I am not an expert on any of this by any stretch of the imagination.
I just wanted to weigh in with my 2 cents. I am an amateur hobbiest
jeweler and lurker on this list. I have learned a great deal from
this forum and hope I can return a small bit. I have used a dremel
tool and various flex shafts to work. I have used foredom and the
less expensive propriety versions from the resellers. ( ie: Rio’s
version.) I recently received a sale catalog from Enco. They are a
metalworkers supplier. More of an industrial supplier than anything
else. The thing I like about them they will sell to me a small
quantity buyer. They had on sale a flex shaft system. I looked at it
and thought I would give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. The
motor is 1/5 hp, it comes with a foot rheostat, and a hand piece
that looks, feels, detaches and operates just like my Foredom #30.
All for $109.00 plus S&H. This machine has more power than my
foredom and it has plenty of speed control. It may not be perfect
but for the price it will do. It beats the stuffing out of a dremel.
I would not hesitate to recommend enco for tool needs. Everything I
have ordered from them has been high quality for the price and I
have never received junk, which I cannot say for Harbor Freight.
Enco=92s web site is www.use-enco.com
I was pleasantly surprised. The motor is 1/5 hp, it comes with a foot rheostat, and a hand piece that looks, feels, detaches and operates just like my Foredom #30.
Interesting report, Bill! Can you tell me if your Foredom brand
handpiece will fit on this unit? I’ve been looking for a second
flex-shaft so I don’t have to keep switching between my Foredom
hammer handpiece and my #30 or quick release handpiece. I’ve bid on a
couple units I found on eBay, but have always been outbid at the last
moment. This might be a feasible alternative if it accepts the
Foredom handpieces.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com
Sorry I have not gotten back to you all sooner, it has been a busy
week, Trying to get caught up here so I can go to Quartsite next
week. The question was does the Foredom #30 Handpiece fit the Enco
Shaft Machine Yes it does. I believe all the standard handpieces
will fit it. This really is a quality machine for the price. The
motor housing is not as highly finished as a fordom motor but who
cares what color the motor is. I have been grinding polishing and
really working this maching for the three months I have had it and
it has not even heated up. I did lube the shaft with speedometer
cable grease obtained at the auto parts store because it was dry and
this outfit runns very smooth. The motor housing indicates a power
of 1/5 horse power and speeds from 500 to 22,000 rpm. The model
number from enco is BC801-1881. I just recieved a sale catalog from
enco and this flex shaft is on sale right now for 109.00. Enco’s
number is 1-800-8733626 or 1-800-use-enco or www.use-enco.com. As
always not affileated etc. just happy customer. Bill Mayfield
Biliblade Jewelry Fountain Colorado