Newbie- Spindle from High Speed Foredom Handpiece?

[ynnek]

Has this been done? I am building a table top machine (12" x 8" x 3"), first build. I bought a Harbor Freight trim router & already built the Z axis to it. I was given one of the heavy duty Fordom handpieces & my brain started racing. So how about it, has anyone tried this, if so, I would like some feedback

MSC

Foredome

[ynnek]

Well I will take the lack of replies as a no, & not build my spindle with the Foredom hand piece.

[CarveOne]

Well, the picture was nice, but you didn't give us any idea how you were thinking it could be done. Maybe we're waiting to see how serious you are about trying it. My Foredom flex shaft tool claims 18,000 rpm and has the quick detach hand pieces. Some sort of adapter would need to be made so that the router can drive it directly or through a belt drive. Some folks would think that 18k isn't fast enough for the smaller bits.

I wouldn't say that it can't be done, but it is a challenge that you should take on. A couple of things it has going for it is that it can take significant side loads and it should come with small shank collets like 1/16".

CarveOne

[wcarrothers1]

it would not be unlike the or carvewrite compucarver (what ever the heck it's called) which uses a flex shaft to deliver the power to the bit.

should work but most go for something cheeper is why you probably see the lack of people saying they have done it.

Also if you are looking to run small bits the buy on ebay who sells the wolfgang engenering spindles is for sure something many have done (includeing me) and pretty cheep. Only thing about that one is for now (far as I know) he only offers 1/8 collets but has said a 1/16 is coming I think.

b.

[ynnek]

Originally Posted by wcarrothers1 it would not be unlike the or carvewrite compucarver (what ever the heck it's called) which uses a flex shaft to deliver the power to the bit. should work but most go for something cheeper is why you probably see the lack of people saying they have done it. Also if you are looking to run small bits the buy on ebay who sells the wolfgang engenering spindles is for sure something many have done (includeing me) and pretty cheep. Only thing about that one is for now (far as I know) he only offers 1/8 collets but has said a 1/16 is coming I think. b.

Thanks for the input. Not sure if I am going to continue with this or not as the Wolfgang pieces do look promising.

[wcarrothers1]

His stuff is great in my book. The prices are very fare. His AC motor will get you through but if you dig around you will find my post of adapting a variable speed sewing machine motor to his spindle which is for sure a upgrade.

My sewing machine motor came out of one of my wifes tired machines. Doing this made me wish I would have skavenged her other machines as the motors tend to last much longer then the rest of the workings resulting in many tossed machines.

b.

[jalessi]

Ynnek,

At one time jewelers fitted there Foredom Handpiece to the Minitech CNC Benchmill.

They where used to machine wax for jewelry mostly.

There are inherent problems using a shaft driven spindle.

The shaft induces lot's of vibration other than that it will work with small cutters.

Jeff Alessi

[ynnek]

Originally Posted by jalessi Ynnek, At one time jewelers fitted there Foredom Handpiece to the Minitech CNC Benchmill. They where used to machine wax for jewelry mostly. There are inherent problems using a shaft driven spindle. The shaft induces lot's of vibration other than that it will work with small cutters. Jeff Alessi

Thanks for the input. I did not intend to use the flexible shaft as part of my esign, just the free hand piece, as it is a heavy duty , continous duty design. It may be more trouble than it is worth tearing it apart to fit a pulley to it. As of right now the table has a Harbor Freight trim router on it. I think I will move along & finish the table & get the motors & controls on it.
Once again, thanks for all of the input.

[jalessi]

Ynnek,

That is a brilliant idea, please keep us informed with your progress when you modify the hand piece.

Thank you

Jeff...

[ynnek]

Well I disassembled my Foredom hand piece to see what needed to be done to attach a pulley & I have a plan & have ordered the special sized taps needed to do the job.
Well as I was going through a seldom opened storage cabine at work I may have stumbled on the motherload. There was a dirty old acro bin that has a complete set of Hardinge 6K lathe collets, from 1/16 - 5/8, most look as though they were never used, from a machine that I was told was gotten rid of 10 years ago. So I may just build a larger spindle similar to a milling machine. The collets look like "baby R8" collets. I was told by my boss I could have them.
Being the lone machinist where I work, sometimes my mind just rambles on about building this or that, well I am sure most of you guys probably understand.