dremel quality?

[xurusaibobx]

i recently bought a Dremel 4200 kit from home depot. i went to use it to cut pieces of metal using the cutting disk. 1 minute into using it the dremel got really hot so i stopped and turned it off. when to turn it back on and i didnt turn on. maybe heat/temp overload or whatever so i let it cool down and tried it again. Nothing dead bird! so pissed i went to look online at home depot and found out this model had really bad reviews almost every comment was Didnt last more then 5 minutes usage. etc etc

i mean i just bought the most expensive dremel on the shelf and it didnt even last 1 time and everyone else had the same bad experience its pretty bad.

i went to return it after complaining to the manager they told me they didnt sell this model. I Had to show them the sticker on the shelf that had!


now am not sure if i should buy another dremel. or look for a different brand. who else has ran into this?

 

[softailgarage]

Buy a different model, even better, find an old model #395. I've had mine since the early 80's and I use the **** out of it, never had a problem. I've read this was or has been their best model and I agree. Don't give up on Dremel, it's still a quality brand even though they're owned by Bosch now. That Home Depot is the thing I wouldn't trust, either the Manager is an idiot or a freakin liar, probably the latter. Who knows, dude like that probably scored on some factory rejects, figuring he will just lie or BS his way out of warrantying his product.

 

[Maui]

I've got one that I bought new in the 1980s and it's still going strong. And I've got several vintage ones I've purchased second hand that are in good running condition. The vintage Dremels rock! Find an old one at a garage sale, and you can probably get it for $10.00 or less with lots of accessories.

 

[Gotcha640]

I agree that dremel overall is a decent quality brand, but depending on your use, may not be the tool for the job. How much metal will you be cutting? What size? If you're talking small parts, here and there, great, but if you're talking production, you might need something more robust. I use my dremel for engraving, cutting one-offs, and grinding in very tight spaces. I wouldn't try to use it more than an hour total in a day, or about 10 minutes at a stretch, and that on about 1/2 speed.

 

[tube_guy]

All of my Dremel tools are really old, but I've heard enough horror stories about the quality of the new models that I probably wouldn't buy a Dremel brand. I would buy one of these if I was in the market these days.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FWXEO6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gungatim]

I have several dremels and have burned up a few. They are not heavy duty tools, they are good for a million things, but if you spend all day cutting out drywall with the adapter, you'll burn one up. sharpen 6 chainsaw blades at full speed, you'll burn one up...i've learned the limits of these things, and try not to run at full speed or for very long. when they get hot, shut them off and let them rest.

I second the "get an older one" comment. if you find them at a yard sale, pick them up, they seem a little heavier duty, although the hard plastic they used to use can crack when it gets brittle. lots of guys out there got one for a gift and never used it so they are plentiful. just don't expect to do a port job and hog out a pair of iron cylinder heads.

 

[exmaxima1]

I second the "get an older one" comment. if you find them at a yard sale, pick them up, they seem a little heavier duty, although the hard plastic they used to use can crack when it gets brittle.

I suspect you're talking about the plastic coupling that connects the motor to the spindle----yep, that thingy dries out and breaks off all the time.....

 

[Want2race]

I did not buy the dremel after the last one failed so quickly.
I bought the black and Decker because it had metal gears. Well watch my video on why that wasn't helpful.

 

[Cheeky81]

After my second 4000 series Dremel burned up I switched to Proxxon and unless I get Dremel for free, there is no way I'm switching back.

Proxxon feels much more solid and couple of steps above Dremel in quality.

 

[gungatim]

I suspect you're talking about the plastic coupling that connects the motor to the spindle----yep, that thingy dries out and breaks off all the time.....

yeah that and some of the cases too. had an old early 70's grey one. case was like bake-lite...epoxy held it together after it cracked though...

just don't get a cordless. picked up a brand new one at a sale for $2. never used, in the case(bag), charger, battery, accerssories unopened, etc. charged it up and man, those have no power at all...good battery, just really low voltage...at least the accessories were worth the $2...

 

[Davefr]

I have lots of Dremels and find them good quality/invaluable for the right applications.

However Dremel always seems to exaggerate the capability of these little tools. They're fine for small/precision tasks but that's about it.

They are no substitute for a real die grinder!!

 

[woody 73]

I have had a few burn up on very small jobs, the trick is to stop and let them cool down; but like davefr said they are no substitute for a "real die grinder".

 

[allinon72]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MUSLCC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this multi-tool 15 years ago and just killed it with porcelain tile dust (no fault of the tool). Don't waste your time with modern day Dremel at high prices IMO.

