Alternative to Dremel bits

[theoldwizard1]

I am looking for primarily the 3/4" wire brush and cup brush in both steel and brass. I know they won't last forever so I plan on buying 5 or so. Any GOOD alternative or just roll the dice and try a random Chinese brand off of eBay.

OR

Buy from Amazon or other on line supplier.

 

[noahwins]

Tacklife is supposed to be pretty good as far as Dremel clones go.

 

[6PTsocket]

Only used the Dremels and they don't last very long.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[M_George]

https://www.riogrande.com/category/...pageNum=2&pageSize=32&sort=1&t=2&isSort=False

Wide range available here. I'd expect most of them to exceed the performance of Dremel stuff.

Thanks, nice site, I'll have to book mark it for future reference.

 

[sberry]

I know.this isn't what you asked but,,, I never use dremel. My helper does on occasion but I find I can use bigger heavier tools. Air powered.

 

[Dave455]

Go to a decent metalworking supplier (MSC springs to mind as I know they are big in the U.S. but any will do) and buy some designed for use in a die grinder (I assume your dremel uses standard 1/8 shank tools?) and you will notice a huge difference in quality!

Same applies to stones, burrs, mops etc!

 

[dr_clyde]

Go to a decent metalworking supplier (MSC springs to mind as I know they are big in the U.S. but any will do) and buy some designed for use in a die grinder (I assume your dremel uses standard 1/8 shank tools?) and you will notice a huge difference in quality!

Same applies to stones, burrs, mops etc!

This.

Dremel is a hobby grade tool, none of their consumables are very good. Look at pencil grinder accessories made for tool and die work. LOTS of burrs, stones, polishing tools, cutting wheels, blending tools, that kind of thing.

 

[GrantCee]

Go to a decent metalworking supplier (MSC springs to mind as I know they are big in the U.S. but any will do) and buy some designed for use in a die grinder (I assume your dremel uses standard 1/8 shank tools?) and you will notice a huge difference in quality! Same applies to stones, burrs, mops etc!

In 1/8" shank, MSC (and probably other industrial suppliers) primarily carry Dremel. They don't specialize in the small stuff; it's not really their market, so they don't carry much that's any good.

What theoldwizard needs is a good jeweler's supply house. Rio Grande (already mentioned) is one; Cas-Ker is another. Over the years, however, I've found Gesswein usually handles the best quality materials.

 

[mr.lemons]

I've bought random Chinese from Ebay for wire brushes, diamond bits and sanding bands. Very cheap and I cannot see much/any difference in quality to Dremel. You get a bag of 40-50 brushes for very little money.

 

[PFSard]

I am looking for primarily the 3/4" wire brush and cup brush in both steel and brass. I know they won't last forever so I plan on buying 5 or so. Any GOOD alternative or just roll the dice and try a random Chinese brand off of eBay.

OR

Buy from Amazon or other on line supplier.

The brushes on eBay are so cheap. It was worth a shot to me. I ordered a bunch of brass brushes a couple of weeks ago. Waiting to receive them.

 

[sberry]

I kinda agree with that approach. Buy a box of generic, see how good it is. There are some better vendors at some flea mkt too. I buy drill bits there.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have done what mr. lemons said. Lots of cutoff wheels, and brass brushes.

The wheels are good. The brushes okay, and maybe Dave's tip will come in handy sometime.

 

[jimreed2160]

I clean up lots of rusty handplanes and started with a Dremel. Went through a few over the years and recently graduated to Milwaukee. M12 battery is superior to Dremel. But I had lots of Dremel accessory kits. I recently consolidated those Dremel accessories from a large drawer to a single Milwaukee slim packout. There is lots of air in those Dremel cases.

As for brushes, I go thru a ton--both brass and steel. The inexpensive stuff from ebay works fine for me.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I clean up lots of rusty handplanes and started with a Dremel. Went through a few over the years and recently graduated to Milwaukee. M12 battery is superior to Dremel. But I had lots of Dremel accessory kits. I recently consolidated those Dremel accessories from a large drawer to a single Milwaukee slim packout. There is lots of air in those Dremel cases.

As for brushes, I go thru a ton--both brass and steel. The inexpensive stuff from ebay works fine for me.

Making the same transition now. So go for quantity because there is real difference in quality. I'll have to check the Milwaukee Packout

The low profile model does not look like there is any room for the tool itself. What model number do you have ?

 

[BD1]

I have and use a Dremel but found more wire type brushes avaiable for die grinders. I use a METABO VARIABLE speed compact die grinder. Awesome with wire wheels. Using a slower speed helps the wires to stay on wheel or brush. Lots of styles and shapes avaiable.
I buy most of my dremel bits from Amazon, they frequently have them as ''add on'' items are are crazy cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-GE710-Compact-Variable-710-watt/dp/B00FDLB9OC/ref=asc_df_B00FDLB9OC/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699466338&psc=1