Choosing the right flexible shaft handpiece depends on several factors, including the type of work you plan to do, your budget, and the specific features that will best meet your needs.
Whether you’re a jeweler, a woodcarver, a metalworker, or engaged in another craft that requires detailed work, the right handpiece can significantly affect the quality and ease of your projects.
Here’s a guide to help you select the ideal flexible shaft handpiece for your needs:
What Type of work do you plan on doing?
Jewelry Making: Look for a handpiece that offers precision and control for delicate tasks like setting stones or polishing. Quick-change handpieces can be very beneficial for jewelers needing to switch between different rotary bits frequently. Most burs used in jewelry manufacture have 3/32” (2.35 mm) diameter shanks with a few mandrels and burs of 1/8” (3.18 mm) diameter shank. Drill bits can vary in diameter which can be a problem if you only have a quick-change handpiece. This can be solved with step drills that have a 3/32” (2.35mm) shank and smaller diameter heads.
Wood Carving: A handpiece with a robust build and the ability to hold larger shank bits may be necessary due to the tougher material. Generally, bur shank sizes used in woodcarving is ¼” (6.4mm), 1/8” (3.18mm) and 3/32” (2.35mm). The Foredom H.44T, H.43T handpieces come with those collet sizes.
Metalworking: Metalworkers need durable handpieces that can withstand the stress and heat generated by grinding and cutting metal. Metalworking like woodcarving uses the primary bur shank sizes ¼” (6.4mm), 1/8” (3.18mm) and 3/32” (2.35mm).
General Craft and DIY: If you’re using it for various tasks, a versatile handpiece with a good range of collet sizes and compatibility with different bits and burrs would be ideal. General craft and DYI use shanks in a variety of diameters depending on the task. Hobbyist using very small diameter drill bits or homeowners doing projects around the house or car might need bigger shank bits or mandrels up to ¼”.
A note on collets and chucks:
A collet is a devise that accepts only one bur shank size. It can be damaged if it is tightened without a bur in it. Some handpieces have collets built-in like in Quick-Change handpieces and others have removable collets for easy changing like the H.44T or H.28.
A chuck is a 3-jaw devise that can accept a wide variety of shank diameters. The standard size used in jewelry is a “0” size, which takes shanks from 0 to 5/32” (4mm).
NEXT- Consider the Handpiece Type
Standard Rotary Handpieces: These are the most common and are used for a variety of tasks, from drilling to polishing. They usually feature a chuck or collet system to hold different bits.
The H.30 is a chuck type handpiece that opens from 0” to 5/32” (4mm) and uses a chuck key to open and close. It can accept a wide variety of drill bit shank and bur sizes and is the most popular and universal handpiece for most jobs. It has a 1” OD (outer diameter) and is used as a basepoint for many other tool attachments such as a 2” angle grinder AK69110, belt sander AK797210, Wolf Wax Trimmer A-WT1727, Wolf Adjustable Trimmer A-WT1728, Pepe Jump Ringer AK307, Drill Press P-DP30 and the horizontal handpiece holder MAHH30 to name a few.
Collet style handpieces that have removable collets use a pin and wrench to hold the spindle from rotating as you tighten the chuck nut to squeeze the collet down on the bur shank. The larger diameter collet style handpieces like the H.25, H.43T and the H.44T have ¼” collets. The H.25 handpiece has aircraft grade bearings and tight tolerances of 0.003” of run out at ¾” from the chuck nut. It comes with a ¼” and 1/8” collets. The H.44T handpiece comes with a ¼” collet installed and comes with additional 1/8” & 3/32” collets. It has a 1” OD and can be used in the drill press attachment P-DP30 and the horizontal handpiece holder MAHH30 to name a few.
Smaller options
The H.43T is the same as the H.44T but one inch shorter so it can get in to tight spaces like ski boots for custom sizing.
The smaller diameter collet style handpieces are too narrow for ¼” collets and have only 1/8” and 3/32” collets. These are the H.28 and H.8 handpieces. Many of these handpieces have other collet sizes available separately.
Quick-Change Handpieces: Excellent for jobs that require frequent tool changes. They allow you to swap out accessories quickly without tools. They all use a 2.35mm diameter shank burs only. The H.10, H.18 and H.20 all have very tight-fitting collets that can hold on to the bur shank even when the lever is in the release position. It can help release the bur when you push it into the handpiece and then pull it out. The collets are always under tension and should always have a bur loaded in them even when not in use. This helps prevent the collet from collapsing which can happen. There are some models like the H.20 that can have the collet adjusted, or retightened.
