rotary tool with flex shaft

[gramps]

looking to get one. i want a good one but i don't want to spend $ 400 plus on it. but i also don't want a piece of junk either. there are so many models out there . what do you people use? thanks in advance, gramps

[dirtrider73068]

I have a flex shaft with my dremel, after years of holding a heavy dremel in my hand and trying to do anything with it, I finally got a flex shaft and it was awesome, dremel is a good brand and have lots of things to use with them, thats if doing small things like cutting or sanding or polishing.

The other bigger units I can't say how they are, read the reviews if there is any see what others are saying of course like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

[Berta]

You DO get what you pay for. I don’t use it often so the dremel and flex shaft works for me

[gramps]

i have been looking at the dremel 4300 . there are so many options, but this one looks promising. thanks for the feedback, gramps

[don in brooklin on]

I have a Dremel and wanted the flex shaft but the Dremel flex shaft was about $45 at the time.

I bought the cordless rotary tool at Harbour Freight on sale for about $20.  The rotary tool is pretty useless as the battery would not last but the flex shaft fit my Dremel and it is great.  Maybe not as nice as a Dremel but does the job I want it to do.  I do some Intarsia and it comes in handy there.  I also added a foot peddle - real handy.

[gramps]

don, i believe i saw a youtube video with you talking about your sanding station. i am waiting for the flex sander to arrive, but i am thinking the flex shaft tool would work better than the wonder wheel. what are your thoughts? the video was cut short so i was not able to get all the information you gave. thanks for your help, gramps

[don in brooklin on]

That video is over 5 years old.  I still have the sander and use it all the time.  Still have not mastered the wonder wheel but is still on the do do list.

I did not realize that the video was cut short.  We have had a number of web masters and what is missing is where I got the flex sander in Canada.  I think it was cut short as at that time we had a discount set up for the club and that was only for club members.

In Canada the flex discs are available at http://store.workshopsupply.com/catalogue/intarsia-tools-c-1641_2127.html.  They don't seem to carry the wonder wheel anymore.  Judy has changed the design a couple of years ago so it would have to be order from her.

I do have a flex shaft that I do use from time to time.   I have a chuck that currently is on an old motor and drive a max mop. (greatest sander in my shop).  I have switch to my sanding station if I need to sand slower.

The chuck came from Stockroom supply and the flex shaft from sawbird.  I don't see either on their web sites.  I used originally with Inflatable Kirjes-Guinevere Sanding Drum for bowls. Too cheap to buy the complete kit with motor etc.

I see they sell the flex shaft but expensive at over $100.  I think I paid less than $50 but that was 5 years ago.  I am not sure where to get chuck.

Here is a picture on the shaft just sitting there.

Need any more info give me shout.

[don in brooklin on]

Just saw the flex shaft on amazon.  Coming in from oversees. 

 https://www.amazon.com/Enkay-115-C-Shaft-4-Inch-Carded/dp/B001PTSWJ6/ref=pd_bxgy_469_2/142-8236602-3611851?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001PTSWJ6&pd_rd_r=39b4e365-6cd2-4c0e-91ae-60d82cac4f8d&pd_rd_w=GEnF6&pd_rd_wg=Mxftx&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=F0NRH6TZ8W0NGNEJF8MV&psc=1&refRID=F0NRH6TZ8W0NGNEJF8MV