Rotary Tool Choices?

[nick daring]

What's the overall opinion on Non-Dremel rotary tools?

Are there any quality bargains to be found or does one have to break down and simply buy the name brand model in order to get a quality tool?

Let the debate begin.

Nick

 

[nick daring]

ALSO what accessories have you found useful and which have simply sat in the toolbox?

Thanks
Nick

 

[KnightAsylum]

I have used my Dremel for years, but last summer I found myself needing one, and mine is across the contry in storage. I purchased the cheapest one from Wal-mart for $8.88 (in a little metal case with bits) and have been using it ever since. While not as nice, or as good as my Dremel, it really was well worth the cost. I think if you plan to use it often and want the most options then just get a nice dremel (they really are not that expensive) but for the cost my cheap one has really proformed. That being said, when I get my Dremel back I will not be using the cheap one anymore (just saving it as a back-up). You could alwasy try one of the cheaper ones, and if you liked it, and wanted more, then you could invest in a top of-the-line model Dremel.
Just my 2 cents!

As for the bits I have never used the polishing ones. nor do I like the cutting blades - what I use most is the various sanding options (about 90% of the use is that) and the drill bits. All the others are really a waste for me so far.

 

[Ronz]

Yep, have to agree about the quality of Dremel tools. I had an old drill from a company called Como which came with shedloads of tools. It did fine for about 17 years even with wonky bearings. Then I got a cheapo cordless one, which was good so long as you didn't have any jobs taking longer than 5 minutes or needed an appreciable amount of torque... Once I got my Dremel I discovered I can do so much more and that my old Como was sooo slooowww. The Dremel runs faster at the slowest speed than my old Como did at top speed!
Seriously, swallow the cost and cough up for a Dremel, it's not just a brand, it's the only serious choice!

(NO I don't work for Dremel )

 

[Don Jarr]

Hi all

I first bought a minicraft one, which was a tad under powered, then from B&Q in the Uk I got a their sold brand called performance power, which has the long extension flexidrive cable on it, so the main unit hangs and you can work with the head on the end of a 3 foot flexidrive cable, which is much easier to hold and use. Had that for over two years now and used it loads with no problems.

I am not a very known brands buyer of power tools, as a m8 used to work in a local power tool centre repairing tools and said 90 percent of the internals were the same whether it be dewalt or diy store own brands. The main difference was with the warranties. Also as most things now come with at least a 1 years guarantee, if it breaks you get a new one, so no hassle.

Don

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

I had a Ryobi last me 10 years of HARD use.....I pushed it wayyyy too hard one day, cutting a crap load of 1/8" aluminum flatbar and smoked the motor. It was an awesome heavy duty brushless design with gobs of torque. If I ever find one again, I'll buy it up in a heartbeat.

I bought a Dremel and am extremely dissatisfied with its performance considering their name is synonomous with rotary tools. It adequate at best compared to the Ryobi I had, but eh, it gets most of the jobs done I need it for.

Steve

 

[Darth Lars]

If you want to work with metal with metal, then you want lots of torque. There are many cheap models that could work. I have used (and abused) a cheap one for years.

If you want to work with plastic/resin, then you want a rotary tool that can be run at a slow steady speed (so as to avoid melting the plastic) but still have at least some torque. These are usually more expensive because of extra control circuitry inside.
Proxxon makes a few such models, but they are overpriced crap -- mine has broken in a couple of ways quite early.

The bits I use the most are metal cutting wheels and drill bits. The only ones I have never used are the sanding discs.

 

[nick daring]

Well, I went ahead and ordered a cheapy at amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cu...SubmissionDate&n=228013&qid=1180739009&sr=8-1

At 15 bucks and free shipping the Flex-shaft and stand are worth it alone. I've got a few projects coming up that finally demanded that I get a rotary tool. We'll see if this cheap tool will prove useful enough to perhaps be replaced by an upgraded model.

Some of the Official Dremel attachments do puzzle me though. For instance, the drill press attachment is so expensive that you can buy a REAL drill press for the same price and probably get much more steady and accurate results.

I'll be sure to post the results of this rotary tool.

By the way, any tricks on shaping aluminum with a "dremel"?

Nick

 

[T-VIRUS]

This is a very nice set..if anyone is still looking.

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=213612

 

[Yorpheus]

Anyone here ever use a Fordam sp.? I think they're used by jewelry makers. I've heard they're very reliable and use more powerful motors than Dremel tools.

 

[Cleverlilminx]

I own a Craftsman rotary tool, it is a knock-off of a Dremel and I have had no issues with it. It has adjustable speed and plugs into the wall since I know cordless models can have issues. I've cut everything from plastic to wood to metal and no problems.

Now I also spent $75 from my tool about 4 years ago so bear that in mind.

 

[DarthBish]

In Australia Dremel seem to price themselves out of the market....(They're close to $100.00, and the "bits" are around 20-30)
I bought a no-name brand with a 12 month warranty for $39.95 and haven't looked back.
Absolutely eveything I've made over the past 5-6 years has had some kind of input from it.
I'd be lost without it.

 

[mtsbspidey]

i use a durabuilt rotary tool that i got from target...it was about $25...i love the damn thing to death...as far as i've noticed it works just as well as any dremel i've ever used....skott

 

[phez]

I have a Craftsman that I regularly use that is about 6 years old and still going strong. I think it was aroung 50.00 when I got it.