Need some Dremel recommendations

Raza Crew

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Jun 3, 2017

• #1

I had a basic dremel years ago that burned up. I recently got a large store credit at Lowes and went to the Dremel aisle and was overwhelmed by the options.

Anybody got recommendations for certain models or warnings to stay away from others?

Thanks in advance!


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Super Serg

Well-Known Member

• Jun 3, 2017

• #2

How much dremeling do you do? I recently bought the cordless Dremel Micro 8050 and absolutely love it.

 

Zinger

Active Member

• Jun 3, 2017

• #3

I have the cordless 7300. It works fine for what I do and cordless is nice. The only time I have trouble with battery life is when I forget to put the battery in the charger when I'm done for the day.

One caveat. I thought about getting a Dremel Workstation so I won't have to go to the MakerSpace every time I need to drill a straight up and down hole.



Dremel says the 7300 isn't compatible with the Workstation. I suspect it would work fine. They just might not want people using cordless in the $50 add-on and complaining about performance.

 

ZeroSum

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Jun 3, 2017

• #4

Does it need to be a Dremel brand? I'm not convinced that Dremel is necessarily better than most other brands of rotary tool. I have an 8050 and a 3000. They're both decent but the 3000 has just committed suicide for no apparent reason, so I'm back to a no-name version which is about as good.

 

Gixxerfool

Well-Known Member

• Jun 4, 2017

• #5

I have a model with just a high and speed. It's good for most tasks. I also have a Stylus that is great for detail work. The Stylus has no add on compatibility though. I also have a cordless Harbor Freight special from many moons ago that despite their reputation still holds up pretty well. I would recommend you get one with a variable speed beyond high/low and unless you need it, avoid the bit kits that may be thrown in for more money. If there are attachments (pencil, workstation, etc) you want/need/have make sure it's compatible. I feel like in some ways Dremel was supposed to be a multi-tool that now makes multiple tools.

 

Zinger

Active Member

• Jun 4, 2017

• #6

Gixxerfool said:

avoid the bit kits that may be thrown in for more money.

Click to expand...

Also, avoid the bit kits on-line that claim to offer 100 pieces for $20. You get 90 sanding bits and 10 junk other bits.

 

Darth Lars

Master Member

• Jun 4, 2017

• #7

Whatever you get for base unit, get a flex-shaft. You get so much better control.

The bits I use the most are from a cheap kit of metal routing bits. Followed by the sanding drum.

 

robstyle

Master Member

• Jun 4, 2017

• #8

Ive collected more burnt and busted Dremel brand rotary tools than you would believe. I would never purchase any rotary tool under the Dremel brand name. The irony here is in the 90's I was looking for a cheap, bare, no frills rotary tool for a quick job on location. I went to Target and picked up a Tim the Toolman rotary tool for about $15. Its still going strong and is my go to rotary tool.

 

JamesPurcell

Jr Member

• Jun 6, 2017

• #9

How old is it, are you sure you haven't just worn out the brushes can normally can be replaced.