HELP - Dismantling older Dremel flex shaft tool

[Frank S]

Look on the other end and see if there is a small internal snap ring you can remove. If there is you may be able to pull the shaft out from that end.
My flex shaft is also an older one, but it has a 1/4" drill chuck.
You might look real close at the pen and see if you can spot a joint right next to 1 of the knurling's it could be threaded together. If there are no snap rings or machined connections trying to de-swedge the housing from the pen is probably going to destroy it, But if you have a way to slice the swedge open neatly, you may be able to insert a flat screwdriver and spread it enough to slide the pen out then tig weld the cut repair what ever is broken on the inside and put it back together and re swedge it.

[desbromilow]

Look on the other end and see if there is a small internal snap ring you can remove. If there is you may be able to pull the shaft out from that end.
My flex shaft is also an older one, but it has a 1/4" drill chuck.
You might look real close at the pen and see if you can spot a joint right next to 1 of the knurling's it could be threaded together. If there are no snap rings or machined connections trying to de-swedge the housing from the pen is probably going to destroy it, But if you have a way to slice the swedge open neatly, you may be able to insert a flat screwdriver and spread it enough to slide the pen out then tig weld the cut repair what ever is broken on the inside and put it back together and re swedge it.

Thanks Frank!! - I'll have a look when I get back in the shed - Mine has a tiny chuck screwed on where the collet closer would normally sit, so I'll take that off and have a good look for a snap ring.
Cutting the swage/crimp is my last resort - I reached out to the forum in the hope it won't come to that. if it does, I'm not liking my odds of returning it back to service "nicely".

thanks,
Des