Has anyone tried using one of these?

It would have been nice to state *what* the object was (as it turns out -- a micro die grinder), so I (and others) could not bother chasing down the link if we had not ever used one of the devices (as I have not).

Just a few more words would have saved me from having to start my web browser to check -- or I could have just ignored the question, as I was tempted to do. (No -- not everybody reads newsgroups using a browser, so they don't have one already active. :-)

Now to sit back and see whether anyone *does* answer in the positive, or whether they ignore the question instead of following your link.

Enjoy, DoN.

Bought it to tear apart. Never actually used it.

Before I ripped it apart, mine had a slight grinding sound/feel to it when turned by hand.

I am NOT a Harbor Freight hater as most of the replies you get will be, but.....

The thought of that thing spinning at 50,000+ RPM's in my hand, considering the parts (vanes) inside it just scares the shit out of me.

Maybe that is how they are all made, I don't really know, there are a lot of good buys at HF, but this one seems like a good on to pass on.

But then, I could be wrong.

I havn't used that particular model, but they look like the ones we used to buy a dozen at a time up here in Canada from Princess Auto for use in our deburring room. We used to buy real expensive $4-500 ones(dotco) but would have to get them rebuilt about once a year for another $100-150. I tried the cheap models, they last about 6 months and then throw them away(this is everyday use). Mainly used on the rougher jobs and use a Yuasa nsk high speed pencil grinder for the fine work. The nsk stuff is expensive but is still in use after 6-7 years. If your looking for occasional light deburring, then these will probably work fine. You will get better mileage with a good filter and oiler setup on your air supply.

I have looked at them closely in the store and passed on them. They just didn't look well made to me, regardless of price. I sure would like a real one of those, though. You could just catch the body in a #2 lathe toolholder (e.g. BXA 2) and use them for a makeshift toolpost grinder.

GWE

For $15, why not give it a try?

I have the same item except a upper kit more accessories. Works well though not frequently used!

Ken

On Thu, 12 May 2005 02:30:41 GMT, the inscrutable Eregon spake:

I've heard woodcarvers complain of the low power (a die grinder they're NOT), but I haven't heard of any mechanical problems. These things are meant for very light, fine work. Doing some dentistry? ;)

------ We're born hungry, wet, 'n naked, and it gets worse from there. -

Website Application Programming -

I have one of these, maybe not the same item number, but very similar. I do not use it a lot, but it has been very good when I have needed it. It will take dental drills and they work for removing broken taps.

Dan

I have a couple of similar items, one uses standard Foredom collets and came in a similar blow-molded box with a bunch of points, the other was cheaper and uses an unidentified collet. Either runs rings around the standard hardware store Dremel. I've used all of mine extensively with no problems. Don't know about the current crop, I haven't needed to buy one lately. Don't expect to hog things out like you can with a

1/4" shank grinder and you'll be fine. For about 10X as much, you can get the Foredom-branded equivalent, I've got one of those, too, off the scratch and dent table at MSC. Only thing superior is the finish, works about the same. They all use an eccentric vane motor. Keep lubricated and they'll run a long time. Biggest advantage over a Dremel or flex-shaft is that they run cool on long jobs. That, plus they're light and skinny.

With the mini-grinders that cheap, it's easier to keep each one tooled up and just change grinders when I want a different burr or point. They work well with the Dremel cutoff disks, that's one of my major uses. I've used them for PC board repair with carbide drills, too. The only thing I miss is the foot pedal like I've got with the flex-shaft Foredom. Foredom makes a better set of collet wrenches than comes with the HF units, I bought some spares and use them instead. I picked up a complete set of Foredom collets at the same time, they've been VERY handy, I can use the odd-sized dental burr and point with those. I don't know if the current unit accepts those collets, though. Something to look at.

Stan

"Jim Newell" wrote in news:xZzge.67526$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.texas.rr.com:

Well, at 50K it's a lot slower than the 450K claimed for this one: and, at $15, a whole lot cheaper, too!

Larry Jaques wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Actually, I'm interested in it as a non-electrical way of doing some engraving on knife blades using diamond burrs.

I've been a bit disappointed with using a Dremel with a flex shaft since the shaft doesn't take too kindly to bending.

For fine finish work, I get better results working wet (1/4" of water over the metal) than dry.

snipped-for-privacy@prolynx.com wrote in news:1115911177.068281.221190 @g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Thanks for the information!

Sounds like you have a very good reason for using this particular type of tool. So why not give it a try? For $15, you really can't go too terribly wrong.

Perhaps later, you can write up your own review on its merits and/or shortcomings.

- Michael

On Fri, 13 May 2005 07:48:49 GMT, the inscrutable Eregon spake:

I have one of the little Foredom clones from HF ($50 on sale) and wouldn't want to use one for engraving on harder surfaces. Turbo spinners, the faster the better, would be the way to go if you don't want to do acid etching. Laser etching is another way. A friend in LoCal had a nice 30w(?) laser he used with Corel Draw to do some really lovely and intricate woodcarving/etching. I wonder if the abrasive water jetters could be slowed down to do etching on metal...

Ayup, that might not be conducive (but might be conductive) to electrical burr-spinners.

------ We're born hungry, wet, 'n naked, and it gets worse from there. -

Website Application Programming -

You are spending $2k at Harbor Freight every 6 weeks?! Wow. That's got to earn you Platinum status or something. You must be using them as a supplier for some sort of consumable. I can't imagine anyone spending that sort of money on equipment on a continual basis.

JW

I think he's referring to a HF branded credit card, one that you can use elsewhere, not just at HF. Running $2k of expenses i.e. gas, groceries, etc. through a credit card monthly is nothing surprising.

Pete C.

lot

I guess you REALLY don't want to know about the little turbine in the dentists drill he puts in your mouth then !!

mikey

Eregon wrote in news:Xns9653DA8489762RMcCullochcharternet@69.28.186.121:

I have one of these I bought from ENCO a couple of years ago. Works well. (except that it makes my teeth hurt...dental memories) However, it only has an 1/8" collet. I later saw the same die grinder in a Rockler or Woodcraft flyer with both a 1/8" and a 3/32"(?). Since I have a lot of the smaller shaft Dremel bits, I contacted ENCO to see if there was a way to get the smaller collet. No go! If you can find the ones with more than one collet size, I would go for that, even if it costs a little more.