Two Foredom issues

[davidinsarasota]

My Foredom tabletop controller keeps blowing out the fuse in the back of the unit when I use it with the large handpiece and a large 1/4 shaft bit. Is this normal? I have switched to the foot pedal with no problems

Also with the large handpiece, I get a lot of 'cable bounce.' The shaft kind of oscillates and I have to back off to get it to stop. I have been able to minimize it by wrapping the cord around the shaft and sometimes holding the shaft with my hand. Anybody else have this issue?

[telecarver]

When you are pushing it while hogging out with a large 1/4" bit, the tool pulls more amps than the controller is designed for. Get an electronic router speed control from Woodworkers Supply. It can handle up to 15 amps without a problem. The reason the shaft is bouncing is that your bit is grabbing because of too much pressure and trying to hog out too much wood at a time. You can take smaller intermittent passes or better yet, get a large hand held die grinder for the big jobs.

[davidinsarasota]

Ok, sounds good, thanks TC.

[susieq]

Hi Dave,
when you get "cable bounce" does the bit in the wood, buck and kick too? I know this happens to me when I let the bit sink into the wood too deep. Other than that, I have had no issues like that. But especially with kutzal or similar roughing bits, if that thing takes too deep a bite, it gets wild for a few seconds.

[davidinsarasota]

Hi Suz,

No, this is not the same as the chatter I get if the bit contacts the material in more than one place around it's circumference. It is only the cable itself that bounces. I have really only noticed it happening when I use large (1" or more Kutzal 1/4 drive) bits.

[Dileon]

OK it is either you are pushing it to hard, ....that means you do not do the work, let the tool do the work and you go slower. Or it is the shaft.... where the motor meets shaft.....Me the little screw would get ate down or the single shaft blade would get worn, why my wood was too hard, with either problem, I had to get another screw or shaft.... when the last shaft broke, that was when I got the industrial foredom....square shaft, that resolved all my problems. Also.... It could be that you need some lube on your shaft cable. I have few friends who do competition turning, they told me, they hate using the flex shaft because it keeps breaking.....I think with the hard, hard woods for turning plus the burls and what ever,.....you need an industrial flex shaft that will plow through all the crazy wood used for color and design. An if the cable is jumping then, lay off on the pressure. hope this helps a little.

[susieq]

Is your unit hanging up or is it a bench mount? I use big bits on mine and I don't get anything like that..... Mine hangs and there is only a little slack in the shaft while I work. Just enough to let me move and work without having any big curves in the shaft.... There has to be a reason why it's doing that... just trying to narrow things down a bit. Or, like Di says, maybe the set screw at the top is lose?

[davidinsarasota]

I usually have a lot of slack, so that could be it. I've lubed the shaft for the first time since I got it about a year ago--that may help. Set screw was tight. I'm using it this afternoon, so Ill let you know.

[davidinsarasota]

I'm pretty sure it's the slack/bend that causes the bounce. I'll have to spend more time experimenting to be sure. Thanks all.

[susieq]

Hi Dave,
The ideal situation is to have an adjustable hanger at your work station and adjust it so that the unit hangs at a level that gives you just the right amount of slack for working without having to pull on the thing, but avoids too much slop in the shaft. Of course when you are using the reciprocating gouge hand piece, I can see where a different setup might be preferable.

I was lucky enough to get an old IV hanger on wheels, with a top that held 4 IVs. It's adjustable for height and because it's on wheels, I can pull it closer if working with one of the little Dremels that has a shorter shaft, then push it back where it was to work with the big shaft units. Check out your local hospital for surplus IV hangers. Usually very cheap.

I hope fixing your concerns was this easy....