Good tips for the flexshaft!

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi Everyone!

I’m back in school again, taking another jewelry class. I just love
this stuff!

I thought it would be a good idea to collect some tips to put in a
ring binder. I only have a dial up, so searching is slow. I hope you
can help me.

Thanks everyone for talking about the foredom handpieces. I’ll be
buying my first flexshaft soon. I know they are more expensive than a
Dremel, but I don’t think the Dremel will last very long.

I found some tips on Ganoksin and the internet.

There is a good tip on the flexshaft for using a lollipop stick for
cleaning out metal junk. Cool!

http://professionaljeweler.com/archives/articles/2002/apr02/0402pb6.html

Charles Lewton Brain (hi charles, I met you in tucson at the Orchid
dinner last year) had a good one for building this little plastic
barrier out of a clear water bottle to keep polishing dirt out of my
face.

Does anybody else have any good tips for the flexshaft to add to this list?

Angie C
Earthmade Designs

2

It has been my experience that quick change flex shaft tips will not
hold as small a drill as the regular type tips. I haven’t researched
this lately, but you might want to check it out.

Murray

3

Hello Angie! Don’t bother with a dremel. I had one and it burned up
(stank, too.) Get a Foredom or a Gesswein - the best you can buy, it
will last for years.

And for every 50 to 100 hours of use, oil the flexshaft. Take the
coiled metal thingamabob out of the rubber hose and grease it. This
keeps it from binding up and stuff. They taught us this at TIJT, and
it’s excellent advice. My simple Foredom C is going on seven years
old, and still works like a champ. Have a Gesswein, too; but only
use it for special occasions. :wink:

Good Luck!
Susannah

4

Karen Christian’s orchid book should be coming out shortly on Using
the Flexishaft…it will be mentioned here on Orchid when it is in
print. She can be reached at Metalwerx, a wonderful jewelry school in
Waltham, MA. at: http://www.metalwerx.com/

Eve Welts

5

Hi Angie,

What a smart idea!

There is something I have always wanted to know how to do with a
flexshaft which is make 45 degree angles on wire using a jig.

How do I do this?

-karen

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio