Most current and discontinued motors use a Standard S-93 Key Tip Inner Shaft and S-77 Outer Sheath that work with Key Tip Handpieces. Motors that come equipped with Square Drive shafts and sheaths (shown in video clip above) have the letter ‘H’ (Series SRH, TXH, LXH). Square Drive shafting is stiffer and less versatile since it works ONLY with our four square drive style handpieces. Most applications do NOT require square drive shafting and standard key tip is best choice. Non-Conductive versions of BOTH key tip and square drive shafting are also available. They have plastic connectors in place of our metal ones that prevent stray electricity from traveling down into the handpiece. Slip Joint shafts and sheaths have a clip on the handpiece-end and a different motor connector. They are more commonly used in Europe and not so much in North America. In the UK, flex shaft motors are often called ‘pendant motors’. Foredom offers seven different handpieces that can use a slip joint shaft connection.
Most users replace worn or broken shafts and sheaths with exactly the same kind that came on their motor, however, it is possible to switch from one style to another. For example, an M.SR motor with Key Tip shafting can be converted to a square drive model by installing a square drive shaft and heavy duty sheath (plus motor connector). The reverse also applies. Square drive models with square drive shafting can be converted into standard models with key tip shafts and sheaths. There are exceptions to this, so be sure to watch the video material and read product details.