Going to buy a Dremel: Need recomendations

[LastImmortal]

My Prop making soon requires me to buy a Dremel and I don't know what to buy. Can people recomend; 1) the best one and 2) the best buget buy. Also there is an Issue wiht Corded vs. Cordless due to the fact that I have an extiror shop with the wireing pulged in to a outlet on the side of the house and the power is only on in the shop when i'm in it so it won't chareg in sitting in the charger over night and stuff like that. Please tell me what to get!

Thnx,
LI

 

[exoray]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

Well after now owning a Proxxon rotary tool there is no way I would go back to the Dremmel brand unless I needed their specific accessory for some reason...

I personally don't like cordless, nothing worse then having it go dead when you need it, beyond that my only real recommendation is get a variable speed model, the more you spend the more likely you will get a better tool, but the Walmart bottom of the line Dremmel will still get the job done most of the time, but I would aim a little higher...

 

[dualedge]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I'm normally not into cordless stuff myself either but I took a gamble on the 10.8V lithium-ion cordless full size and love it. I've had it for a couple of years and have had no complaints at all.

For Rocketeer helmets, I also swear by the little MiniMite cordless Dremel you can nab at WalMart for about $20. It's not good for a lot of things and is somewhat underpowered but I can get the whole thing inside a Rocketeer helmet to work on spots I can't reach with anything else.

That Proxxon thing looks pretty good. Never even heard of that before but that looks like it'd be worth my while to check out too.

 

[Solochaser]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

i would go for the corded black and decker dremmel. the dremmel brand bits fit on it too. the cordless ones die too quickly.

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I have a Dremel and a Craftsman. Dremel costs more and has variable speeds and attachments. The variable speed switch is a bit wonky.

The crafstman is single speed, noisier, no frills but was cheaper than a Dremel. I got over 15 years ago and still works fine and totally reliable.

Guess it depends on what you are looking for.

 

[exoray]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

That Proxxon thing looks pretty good. Never even heard of that before but that looks like it'd be worth my while to check out too.

Pretty much the Cadillac brand of small rotary tools... Less vibration, better speed control and more stable speed control under load to name a few features... For me the minute I turned on my Proxxon the impression of fine tool was made vs Dremmels that have always given me the feeling of run away gadget devices...

Not that there is anything wrong with Dremmel brand, you sure can't been the ease and availability of parts and accessories for them, and I have owned several but if I had the choice to own one Proxxon would be it...

 

[Mersenne]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I'd have to say my Dremel is a GOD of it's own right. Quality and sooooo many attachments BUT, they are over priced and I have no more body organs to seel to get any more attachements, so ......... if there is another same quality out there, I'd suggest really considering it, otherwise you'll always be spending heaps of $$$$, sadly like me

 

[Harish]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I would recommend against getting a standard dremel. They burn out so fast. They're much less expensive than nicer rotary tools but you're going to regret getting one in the long run.

Head to your local jewelry making supply house and look over the rotary tools they have. They'll cost X2 or X3 more than what you find at depot, but you will thank yourself over and over for it.

I went through 4 dremels in 2 years whereas the rotary machine I have now (uses the same exact bits, has a pedal for speed variation) has last 6 years now with no repairs needed except a flex shaft coupling. And it's so much more powerful and versitile.

 

[Shylaah]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

Check out Amazon. They have up to 1/2 off right now on some of the Dremels and some of the other multifuctional power tools. Some pretty good deals, especially on the ones eligible for the free Super Saver Shipping. Just go to Amazon.com and search "Rotary Tools".

Shylaah

 

[franz bolo]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I've had problems with the lock on my Dremel 400 XPR since I got it.

Otherwise it's pretty good.

FB

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I wouldn't go cordless. If you want cheap. Try the Chicago RT from Harbor Freight. I think I got mine for $20 or so.

 

[Tommyfilth]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I just got the Rotozip's flex shaft adapter after my Black and Decker started grinding on the inside. and It works well, the only problem was speed control, but Harbor freight has a router speed control that works great. and the final part is the industrial foot pedal switch that I can't figure out where it came from. so if you already have a Rotozip this is a good way to go.

Tommy

 

[Replicant]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I would add this:
always wear safety glasses at a bare minimum.... a face sheild is the best.

Rotary tools will change the way you hobby for life.

