[Jewelry making - Article 00353] - Re: [Orchid] Comparing flex shafts

[Barbara Bowling]

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    Ok. I'm going to expose myself here, and hope you will all bear with
    me (bare with me?) When I first got serious about pursuing
    metalsmithing and enameling (6 years ago), I pretty much had a zero
    budget. And so many tools that I needed to buy. After thinking long
    and hard, I purchased a Chicago Tools Flex Shaft from Harbor
    Freight...it was about $70. I "knew" that I'd have to replace it
    fairly soon, but just wanted to get started with my new life. (I DID
    have my mechical engineering husband take a good long look at it
    before I committed...) 

    When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Long story
    short, I have used that tool every working day, often for many hours
    a day for the past 6 years. It still runs like a champ, and I have to
    say that I'm really very surprised, but also very pleased. 

    The down side? It WAS a risk. Also, I can't use the cool alternative
    handpieces that you can use with Foredoms, et al., AND you have to
    use a chuck key rather than enjoy the rapid change mechanism. But
    this puppy is still singing, and when I have $'s for tools, it's for
    Other Stuff, at least for the time being. 

    Someone at the recent enameling conference told me that she didn't
    have enough money to buy cheap tools. Point taken. But sometimes,
    with some knowledge, and a little fearlessness, it all works out. 

Thx for listening!

Barbara Bowling
www.LouisesLeap.com
P.S. I DID spring for the BD hydraulic press...
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