proxxon hand-held motor tools are a lot better for these two basic things: vibration and
turning the darn chuck and bits in a true straight line.

Would folks like to chime in here and give me their experiences and opinions?
I'm looking at the FBS 115/E, which is the one that comes with a chuck.
They also make a collet set for these.   If you can say definitively that it runs truer with the collets than with a chuck,
I'd like to know that too.

Thanks!

[Chris333]

Can't say, but I've had a flex shaft on my Dremel for about 25 years now. Only took it off like once or twice. I hang the tool up-side down on a hook.

[randgust]

I've completely worn out two dremels and my third is on its second set of brushes.    It would be like changing fingernails - it's become rather reflexive working with it, warts and all.  I do have the 'real' speed control and that's the difference between a useful tool and a novelty.  I'd rather use it on low speed than a pin vise.    I've also found that you want to purchase fresh chuck inserts, as they wear AND bend, and that's where a lot of the wobble originates.   Cheap fix.

At least it's taught me one thing that's become pure habit, always, always, always wear eye protection for shattering of #80 drill bits, abrasive disks, particles of frame metal, and shards of wire brushes...... 

I'm still cutting and polishing up .010 soldered brass handrail joints with mine and that's the most ticklish task imaginable with little margin for error on a hand-held device.

[mmagliaro]

Randy,
Do you use a chuck on your Dremel, or only collets?    I usually use their chuck, and I'm finding that there is no decrease in the wobble or vibration between that and the collets.  It might just be that the bearings are worn out.
I don't "feel" any wiggle in the chuck when it's off, but that doesn't mean much.

[nickelplate759]

Not sure on how true it runs, but my wife prefers her Foredom flex-shaft tool to my Dremel (or the one I gave her).

[mmagliaro]

Not sure on how true it runs, but my wife prefers her Foredom flex-shaft tool to my Dremel (or the one I gave her).

Zoinks... yeah, I would expect that.  But Foredom flex-shaft systems are spendy, around $400.
Correction!  There are lots of new Foredom systems on eBay for around $100, which appear to be the same motor and
handpieces that Foredom has on their website, yet the Foredom website doesn't show
any such thing; they only show the $350+ systems.  Is there some fraud or knock-off going on?  Anybody know what the differences are?

[Chris333]

Don't know if I could deal with a foot pedal 

[narrowminded]

I've already expressed my opinion on Proxxon vs: Dremel and nothing has changed.  I have but don't use the chuck with either one, utilizing 1/8" shank carbide drills or end mills.  One of the main differences I've noted is Proxxon's collets are steel and truer running.  The Proxxon model I've used is the 110v unit, model IBS/E.   Foredom has a very good reputation and I've used their cable driven die grinders in my shop.  They were quite nice, larger, and much more expensive.  Never used their smaller stuff.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40160.msg496304#msg496304

[mmagliaro]

Many years ago, I had the Foredom flexible shaft unit that my grandfather used as a jewelry maker.
It was ancient, and nowhere near what I'm sure their motors and handpieces are like now.  But even so,
it ran well while it lasted, and having a footpedal is actually pretty nice.  Both of your hands are free so you
can speed up or slow down, or shut off, without moving your hands.

I'm a little puzzled and suspicious by seeing two wildly different price ranges: $100 vs $400 is a huge difference.

[nickelplate759]

Zoinks... yeah, I would expect that.  But Foredom flex-shaft systems are spendy, around $400.
Correction!  There are lots of new Foredom systems on eBay for around $100, which appear to be the same motor and
handpieces that Foredom has on their website, yet the Foredom website doesn't show
any such thing; they only show the $350+ systems.  Is there some fraud or knock-off going on?  Anybody know what the differences are?

If I recall, her tool was in the mid-$200 range.  I think there are multiple sizes and power-rating available, but under $100 sound suspicious to me.  I think we got it from www.ottofrie.com

[mmagliaro]

If I recall, her tool was in the mid-$200 range.  I think there are multiple sizes and power-rating available, but under $100 sound suspicious to me.  I think we got it from www.ottofrie.com

George, I think you are spot on there.  Otto Frie (I've bought jewelry parts and tools there before) has systems for around $200 - $250 depending on what you get (and much more if you want deluxe kits).
The $100 ones on eBay all suspiciously seem to be "new without tags" and are being shipped from China.  So I
would suspect they are stolen or forgeries.

[robert3985]

Years ago, when I was starting to make lost-wax brass HO scale detail parts, I took some advice from Ralph Gochnour, who was the creator, owner and sole employee of Utah Pacific HO scale detail parts.  His advice was to buy and use a quality Foredom flexible shaft tool instead of the Dremel, mainly because of the quality of the hand-piece and the low speeds it was capable of, which are impossible with Dremel's amateurish speed controls.  Using ultra small diameter carbon steel drill bits to precisely drill holes to accept brass rod, which is soldered into these holes, then clipped off and filed to the correct protrusion height to represent rivets on the cast products derived from these masters could simply not have been accomplished using a Dremel, which would simply burn the drill bits up at the lowest speed setting.

I still use one of my five Dremels, depending on the application, but for precise slow-speed work, or work that involves a lot of metal removal, I use my Foredom Tool because of its low speed capability and its much more comfortable hand-piece (smaller and less cumbersome than any Dremel).

Just sayin'....

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore