31 replies to this topic

[Alchemist]

I just bought this rotary tool from Harbor Freight.     http://www.harborfre...-kit-97626.html

 

 

 

 

Only: $24.99

Sale: $8.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The link to the tool manual pdf file, shows detailed photo of the tool.  http://manuals.harbo...69999/69451.pdf

 

 

It's a single speed dremel type rotary tool that I'd like to vary the speed.  From the pdf file tool manual photos it shows the tool itself has a cord with a female connector at it's end,  while the wall plug transformer has a cord that has a male connector at it's cord end.  Thus, you join the two connectors to get it to work.

 

 It has been suggested that a rotary light dimmer switch with the appropriate voltage capacity would work.   Has anyone built a variable speed controller for their rotary tool?  I have another dremel type tool that has 3 fixed speeds but it isn't to my liking for speed control.

 

I've already tried a router speed controller from Harbor Freight and it does not work with this little "dremel" tool.  It states the specs at 0.7A.  I presume this is the amp draw?!  Being that low of an amp draw I'm deducing the rotary light dimming switch would work.

 

How would I connect everything?

 

Please advise - thank you!

 

Ernie

[MG Brown]

Years ago I made a dremel variable speed control from an extension cord and a light dimmer. It's inexpensive and worth a try for your rotary tool.

[slotcarone]

Ernie that tool is a worthless piece of crap IMO. I bought one and returned it. It wobbles so much it is not usable.

[Rick]

Ernie,

 

I have one of those, it's a real POS with the provided wall wart but works much better on a real power supply. Hook it up on your motor break in machine, which is variable and you will find it works ok.......................

[Tim Neja]

Just say NO to Harbor Freight!!! Their JUNK!!!!

[MSwiss]

We might have to rename this thread:

"Harbor Freight testimonials "

[munter]

On my visit to the US I thought I would track down a nibbler. I tried quite a few tool shops without success and then stumbled across a Harbour Freight store in a strip mall.The guy needed a description of the tool and led me to the hand tool aisle. Then he was stumped. I was about to give up when I spotted my quarry on the rack in front of me. 

 

A nibbler for $8.99 ( are all HF tools that price?) I bought two, one for me and one for the only other scratchbuilder in my area who is also a good friend.

 

I hope it isn't crap but at that price I don't expect much.

 

The weight of two metal hand tools meant they went in the shipping crate with my wifes stuff heading to NZ.

 

Go Harbour Freight !!!

[John Streisguth]

Any power tool with a wire the size of the one on that particular one will not have much power.  That's a tool that's good for polishing the knobs on your kitchen cabinets and not much more.  But they have one for $22 that looks to be closer to a true "dremel" tool. AND...it has variable speed built in.

 

I have some small power tools gotten from harbor freight; belt sander, cut-off saw, and mini table saw that I put a metal cutting blade on.  They all do the job as long as you don't ask them to cut 1/8" angle iron, and they cost less than $100 all together. They make the job of cutting parts for chassis so much easier than trying to do it with a dremel.

[Michael Rigsby]

Like others on here, I bought one of these years ago. The tool itself is junk. No power or torque. The abrasive stones will turn to powder the first time you use them. The rest of the kit is up in the closet, reminding me to never waste my time on buying cheap tools that won't do the job. A cordless Lithium Ion powered Dremel Stylus has much more power than one of these units.

[Rick]

I carry a HF corded dremel type tool in my travel box. It is smooth as glass, powerful and I like how the vari speed switch and on/off switch are separate to not have to adjust every time you turn it on. VERY good tool for the money. I think it was on sale for $18. HB also has that 20% coupon always running for any single item in your basket................

[Half Fast]

Simple as this:

 

You get what you pay for!

 

Pay crap get crap

 

Cheers

 

PS: Black & Decker makes an inexpensive and good rotary corded tool

[MantaRay]

I have a few of their Calipers......I find them very often for $10.00

 

[garyvmachines]

munter

 Before I ship to NZ , I would Check Granger Tool.

Better Quality , Also on line..... Can  ship to NZ for you ?????

Good Luck........ I plan to see your country some day .........

 

GAV

[Alchemist]

Hi Munter,

 

Those Harbor Freight hand nibblers work great and have had mine for quite a while.  In fact I used it to trim a thin sheet of spring steel with success and it's still working well.  I've seen the same nibbler offered at twice the HF price.

 

As for the rotary tool I mentioned above, I'm just fooling around with it for another use not detailed work.  I shop at Harbor Freight because I do not have the budget for Snap-On tools.  Most of their stuff works for me.

