Dental Handpiece Motors (Marathon Micromotor)

Hi Guys,

First time poster, long time reader.

I am wanting to take the plunge into razor restoration, however I am limited by a distinct lack of workspace at my house. Ideally, I would like to buy a bench grinder/buffer, however I only have a single garage with no room for a workbench or anything of the sort. This has caused me to consider smaller, portable options such as rotary tools (Dremels etc). Although I do like Dremels, I understand that they are not built as well as in years gone by, often burning out after 12 months of use.

I'm not wanting to spend a lot at this stage. I have been trialling sandpaper techniques with great success, however this process is painfully slow. I'm just after something that could help me save some time and produce a finish as good as sanding by hand.

Whilst researching rotary tools, my wife gave me the idea of using a dental hand-piece (she works at a dental practice). This led me to inexpensive dental micromotors such as the one below:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/35K-Dental-L...ee2&rmvSB=true

Does anyone have any experience with similar devices, or even this one in particular?

I feel that I should note that I am not currently looking to do any extensive structural restoration such as pitting removal etc.

Thanks so much guys.

Think this URL link works.
35K Dental Lab Motor Electric Micromotor Marathon Polishing Unit 35K Handpiece | eBay

For Several Years I only used hand sanding and the assistance of a hand held 'palm sander' plugged into a GFCI receptacle.

I got good results.See here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...n-cleanup.html

Even after building my buffer See Here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...-part-one.html

I still do a lot of work by hand/even using the palm sander.

Some of the finest cleanups of straight razors have been done without power tools.

As with 'Everything' involving straight razors it comes down to 'Personal Choice'.

Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride! It's a long strange trip/but it's well worth the journey!

Attachment 206644

I would say go with a Foredom. Cry once, as they say.

Foredom Jewelers Flex Shaft Kit 2230 SR 1 6hp 110V New | eBay

It is only my opinion , but I feel such rotary tools,grinders and buffers have little to offer the "novice" in the restoration process .Hand sanding and hand tools are not only safer but the patience needed to use them efficiently will pay dividends down the road if and when you decide to upgrade.

I'm really appreciating the responses guys, highly informative!

To ease the pain of hand sanding, make a sanding jig from a scrap of wood,a tongue depressor for a shallow ledge, counter sink and expxy rare earth magnets to hold the blade and duct tape to cover the magnets. Add a assortment of backers for your sand paper and you have made your life much easier.

Attachment 206645Attachment 206646Attachment 206647

Just had a quick browse through an ALDI catalogue, it turns out that they will be stocking mini bench grinder/buffers this Saturday for $40. Forum reviews suggest that it's a great little machine. Might give this a go if they have any stock remaining. If they do, I'll be sure to follow up with some progress images to let you all know how it went.

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And what I still use most of the time:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html
~Richard

I dunno why some say the Dremels won't last. I have two, a variable speed with manual adjustment, not the one with the LCD screen!( Those don't last!) and a single speed one which is fixed, uses a cable, and is variable speed-controlled with a sewing machine pedal. 10 and 6 years later, they are both fine. I use them for many tasks in my automotive shop as well as some on razors, blades, scales, pins, etc. The Foredom is nice, but then, getting proper collets, etc. Seems a bit overkill and prestigious for the purpose. I try to stay away from microchip driven things as there is where the smoke usually comes from. Bearings, brushes, armatures cables are all replaceable on the Dremels as well, although I have not needed any yet.
This is from my experience. YMMV

+1 to the above^^^^^^^
My Dremel, Craftsman version of same, and old blue point single speed rotary tool are all holding up well after 10+ years of service.
Didn't know that brushes were available though. Will get me a set before I actually need em.
Cheers.

Yup, you can do it all with hand tools, in a small space and a Dremel. Hand sand to 2k and then metal polish. You can un-pin by hand with a pin-vice, if needed.

I used Dremels all the time, but not to polish. They do last a long time, have had several for many years, do buy variable speed, with flex shaft, cordless is nice, but not a necessity.

You don’t need a shop full of tools or a lot of space, to restore, but a shop is nice.

I know a lot of guys who do some great work in cramped space, on a budget with just hand tools, don’t let space and lack of power tools stop you. Lots of great ideas in the Workshop forum.

