Micro motor Q? why 1/8 and 3/32 ??

[medicinedog]

I just bought a master carver micro motor and need to get some burrs for it. The difference between 1/8 and 3/32 seems so small and the hassle of changing collets etc why not just stick with 1/8 burrs? Where does 1/16 come in?

[susieq]

Hi Medicinedog,
I have a Master Carver Micro motor too and the one thing that really bugs me about it is the collet setup that comes with it. You got the 1/8 collet with the adapter sleeve to use 3/32 bits in, didn't you.... I used Foredom micro motors for over 10 years before I got the Master Carver as a backup one year when my Foredom handpiece went down for service and I had some deadlines to meet. I never used anything larger than a 3/32 bit in them.

Most of the bits you will use in a micro motor, are 3/32. These are detailing machines and if you want to use a 1/8 bit, you'd be better off using it in one of your shaft tools....that is my opinion... but I can feel the handpiece straining a little when larger bits are put into it. Repairs on these things are not cheap so I don't put any strain on my units. Also, as you may have already found out, changing collets on these things is a royal pain. I recommend purchasing the regular 3/32 collet for your unit, put it in and leave it in. If you decide you might also want to use dental bits (your dentist will save used diamond dental bits for you) you might want to get a second unit or just the handpiece and put a 1/16 collet in it for the dental bits.

I have several micro motors in use now, with 1/16 and 3/32 collets in them.
I think the adapter sleeve set up is pretty crappy and did away with that as soon as I could.
happy carving.

[medicinedog]

Hi Susieq, Yup, just as you guessed. I had to go back and reread the description in the catalog. It says 3/32 & 1/8 quick change collets. Pretty sneaky of them. I thought I was getting two regular collets of each size. One does slip inside the other. Changing the collet seems to be pretty easy as you just turn the unit, pull out the collet and put another in. Or does this become cumbersome when you are going back and forth in a single session? (I haven't had a chance to use mine yet) My wife and I are off to spend 2 weeks in a remote cabin and I plan to get acquainted with this new MC, I'm sure I will have more questions then. Do I understand that a 3/32 collet is better than a 1/8 with a 3/32 sleeve? If I were to pick up a 1/16 and 1/32 collet and a 2nd handpiece-are there different handpieces or do you get another of the same?

[susieq]

Hi again,
The adapter sleeve will come out with the bit, every time you remove a bit to put a new one in. You have to remember to hook your fingernail over the edge of the adapter head to hold it from pulling out of the 1/8 collet when you pull the bit out. I hate that....especially when I don't use a 1/8 collet in my micro motors to begin with. Others on the forum don't seem to mind much.

I was impressed with the Master Carver micro motor when I got it. It compared very nicely to my old, high end Foredom handpieces. So I did get a second Master Carver handpiece. It is a major pain (at least in my opinion) to have to change a micro motor collet out "mid session" as you put it. I go back and forth between bits a lot while carving. It is much easier and quicker, to have a second handpiece to plug in. Having said that....I should have just paid the $15 more to buy the whole unit, power source and all. Where I got my unit from, it was $300, free shipping. When I ordered just a handpiece, it was $285. I later sent for another power source and they got me for A LOT more $ than $15....

My second handpiece was identical to the first one that came with the unit. For the money, it's hard to beat them. I can tell you that the low end micro motors have improved a lot in the last 15 years. Non of them can touch the Foredom 1050 though...that is the King Kong of micro motors. I think that the Marathon 700, sold at dental suppliers is the same unit. Several folks on here have gone for the Marathon because it sells for $300 less than the Foredom unit.

As for buying extra collets, it's obscene what they get for that little thing. But in the end, they've got us over a barrel. I think you will be happier with a regular collet but go ahead and try it the way it is first. Maybe that adapter thingie won't bug you like it bugs me...LOL. Enjoy your cabin stay.

[medicinedog]

Thank you Susieq, you are a wealth of information. I really thought long and hard about whether to just go for the 1050 but I'm not sure if I am going to enjoy power carving and if I find I really like it, it would be nice to have both the MC and the 1050. Thanks again.

[susieq]

You are right about not jumping into buying a lot of high end, expensive equipment until you see if you will like it or nt. My first micro motor was a high end one but I had been power carving for several years before I bought one. I knew I liked it and would love the freedom of movement/control that a micro motor would give me. Master Carver is a very good starting unit. Enjoy