AmericanMechanic
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What's the best dremel type tool? One that will actually perform and will last decades in DIY use. Should be rebuildable, by nature.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Best Dremel type tool?
- Thread starter AmericanMechanic
- Start date
dremel is **** compared to this https://www.foredom.net/
toolmanmark
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Proxxon. Made in Germany. Much better than Dremmel.
I have two of these.
http://www.proxtools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=10
I have two of these.
http://www.proxtools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=10
Foredom if you're willing to go flex-shaft, otherwise Proxxon: https://amzn.com/dB001FWXEO6/
Dremel has gone to hell in a handbasket.
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Dremel has gone to hell in a handbasket.
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ChevyEFI
Well-known member
My M12 Milwaukee feels like it vibrates but it gets the job done. Battery life isn't outstanding but it charges reasonably quick.
My old corded Dremel died today when I ran it full bore killing off a bolt head. It was getting hot. Who knows, it may just need brushes.
My old corded Dremel died today when I ran it full bore killing off a bolt head. It was getting hot. Who knows, it may just need brushes.
If you can tolerate a little larger tool you can put a 1/8" reducer in any 1/4" corded electric die grinder and have plenty of power and far better durability.. My old Makita came with 1/4 and 1/8 collets. You have a wide selection of good brands and range of power. If you have a lot of air a die grinder is the best of all. They are small and powerful, straight or rt angle.
I have a Dremel 400xpr that was 2.0 Amps. I don't think they ever built a more powerful one. I better take good care of it if the new ones are no good.
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I have a Dremel 400xpr that was 2.0 Amps. I don't think they ever built a more powerful one. I better take good care of it if the new ones are no good.
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That's like asking which is better, a 1/4" ratchet or a 1/2" ratchet.
There's a progression of rotary tools you can choose depending on the task. All of them are **** if you choose the wrong tool for the job and all of them can be lifesavers if properly selected for the task at hand.
For small precision tasks the Li Ion Dremel Micro is really nice. After that there's the traditional corded Dremels. Then there's the Foredom rotary shaft tool for larger continuous tasks. (they're built like tanks).
After that it's probably time to break out a die grinder.
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engineer2
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tool_scrounge
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Foredom +1. Found my last one with base for $35
bushmechanic
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It depends on what you're doing.
You can't beat cordless if you use one frequently on various projects. I enjoy my M12 unit.
I have some older, much more expensive hanging units, as well as hand-held corded units, but they're about as useless as **** on a ******* suitcase for most of what I do.
A rotary tool is drastically limited when it's tied to a wall. It's one of the reasons some see them as pointless. Those were meant for dedicated service.
Getting rid of that cord is what the rotary tool needed for a variety of tasks; but if you're sitting in one place to use it, there are obviously nicer options designed for that purpose.
You can't beat cordless if you use one frequently on various projects. I enjoy my M12 unit.
I have some older, much more expensive hanging units, as well as hand-held corded units, but they're about as useless as **** on a ******* suitcase for most of what I do.
A rotary tool is drastically limited when it's tied to a wall. It's one of the reasons some see them as pointless. Those were meant for dedicated service.
Getting rid of that cord is what the rotary tool needed for a variety of tasks; but if you're sitting in one place to use it, there are obviously nicer options designed for that purpose.
Spulen81
Well-known member
Damn, that Foredom Flex is pretty awesome. It would be great for porting and bench work. I'm gonna go poor on this site.
I have a corded Dremel that I've had for 20 ish years. I don't use it that much because power is kinda lacking and the bits are expensive. I have many other die grinders, angle grinders, etc that are better for larger stuff like bolts.
It has saved my *** many times though in delicate situations..slotting a broken stud for example with no room to spare or cleaning electrical contact in a tight connector. The cord is annoying though.
I have a corded Dremel that I've had for 20 ish years. I don't use it that much because power is kinda lacking and the bits are expensive. I have many other die grinders, angle grinders, etc that are better for larger stuff like bolts.
It has saved my *** many times though in delicate situations..slotting a broken stud for example with no room to spare or cleaning electrical contact in a tight connector. The cord is annoying though.
jimreed2160
Well-known member
After years of Dremels I upgraded to the Milwaukee M12. Now I am a happy camper. Lots of M12 batteries close by and my high collection of Dremel bits work just fine. Bonus came when I moved the accessories to a pack out box and got rid of the inefficient Dremel packaging.
OP
AmericanMechanic
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Thanks, I'll try the Proxxon. More than I'd like to spend, but hopefully it's buy once, cry once.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
My truck was broken in awhile back, my corded Dremel was part of the booty. Replacement was a M12 Milwaukee. Jury still out but it seems a little more robust and no cord is a plus.
retDAC
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You've been a member for nine years and you're just now realizing that?
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thats the one i have, i have 2 of them and they never let me down. i looked at some new ones and they just seem like cheap junk
Spulen81
Well-known member
You've been a member for nine years and you're just now realizing that?
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I'm a slow learner
I registered 9 years ago but didn't become active ish until recently.I recently fried my 400XPR. I had it for a long time and I got my money's worth out of it. Looking at the modern replacements I'm not impressed.
I'm going to see how my M12 polisher/sander does as an alternative, I have the 1/8" & 1/4" collet adapters from Fluxion here on GJ.
The polisher is way slower than the Dremel and the shape is a lot different than a rorary tool/die grinder Tell us how it works out for you.
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Exactly. Truth is I rarely need the small form factor or high speed of a dremel type tool (but it's nice to have when I need it). For what I do the M12 P/S may actually suit me better. We'll see...