I have a lot of tools. Most of them do not get used for razor restoration. Scales making a little bit. I still do the majority of restores by hand. It is super easy to mess up the lines on a razor with a buffer. There is a long learning curve on getting it right with those. A dremel has It's place and I have one and use it a little bit, cleaning jimps for the most part. I am a big fan of taking my time and relaxing while working on an old razor. It is zen time. It is more about the process than the production or the money. In my view if you are looking at getting done faster you are missing the journey.

You may have a point about Dremels being weaker than they were. Seems the ones at Lowes looked a bit foreign to me as I looked last. A NOS oldie should be had on the bay? I can vouch for those!

Yeah, new/old ones abound on Ebay. Just saw a 2-speed for 28 bucks. A single speed for 35. Shipped. Sewing machine pedals work super with the single speeds. Cheap on the bay.
You could go thru a pile of NOS older model Dremels, I think!

OH! Lookey at this one Dremel makes! Still, a new single speed 100, a cable attachment, and a sewing machine pedal comes in at half.

Attachment 206725

I've had a flex shaft Foredom for 50 years, changed out a handpiece for comfort and two sets of brushes. HF has a cheapo 1/10 hp one for really cheap with a coupon.
Funny, though I still use the 'bay and auction Dremels with old drill stands router tables, and other accessories more than the flex shaft.
Look for magnetic razor holders on the search.
A good one is here:
Bill's Straight Razor Info: Making the Blade Safety Jig
I've made a few similar. The advantage is thet the blade is tight to the metal which serves as a heat sink also. I have used a piece of steel shim stock over the edge while Dremel buffing and sometimes not.
Have fun! Life is too serious to take solemnly
~Richard

I wonder if that is the same Bill who made me some magnetic jigs a long while back?
I still recover them with thin aluminum from time to time. Then, you need a demagnetizer as-done. Provided by Darl (Tarkus) ! A few swipes of the spine on this humming thing, it won't pick up a straight pin!


Attachment 206731

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geezer

I've had a flex shaft Foredom for 50 years, changed out a handpiece for comfort and two sets of brushes. HF has a cheapo 1/10 hp one for really cheap with a coupon.
Funny, though I still use the 'bay and auction Dremels with old drill stands router tables, and other accessories more than the flex shaft.
Look for magnetic razor holders on the search.
A good one is here:
Bill's Straight Razor Info: Making the Blade Safety Jig
I've made a few similar. The advantage is thet the blade is tight to the metal which serves as a heat sink also. I have used a piece of steel shim stock over the edge while Dremel buffing and sometimes not.
Have fun! Life is too serious to take solemnly
~Richard

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50 years? You are enjoying getting old, eh, Richard? :)

Quote:

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I wonder if that is the same Bill who made me some magnetic jigs a long while back?
I still recover them with thin aluminum from time to time. Then, you need a demagnetizer as-done, Provided by Darl (Tarkus) ! A few swipes of the spine on this humming thing, it won't pick up a straight pin!

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Wonderful devices! Used in a machine shop.
and, Yes that was Bill Ellis that made the Jigs and one of the early strop shops did also with a heavier aluminum for the blade. The guy got sick and a few here trashed his business. '"Gentleman's Best" as I recall. He had scales precut and a lot of other good stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

50 years? You are enjoying getting old, eh, Richard? :)

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Not this last month! Been there before and will overcome. Don't ask!
Otherwise...Yes!
Cheers
~Richard

Oh it was Bill Heckathorn who made me a few magnetic jigs! Many years ago. Bill Ellis is a talented, opinionated man. Love to read his words! Shows that those 'Bills' have it going on! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Oh it was Bill Heckathorn who made me a few magnetic jigs! Many years ago. Bill Ellis is a talented, opinionated man. Love to read his words! Shows that those 'Bills' have it going on! :)

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Bill Ellis, Opinionated???????????,love his work
To many Bills in the world,Thats why I changed my name to Caitlyn:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Bill Ellis, Opinionated???????????,love his work
To many Bills in the world,Thats why I changed my name to Caitlyn:)

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Sigh......:roflmao

Don’t forget Bill Ellis’ Restoration DVD, chocked full of How to do, Hand Work Restoration. I think Bill showed how to make those razor jigs in that DVD, It’s been a while since I watched mine.

Don’t know if the DVDs are still available, but if you can get one, they are great.

Bill’s website is still up, Billysblades.com. There is some great work of his on that site.

I don’t use the jig, just use a piece of 6mm craft foam and a couple of 3x3 inch foam to support the razor.

There are many ways to skin that cat.

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Think this URL link works.
Best Dental Electric Micro Motor for Sale - Buy Marathon Micro Motor Online!

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