 

[bubinga]

i recently bought a Dremel 4200 kit from home depot. i went to use it to cut pieces of metal using the cutting disk. 1 minute into using it the dremel got really hot so i stopped and turned it off. when to turn it back on and i didnt turn on. maybe heat/temp overload or whatever so i let it cool down and tried it again. Nothing dead bird! so pissed i went to look online at home depot and found out this model had really bad reviews almost every comment was Didnt last more then 5 minutes usage. etc etc

i mean i just bought the most expensive dremel on the shelf and it didnt even last 1 time and everyone else had the same bad experience its pretty bad.

i went to return it after complaining to the manager they told me they didnt sell this model. I Had to show them the sticker on the shelf that had!


now am not sure if i should buy another dremel. or look for a different brand. who else has ran into this?

Thanks, I am going to have to look and see if thats the one I have.

 

[woody 73]

Just for shits and giggles I thought you might get some amusement out of my current Dremel tool from China. Although the name plate came off and it only works in one speed it it still going strong...

It was either plug it in to the dryer outlet or find an adapter, so I found an adapter that works but only the fastest speed works.

 

[PelicanPines]

I use my dremels all the time. I have a 4000 and the lithium one too.

Here is the thing tho... if the task is going to take more than 10 minutes of use... I am pretty sure it's the wrong tool of choice. I have larger rotory tools and multitools that fill those usage levels.

They advertise these things as being able to cut all the grout in a full bathroom but to be honest... you should probably use a Fein Multimaster for that. Attached to a hepa vacuum too.

Just my opinion... to me... dremel means small job.

The higher quality/professional versions mentioned in this thread would be my choice if i needed something that small for a large ongoing task.

 

[sb7979]

You know there is a reason that they sell the motor brushes right next to all the other attachments in the store. I've replaced the brushes in mine (old model) probably 4 times at least. When you think it's "burnt up", let it cool down, turn it on, if nothing happens, spin the collet with your fingers. It will probably start working (maybe not well). Change the brushes.....not "burnt up" any more.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-Motor-Brushes-for-100-200-275-285-395-and-595-Type-3-4-5-and-6000-90930/203362694

 

[pepi]

Dermal WAS a good product, have not been so for a good while now. Sad to say, they are junk today. I'd look around for another brand if buying. Less powerful, the tool seemed to become a real dog about the time they came on the market with the digital speed control.



FWIW

 

[Parrothead]

Buy a different model, even better, find an old model #395. I've had mine since the early 80's and I use the **** out of it, never had a problem. I've read this was or has been their best model and I agree. Don't give up on Dremel, it's still a quality brand even though they're owned by Bosch now. That Home Depot is the thing I wouldn't trust, either the Manager is an idiot or a freakin liar, probably the latter. Who knows, dude like that probably scored on some factory rejects, figuring he will just lie or BS his way out of warrantying his product.

Yup, I've got the #395, had it for years! I've abused it, no doubt but still going strong to this day. I love my Dremel, and when I need another one, it's off to eBay to by #395.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have the 12v cordless one and it does what it needs to do - I only use it about once a month though. My dad has a Dremel (kind of like the #200 model) that has to be about 30y old and while it has definitely seen better days it still works.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I own the craftsman version of the tool.. Actually 3 of the same ones because I like them so much. I bought my first one when I was 18, and that lasted almost 12 years of insane usage... I'd say it's the most used tool I've ever owned.

When that died they obviously didn't make it anymore so I went on ebay and searched for a month before finding the same tool I had but new old stock from a seller, I think I paid the SAME amount I did when I bought mine but I didn't care. If these both last me another 24+ years then I'm good...lol

looks just like this:

-Nigel

 

[dutchgray]

Just for shits and giggles I thought you might get some amusement out of my current Dremel tool from China. Although the name plate came off and it only works in one speed it it still going strong...

It was either plug it in to the dryer outlet or find an adapter, so I found an adapter that works but only the fastest speed works.

Its got a UK plug on it so its supposed to run of 240v.

 

[LUKE221]

I have a cheap harbor freight dremel that has not let me down in over 3 years

 

[RedRabbit]

If your cutting large amounts or thick steel get a cutoff or air powered saw.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

The older Dremels from about 2000 and older are rock solid. Those designs were well built and have stood the test of time. Once they started getting fancy with ergonomic handles, cordless, etc, that is about when the quality started to degrade quickly.

The older models have the advantage of being well built, AND rebuildable. Lots of kits online to restore them to operation online.

I have found that pawn shops are a good place to hunt for the older models. I buy them when I see them at garage sales as well. You can never have too many.

 

[Davefr]

I buy them when I see them at garage sales as well. You can never have too many.

^^Yea, I guess so.

 

[Seagoon]

Just for shits and giggles I thought you might get some amusement out of my current Dremel tool from China. Although the name plate came off and it only works in one speed it it still going strong...

It was either plug it in to the dryer outlet or find an adapter, so I found an adapter that works but only the fastest speed works.

That's a British plug on there, so it might be that it is a 230 volt model.

