22 replies to this topic

[Martin]

This tool was used by a friend of mine who is a jeweler. 

Rotary tool with hand piece. It is one speed.

 

I am asking $60 for what you see here in the pic.(D)

5% going to slotblog.

 

P.M. if you have questions, thanks for looking.

 

[Paul Menkens]

They make retrofit speed controls for these.

[Dave Crevie]

Foredom makes superb foot speed controllers;

 

 

And I highly recommend getting a profiler to go with it. Makes all the hand filing and polishing a breeze;

 

I used this model from Artco;

 

 

This model from NSK is cheaper, but is slower to work with. But it is lighter and easier to manipulate;

 

 

In any event, I recommend getting a spare flex shaft. They have a habit of kinking if you overload the stone or burr. Saves the aggravation of having to wait for a replacement to be shipped. They are around $ 30-40 for the shaft and sheath.

[Dave Crevie]

Indecently, I got my Foredom for free. The company I was working for about 45 years ago was throwing it out, having purchased a couple of new ones. It just needed brushes. The Artco Diprofil I bought at a tool swap meet for $25. I used this combo until I retired. I made at least $100,000 doing mold polishing after work. A good investment by my way of thinking.

 

https://youtu.be/Jw6...I5H7jfSoo&t=146

[Martin]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

 

Dave, now I want to add a Diprofil tool to add to my rotary file capability.

[Dave Crevie]

You'll find it handy to clean up cut edges of brass sheet and for notching piano wire rails. Keep checking the job shop auctions. Quite often you will find a profiler in a lot that includes diamond files, stones and abrasive pads. 

 

Mold polishing is one of those skills that have disappeared in this country. Gone along with the plastic injection molding and die casting stolen from us, with the help of the industrial conglomerates looking to increase their profits. I taught maybe a dozen guys to polish molds over the years. Not a difficult operation, but you do need to know some things. But starting in the mid 1990s, I received a lot of work from companies that were finding that their people, mostly undocumented immigrants obtained from labor staffing agencies, were not capable of doing that technical work. If we are going to bring these industries back to the U. S., we need to spend much more time, and money, training people. Mold polishing is also part of mold reconditioning. And what halfway intelligent company is going to send it's tooling back to China to have the cavities polished? The work is available, for someone industrious enough to get the training and spend very few dollars to set himself up.    

[Paul Menkens]

Any idea what a close to mint condition one of these in its original case with all the paperwork and accessories would be worth? 

[Dave Crevie]

The prices are all over the map;

 

From about $100 for a well used one, (this one has no shaft);

 

 

To $200+ for a new one;

 

 

Incidently, the new Fordoms are made in China. The best thing is to go to some machinery auctions where you can look the unit over.

[Martin]

I hope you all know I have three Foredoms for sale right here on Slotblog from a reliable seller: ME.

 

Look no further. There are three choices listed here to fit three price points. 

Add #1 is $125 ( pic B)

Add #2 is $ 75 ( pic C)

 Add #3 is $60 ( pic D)

 

And it gives back to Slotblog  

Did you look at the three listings I added here, Dave? Did I price them fairly?

 

 

[Dave Crevie]

I wouldn't want to give an opinion until I actually tried them out. If in perfect running condition, those are good prices. Unit "B" seems to have a slight kink in the drive cable. A common problem that is easily fixed by replacing it. Probably about $50, less for a good used one. It has the newer style foot pedal. 

 

"C" has the older style foot pedal. The motor is also the earlier design where you have to open the case to replace the brushes. 

 

Otherwise, if both are in good shape, they have more years of service in them for someone who wants more horsepower than you can get from a Dremel. 

[Martin]

I did try them out and they, like you say will have " they have more years of service in them for someone who wants more horsepower than you can get from a Dremel"

 

I am open to offers too.

If I ship them flat rate this will be $20 priority mail.

[Bill from NH]

Martin, do you know any woodworking groups that are involved in power carvings? If these don't appeal to slot racers. that might be another group that could use them.

[Martin]

No Bill I do not, our very own Rick Thigpen recommends this tool for scratch builders. But you are correct I have used Foredoms for hundreds of different projects. Like a Dremel its versatile just with more control. 

 

It does not travel well so in that case the Dremel type tool wins.

[Paul Menkens]

"It does not travel well so in that case the Dremel type tool wins."

They travel just fine if they still have the original brief case that came with them when new, that said, l have both and always use the Dremel Tool when l can, it's just more convenient. Mine originally belonged to my grandfather who was a machinist and he considered it far superior to a Dremel tool which he considered toylike.

[Martin]

"They travel just fine if they still have the original brief case that came with them when new,"

 

Hey Paul, I never even seen a brief case for a Foredom. But as they have to be hung to be used properly, they really are a home base tool IMO.

 

With a quick search I found this. Not what I have but interesting anyway.

 

 

 

Was able to save this image for history's sake.

 

 

 

 

  

[Dave Crevie]

One thing about Fordom is there are a plethora of additional attachments. To make them more portable, there are these clamp-on hangers to hold the motor in the raised position;

 

 

 

 

And these swivel holders to hold the motor on top of a bench;

 

 

 

Even a drill press that uses the Fordom handpiece, for drilling small holes;

 

 

 

The Fordom motor doesn't care what orientation it is in when running.

[Martin]

Mine is hanging from the wood beam above my head.

 

I like the bracket hanger for $24.98  but I do not on plan on taking my hobby on the road. That would be good if I did not have it hanging. 

 

Never thought about putting the hand piece in a drill press. That seems a bit intractable?

[Dave Crevie]

Short Fordom video;

 

https://youtu.be/97g...icf-vfNvUruc5HO

[Martin]

Thanks Dave, I do like that collet style handpiece they show, the one with the quick release lever. Its at the 3 minute mark.

 

[Dave Crevie]

Martin, on 16 Apr 2025 - 3:48 PM, said:

Thanks Dave, I do like that collet style handpiece they show, the one with the quick release lever. 

 

 

It certainly saves time over fiddling with the wrenches. They used those handpieces at All Star when I worked there. They also had the little belt sander attachment, excellent for breaking the sharp edges of the mold inserts. But certainly I used the profiler and the carbide and diamond tipped burrs more than anything else. 

[Paul Menkens]

According to their website they're still made in the U.S. the site says that their are a lot on Chinese made knockoffs labeled Foredom sold cheaply on line

 

 

Incidently, the new Fordoms are made in China. The best thing is to go to some machinery auctions where you can look the unit over.

[Paul Menkens]

1000000964.jpg

here is a picture of mine hanging from the hook installed in the briefcase

[Paul Menkens]

Paul Menkens, on 18 Apr 2025 - 3:02 PM, said:

1000000964.jpg

here is a picture of mine hanging from the hook installed in the briefcase

or maybe not