Lubricating Dremel flex shaft

berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Lubricating Dremel flex shaft

Posted by berny13 on Saturday, September 25, 2004 11:03 AM

My Dremel flex shaft is starting to bind and over heat. I pulled out the metal shaft, cleaned it and applied a light coat of machine oil to it. It worked OK for a few days and started to bind again. I was thinking of applying white lube to it but I am afraid it will throw the lube out and coat my model with lube. Graphite is out of the question as it would definately throw it all over the place. Does anyone know how to lube the shaft? I would need something that would not jell from heat and friction.

The outter shaft is lined on the inside with Teflon which I think is worn from friction. Should I just throw it away and get a new one? Is there a way to save it?

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27, 2004 8:25 AM

its just an idea, but how about teflon spray that the gun people use to lube their meachanisms. i say this cos they were talking about needle juice in the AB forum, and this teflon spray came up. it dries to a hard lubricating finish. ask around before you try cos im not certain if it will be suitable.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 31, 2004 1:28 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by berny13

My Dremel flex shaft is starting to bind and over heat.

You know, at the risk of sounding stupid, I've bought TWO of those things for my multi-speed corded Dremel and I have NEVER been able to get either of them to work. Not one turn. They have been sitting on my work bench for a few years now.

Yeesh. Regrets? I've had a few... Big Smile [:D]

Jeff

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tknight

Member since
December 2002
From: Canada

Posted by tknight on Sunday, October 31, 2004 3:33 AM

From the Dremel web site online manual.

"thin film automotive wheel bearing grease on to the center core and reinsert it back into the shaft. To prevent damage to tool do not over greaseshaft. Too much grease will cause the unit to overheat.

Regards, Tim

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Jeff Gunn

Member since
September 2004
From: Henlow, England

Posted by Jeff Gunn on Sunday, October 31, 2004 4:07 AM

Dremel !!!! the number of people I here complaining about demel....I bought have a cheap brand name multi-tool with fexi-shaft it cost a quarter of the price of a dremel and never had any problems....my advice go cheap !!!!

JG Per Ardua

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 7:43 PM

Thanks everyone. I just found out I will be getting a new one for Christmas. I did the trick with light wheel bearing grease and so far it is working. Got a little of the grease thrown out but nothing I can't handle.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Duke Maddog

Member since
June 2003
From: Rowland Heights, California

Posted by Duke Maddog on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 9:04 PM

I've used my Dremel numerous times with the flex-shaft and have never had any problems. Not only on my models, but I've helped my wife with some things she needed while modifying some of her computers. I love using my Dremel.

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Thursday, November 11, 2004 9:38 AM

It is just recently that I started having problems with it. The flex shaft is over twenty-five years old and has had lots of use. It has given me good service and is just starting to show its age. When using it last night, I noticed one part of the shaft, about 2/3 down, was getting very hot. After about twenty minutes of use it started to bind up again. I think the inner sleave has worn down and that is what is causing my problem. The inner metal shaft has no kinks or bends in it so I don't know what caused the teflon lining to wear out. I just may have to wait till Christmas for my new one.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Duke Maddog

Member since
June 2003
From: Rowland Heights, California

Posted by Duke Maddog on Saturday, November 13, 2004 12:52 PM

Wow berny, it looks like it is simple wear and tear then. I've been using mine for about 10+ years now. Maybe you can contact Dremel and see if they can replace the sleeve, instead of having to buy a new one. That might be an idea.

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Saturday, November 13, 2004 6:32 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog

Wow berny, it looks like it is simple wear and tear then. I've been using mine for about 10+ years now. Maybe you can contact Dremel and see if they can replace the sleeve, instead of having to buy a new one. That might be an idea.

The sleeve is non replaceable. It is bonded to the outter shell. I just found out my daughter in law is giving me one for Christmas.

I am getting a lot of use out of my cordless Dremels now.

I will keep using the wheel bearing grease on it till I get my new one.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 7:03 PM

I have a flex shaft and well, I shot some WD-40 down the tube.
Its not as FLEXIBLE as they say and there will be a variant on the speed depending much you "Flex" the "hose"

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Saturday, November 13, 2004 8:21 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by RustyFord

I have a flex shaft and well, I shot some WD-40 down the tube.
Its not as FLEXIBLE as they say and there will be a variant on the speed depending much you "Flex" the "hose"

The problem with WD-40 is it is not a high temp lube ( not even a low temp), and will jell when expoxed to heat. Anything that jells will cause more friction, binding, and overheating. I have thought about high temp molly but it has too much graphite in it which would be thrown all over everything. Someone told me to use Pam, which is vegetable based, but that soon turned to a gooey mess.

I took the advise of tknight and used wheel bearing grease and it works for about two days. I think the flex shaft is a lot like me, old and parts wearing out. Sigh [sigh]

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 15, 2004 1:12 PM

Try Permatex Super Lube. It's a teflon based high-temp grease...

Dan

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 15, 2004 8:07 PM

"thin film automotive wheel bearing grease" <--- Which is what WD-40 turns into (basically) when over heated to much.... Not to mention you don't need MASSIVE amounts of WD-40....

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MusicCity

Member since
January 2004
From: USA

Posted by MusicCity on Monday, November 15, 2004 9:28 PM

Try some Remington Dry Lube. It is Teflon based as well, goes on wet and dries into a Teflon film. You can find it at most gun shops or sporting goods stores.

Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 7:33 AM

Yeap!
What MusicCity said......
I personally, don't have time to drop everything when I want to work on my model and then go pick up stuff that I etiher, A. forgot while I was out the last time, or B. make due with what I got so as my model room doesn't become a disaster area with massive bottles of paint, tubes, various tools, various other widgets and thingamuhbobs...
who needs Glue when you got good ductape
who needs oil when you got WD-40
You don't need a screw driver to fix that Washing machine, just grab the hammer!
Laugh [(-D]