I’m a fortunate owner of the Foredom micromotor cordless. That is a really sweet little tool, highly recommended.
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Yes, please share some photos. I really like seeing how other craftsman/woodworkers are set up for their hobbies. - Rich
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A dremel is a definite tool to add to the list - I have several along with several attachments (router table, drill press and very useful flex shaft). So many add-ons available now for sanding, cutting, drilling, etc.
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That is a sweet little tool!
The portability is killer. I have to have another hanging pole for the motor when I use it at the deep sink for wet cutting/grinding (one advantage of a flexshaft, not having an electrical tool in your wet hands).
Thanks for the link, With that little jewel you are well armed!
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Thank you for this! I’ve thought about this a couple of times, but since I have no laser experience, all I could come up with was a) table! b) fire extinguisher. Your list is a bit more thorough than mine.
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If you are going to be using proofgrade or other materials that have masking, especially if you are going to do intricate designs or lots of letters, you will be well served by some kind of weeding tool (used for removing all the little bits of masking, slightly more precise than a thumbnail).
- I use an Excel retractable scribe,
- A regular hobby knife with a #11 blade (i prefer excel to olfa or exacto for cutting, but for just weeding the blade quality is not important),
- And a Specialty Materials Weeding Tool.
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Anybody know the difference between that and this one?
Saeyang K-38 RED Portable Rotary Micromotor Kit Complete Set?
Search on Amazon it is 2/3 the cost but looks the same - even states: “TIP: Saeyang manufactures this product and is sold under the name Foredom” .
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Good find! I suspect it’s the same unit–it certainly looks just like mine other than the name on the front. In the Rio Grande catalog regarding the Foredom unit it states that it is made in South Korea. Keep in mind that this takes 3/32" shaft bits. There apparently is another model (at least it is listed in the Rio Grande catalog for the Foredom) that takes 1/8" bits.
Edit: I just checked, and while the 3/32" model is made in South Korea, the 1/8" model is made in the US. Wierd! And apparently Saeyang does not make a 1/8" model.
I’m surprised you can’t change collets.
I have 3/32" and 1/8" for the same tool.
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It doesn’t work like a Dremel. The handpiece itself unlocks with a twist and you put the bit in; no interchangeable collets. But changing bits is really fast and convenient.
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So a big problem with the collet wrench was - finding it.
Solved that by attaching a 2 foot chain to it and nailing it to the front of the bench to one side.
Without even looking, reach to the side and feel the chain - sweep the wrench into my hand, use it, then just drop it.
Always right there. Must have saved me hours over the years.
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Yeah, we do something similar with our bench Foredom (and all the other drills in the house): the collet wrench is attached to the power cord with a Velcro strap.
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Me too! Here you go…
Gathering my jeweler’s tools across a few years, I really needed a higher level of organization.
About 25 years old, it has taken a beating.
Made of Vermilion or African Padauk or Purple heart, whichever term you prefer. All came from a cabinetmaker’s scrap pile. I really like this wood. When first cut, it looked like black walnut. overnight it took on the color. Oxidation I presume.
I cut down and rebuilt file drawer glides to fit. I modified the bench pin for quick-change with a vise-grip type lever. PanaVise on its own pin along with other tools for special operations. Featured in the mount is a standard pin with a third hand mounted to it.
Bottom left is the motor speed controller I mentioned, with a small motor for the buff. Bench top is “Benolex”, think 3 inch hard Masonite. That piece probably weighs 120 lbs!
First is the pliers rack that pulls out and swivels. There is a spring loaded detent on the brass post to center it.
Next is for the hand pieces for the Foredom.
Then comes the hammers
Next is the marble tool block and collets
Then the needle files
Next is where I keep the buffs. Originally intended for a soldering station with a place to keep the solder and flux with
a slab of fire brick, but the torch flame was much too close to my box for comfort. (Yeah, didn’t really think that through)
Underneath you see the business end of one of those old cast aluminum Royal vacuums with the cloth bag. Perfect for dustless grinding and polishing.
The toggle switch above the buff motor energizes the buff and the vac.
So many hours of work spent there over a couple of decades, making love to gold, silver, opal, turquoise etc.
I will only part with it when I die.
A part of me will stay with it. 
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Let me know at that time how much you want for it.
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I love your setup. That Vermilion with the brass pulls is beautiful. All the doors and drawers and slide outs with tools is so well organized. Thanks so much for the photos!
Safety engineer: Get a cover plate for that outlet box. 
- Rich
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There are no words…
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Oh man, the envy emanating from me right now is making it look like st Patrick’s day on my block. That setup is amazing
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…wow… I"m… I’m in love with your bench!!!
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Good grief! This is amazing! Your workbench looks like an advent calendar for tools! I love it…and I can see all the love and care that you have put into it over so many long years. It’s no wonder you are proud.
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