 

Hi MG!  Thank you for the encouragement!

 

Thank you all for you input.

 

 

Ernie

[Ramcatlarry]

One of the basic tool buying rules is "buy cheap first - if you break it buy a better brand'     got to start somewhere before you get the snap-on model.

 

Harbour fright is good for many things:  gram scales, digital calipers that you can afford to drop, air brushes, and other cheap power tools.   Did not notice a nibbler at HF, the last three I have gotten came from Radio shack.

[munter]

Thanks for the positive regarding the HF nibbler, Ernie.

 

@ Gav, thanks for the info on Granger tool, I will search them and see what they offer.

 

I saw a nibbler at Radioshack too which was a bit more expensive but I didn't buy it. I don't know why. 

Sometimes I am a bit indecisive when buying stuff.

[Alchemist]

Hi Munter,

 

I searched the HF website and could not find the nibbler I purchased a while back.  What they have now is a different style of nibbler and I know someone who says it works for him but doesn't have anything to compare it to.

 

This is the one I purchased from HF but the photo is from another company.  I just wanted to show you what mine looked like.

 

http://www.rapidonli...036734P01WL.jpg

 

 

Ernie

[munter]

Thanks Ernie

I think the ones I bought were different. They were packed quickly without being removed from the packaging but the cutting jaw seemed to stand out more.

[Alchemist]

Hi munter,

 

Besides the "punch type" nibbler like the photo link I provided, I also have the the other nibbler from HF that has the jaws that you mention.  It works well for me and I've used that for the last couple of years with no problem.  Yes, they're not Snap-On quality for what I use it for and my budget, it gets the job done.

 

Thanks.

 

Ernie

[Ramcatlarry]

Back to the topic...

 

I have made several variable AC controls with ceiling fan/lamp controls.   take one 4 inch x 2 inch deep round cornered outlet box.  one matching cover style to fit what you put in it.  One two way outlet.  One dimmer switch of what you like (slide or dial) rated more than your tool. 100 watt soldering iron or rotary tool or???  one six ft (more or less) extension cord and cord grip to fit the box.

Assemble as needed and use with joy.

 

total cost? less than the going rate of $25 for one from the stained glass store, I bet....

[Alchemist]

Hi Larry,

 

Quote

 

I have made several variable AC controls with ceiling fan/lamp controls.   take one 4 inch x 2 inch deep round cornered outlet box.  one matching cover style to fit what you put in it.  One two way outlet.  One dimmer switch of what you like (slide or dial) rated more than your tool. 100 watt soldering iron or rotary tool or???  one six ft (more or less) extension cord and cord grip to fit the box.

Assemble as needed and use with joy.

 

Total cost? less than the going rate of $25 for one from the stained glass store, I bet....

 

Thanks for providing detailed instruction on how it's done.  

 

I appreciate your help Larry!

 

Ernie

[havlicek]

Quote

I have made several variable AC controls with ceiling fan/lamp controls.

 

This tool has a "wall-wart" (transformer), so it's low voltage DC powered (the power specs should be printed on the transformer).  A variable resistor (like a slot car controller) should work.  Since the tool runs on such low voltage and current in the first place, you wouldn't want to unnecessarily "choke" it down any more.  Ceiling fan (AC motor speed) controls aren't the "exact" same thing as dimmers Ernie, but surely the transformer (wall wart) here needs to see regular 110V wall voltage to work properly.  Who knows, a dimmer or fan speed control might sort of "work", but only if you cut the thin wire coming out from the transformer and mount it "downstream" from the transformer so the transformer always "sees" wall voltage. There's plenty of info if you do a Google search about using a dimmer for a fan speed control.

 

-John

[HarV Wallbanger III]

I have one and John is right with the walpak it turns the AC into DC so you will not have any power if you plug it into a dimmer switch. They have very little power so it will work on soft stuff but for what we use these for it's not much good. When HF says "hobby" they mean it ...... not for the serious stuff we use them for...

[Alchemist]

All good information - thank you John, Barney!

[havlicek]

You're always welcome Ernie.  I just wanted to be sure you saw that this is a DC powered tool and that plugging the transformer into a dimmed circuit wasn't the way to go.  Also, while it can work, using dimmers and fan (motor) speed controls interchangeably even on alternating current isn't a good thing and can be downright unsafe...that's why they sell the two separately.  Anyway, have fun with the tool!

 

-john