On Sun, May 18, 2014 at 1:02 AM, Stefan Trethan stefan_trethan@... wrote:
> I use a homemade stand (pivoting design).
> The drills break only due to operator error, runout is not a problem any more with the proxxon collets.
What was causing the bits to break? Were you using non-proxxon collets?
I too just built a quick and dirty stand -- mostly to see if I could get away with using my Dremel before purchasing something like the proxxon. I found this:
and much to my amazement it really worked. Mine is neither terribly old, nor has it seen much use, but the runnout was horrid.
Based on the poor reviews of the Dremel stand, popped over to eBay and found a used linear bearing slide buy-it-now for $7 ($13 shipped). Then I threw this together with materials from my junk pile:
It is not pretty to look at, but the action is ∗very∗ smooth and so far I have yet to break a single 0.8mm carbide bit -- the smallest of what I purchased. It is only on the milk crate because that was the most convenient way to secure it at the proper height for working while standing up. (Sadly the weights are only ever used to calibrate one of my projects using a load cell.)
All in all it was a $13 gamble that paid off well. I'll be re-working it with dust collection and better lighting soon.
-p.