Speed reducer for Dremel tools

AndrexP · Post by **AndrexP** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:41 pm

Folks:

I�m looking for a way to reduce the low-speed setting on my Dremel to something in the order of hundreds of RPM so that I can use it to work on styrene. The current low-speed stop is 5,000 RPM, which is enough to vaporize the soft plastic that I�d be trying to drill/sand/engrave.

After looking around, I found that Micromark sells a variable-speed foot switch (see link), although I think I would prefer a rheostat knob-type speed adjustment.

Do y�all know if this foot pedal would work on a 115v Dremel? Alternately, do you have any experience with an effective way of slowing down a motor tool?

Micromark variable speed foot-operated rheostat

Thanks,

Grant Goodale · Post by **Grant Goodale** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:39 am

Andrew -

I have a small dimmer switch for lights but that does not work. The problem is in the Dremel itself. Things just do not seem to work when you have two rheostats together. I have tried everything. I think that the rheostat solution only works with the old constant speed Dremel.

The Dremel look-alikes are becoming so cheap that someone I know has suggested buying one and modifying the internal wiring so that it is constant speed. I am reluctant to try that since I know absolutely nothing about wiring inside of motor tools.

I am looking for someone who knows something about the internals of motorized tools so that I can get a really show speed as well.

- Grant

Foeth · Post by **Foeth** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:51 am

How about a pin vise? Costs around $10 and is far easier to control...

AndrexP · Post by **AndrexP** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:30 pm

EJ Foeth wrote:How about a pin vise?

THat's what I currently use.

There are applications when I would like the fine axial control that a rotary tool would offer, if only it didn't run so darned fast!

For example, I'm was just opening out the lightening holes in the boat & aircraft cranes on the Trumpeter 1/350 Yorktown (CV-10). I did one in about an hour using a pin vise and a very sharp #11 X-acto blade. With a slow-speed roraty tool, I might be able to use a Dremel cutting bit to do the other in less time.

Similarly, I used my Dremel with a similar cutting bit to drill out the innards on a 1/700 ship's funnel. Worked fine, except that I momentarily slipped and the 5,000 RPMs neatly etched the lyrics to 'The Star Spangled Banner' on the wrong surface before I was able to stop it.

Additionally, I've learned that srilling into plastic at those speeds will quickly turn the target material into a molten mess, resulting in an oversized, mis-shapen cavity in the target material and a blob of plastic on the tip of the bit.

From contributions of other modelers (I posted on SN as well), it seems a variac (variable transformer) might do the trick, unless the Dremel is emcumbered by electronic controls. Except that only dedicated electronic shops (or eBay, I'm sure) seem to carry them...

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:31 pm

Hi This is what you need, I have had mine for 10 years, controls up to 3 things, has a very slow speed down to a few revs.
Its by MINI CRAFT.

ARH

mike mccabe · Post by **mike mccabe** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:11 pm

Can you get these in the UK?

Mike

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:36 pm

Well im in England, and Mini Craft is everywhere, ARH

mike mccabe · Post by **mike mccabe** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:00 pm

Yeah that's great, thanks for the help. By the way I said UK not England.
M

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:41 pm

Here,s a link I found , but its in US, there are places in the U/K http://www.minicrafttools.com

mike mccabe · Post by **mike mccabe** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:11 pm

Thanks, my nearest model shop is 75 miles away so I don't know if they are available elsewhere, diy shops etc. I don't use much electrical stuff for modelling so I'm not familiar with Minicraft

Mike

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:25 pm

Some of the power tool centres used to sell them, they are a good make, ARH

mike mccabe · Post by **mike mccabe** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:31 pm

I've just Googled it and there are a few places selling them mail order, I've never seen them around here but perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places. I bought one of those two speed Dremels but it is useless for plastic, I'm a bit loathed to throw good money after bad if a transformer still won't do the job but if it would I'd give it a go.

Thanks for the tip

Mike

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:34 pm

Well your not that far from me, you could always try mine before you buy one, ARH

mike mccabe · Post by **mike mccabe** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:40 pm

Thanks for the offer, may just take you up on that although I'll have to renew my passport to get out of Wales first

Cheers
Mike

ARH · Post by **ARH** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:47 pm

AND WE WILL TAKE DOWN THE BARRACADES AT QUEENSFERRY,

Victorious · Post by **Victorious** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:28 pm

Mike, I have about four of these mini drills, including a Dremel, which is very high reving, even on the slowest speed. A couple of the others, run at about 1000 rpm at low setting and I have a 12 volt one that runs from about 250 rpm up to 1500 rpm. which is ideal for sanding plastic material.
All except the Dremel cost no more than �15 including loads of accessories.
The Minicraft one, that Ron has mentioned, even comes with a 3ft flexidrive attachment and bench stand �14.99 from Aldi.
And they have just had a Minicraft scroll saw in stock for �24.99

Mine cost �59.99 but they hadn't got them in stock when I wanted one.