Foredom regular or heavy duty shaft?

[Jamesg]

Hello All,

Thank you beforehand for reading my question. I have been using dremel and proxxon for some time now for relief carving and I am now prepared to make the leap and investment into a foredom flexible shaft kit. My question is the folloing. I usually work horizontally on a table on pieces that the largest is a 30'' x 30''. I was going to go for a regular SR foredom but read that the HEAVY DUTY SHAFT is LONGER, thus giving me faster mobility throughout the piece, but i also read that the longer shaft is STIFFER and less FLEXIBLE. I just wanted to hear your opinions on the subject since i have never used a flex shaft, the only reason that i would go with the heavy duty is because it is longer, is it really that much stiffer and less flexible?

Thanks and I will await your replies.

Regards,

Jamesg

[Paul_Guraedy]

James, you posed an interesting question for me. I was unaware of the heavy duty shafts (been using foredom flexshafts since 1980). So, I did a little research. I would recommend going with the standard flexshaft. I did not measure mine but it is 3' or so long. Plenty of length. Especially considering that although they are "flexible shafts"; bends should be kept to a minimum. The main reason though is that there are a variety of handpieces for the standard shaft and only a few for the heavyduty.

I believe that you will find using more aggressive burrs and a lighter touch will make up for any difference in the torque provided by a heavy duty shaft.