Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 1186

Good afternoon everyone,

Re:Dremel alternatives:

If the bearing on the actual Dremel tool is not up to
the job, how about Dremel's flexible shaft? One could
perhaps fabricate a jig to hold the tip of the
flexible shaft. Perhaps the bearing of the flexible
shaft is better? With the shaft tip connected to the
z-axis of a gantry aka super-tech or techno-isel, etc.
the other end of the shaft connected to the Dremel
proper dangling above the gantry. Would this be an
improvement compared with using the Dremel tool
direct?

Peter

[I have a hard time believing it would be. You'd still have all the
problems of the Dremel (cheap bearings plus a plastic body holding it
together, which goes wobbly when it heats up) and add the problems of a
flex-shaft (more cheap bearings, plus the shaft, which needs some care and
feeding, and soaks up a lot of energy itself.) The Chinese airtools go
fast, but run a big compressor almost constantly, while delivering very
little torque. If the weight is acceptable, I'd say mounting a real
electric die-grinder, perhaps with a speed controller, is the best
low-price spindle idea I've had for a gantry-type mill. They come with
collets, so all you need is to hook it up and go. Of course, what most of
them use is a Porter-cable router, which is essentially the same thing.]

Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
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