I just purchased my first Foredom rotary flex shaft tool. I have been aware of the tool for as long as I can remember. Being an avid model builder I always thought I would own one someday. I guess after 66 years that day has arrived.
I usually use a Dremel tool (I think I have three) and that changed to several Proxxon hand held rotary tools about 6-7 years ago. The Proxxon are much better than the Dremel as far as bearings and the sound level.
I got the chance to use a Foredom tool a few days ago and I now know what I have been missing. Hand held’s have their place but the Foredom is wonderful. I think it might be to the inertial mass of the large rotor in the Foredom motor. The flex shaft proved to be no issue for me.
The Foredom Electric Company has been in business since 1922 or so says their web site. They must be a fairly small company (but a division of Black Stone Industries, Inc.) producing a very good niche product. Their design and marketing isn’t as fancy as the other two tools I mentioned, but evidently they don’t have to be.
I have to laugh at the National Sales Manager as he stumbles through a series of video demonstrations of his project. Definitely not Madison Ave professional, but I don’t want it to be. It would only add to the cost of the product. Keep up the good work and don’t screw with success.
I recommend prospective purchasers make a judgment by trying the product as I did. The price is higher than some others but “good” and” lowest cost” don’t usually live together. If it was a poor product with just a high price, it would not be here as long as it has, ‘nuff said.
I’ll touch on accuracy for a moment. I believe run out tolerance is 0.003”. I don’t know how far from the bearing or what hand piece (probably #30). For hand held use that is a wonderful tolerance. Rig it up as a CNC spindle and it will not be accurate enough for very fine micro machining. That simply is NOT an application for the Foredom. It is not a fault, it is a hand piece.
I’ll have more to say as I start using the tool more. For now I like what I see and I have to wonder why I waited so long. Try it; see if you like it too. I think you will.