 

[Knowone251]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I would recommend against getting a standard dremel. They burn out so fast. They're much less expensive than nicer rotary tools but you're going to regret getting one in the long run.

Head to your local jewelry making supply house and look over the rotary tools they have. They'll cost X2 or X3 more than what you find at depot, but you will thank yourself over and over for it.

I went through 4 dremels in 2 years whereas the rotary machine I have now (uses the same exact bits, has a pedal for speed variation) has last 6 years now with no repairs needed except a flex shaft coupling. And it's so much more powerful and versitile.

I would also recommend a flex shaft tool over a regular dremmel if its the first one you are going to get. The difference is that it has a large motor that hangs separately from the tool handle. Mine is a Wecheer Heavy Duty with the foot pedal from harbor freight. This isnt the exact one that I have but its close Flexible Shaft Grinder and Carver . Between my dad and I we have over 15 different rotary tools, but if I had to pick just one, this would be it.

 

[Wes R]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

i had a Sears version of a dremel (pretty sure they made the thing anyhow) and it lasted nearly 15 years before dying and that was mainly cause you couldn't find parts. We have a flex shaft attachment for my dad's dremel for when he does carving and he loves it.

 

[Honus]

Re: Going to a buy Dremel: Need recomendations

I'll add my .02 here-

If you can afford a flex shaft tool get it and you won't regret it. Foredom is the standard and they work very well, are extremely flexible and durable. The variable speed foot pedal is the way to go. What's nice with a Foredom is all the handpieces are interchangeable, even amongst various brands like Badeco, Pfingst, Faro, Technique, etc.

I keep two motors at my work- one with a handpiece (Foredom model H.30) that has a standard drill type chuck and another that has either a quick change handpiece w/duplex spring (H.52D) or a general purpose handpiece (H.28)- the quick change handpiece comes either with or without a duplex. Duplex springs allow greater flexibility but they can cause vibration and they're not as durable as a non duplex handpiece but for delicate work the trade off can be worth it. Quick change handpieces are also not as durable as non quick change handpieces.

As a professional jeweler I use these things eight plus hours a day and they are a massive improvement over Dremel. Both the motors I use have been going strong for over twelve years. At most you just need to change the motor brushes. At my work I end up replacing quick change handpieces every two years- that's how much I use them. My #30 handpiece is over twelve years old and still works perfectly- if you can buy only one handpiece that's the one to get.

My absolute favorite handpiece was a super slim Pfingst model that had a twist collet quick change and duplex. It was extremely slim and light and just awesome for precision work. Unfortunately they're just not very durable and they're not suitable for every day use so I only used it for stone setting and delicate work.

A 1/6 HP, 18,000 rpm Foredom with a #30 handpiece and foot pedal speed control sells new for under $200 and you can buy perfectly good used ones for much less.
Foredom SR-FCT-30 Basic Kit : Foredom SR Flex Shaft Kits & Parts : Foredom Power Tools : Tools & Metals : Otto Frei Foredom SR Flex Shaft Kits & Parts - Tools, Equipment, Findings, Supplies

When cost is no object go for a NSK setup- I've used it and it's just awesome. Bring your checkbook- the NSK Elector E-Max costs about a grand.

NSK Powered Hand Tools from Kemet International

 

[WardenTorBaaL]

I have the Craftsman Rotary Tool with flex shaft attachment, and I don't think I've taken the flex shaft off in about 2 years, it's that useful. Just make sure you don't make too severe of a bend in the shaft, there's a piece inside that's spinning at 10-15k rpm, and will burn up the rubber if you're not careful.

I have the older version, but it's very similar to this one: Craftsman 2.0 amp Rotary Tool Kit

 

[HandSolo]

Do not get the cordless unless you A. buy it as a back up to a corded, or B. only plan on working on projects that take less than 5 minutes. Also if you plan on working on anything harder than wood, the more powerful ones are better. I just bought a cordless a few months ago. I bought one of the cheaper ones at the Mart of the Wal and regret it. It looses power (rotating speed and torque) within 5 min.

 

[BlindSquirrel]

I use the flex shaft 90% of the time but I do remove it when I use the tile-cutting attachment to use the Dremel as a router. The Dremel was my first power tool and still the one I use the most.

 

[Tony]

I've got three Dremels, but the one I use the most is the Dremel Stylus. Fits really comfortably in your hand for extra control.