NSK, Foredom or Grobet?

Jewelry Discussion
1

does anybody use the micro motor rotary tools from NSK Foredom or
Grobet. i am looking for a more precise less wobbly setting tool,
with a quick change. which one do you have and are you happy with it?

Matthew

2

I have a Brassler that I have used over the past 10 years. The
problem is that they have very little torque. They are great for
small burs when setting TB"s or PC in channel and also for finishing
but be careful at that speed if the bur is slightly off round (with
rubber or barrels) it will bend the shank and can be very dangerous.
(I Know)Fairly limited use item. Work best with high speed burs. Hope
that helps.

Gassho
Karl

3

Hi Matthew;

I purchased the NSX, their best model, and it’s great. I’ve not
tried the others, but here are some considerations. The NSX comes
with a torque converter. Without it, I doubt we’d be able to run
larger setting burs without stalling it, and my quess is that its
motor is probably the most powerful of the micro motors. It runs
absolutely true, is so quiet you can hear the bur cutting metal, and
it’s light and has a very flexible cord. It’s worth the money, around
$1000. You might try the less expensive Grobet or Foredom, but
there’s the chance they’re too underpowered to really take the place
entirely of a standard flex shaft. I bought the NSX on a
recommendation from Blaine Lewis. I may get a couple of the cheaper
models to use for wax work and detail work. Here’s a nice plus on the
micro motors. The NSX, and probably some of the others, will run in
reverse. Handy for running sanding disks and Robinson brushes if
you’re right handed, as the debris doesn’t get thrown in your face.

David L. Huffman

4

Matthew,

I used the NSK for a week while taking a class from Blaine Lewis. I
can’t compare it to the others because I haven’t tried them, but that
machine sold me on micro motors. I use a foredom flexshaft. It’s the
work horse of the industry and the NSK is the Ferrari.

Gesswein has a model that’s around $300 and has a quality feel to
it. It’s been out a number of years. I see that Foredom now has a
less expensive model. Good luck with your survey. I’m sure many of us
are interested in the results.

James S. Cantrell CMBJ

5

Matthew;

I have had an NSK Electer GX for over 11 yrs -use it continually -
Love it - bought it on the recommendation from John Frei - after a
car accident I had lower back / SI injury that made using a foot
pedal impossible (= pain). It does have a foot pedal, as well, but I
actually prefer the hand set speed adjustment - got used to it pretty
quick - even though I had used a “Foredom” for about 15 yrs before
the NSK. Much less vibration with the handpiece (important if you are
using it for hours on end) can rotate either clockwise or
counterclockwise at the flip of a switch. Lighter and less bulky to
use than Flex shaft. Only needed ONE refurbish/repair/rebuild since
purchase- last yr, after over 10 yrs of use - cost under $150
including shipping. Have the quick release hand piece. It was more
expensive initially but I have never regretted the purchase - At the
time of purchase, and for many yrs after, my business was wholesaling
to over 200 stores and we were doing all production in-house, our own
casting, finishing, etc ( 3 sales reps, all the major trade shows) so
it really got a work-out! Still have a few flex shafts (Foredom
style) in the studio, for my studio assistants to use - but I prefer
the NSK.

Linda

6

I have the Foredom. It is my favorite tool!!! It is the unit that
will utilize both the Rotary handpiece and hammer handpiece. I used
to have the Grobet rotary and liked it fine.

Ronda Coryell

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a rotary tool for your jewelry projects? We recommend:

7

I am going to try to demo all three to see the difference. my main
purposes for getting one is #1 reduce the wobble, #2 relieve the
tension in my wrist. for a temporary fix I bought the far with the
spring for $140.00 and I will raise the pole so I am not bending to
much. the faro seems to be the best for a flex shaft. I think I may
also put a grip on the end, this age thing sucks after 3-4 hours my
hand starts to hurt just below my thumb.

Matthew

8

Mathew

I brought to my training session in Ocala, FLA last week my very own
Foredom slip*pull handpiece. It has no wobble, the fingers can get
right to the very tip of the bur, (almost). My student female liked
it so much she bought one for herself.

It comes with a flex-shaft, so there is no weight of the motors’
shaft lugging your hand down or getting tired. I’ve had mine for
about 5 years and no maintenance is required. Except a little lube *n
oil and an internal cleanup. Well worth the few extra dollars. Not
too mention I also have a Foredom Micro-Motor, too boot! This gadget
has its own motor in its handle, no long heavy shaft to keep holding
up. The only electrical wire is a coil wire leading from the tabletop
rheostat. Can you imagine having a very light motor in your palm of
your hand that can swivel around and letting you do all kinds of
creative hand maneuvers? Stick to the “slip and pull” mechanism…

Gerry!

9

Gerry, what training class in Ocala, Fla.? What do they teach? I
live in Gainesville and I’m looking for a stone setting class.

Julia

10

Have used most hand pieces for nearly 40 years, for 20 years I owned
a shop with over 20 jewellers at the bench, we bought ever tool that
we could find, Finally bought an Espert 400 from NSK about 10 years
ago, cost $1,700 then, Super tool, perfect Balance in the hand, I use
it for 12 hours at a time, never get tired of handling it. runs true,
has a lot of torque and almost never overheats. Every other micro
motor that I have used including NSK’s Electer wimps out on heavy
cuts. The flexible shafts motors are fine for heavy torque but don’t
have the ergonomics of this tool. I do a lot of precision work, and
dress wheels and grinders about every 5 minutes, so I really work my
hand piece. If I was setting up a shop today, outside of a very good
bench (High and heavy) it would be my first purchase. I cannot
imagine working without this tool. It was the best money that I ever
spent.