Thread: Dremel

I've been considering getting a Dremel to help polish up some old razors I got off eBay. What do these things cost and which wheels should I get? Any Dremel owners got any info?

I got a 400XPR with the extension and a polishing kit. The polishing kit comes with most of the things you'll need to clean up most light work on eBay items. For the heavy stuff, take a look at some of the restoration tools (3M wheels) on Bill Ellis' site here.

I use the Dremel as well with the adjustable speed and then just pick up the little felt wheels. Add the Maas and you're ready for bidness. Lynn

I got a flexshaft on-line for about $200 then found a new one on e-bay and got it for $54 + $22 shipping to Canada. Cheaper than a dremel. I can't speak for the quality since it has not arrived yet, but I am dying to find out if the $125 difference in price was worth for a "name brand" that I got first.

The e-bay one comes with 5/32 hand set, flex shaft, motor and foot pedal.

If you can wait and get a flexshaft it is much easier to use than a dremel. If you are set on a Dremel then you might want to consider getting a variable speed pedal and plug the dremel into that. Then you can control the dremel speed with your foot. I have a dremel too and controlling the speed with your foot makes it much more convenient to use.

The pedals are around $20 to $60 depending on the model.

For polishing tight spots or small areas you can use Maas, Flitz or another polish with half a q-tip. The shaft is a hair line over 3/32 and fits into a dremel or a flexshaft handset.

EdinLA44 you can get a Dremel rotary tool for as little $30 off ebay, this would most likely not have any attachments but would get you started.

The thing to look for is a variable speed model. Dremel has single speed models(275 series), two speed (285 series) and variable speed models(400, 300 and 395 series). The variable speed gives you "room" to play with when working different materials, different bits and wheels and different compounds.

The flex shaft is a very handy attachment, IMO, and if your working over a lot of pieces (razors or what ever) in one setting it'll really cut down on the stress of holding the whole tool.

If all you plan on doing is razors, I'd go with one of the multipro models (395/396 series) because they are rather cheap and will do pretty much everything you need. I own an older multipro (about 5 years) and love it. There is one on ebay right now as a buy it now item for $38.

They are really handy dandy tools to have around the house and I'm sure you'll find more uses for it than just razors.

As for what "discs" to get, well that all depends on what your gong to do. Every dremel kit (for razors) should have a selection of felt wheels:
and tips
and cloth wheels
.
These will clean up the razor as well as the scales. Have a good volume on hand because you'll use one for each different compound/rouge you use for the project.

The 3m discs that dawill is referring to are called Radial Bristle Discs


These are available in a number of mesh sizes from 36 to 600 and in 6 micron and 1 micron. There are probably more that those numbers out there and if you look around at lapidary and jewelry making sites you'll find the complete line eventually. For a great example on what these discs will do for your ebay special, read through Korndog's restoration thread here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com2/showthread.php?t=4598
He did a wonderful job and there are some great pointers in there from him and from Bill, it's a worth while read.

I just got a variable speed dremel 5k-35k on ebay new $41.

Thanks Kelly for the kind words. I would highly recommend a set of the radial bristle discs. They are a must-have in my opinion. The fiber wheels made from scotch brite material are also excellent for aggressive cleaning. I did that Revisor (great shaver btw) with a cordless dremel model 770. I have since switched to a Foredom flexshaft with foot pedal which is really sweet.

Bills guidance was indispensible, so please read his posts to that thread.

Good Luck.

Your very welcome Korndog, just giving credit where credit is due

Maybe I subconsciously left out the cordless models because I don’t care for them…but I’m just weird like that. I don’t have too many cordless anything’s.

The Foredom is a great tool for sure, but certainly not necessary for light jobs like cleaning or even restoring razors. If your doing a lot of engraving for hours on end, then the Foredom is the way to go for sure. Not to many people are aware that Dremel makes a “heavy duty” Flex Shaft tool (model 732) much like Foredom for about the same price range as the Foredom.

If your really into "power" or feel the need for power there are pneumatic rotary tools avaliable