Which Foredom Flex Shaft Should I Buy?
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What Makes Up a Foredom Flex Shaft
Every Foredom flex shaft machine has four parts. All four are needed to work.
- Motor: hangs above your bench and supplies the power.
- Flex shaft: the flexible cable and sheath that carries power from the motor to your hand.
- Speed control: a foot pedal or table-top dial that sets the speed.
- Handpiece: the part you hold, which grips the bur, bit or accessory.
Compare Foredom Motors
| Motor | Horsepower | Max speed | Rotation | Voltage | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series SR | 1/6 HP | 18,000 RPM | Forward and reverse | 115V or 230V | Most jobs. Jewelry, carving, metalwork, hobby and shop work. |
| Series TX | 1/3 HP | 15,000 RPM | Forward | 115V only | Heavy stock removal, like hogging out wood or porting engines. |
| Series LX | 1/10 HP | 5,000 RPM | Forward | 115V or 230V | Low-speed work: stone setting, wax, drilling, chisel carving. Best with the H.15 hammer handpiece. |
| PGX PowerGraver | 1/20 HP | 2,800 RPM | Forward | 115V or 230V | Power stone setting, engraving and texturing. |
Foredom motors are rated at continuous duty, not peak output. Rated the way many other brands rate theirs, the SR would be closer to 1/5 or 1/4 HP.
Choose Your Flex Shaft
The same motor comes with different shafts. The letter in the model name tells you which.
| Shaft | Model name | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Key tip (standard) | SR, TX, LX | 39" shaft, used on about 85% of Foredom machines. Fits 17 handpieces. |
 | Square drive (heavy duty) | SRH, TXH | Thicker, stiffer, usually 63". For unusually large or demanding jobs. Fits 4 handpieces. |
 | Slip joint (European) | SRJ, LXJ | European-style connection. Fits 7 handpieces. |
If you are unsure, choose key tip. See the flex shaft types guide for how to tell them apart and how to convert.
Shop replacement shafts and sheaths · Download the flex shaft comparison chart (PDF)
Choose a Speed Control
Speed controls come in three styles: foot pedal in a plastic housing, foot pedal in a metal housing, and a table-top dial. A foot pedal keeps both hands free and is what most people use. All motor and speed control combinations carry a two-year limited warranty.
Choose a Handpiece
The handpiece decides which burs and accessories you can use. Some take one shank size with a collet, others take a range with a chuck. The handpiece buying guide covers which one fits your work, and the shank size chart shows what fits each handpiece.
Buy It Pieced Together or Ready to Go
| Option | Includes |
|---|---|
| Motor combination | Motor, shaft and speed control. Handpiece and accessories sold separately. |
| Set | Motor, shaft, speed control and handpiece. Accessories sold separately. |
| Kit | Motor, shaft, speed control, handpiece and accessories. |
Most Popular Starting Points
K.8301 Set
SR hang-up motor, foot control and H.30 handpiece, plus a tube of grease. Everything you need to run it. Add your own burs and accessories.
Shop K.8301
K.2272 Universal Application Kit
The same SR motor, foot control and H.30 handpiece, plus an 88-piece accessory kit. Ready to work out of the box.
Shop K.2272Shop All Combinations, Sets and Kits Shop by Application
Basic Setup
- Hang the motor above your bench on a motor hanger, so the shaft hangs down without sharp bends.
- Plug the motor into the speed control, then plug the speed control into the wall.
- Attach the handpiece to the end of the shaft until it locks in place.
- Insert a bur or accessory and tighten it with the collet or chuck key.
- Start slow. Bring the speed up gradually and let the tool do the cutting.
Always unplug the motor before changing handpieces or doing any maintenance. Every Foredom comes with an instruction manual, and you can download any manual, parts list or instruction sheet from our manuals and downloads page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Foredom flex shaft should I buy?
Most people should get a Series SR. It has the power and speed for most jobs and runs in forward and reverse. Choose the TX for heavy material removal, the LX for low-speed work like stone setting, or the PowerGraver for engraving and texturing.
What is the difference between the Foredom SR, TX and LX?
The SR is 1/6 HP, 18,000 RPM, forward and reverse. The TX is 1/3 HP, 15,000 RPM, built for heavy stock removal. The LX is 1/10 HP, 5,000 RPM, with the most power at low speed.
Does a Foredom flex shaft come with a handpiece?
Sets and kits include a handpiece. Motor combinations include the motor, shaft and speed control, and the handpiece is sold separately.
What does the H or J in a Foredom model name mean?
An H means square drive shafting, like the SRH. A J means slip joint shafting, like the SRJ. No letter means standard key tip shafting.
Still deciding? Answer a few questions in Find Your Foredom, use the Bur and Accessory Finder, or find a Foredom dealer. Already have one? Find your manual and parts list or register your Foredom.