A note on maintenance:
Most handpieces do not require oiling or greasing. You should read the owner’s manual. Reciprocating handpieces are the exception to this as are handpieces with duplex springs. It is good practice to hang your handpiece up with a once you are through or remove it altogether so that warm shaft grease does not migrate into the handpiece and make it run hot. Keep them dry, dust free and clean out check nuts and collets from debris
Hammer Handpieces or Reciprocating Handpieces: These are specially designed for stone setting, texturing work or power assisted chisel woodcarving that requires controlled impacts. The reciprocating action or strokes per minute (SPM) usually follows the revolution per minute (RPM) of the flexible shaft motor. These handpieces cannot be run more than ½ or 1/3 speed of most flexible shaft motors or they will heat up and damage the inner workings. They require powerful higher torque motors like Foredom’s SR, TX or LX, and some require a special high torque low speed motor like the Power Graver motor. The Power Graver uses a special motor and speed control for engraving with very sharp metal gravers. The H.9D Power Graver handpiece cannot be used on other flexible shafting except on the Power Graver motor.
The Foredom H.15 Hammer handpiece has a stroke length of 3/32” and a impact adjustment collar to vary the stroke from hard to mild. It uses threaded anvil points for texturing and stone setting.
The H.50 Chisel handpiece has a stroke length of 1/8” and is a spring actuated cam which requires the user to push the chisel down into the wood to work.
Want to know more? Check out this Foredom handpiece to shank size compatibility chart– HERE
A Note on Duplex Springs:
Many handpieces also come with duplex springs which is designated by the capitol letter D afterword. like H.10D. The duplex springs should only be used by experienced flexible shaft users. They can easily break and can be difficult to repair or replace. They should not be bent greater than a30 degree angle. Duplex springs also require periodic oiling from a hypodermic oiler.
Other things to consider and look for.
Quality and Durability
Materials:
Handpieces made from stainless steel or other high-quality metals offer better durability and performance than those made from plastic.
Brand Reputation:
Brands like Foredom, Faro, Technique and Badeco are renowned for their quality and reliability. Researching brand reputation and reading user reviews can provide insights into the longevity and efficiency of the handpiece. Many counterfeit or off-brand handpieces will not fit on standard brand name shafting or accept other tool attachments.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Weight and Size:
Make sure the handpiece feels comfortable in your hand, especially if you will be using it for extended periods. A lighter model can reduce fatigue.
Grip and Design:
Ergonomic designs can improve control and reduce strain on your hand and wrist.
Shaft Connection: Ensure that the handpiece is compatible with your existing flexible shaft motor’s connector type. Most handpieces are compatible with standard flexible shafts, but it’s important to check. There are three types of shafting Standard Key Tip, Square Drive and Slip Joint. The key tip shafting has a small key-like tip and is the most common with more varieties of handpieces available. At Foredom the square drive type shaft has a square cross section. The handpieces that accept the square shafting have the capitol letter H in their part number like H.44HT, H.30H, H.28H, H.25H and H,43HT. Slip Joint handpieces also have the letters SJ at the end of their part number like H.15SJ, H.30SJ, H.44TSJ, and H.20SJ to name a few.
Adapters:
There are shaft tip adapters so you can use one type of handpiece with a different type of shaft. Also, there are duplex adapters that can be used with handpieces that do not have a duplex spring built-in.
There are also collet adapters that can be slipped into a larger collet for a smaller shank bur like the HPL4-3236 that goes from a 1/8” to 3/32”. These really do not add any run out.
Budget
Price Range: Flexible shaft handpieces can range from relatively inexpensive for basic models to quite costly for specialized or heavy-duty models. Determine your budget and find the best option within it.
Cost of Accessories: Consider the cost of necessary accessories and maintenance parts, like replacement bearings or grease.
Warranty and Support
Warranty Length: A longer warranty can provide peace of mind, indicating the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.
Customer Support: Good customer support can be invaluable for troubleshooting and advice on using the handpiece effectively.
Conclusion
Selecting the right flexible shaft handpiece will depend largely on your specific use case and preferences. Take the time to evaluate what features are most important for your work, check compatibility with your current setup, and consider how much you are willing to invest in a quality tool that will last. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision that enhances your craft or professional projects.
