[Harp-L] Re: Dremels, nail buffers, etc. -- Foredom

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

When I first introduced the Shofu method I recommended buying Foredom's.
My wife owns one for her jewelry business.  But that was 15 years ago.  
The choices have
greatly improved over the years.

Most of the guys that were using rotary tools to tune at the time were  
using dremels with dental burs.

 I recall those that used files voice their opinions against using  
rotary tools as a main tuning tool.
Yes, using them incorrectly  can be hazardous on reeds if you aren't  
agile and don't have a steady hand.
I already had a 23 year background in using dental rotary tools so it  
was cakewalk to use them on reeds and
other parts.

I tried my wife's Foredom today and found it to be awkward to use  
compared to what is available the past couple of years.
You want something that is lightweight, thin, and balanced for comfort  
in the hand.
Dremels are fat and too fast with too much torque unless you can  
regulate it.  I purchased a Harbor Freight model
just to try because it was cheap.  Well cheap is what you get.  It was  
thin enough but too much vibration because the motor isn't balanced  
right.

Some of the older belt driven dental tools are good and there are  
plenty of used ones out there.  The dental hand piece is much thinner
then a dremel or Foredom and meant to be used for 8 hours a day every  
day without overheating.

Here is an ebay page full of affordable dental hand pieces that are  
variable speed regulated for about the price of a high end dremel.
Make sure the hand piece comes with the benchtop controller if you bid  
on one.  Some companies sell the hand piece separate from the  
controller.
The Marathon models look like a good buy although I've never used that  
brand.  The Buffalo model is also good and they type I used when
I first started in the dental business.  It is either made in the US  
or Japan.  I think the Marathon models are made in China.

Go here:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=ss+white+dental+handpiece&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R3&_nkw=dental+lab+handpiece&_sacat=0

If you are ready for the big league a Shofu pneumatic hand piece is  
the way to go.  Most gourd and egg carvers use those since they are  
vibration free.  They run about $450 to $600  depending on where you  
buy them.  Then you need a quiet high quality air compressor to run it.

I should add I still use files and still recommend them. I've seen  
some sloppy use of rotary tools w/ dental burs.
If you only tune occasionally I would stick with the files. If you are  
into altered tunings or have a repair business a step up from dremels
may be in order.  It will pay for itself in the long run

Take Care
MIke



On Feb 17, 2013, at 6:46 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:42:32 -0700
> From: Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Dremels, nail buffers, etc. -- Foredom
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <511E6578.4010504@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> There's only one word when it comes to variable speed, flexible shaft
> power tools: Foredom:
>
> http://www.foredom.net/
>
> It's what professional jewelers use for a multitude of tasks. Makes  
> the
> best Dremels look like a toy. Hangs from a hook on a rod. Controlled
> with a foot pedal. $300+. Lasts forever. Next best thing to an
> uber-expensive dental drill. Wish I had one!
>
> Michelle


www.harmonicarepair.com