 

[lilcraigford]

Another #395 owner here. My dad bought one new (complete with a storage box, adapters, and accessories) that I burnt up 3-4 years ago. I went to Lowes and bought whatever model was new at the time (the thing looked like a blue, gray and black transformer). I owned it for however long it took me to drive home, change my mind and drive back to return it. Instead I went on eBay and bought the secondhand #395 I have now.

 

[finn]

I got mine in 1966. Came in a grey steel box.

I never found much use for this type of tool, though. They seem more aimed at arts and crafts than real work.

 

[Maui]

I've used my dremel for all sorts of things over the years. I bought the one with the flex shaft and rotating storage container that was built into the unit, and it's gotten me out of trouble more than once. When I was in college I needed to replace the gas tank in my Oldsmobile because it was leaking so badly. And I had to do the job in my parking lot because I had nowhere else to work on my car. The dremel was the only tool that I had that could cut the straps holding the tank in place. It was a slow process, but it worked beautifully. These days I still use it for jobs that none of my other tools can perform. It's an awesome little tool.

Maui

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Buy a different model, even better, find an old model #395. I've had mine since the early 80's and I use the **** out of it, never had a problem. I've read this was or has been their best model and I agree. Don't give up on Dremel, it's still a quality brand even though they're owned by Bosch now. That Home Depot is the thing I wouldn't trust, either the Manager is an idiot or a freakin liar, probably the latter. Who knows, dude like that probably scored on some factory rejects, figuring he will just lie or BS his way out of warrantying his product.

I got a craftsman branded #395 and it is great, got it for free from a lady that threw it out, had to go through the trash to get it but it was worth it, works great, spent 3 bucks at another sale to get some more accessories for it and a dremel case. Come in real handy.

 

[Want2race]

Anyone have a recommendation for an air powered 1/8" colletted grinder?

 

[finn]

Anyone have a recommendation for an air powered 1/8" colletted grinder?

The cheap Chinese no-name ones seem to work fine. Not worth upgrading unless you are a production shop.

 

[thehorse13]

I own the craftsman version of the tool.. Actually 3 of the same ones because I like them so much. I bought my first one when I was 18, and that lasted almost 12 years of insane usage... I'd say it's the most used tool I've ever owned.

When that died they obviously didn't make it anymore so I went on ebay and searched for a month before finding the same tool I had but new old stock from a seller, I think I paid the SAME amount I did when I bought mine but I didn't care. If these both last me another 24+ years then I'm good...lol

looks just like this:

-Nigel

I have the same one. I bought it in the late 90s and it has proven to be the most useful tool that I have aside from a vise.

 

[Warped5]

I've got a Dremel model 260 that I received as a gift in about 1970. It was a regular 'go to' tool for many things I've done. Enjoy it so much and rely on it, so I grabbed another one (a bit newer) a few years ago for parts.

That said, I recognized early on that it was light weight and that 10K RPM was a bit excessive for most tasks. My BIL and I adapted a foot-operated speed control from a sewing machine and that was a huge improvement. When he passed away in later years, my sister let me have his homemade speed controller from his model shop (pic below). I've also found original drill press and router accessories, which have come in very handy.

I'd really like to find an older model from the early/mid 1960s and fix it up with a swing-arm (think dentist's office).

 

[softailgarage]

Yeah, nothing beats #395. Being a huge fan of Milwaukee tools, owning over 10 of their cordless tools, I picked up one of their cordless rotary tools. Man, what a piece of junk! No power and would get hot and shut down within minutes of use. One day it shut down never to start again. It's the only Milwaukee tool to give me a problem.

 

[pablo94sc]

I have the same one. I bought it in the late 90s and it has proven to be the most useful tool that I have aside from a vise.

I own the craftsman version of the tool.. Actually 3 of the same ones because I like them so much. I bought my first one when I was 18, and that lasted almost 12 years of insane usage... I'd say it's the most used tool I've ever owned.

When that died they obviously didn't make it anymore so I went on ebay and searched for a month before finding the same tool I had but new old stock from a seller, I think I paid the SAME amount I did when I bought mine but I didn't care. If these both last me another 24+ years then I'm good...lol

looks just like this:

-Nigel

I had the same one. Replaced it with this Ryobi kit about 8 years ago:

I've killed the chuck on it, so I use the flex shaft exclusively. It's helped a ton when working on the cars (porting, polishing, and cutting) and despite all the abuse I've put it through has yet to overheat or leave me wanting.

 

[sberry]

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys dremel? My tech has one and he uses it less here cause we got real tools. I got one, had it for 15 yrs, havnt used it once. I may have but in 35 yrs as a mechanic cannot recall ever using one. Only a time or 2 did I see a man here using one and usually we got something way better for common work.
We got tools that look like that but have 1/4 collets and 3/8 holes for wheels, air powered.

 

[sberry]

I bet I have a good one then, its got to be 20+ and never or lightly used.

 

[Arps]

I bought mine in the early 90's, still going strong