Hi. I am new here and am finally getting my first flex shaft. I am
pretty sure that I have decided on a Foredom SR with the #30 hand
piece- since I think it is pretty basic and it has a reverse mode- I
have read this can be helpful for lefties. I was wondering if this
is true and what should I get for some basic burrs to start with?
There are so many to choose from.
Emily
I was wondering if this is true and what should I get for some basic burrs to start with? There are so many to choose from.
For this I suggest you read Karen Christian’s book on the flex shaft.
You can get it from Rio and perhaps from MJSA.
http://www.ganoksin.com/item--Orchid-in-Print-Vol-1--flexshaftbook
Most begins who don’t know which burs to get don’t need burs, but
are using the flex shaft for non-bur things, such as drilling,
grinding and polishing. Burs are generally for stonesetting.
If you’re not sure, just get an assortment. But Karen’s book would
help you alot in this.
Elaine
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay
Hi Emily,
The Foredom 2230Kit comes with the SR motor, FCT foot pedal speed
control, the No.30 handpiece and the AK11 a 54 piece accessory kit.
Almost every jewelry supply dealer has them. The AK11 accessory kit
has a variety of accessory tools that will give you a good start for
your tool drawer. Other burs and accessories you will want will
depend on what type of work you will want to do. Karen Christians
book Making The Most Of Your Flex-Shaft has a very good section on
accessories. The reverse motor direction is useful for a number of
things. It gives lefties more control, however fluted burs cannot
cut or work properly in reverse. They are designed for normal forward
counter clockwise rotation only. The accessories that work well in
reverse are sanding drums and discs, rubber bonded wheels, 3M radial
bristle discs mounted with the spirals curving counter clockwise and
any abrasive stone or diamond point accessory. Righties using
reverse with these accessories get the benefit of the debris flying
away from the user. Alternating forward and reverse during sanding
and polishing operations helps eliminate flow-lines and speeds up
finishing time. Reverse is also good for backing out stuck drill
bits which I find helps me a lot when drilling post holes in my
intarsia and lapidary projects. Foredom has a left-handed screw
mandrel, tapered mandrel and in Sept. a high speed rubber drum
mandrel. They can be identified from normal right-handed mandrels by
the small groove in the bottom of the shank.
Mike Zagielski
Foredom Sales Manager
Emily,
The #30 handpiece is a good choice for left-hand use. Most other
handpieces have parts that can come unscrewed under heavy use in
reverse.
John
The Jewelry Equipment Dr.
and it has a reverse mode- I have read this can be helpful for lefties
this will only help you with abrasive wheels. If you use brushes
you’ll need the permanently mounted kind, the screw-ons may unscrew
going the opposite direction that was intended. There may be someone
somewhere who makes counterclockwise burrs but I’ve never seen them,
which just may mean that I don’t get out much!