Mark J Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I am in the midst of a project and I think a Dremel Rotary Tool might be the solution to a problem. It's cheap enough that I might buy one today. Any quick opinions out there on these things? Do they work? Are they difficult to operate? One model vs. another? The 3000 seems reasonably priced. The hardware store had a different model on sale for less, but I don't remember what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 My first useful Dremel was bought shortly after I bought the 2 speed model which now acts as a standby. The variable speed model allows you to tune operation to the material and cutter allowing smooth operation in many different situations. The pencil-grip (detailer grip) handle is a worthwhile investment and can sometimes be found as part of a package deal at a lower price. The Dremel brand plunge base is so-so but, the Lee Valley version (while pricey) has proven itself useful again and again. Value of accessories will vary with your requirements. A surprisingly useful accessory that came with a batch of bits was the little fan that replaces the collet nut; the darn thing actually works really well and is only a few bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Their warranty service is really good, and the tool is useful. I also enjoy the right angle attachment, most often used to turn it into a very small right angle drill. A rotary tool will do a mediocre job at almost anything, which sounds like a put-down, but it also is the only tool that will work for some things. I agree about the variable speed being very desirable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I've had my variable speed Dremel for a very long time and it's still working well. I've only used it for cutting, engraving, sanding and polishing metal. Never used it on wood though, but I know folks that use it for things like carving and inlaids with good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I too think the variable speed is the wiser way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Get a corded tool. I had a rechargeable Dremel and it had no power. It died and I got the Lowe's brand- General Machinery Company, Model MX372UL. Variable speed and plenty of power! I think it was Lowe's as it was several years ago. I looked and it isn't listed with Lowe's or HF, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Keep your receipt, and register the warranty. Chances are high you'll need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I have had one for many years. And, like Gilgaron said, sometimes it is the only tool that will do the job. That said, keep in mind that the Dremel and other similar tools are for light duty use only. For instance, the little wire brushes will self destruct with anything more that the lightest touch on a rusty surface. For years, I have wished that someone would come out with a similar tool that is somewhere between the Dremel and the monster 1/4" die grinders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thanks for your feedback and tips folks. I'm off to buy one. I'm thinkin' it will meet the need, but I'll keep the receipt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 The one thing that I miss of all the Dremel or equivalent products are the felt wheels that were about the size of a quarter or nickel. Now all they have are the little bitty felt wheels. Anyone know of a source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I've lost track of how many I've bought in the past ten years. The only one I can continue to count on, in my Dremel toolbox, is a single speed one from the 1960's. I also can't count the number of jobs that I've ended up finishing with that one, after the new one craps out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damon777 Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 hour ago, Bankstick said: The one thing that I miss of all the Dremel or equivalent products are the felt wheels that were about the size of a quarter or nickel. Now all they have are the little bitty felt wheels. Anyone know of a source? I see they have 1" wheels on Amazon. As for the dremel, I've been through a few of them. 2 speed was OK, cordless was OK for light stuff. The multispeed is the way to go. They typically only last 2-3 years for me, so I don't buy top of the line. I do things with them that I probably shouldn't (aftermarket saw blades to trim subfloor for plumbing), so I understand why I kill them. They are really handy for things that require them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 The little Dremel diamond saw blades work really well for cutting tile, but you need as many motors as you do sawblades. They last about the same amount of time. Also, the same for the all purpose abrasive saw blade with the notches in it. It took a new motor to cut off one piece of 4" ABS down inside a toilet flange, so the flange could be replaced. I'm normally very easy on tools, and still have in use every Rockwell power tool I bought back in the mid 1970's, during the short amount of time when Rockwell owned Porter-Cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnesota Steve Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Some people when confronted with a problem think "I know, I'll use a Dremel rotary tool." Now they have two problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 There was this guy on Amazon complaining about being unable to find screwdriver bits for his rotary tool. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 2 hours ago, Immortan D said: There was this guy on Amazon complaining about being unable to find screwdriver bits for his rotary tool. Bwaaa-Haaa-Haaa. There is a place for a Dremel, a place for a RotoZip and a place for an angle grinder. If you use your Dremel as something it is not, it will fail. Same basic thing happens when you use a chisel as a screwdriver or vice-versa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Sometimes the Dremel is the best tool for the job, but it's just not up to it, or at least not the new ones. They will go Phfftt without even getting warm first. The old single speed one, that I think is from the '60's-belonged to my Uncle that died in 1982-has done more work than ten of the new ones, and is still going strong. Sometimes I like using a Dremel in a house that people are living in, instead of something with a bigger blade, because we can catch all the dust with a Shop Vac while it's cutting, while cutting a really accurate line. If the Dremel company sells a little pack of diamond wheel blades, a brand new motor should at least last through the whole package, and not just one wheel without even pushing it. I believe Eric said the same thing a while back about the new ones. I've had several, in the last few years, that didn't last but a couple of minutes, and those were abrupt endings to running like it should, without being pushed hard. Sadly, like so many things, "they ain't what they used to be". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Mine is one of the old, "all-black", ones, but it has the variable speed function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Hang on to it. The old one I have, that still works, is black too. My Uncle was in the logging business. It was with all his logging tools, and had a worn out grinding burr for a .404 chain in it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Anderson Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 If you have a good air compressor, go with a pneumatic die grinder. It will last for ever with just a squirt or two of oil every now and then. They have 1/4” and 1/8” collets that will accept an assortment of bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I've abused my Harbor Freight air die grinder for years, just give it a couple drops of oil before use. Of course a 5 hp 60 gallon compressor helps but if you turn the pressure down to as low as possible yet still get decent results a smaller compressor will work. Use it in bursts, the let the pressure build back up. Oh , by the way air tools are loud as hell ! Far more powerful than a whimpy dremel tool when you are sick of the bit stalling out on you. ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 Does anyone have an opinion about the Foredom style rotary tools. They are advertised as having significantly more power, but I'm not sure they are worth the substantial cost over the Dremel style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 Big difference in Foredom brand and Foredom style. $$$$ But using a flex shaft vs. a hand-held motor is no comparison. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 2 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Big difference in Foredom brand and Foredom style. $$$$ Understood. That's why I used the term "Foredom style". There are also different brand names in the "Dremel style". I was looking for some comparisons of both the "brand" and the copies. 2 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: But using a flex shaft vs. a hand-held motor is no comparison. Can you elaborate? They look like two different tools designed to do the same or similar tasks by a slightly different methods. What makes one better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 When I use a die grinder, I wear ear plugs underneath ear muffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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