I recently tried to buy a Tecno X quick change handpiece and was
told that the company that makes it went out of business due to some
problems not related to the product. I heard a rumor that there may
be a knockoff available in June. I purchased a Faro (no duplex)
instead. I find the lever a little tough to operate. I’ve tried the
Tecno X and it was easier. Does anyone know if the Tecno X knock
off will be available soon? If you have the Faro, are you happy
with it? Any comments appreciated. Thanks
Lisa Greenbaum
Santa Barbara, CA
Tecno X and it was easier. Does anyone know if the Tecno X knock
off will be available soon?
Lisa, I’ve been using the Tecno X for about a year, and heard they
were in trouble. I do like the handpiece, but have much trouble with
the release lever…bad internal release design, and the chuck
adjustment, which will hold one mandral and not another. I finally
got parts for the release and fixed it myself once,…worked for a
while, then had to send it to The Equipment Doctor, (the second time
I’ve had to send it) and I wait to see how long it last this time!
It’s hard to get parts for also. When it goes, I guess i’ll have to
toss it, unless someone in Orchidland want it to disassemble and try
to repair Thomas Blair Island Gold Works
Lisa, Being familiar with both the tecno and the Faro I think I can
help you out. While the tecno is perhaps a more precision piece of
machinery, lending itself to detailed setting applications, the faro
is a great all purpose hand piece. It is both narrower and more
durable than the tecno. Here are a few tips that can help maximize
the faro.
1- Buy the model with the duplex spring. The standard faro is too
long and cumbersome.
2- Keep extra duplex springs handy and learn how to change them. It
is really not that difficult to learn and if you are all ready
making jewelry I’m sure you have all the tools and ability needed to
accomplish this task. About a ten minute job with practice.
3- Keep the connection to the flex shaft and the duplex spring well
lubed. A drop of oil at the quick release should make it operate
better.
4- Hang the flex shaft about 30" above your pin. this will make the
bend of the shaft around 45 degrees while holding the hand piece
like a pencil with your elbow on the elbow rest supporting the
shaft. I hope that made sense.
5- Have an extra flex shaft with a standard #30 hand piece for tools
with over or undersized shanks.
6- Keep a 3/32 drill bit handy. This is the size of the standard
shanks and snaps right into any quick release hand piece. It is
great for starter holes in wax etc.
I hope this helped.
John Sholl
J.F.Sholl Fine Jewelry
Littleton, Co
I have a techno x and I use it every day, 5-6 days a week. I use a
#10 for rough stuff like heavy mizzy wheel use, anything with heavy
pressure. Did have a problem at first with adjusting it so the burr
wouldn’t slip, I tried to adjust it, sent it to Borel and Frei from
where I purchased it, they fixed it. Since then, no problem. I really
like this handpiece. Hope I can get service on it in the future if
anything goes wrong.
Richard in Denver
The Tecno X is available on a limited basis. I have a couple left
at my store and if you want one, email me offline.
-k
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
10 Walnut St.
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone:781/937-3532
Fax: 781/937-3955
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Accredited Jewelry Instruction
If I can throw 2 cents worth in here. “Quick chuck” handpieces
should always have a bur or a blank in the chuck when not in use.
The tensioned springs within the chuck put a sot of stress on the
internal collets and over time without the bur shank in the chuck
will cause the collets to compress smaller than the bur shank and
will make it difficult if not impossible to use the handpiece.
Regular maintenance, i.e… cleaning and lubrication will extend the
life of handpieces considerably. I have several old belt driven
doriot handpieces that are 50 years old and are in like new condition
even after being used every day to drill and fill teeth. Just a
matter of preventive maintenance.
I missed the original question but found some things in this
response that should be addressed.
While the tecno is perhaps a more precision piece ...
The Techno Handpiece is now obsolete. The company that manufactured
them is out of business and no one in the US has been able to get
parts for them for almost a year (we still have plenty of parts for
repairing them).
Buy the model with the duplex spring. The standard faro is too
long and cumbersome.
First the handpiece without the duplex is shorter than the duplex
version. Second the “Faro” handpiece is not what you want because of
the “Faro” duplex. Instead get the Foredom version which is a #10D.
The Faro duplex spring is about 6 times more expensive than the
Foredom duplex springs and the Faro spring cannot be replaced
without replacing the duplex cover which is about twice the cost
of the Faro duplex spring So when replacing the Faro duplex and
cover you will be spending almost as much as a new handpiece. The
Foredom Duplex Cover is about 1/3 the cost and you don’t always have
to replace it when the duplex spring is changed.
Keep extra duplex springs handy and learn how to change
them. It is really not that difficult to learn and if you are all
ready making jewelry I'm sure you have all the tools and ability
needed to accomplish this task. About a ten minute job with
practice.
True, but you need to be very careful not to bend the spring when
installing. A slight bend can be permanently put in the spring and
will cause excessive wear and will cause the handpiece to vibrate
wildly.
Keep the connection to the flex shaft and the duplex spring
well lubed. A drop of oil at the quick release should make it
operate better.
This should not be necessary if the shaft is lubricated properly.
The lubrication on the shaft will by gravity flow down into the end
of the handpiece. Never over-lubricate the shaft or handpiece.
Over-lubrication is just as bad as under lubrication. Both can
create excessive wear and heat build-up.
When the handpiece starts to bind-up or get hot it means it needs
repair. Don’t keep using it or put more grease or oil in the ends to
try and make it work again. Don’t ever use WD-40 on a handpiece or
any other kind of degreaser. Failure to adhere to this will cost you
more money in the long run. When replacing the duplex or any other
part in the handpiece use only the specified type of oil and/or
grease otherwise you will be causing more damage to the handpiece.
Any questions or repair needs can be emailed to MPG Repair at
orchid@mpgrepair.com or call toll free 1-877-262-2185. As stated
earlier we do have parts for the Techno for those of you who have
them.
Ken Kotoski
MPG Repair
www.mpgrepair.com
1-877-262-2185