Opinions Please on Foredom-Esque Pendant Motor Drill

[surfergirl]

Hi

In my search for a pendant drill that's not as expensive as the Foredom but better than a Dremel's/Proxxon's/Draper's start speed of 5000rpm/15000rpm, I've found this:
Axminster Heavy Duty Flexible Drive Unit : Buy Axminster Heavy Duty Flexible Drive Unit at Axminster Power Tool Centre

It's speed 0-20,000 rpm can be controlled via foot pedal.

It's available with four handpieces: two with chucks, two with collets:

1- Chuck Small: up to 3.2mm; 112mm x 14mm diameter handpiece

2- Chuck Standard: up to 4mm; 130mm x 25mm diameter handpiece

3- Collet Small: 2.4mm & 3.2mm; 112mm x 14mm diameter handpiece

4- Collet Standard: 2.4mm, 3.2mm & 6.4;130mm x 25mm diameter handpiece

Total cost including the 104 piece accessory kit ( Axminster 105 Piece Accessory Kit : Buy Axminster 105 Piece Accessory Kit at Axminster Power Tool Centre) including delivery is £104.24 so not bad compared to the cheapest Foredom I could find, currently £195.00 without delivery.

Now for the questions:

-Which would be the preferable handpiece and why? Why collet/chuck and why bigger/smaller?

-Has anyone had a go? What did you think?

-Any other opinions?

-Where did you get yours? Are there any other pendant motors out there (not from ebay) that I haven't seen (in the UK)? (A difficult question...who would know?!...) I've also seen this model: Electric tools for Porting

Apologies for the lengthy post, and perhaps repeated questions (I did search )

Thanks for your time

[MuranoSilver]

Cousins has the Foredom for £179.95 (quick release)
Cousins UK - Foredom Pendant Drill Motors
Or £174.40 no30 handpiece
Both with tools/accessories kits if that helps
Nic x

[stu_clouds]

hi,

in my honest opinion, although you will save money to start with, i found the cheaper drills burn out very fast and i would never go back now i have a foredom motor they really are worth the investment if possible.

Stu

[ps_bond]

I've used the Axminster a bit; it's not bad, all told - the construction's not so cheap that you'll trash it easily. As for which handpiece, it depends on what you want to do - if I'm doing mostly stone setting (which tends to need more changes of burr than other operations), then I use a slim QR handpiece as it's less faff than messing with a chuck key. For some stuff - especially if it uses anything other than the standard 2.35mm shank (3/32"), a chuck handpiece is invaluable. The accessory kit that Axminster do is more suited to small DIY than jewellery work, IMO.

However... Personally, I'm quite glad I've got the Foredom. I went for one from Cousins a while ago complete with the accessory kit (which is pretty good, although there's few suppliers of replacement bits for it in the UK).

Horses for courses, really.

[mizgeorge]

I have never, not for a moment, regretted buying my foredom. I could have bought more expensive pendant motors, but I'm truly glad I didn't go for a cheaper one.

[Di Sandland]

My Foredom arrived day before yesterday - same package as Peter's - and I am extremely impressed. It is solid, a breeze to use and has so many applications. I would go so far as to say that once you get beyond the very basics something of Foredom quality and above is an essential.

[surfergirl]

Cousins has the Foredom for £179.95 (quick release)
Cousins UK - Foredom Pendant Drill Motors
Or £174.40 no30 handpiece
Both with tools/accessories kits if that helps
Nic x

Cheers - that was the site I was referring to and that's the price before VAT Unless I've missed something (not hard to do, who am i?)

I know the Foredom is the equivalent to GOD...but hey, if funds don't stretch that far, then they don't! Lol. We all know it's good practice to buy the best we can afford.....I'd like to afford other things too

To those currently using these machines, which length/diameter of handpiece do you use? Is it more a case of using what's comfortable or....something else?

[Kwant]

Having read the info in this thread I was on the verge of ordering one of the Foredom motors from the mentioned site only at the last moment to be confronted with a message telling me that they do not sell to members of the public. A great shame :0(

[ps_bond]

They don't? News to me!

[stu_clouds]

Can you not just set up a trade account? normally very easy to do.

Regards

Stu