Suggestion for a review, Foredom 1050 Micro Motor

squbrigg · #1 07-24-2007, 07:42 AM

Hey BobD ..... how about it? With the discussion on the other thread on Micro Motor tools, how about a review of this new baby, the Foredom 1050. At over $1,000.00 it's quite an investment, and as someone who has never used any of the micro motor tools yet, but is seriously contimplating one, how about it? Better yet, get the suppliers to send me one of each and I'd be happy to do a comparisom article of them all! But warn them ........ don't expect their tools back!!!!

Bob

BobD · #2 07-24-2007, 08:18 AM

Hi Bob,
I'm actually working on a round up on the micromotors right now...Gesswein, Foredom, Ram, and the micromotor burner combos...but it's a big project...

But it's nice to know that I'm thinking correctly when I'm picking out articles!

Bob

xsailer · #3 07-24-2007, 08:35 AM

Now you've done it BobD. I have almost no tolerance for waiting. You just have to increase you magazine output.

Bill · #4 07-24-2007, 09:24 AM

Bob

Don't know much about the Foredom but, I have been using the NSK for
the last 10 years and have nothing but good things to say about it.
I know a lot of people that have the Foredom and are really pleased with the preformance so I guess that its a matter of personel choice.
Bill

pinefeathers · #5 07-24-2007, 03:42 PM

Been a power carver fow more than twenty years and tried most of the micros. Like much of the electronic world today, the motor or handpiece of the various brands are all very similar. Often made by the same manufacturer under different brand names. The big difference comes in the control unit. Years ago, the Gesswein was the Cadillac of micros with a 50K RPM motor. The control unit provided constant torque and RPM under load with very fast-acting overload protection, reverse capability, and output for two handpieces. Today, the Foredom gives it a run for the money in the $1,000 range.

On the other end of the scale, I found the Ram unit to be a suitable tool for the frugal minded and sells for less than $400 with the same handpiece as the Gesswein. The control unit is merely a reversible speed control with only a slow acting fuse for protection.

Hurry up Bob, I'm looking forward to see what is new out there.

susieq · #6 07-24-2007, 11:20 PM

I am really excited to see what the review comes up with.... I had pretty much decided on the Foredom 1050 but since I won't have the money to buy it before the review comes out I could have a change of heart after reading the review....I'm open minded.
susieq

mark yundt · #7 07-25-2007, 08:48 AM

I have have had an NSK for over 15 yrs.I also own the Ram.In my opinion the Ram doesn't come close to the NSK ,,,even though the guys at Smokey Mountain assured me they were basically all the same thing ,they loved it,they use it all the time,,they saw very little difference between the two and I would be thrilled with it,,,It's not,,,and I'm not.

Don't have a clue as to what they were looking at.

If the Ram is using the same handpiece as the Gesswein,,then I seriously doubt it being the Cadillac of micros' because compared to an NSK (whose main job is making dental tools) it falls WAY short. They'll both spin bits fast,,,and in that way they are similar,,,after that,,the comparisons fall apart.Many of the specs of many tools are very similar,,just using the tools though isn't.I haven't used the foredom so I can't say what that one is like.

For the average hobbiest I'm quite sure any of them will do a satisfactory job.Once you have your new toy you'll be so excited ,all other thoughts vanish.Like a new car,,once it's in your driveway,nothing else matters anymore.The agony of comparing,,and forking over the money is gone.

susieq · #8 07-25-2007, 12:27 PM

Mark,
I am with you....... I tried a Ram way back when I was first considering purchasing a micro motor. Over Ten years ago a friend let me try his Foredom 1045 (back then it cost $600.00) and a Ram. There was simply no comparison between them. This said, if you are just hobby carving and don't put 6 or 8 hours a session on your unit, the Ram works very well for a lot of folks. I can't see someone spending that kind of $ on a high end unit they only use a little and are just doing it for their own enjoyment. It was a huge investment for me back then and still is.

By the way, the Foredom 1070 is just a Foredom version of the Ram. Had a chance to try that one too and it stunk....at least after using the 1045 it did.
I am real eager to read some reviews about the 1050. Am saving my $$ now for one.
susieq

susieq · #9 07-27-2007, 02:29 PM

since it is slow at the office today, I have pretty much been bored to tears and decided to google Micromotor carvers....

There is a site called "chippingaway.com that sells a variety of micro motors including the Foredom 1050. I did find out one little tidbit from reading their promo on this unit. It is brushless. I like that already......

The site also markets a comparable unit made by Master Carver but it does have brushes. Both units come with a foot pedal (although I would never use one with a micro motor...just a personal preference). The Master Carver comes with spare brushes and 3/32 & 1/8 collet.....I would never put a 1/8 collet in a micro motor either...... Both units claim to be high torque and run 50,000 rpms. The price on the Master Carver is only $329. If I knew something about that brand it would be awfully tempting. Because I use my units for long hours at a time, I can't afford to buy something that isn't quality merchandise, I can't afford to experiment with a brand.

Does anyone out there own a Master Carver or know anything about them?
Bob D., maybe you could rate this one in your comparison also?????

Yesterday was payday and I contributed a bit toward my new micro motor stash.....still a long way to go. Plenty of time to read the final word on your fact finding venture.
susieq

ps. There were lots of other micro motors for sale on this site also, but all were less rpms than I could ever deal with.