Foredom 5200 Deluxe Kit Review

Last updated on November 18th, 2022 at 11:13 am

Overview

Foredom 5200 Deluxe Kit comes with the best features, plus more power. The Foredom 5200 Series SR combines the best features in a flexible shaft tool, more power – 1/6 hp and a reversible motor. That is a feature for left-handed users. 

A two-year manufacturer’s warranty makes it a reliable tool. The kit includes the SCT foot control, No.44T handpiece, 3/32″, 1/8″ and 1/4″ collets, No.28 handpiece with 1/8″ and 3/32″ collets, safety glasses, and a 26 piece woodcarver’s professional accessory kit. 

The accessory kit includes purple ceramic sanding bands and discs. V stones, ScotchBrite radial bristle discs, Typhoon carbide burrs, CeramCut blue stones, rotating bur and bit holder, plus a small round burr holder with lid. It runs from 0-18,000 RPM.

Features

Flexible Shaft

A complete Series SR flexible shaft has a motor, flexible shaft and sheath, speed control, and a handpiece. If you purchased a motor and control, a handpiece is needed to operate the machine. 

The control can be foot or manual. Identify all components, parts, and accessories you purchased before discarding the packing list and packing materials that came with your power tool.

To check the shaft and sheath, you must first remove the handpiece, which is easy. Pull the handpiece off the shaft and sheath with a firm grip. To remove, make sure your power tool is unplugged. 

With the handpiece removed, place the unit on a flat surface. The shaft and sheath should be straight. Loosen the set screw on the motor connector. Adjust the exposed tip of the flexible shaft so that it extends ¾ inch beyond the sheath. Move the sheath in or out of the motor connector to achieve this.

Ensure there is a correct adjustment to start re-tightening the set screw in the motor connector and re-attach the handpiece onto the shafting.

Foot Speed Control

To connect the foot control to the motor, insert the 3-prong plug on the end of the motor power cord into the socket connector on the shorter power cord on the foot control. With the motor switch in the “off” position, plug the 3-prong plug on the long power cord from the foot control into a proper 3-prong power outlet. 

Ensure the motor is not running when your foot is NOT pressing the foot control. The motor should not run. Your foot has to maintain steady contact with the pedal during operation. Hold the handpiece in your hand, and put the motor fwd/off/rev switch in the desired “on” position. Start with a light touch as you slowly and gradually increase the speed.

Rotary Action

When it comes to rotary action, there is forward motor rotation. That is to the back end of the handpiece and accessory, and the forward rotation direction is known as clockwise. It means that the motor is turning an accessory counterclockwise when holding the handpiece upright in your hand, and you are looking down onto the front of the accessory. The accessories can be bur, bit, drill, or cutter; your viewpoint changes when the accessory is applied to the workpiece. 

Forward Motor Rotation only uses Chisel or Hammer handpieces or Angle Grinder attachment. Using chisel or hammer handpieces or angle grinder attachment in reverse can damage the handpiece, attachment, flexible shaft, or motor and may cause injury.

Use the forward motor direction only for fluted burs, drills, and cutters. Most will cut when turning in this direction. Mandrels have right-hand threaded arbor screws, which will unscrew in reverse.

Take precautions against dust and debris. Dust and debris fly away from the user when operated forward in the left hand. Operate in forward or reverse no matter which hand you use. Tighten the chuck nut or chuck jaws with a wrench or chuck key to avoid coming loose in reverse or forward operating directions.

Reverse rotation comes with advantages. Left-handed users will have better control in the reverse direction. For right-handed use, dust and debris fly away in reverse. Alternating motor direction helps extend the life of mounted abrasive points, buffs, brushes, sanding bands, and Typhoon burs.

Reverse helps with symmetrical grinding and carving techniques and is for “backing out” stuck drill bits. Alternating motor direction makes it easier and faster to polish metals. Be sure to use a mandrel with a left-hand threaded arbor screw.

Table Top Dial Speed Control

The motors can also be used with the C.EM-1 (115 Volt) or C.EMH-2 (230 Volt) dial speed control on AC. To install, plug the 3-prong power cord from the motor into the short cord on the dial control.  The motor fwd/off/rev switch is in the “off” position, and the dial control indicator is in the “off” position. 

Connect the detachable power cord to the dial control outlet on the back and into a proper 3-wire outlet. Hold the handpiece and put the motor fwd/off/rev switch in the desired “on” position. Start with a light touch, start slowly, and gradually increase the speed. Overloading the motor may blow a fuse. The fuse is below the detachable power cord receptacle.

Deluxe Accessory Kit

The kit makes Foredom a good quality tool. The foot pedal is made of metal and has some weight with a non-slip pad to stay in place nicely. The two handpieces this kit comes with are perfect for any porting application.

Motor brushes

Check motor brushes for wear periodically. When new, they are almost 3/4″ (19mm) long. Replace them when they have worn to 1/4″ (6mm). Remove the worn motor brushes, replace them with new brushes, and screw motor brush caps back on. Disconnect the motor power cord and unscrew the brush caps to remove the brushes. Replace both motor brushes even if one is less worn than the other.

Technical Specification

Weight

The kit weighs 17.55 pounds.  That makes it a lightweight tool, and moving it in tiny spaces is easier.

1/6 Horsepower

You have a quality power tool that will perform tasks difficult to do with any other power tool. Foredom power tools have high standards of precision and performance. With proper use and regular maintenance, you have years of trouble-free performance. Follow instructions in the manual for the assembly, operation, and servicing of Foredom’s 1/6 HP Series SR motors. 

Uses

• Carving  
• Drilling 
• Sanding
• Polishing 
• Grinding stones
• Shaping and smoothing metals

Pros

• Powerful 
• Versatile
• Good quality
• Flexible 

Cons

• Motor brushes need constant replacement 

Price

It is more affordable than most carving kits.

Verdict

You may go for the kit due to its reliability, affordability, and performance. It is one of the best kits with all the necessary features. As the motor brushes need replacement, they are affordable. Check all the parts of the kit before you leave the shop.