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I was poking around Ebay looking for a Dremel. I noticed there are a lot of inexpensive "clones". I know you get what you pay for, but was wondering what to look for in a rotary tool that I can use for restoring razors and other collectibles.
Thanks
Dr. Phong
I bought a cheaper alternative, used, for $15... New, it retails for about 60% of the original, and it worked just fine for me. Not on any razor restorations, but on various projects around the house. The original usually has a higher number of RPMs and can operate longer than various knockoffs. However, I don't think you'll need those two features for razor restoration.
It all depends on how long you want it to last. I buy tools for the long haul, so a higher initial price doesn't bother me. Buy the cheap stuff if you're only using it for one or two jobs, otherwise the higher end is the better investment.
Dr.
This would be one of the best choices.
http://i9.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/60/c6/09_1_b.JPG
The ebay listing is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?http://ViewItem&category=34087&item=...sPageName=WDVW
This is also a good deal:
http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/6c/17/ea_1_b.JPG
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?http://ViewItem&category=29528&item=...sPageName=WDVW
Or you could get by on something like this:
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sel...ages/10655.jpg
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...45533&rd=1
What is good to keep in mind is if it plugs into the wall, try to make sure it has a flexible shaft. Otherwise, the darn cord seems to always get in the way of the work. Most units that use a flex shaft are also variable speed and that is a big bonus. You can do a lot with one of the low voltage cordless ones too. Just remember, it's that old saying, "you get what you pay for".
Sears has some decent cordless rotary tools. Always get a spare battery so it can charge while you are working with the other one.
You would also be better off with a tool that has the capacity of aroung 15,000 rpm's. You can do a lot more with the speed. Especially when using radial bristle discs from 3M or fiber wheels. These make short work of most active rusting. Not the pitting, that's a different animal.
The nice thing about a flex-shaft tool (I've got a Foredom almost identical to the picture) is that you can use a submerged bit with no electrical worries. I've done this to save my diamond bits when carving hard stone. The foot speed control is very handy for detail work as well.
The Foredom is the Cadillac of the rotary tools. A clone of the Foredom is available at Harbor Freight Tools. It goes on sale about once per quarter if you have the time to wait.
Thanks gentlemen for all the great feedback. I have a razor coming in today that I bought off ebay for the purpose of trying my hand at restoration. My dad has been doing stuff like that for years, so I thought it would be fun to do it with him.
Dr. Phong
This is why I love dis group. I never knew there were so many kinds of rotary tools. Very Cool. Thanks Guys. Lynn
One thing I always like to mention to someone beginning to use rotary tools is safety. The little bits that tighten into the tool to actually do the work at task are very, very small. BUT, they spin around at fantastic revolutions per minute, up to 35,000rpm in some cases.
Can you imagine what happens in slow motion as one of those high-speed bits fails and shatters inches from the operators body? Does that shrapnel of steel or stone fall instantly to the workbench? Does it travel so slowly as to bounce harmlessly off the operators face or neck?
I think my point is twofold. 1) Wear safety gear! 2) Buy quality bits for your econo-roto-tool ..... they make bits in Pakistan, yet?
Timely too.....my Dremel just crapped out this weekend and now I need a new one.....lol. Lynn
Hmmm... mine died this weekend too. Must be related to the site outage somehow... LOL. I have a backup Dremel I bought some time ago (I seem to kill these little wonders frequently, so I keep a spare on-hand) and will be sending the dead one back to Dremel for repair/replacement (costs $25 - $30 for most older corded models... see the customer service tab/service center on the dremel.com site - prices are in the FAQ).
The "older" corded variable-speed dremels seem to have a fairly low duty cycle compared to the "really old" single speed Dremels I owned 15+ years ago, but the variable speed features are nice. (I haven't tried the cordless Dremels yet as I never have been very pleased with cordless tools in general -- seems the batteries are always dying and replacements are often as expensive as the tool itself.)
Anybody else find they crap out realy easy?