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how to bypass dremel tool internal variable speed control?

C

Claude Desjardins

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
None of those I've seen used an IC in the speed control. Also, he
didn't mention a filter capacitor, so id may be a simple dimmer
circuit. It's hard to tell from such a vague description. Part numbers
would have been a big help.

BTW, have you seen the small DC powered clone at Harbor Freight? It
runs on 12 VDC, and comes with an AC adapter. I was thinking about
using one (or more, with different sized drills) with a homebrew CNC
machine to drill PC boards.

I took a look at google images for his model and the dimmer really is
just a dimmer ... providing they sell brushes kits (2) for his model,
the principle was ok from the first post; plug it right to the input.

If the person who originally posted the question still follows the
discussion; it is strongly suggested that you do NOT use the tool wired
that way for too long as the motor will overheat and break (or some of
its internals will melt down)... take it as a temporary fix only.
 
C

clare at snyder.on.ca

Jan 1, 1970
0
I took a look at google images for his model and the dimmer really is
just a dimmer ... providing they sell brushes kits (2) for his model,
the principle was ok from the first post; plug it right to the input.

If the person who originally posted the question still follows the
discussion; it is strongly suggested that you do NOT use the tool wired
that way for too long as the motor will overheat and break (or some of
its internals will melt down)... take it as a temporary fix only.


Or do like I did. I took a 600 watt dimmer and put it in a project box
with a cord on one end, and a receptacle on the other. I use it to
control the speed of dremel type tools (anything with universal motor
under about 400 watts) and to regulate output of my soldering iron.
Also comes in handy to dim the occaisional lamp.

As long as you don't run it wide open for long periods of time it will
last as long as if you had the built-in speed control. My luck with
Dremels has been terrible. The cheap chinese crap lasts just as long,
for 1/4 the price. Much as I hate chinese crap.
 
T

Tony

Jan 1, 1970
0
after you make your temporary repair, dremel sells all the parts you might
need for a nominal cost if you call customer service.
 
C

cavelamb himself

Jan 1, 1970
0
clare said:
Or do like I did. I took a 600 watt dimmer and put it in a project box
with a cord on one end, and a receptacle on the other. I use it to
control the speed of dremel type tools (anything with universal motor
under about 400 watts) and to regulate output of my soldering iron.
Also comes in handy to dim the occaisional lamp.

As long as you don't run it wide open for long periods of time it will
last as long as if you had the built-in speed control. My luck with
Dremels has been terrible. The cheap chinese crap lasts just as long,
for 1/4 the price. Much as I hate chinese crap.


I was like that once - long ago.

Then I got my first DIE GRINDER!

OOOOOoooohhhh Baby.

Atomic powered Dremel.

What a TOOL to have in hand. Oh, The POWER!

But warning - this dude ain't for balsa wood, kiddies.

And you probably outta practice on something else before trimming those
gnarly toe nails...
 
That's a simple phase control SCR circuit.
the diode is a DIAC.. etc..
if it's not firing, I would check the pot and
resistor.

Trace it with a volt meter. Probably a bad solder job and the heat
from the controller loosened something up. Easy fix if you have a
decent iron.
 
L

Leon Fisk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Or do like I did. I took a 600 watt dimmer and put it in a project box
with a cord on one end, and a receptacle on the other. I use it to
control the speed of dremel type tools (anything with universal motor
under about 400 watts) and to regulate output of my soldering iron.
Also comes in handy to dim the occaisional lamp.

As long as you don't run it wide open for long periods of time it will
last as long as if you had the built-in speed control. My luck with
Dremels has been terrible. The cheap chinese crap lasts just as long,
for 1/4 the price. Much as I hate chinese crap.

More China crap...

You can get a Router Speed Control from Harbor Freight for
~$13 on sale pretty often.

"ROUTER SPEED CONTROL

Get better results and longer bit life when routing tough
woods, plastics, even aluminum. Plug your router into the
control unit and you instantly have a variable-speed tool.
Works with any universal AC/DC brush type motor, 15 amps and
under. Will not work with soft- or slow-start motors.

ITEM 43060-1VGA"

See:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43060

I have one and it works okay with my die grinder, drill,
table saw (cheapo, has universal motor), 4 inch angle
grinder...

Your going to have a hard time building one cheaper than
this and have it look and work as well.
 
J

Jerry

Jan 1, 1970
0
BTW, have you seen the small DC powered clone at Harbor Freight? It
runs on 12 VDC, and comes with an AC adapter. I was thinking about
using one (or more, with different sized drills) with a homebrew CNC
machine to drill PC boards.

I have one of those HF pseudo-dremels. Not very torque-y at all. Bogs
down very easily. A very light touch is required.

Jerry
 
M

Michael Black

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jerry said:
I have one of those HF pseudo-dremels. Not very torque-y at all. Bogs
down very easily. A very light touch is required.
But that's the point, those things have really high speed to do the
work, and you shouldn't be using much pressure.