Sometimes the angle grinder is too much and the Dremel is too small.
I plan to pick up another rotary tool anyway.
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sberry
Banned
If I can find something bigger and heavier than that I do. I own one, don't recall ever using it. My tech does on occasion.
Den69rs96
Well-known member
I have a Dremel 400 XPR and a Rotozip Rebel. I originally bought my Dremel kit because I had a door that was not installed right. I needed to plane the top corner of the door so it wouldn't stick anymore and the Dremel kit it came with a door planner attachment. It worked great and I find the Dremel is great for smaller jobs that don't require a ton of power.
Long before I bought the Dremel, I purchased a Rotozip. The Rotozip is much more powerful, but I don't know if they even make them anymore. I have the Zipmate attachments (both the older style and newer style) and I'm cut off some pretty large bolts etc and it had no problem. I also have this one attachment that allows you to cut a slot under your baseboard trim so you can install tile or without having to remove the baseboard trim. That attachment saved me a lot of time.
Long before I bought the Dremel, I purchased a Rotozip. The Rotozip is much more powerful, but I don't know if they even make them anymore. I have the Zipmate attachments (both the older style and newer style) and I'm cut off some pretty large bolts etc and it had no problem. I also have this one attachment that allows you to cut a slot under your baseboard trim so you can install tile or without having to remove the baseboard trim. That attachment saved me a lot of time.
I think Rotozip might be gone. It was a Bosch company, just like Dremel. I am trying to remember if I ever used that planer attachment.
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beamrider
Well-known member
I've had a Dremel Advantage (4 amp) for quite a while now, and it's handled everything I've thrown at it. I don't think they sell them anymore, but NIB ones pop up on ebay often.
Kilgore Trout
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Well, now I want a Foredom!
Do these things ever go on sale? Maybe for Memorial Day?
Do these things ever go on sale? Maybe for Memorial Day?
el monte slim
Well-known member
I inherited a deluxe Dremel rotary tool kit from my dad. He literally never used it, and probably never even opened the carrying case to look at it for that matter. (He wasn't a tool guy, and most likely got it as a gift from someone who didn't know him very well) From outward appearance everything in the kit looked to be first rate. It came with a substantial set of accessories, including a flexible shaft attachment. Looks turned out to be deceiving however, as I used it lightly over a couple of months, after which it died a sudden and pathetic death. The switch and brushes checked out OK, but the motor did not. In the trash it went, and I kept everything else.
Sometime later, I had a project come up in which I needed another rotary tool for regular and sometimes even heavy use. Don't laugh, but Menards had a rebate sale going on their imported "TOOLSHOP" house brand. I took a chance on one because it only cost $10 after the rebate for the tool and a small set of accessories. The latter were junk, but the tool itself turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting long life, so I went back and bought two more at the same deal for backups. Two years later, even after beating the piss out of the initial unit, the darn thing is still going strong. Who'd a thunk' it?
Sometime later, I had a project come up in which I needed another rotary tool for regular and sometimes even heavy use. Don't laugh, but Menards had a rebate sale going on their imported "TOOLSHOP" house brand. I took a chance on one because it only cost $10 after the rebate for the tool and a small set of accessories. The latter were junk, but the tool itself turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting long life, so I went back and bought two more at the same deal for backups. Two years later, even after beating the piss out of the initial unit, the darn thing is still going strong. Who'd a thunk' it?
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So assuming I had easy access to air, why would I want something like the Foredom vs a pneumatic grinder?
For reference, I have a standard Dremel and don't actually use this sort of tool that much. However, father has a large array of pneumatic grinders of various sizes in both straight and right angles. Is my pneumatic bias misplaced?
For reference, I have a standard Dremel and don't actually use this sort of tool that much. However, father has a large array of pneumatic grinders of various sizes in both straight and right angles. Is my pneumatic bias misplaced?
pcmeiners
Well-known member
" Is my pneumatic bias misplaced? "
Each type has it's benefits, the down side to pneumatic is it cost more to use. For occasional use it is a non issue
Just purchased a Foredom TX 1/3hp, this is a real tool. Ended up purchasing all the accessories of Ebay, heck of a lot cheaper then retail, sometimes 20x times cheaper for the same product. This particular unit is expensive due to the high power it has. The accessories can add up also, probably have $400 in handpieces, grinding, sanding, polishing, burrs, diamond wheels. Would rate this tool as a must have, which I should have purchased years ago. Purchased my TX unit off Ebay, un-boxed,never used, saved a couple hundred.
Each type has it's benefits, the down side to pneumatic is it cost more to use. For occasional use it is a non issue
Just purchased a Foredom TX 1/3hp, this is a real tool. Ended up purchasing all the accessories of Ebay, heck of a lot cheaper then retail, sometimes 20x times cheaper for the same product. This particular unit is expensive due to the high power it has. The accessories can add up also, probably have $400 in handpieces, grinding, sanding, polishing, burrs, diamond wheels. Would rate this tool as a must have, which I should have purchased years ago. Purchased my TX unit off Ebay, un-boxed,never used, saved a couple hundred.
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vpd66
Well-known member
I purchased a Foredom style grinder off Ebay a couple months ago and couldn't be happier. It was the SR series grinder. While it looks exactly like a Foredom it doesn't say Foredom on it. The decals on it look just like the Foredom without the name. The hand piece it comes with says Foredom on it. I don't think it is a copy. I think it was made in the same factory and just doesn't have the name on it. They sell on Ebay for less then $100 all the time.