As far as specific recommendations on one, I won't be much help as I'm still trying to decide myself. I've used them in the past though, and the larger handpiece didn't seem to get in the way nearly like you'd expect, it was every bit as usable as a small dremel flex shaft. I believe you can order smaller handpieces too, which could also help.

Another option could be a higher end air pencil grinder? Dotco, dynabrade, Sioux, ect. It'd be pricy but would probably last you forever.

Hi Geoff!

I have to believe that all of the "pencil" type die grinders must come out of the same factory in China..... I've had both the Sioux and Dynabrade...... their level of quality, and longevity were no better then ones I'd purchased at Harbor Freight....even though I spent 2-4X as much on them. I have no problem dropping money on "good" tools, but I get really riled up when I drop 2-4X the money on and the tool(s) are junk. That's why I'm looking at the Foredom tools.

I find that very surprising, I've always had great luck with those higher end air tools.

I've been looking at foredoms myself, and I'm personally leaning towards the bench model SRM with a knob for speed control. I think that along with #28 and 44 hand pieces would be a great combination

If you want to try one on the cheap to see if you like them Harbor Freight sells them.

And you can supposedly interchange the handset from a certain model of Fordham to them.

I love mine.

The foot pedal is a little tall but I think it could be swapped for a nicer sewing machine style one.

I use it with regular steel burs and they hog the hell out of material.

I also use the nylon brush with polishing compound on it to mirror polish fittings and the like after sanding.

They are a very good tool in my estimation.

Ed, my foredom is almost fifteen years old. I use it on every knife. A good quality machine. The rpm's will not be as high as a pencil air grinder. There are so many attachments you can get from places like Riogrande. One example would be diamond burr sets. I use them for matching a buttcap to stag contours. A heck of a lot faster than filing. One suggestion I would have is to get the reversible model. I definitely recommend them.

Brion

I noticed gesswein also has the grobet flex shaft, for about half of what a foredom goes for. I've heard they stand up quite well also.

Currently I'm using a dremel with a flex shaft for this sort of work. It works, but is under powered. One thing I use it for a lot is fitting the handle onto hidden tang bowies. The way I do those tangs I have to cut a notch about 1/4x5/8x2 down into the middle of the handle, in addition to the drilled through hole. And if that handle happens to be tubi or lignum vitae, filing that all out would take most of a day.

Cratex wheels and bobs are a huge time saver for polishing and cleaning up in tight areas as well

Thanks Brion!

That answers a couple of major questions for me..... Foredom offers 3 different motors, but only one of them is reversible. I'm seriously considering this one..... http://www.foredom.net/k5200.aspx

I like the idea of two handpieces, especially having a smaller diameter one. I have tons of dental burrs that I use in the GRS 650, all 1/16" shanks....and it seems that the smaller handpiece is the only one they offer a 1/16" collet for. I suspect if I do get a Foredom, sooner or later I'll just have to get one of the "chuck" handpieces too. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

I have to admit reservations about any flex shaft type tool...... I've had a couple of the dremel brand many moons ago, and the torque was overpowering.... often times when carving a handle, a burr would "grab" and go skittering across the handle. I went to the air tools because they have very little torque, and that has saved my bacon in many situations. I guess on the up side, it's another tool in the arsenal! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

I've also been kinda surprised at the wide range of prices I've seen for the same Foredom kit... it's almost $100 less on amazon, and then of course there's Ebay...but that's always taking a chance.

Gesswein has about the best prices I've seen on them. I'd say upwards of $200 less than foredoms website. And that's in Canada at that, we usually pay an arm and a leg for everything

Ed, that model is essentially the same one I have. Mines just older. I have the collet handpiece it came with, but I got the chuck handpiece which saves a lot of time. I found the torque spin up to be a problem at first, but you get used to it and learn to compensate. Pretty much a no issue tool for me. It just works and keeps working. I do use dental burrs in mine, thank you to my friendly dentist.

Brion