Try sawing through a bolt. You'd have to use the hacksaw and lots
of pressure. Put a cutoff wheel in the "rotary tool", and you barely
need to apply any pressure. The first time I tried a cutoff wheel
in one of those things was the day I realized how wonderful they
were.

Now, your cheap one may have other problems. But a light touch
is what's required with "rotary tools" anyway.

Michael
 
C

clare at snyder.on.ca

Jan 1, 1970
0
I was like that once - long ago.

Then I got my first DIE GRINDER!

OOOOOoooohhhh Baby.

Atomic powered Dremel.

What a TOOL to have in hand. Oh, The POWER!

But warning - this dude ain't for balsa wood, kiddies.

And you probably outta practice on something else before trimming those
gnarly toe nails...
I've got a good air powered one of those for the "serious stuff" but
the crappy dremels don't even stund up th the "balsa and toenails"
type jobs.
 
C

clare at snyder.on.ca

Jan 1, 1970
0
Your going to have a hard time building one cheaper than
this and have it look and work as well.
Built mine about 15 or more years ago in a $2 surplus project box,
using the cord from an old iron and the receptacle from an old
stove-top with a dimmer I picked up in a box of stuff at an auction. I
think total cast was $5 or less and it STILL looks and works just
fine.
 
C

cavelamb himself

Jan 1, 1970
0
clare said:
I've got a good air powered one of those for the "serious stuff" but
the crappy dremels don't even stund up th the "balsa and toenails"
type jobs.


Well, balsa is no problem, byt dam, Clare, those toenails....
 
C

Claude Desjardins

Jan 1, 1970
0
cavelamb said:
Well, balsa is no problem, byt dam, Clare, those toenails....

Pneumatic rotary tool at 120psi, should fix a stereo in a matter of
seconds ;) It's a "I fixed it, now go back to radioshack"
 
M

Marc Britten

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm on my second electronic variable speed control inside myDremel
model 395 tool. This one just crapped out with the same temperamental
symptoms as the last one. I need to use the tool tomorrow night, and
would like to bypass the internal variable speed circuitry to simplify
it; maybe buy an external control later.

There aren't any wiring diagrams I could find on theDremelsite. I'm
thinking if I had one for the model 275 tool (single speed) and the
395 (electronic variable speed), I might be able to make the 395 into
a 275 by just jumpering some wires. I'll probaqbly need to at least
retain the variable speed assembly, since the brushes fit into it.

Can anyone help?

Not to dig up an old topic, but I just ran into this
http://mondo-technology.com/dremel.html
 
B

Boris Beizer

Jan 1, 1970
0
If it runs at all, hopefully at full speed, jst plug it in to a sewing
machine rheostat, Works fine for me.

Boris
 
I have one of those HF pseudo-dremels. Not very torque-y at all. Bogs
down very easily. A very light touch is required.

Jerry

Plus the collets are brass and wear out in no time. Good for a one or
two time use project, no substitute for a pneumatic die grinder.
Bearings suck on them, too. Whadda ya want for $6 anyway? Spend a
couple of bucks more and get the mini-pneumatic die grinder. Some of
the ones I have accept Foredom collets, too.

Stan
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
Plus the collets are brass and wear out in no time. Good for a one or
two time use project, no substitute for a pneumatic die grinder.
Bearings suck on them, too. Whadda ya want for $6 anyway? Spend a
couple of bucks more and get the mini-pneumatic die grinder. Some of
the ones I have accept Foredom collets, too.

Stan

Well you need an air compressor for one of those, a tool relatively few
people own. I use a pneumatic die grinder occasionally, but it's louder than
my Dremel and it spews out a bit of oil in use.
 
S

Stuart

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sorry not to reply to this directly, I don't seem to have the original.

If you're interested in making PCBs have you looked at the mailing list
"[email protected]" and their archives?

--
Stuart Winsor

From is valid but subject to change without notice if it gets spammed.

For Barn dances and folk evenings in the Coventry and Warwickshire area
See: http://www.barndance.org.uk
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Well you need an air compressor for one of those, a tool relatively few
people own. I use a pneumatic die grinder occasionally, but it's louder than
my Dremel and it spews out a bit of oil in use.

Sounds like you nead an oil trap next to your bench.

Good Luck!
Rich
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sounds like you nead an oil trap next to your bench.


Well that would defeat the purpose of the oil in the first place, which is
squirted into the tool to lubricate the air motor. Perhaps you're referring
to the high speed air turbine tools? Either way unless you already have the
compressor as I did, an electric tool is far cheaper and is not tethered to
a big heavy noisy piece of equipment.
 
G

Gerald Miller

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sounds like you nead an oil trap next to your bench.

Good Luck!
Rich
My $12 die grinder calls for 1-2 drops of oil per use, I've never seen
oil come out of it
Gerry :)}
London, Canada
 
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