Dremel - not great quality and/or not durable enough?

[toolenthusiast]

We're not hitting high levels of reading comprehension on the forum today. Lol. OP mentions using a die grinder in his post. Then there is an entire page of posters chastising him for using a dremel and telling him to get a better cutting tool.

FWIW I have used a Dremel to cut a brake drum off a truck in a pinch. It was slow going but it definitely worked.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

Not sure which model Dremel I have but it's just ok, nothing great. Needs more power. The use the round sanding barrel more than a lot of other Dremel tools. The sand paper barrel will not stay attached to the rubber barrel. Not sure if I'm saying it in a way that can be understood.

 

[Parrothead]

We're not hitting high levels of reading comprehension on the forum today. Lol.

Today?!? Haha. Just need a 50 HP Mercury

 

[unknownroad]

I've used mine a bunch, and it's still ticking. I figure it's at least 15 years old, or more? Works great. Yes, it gets hot if you use it for a long time...but MOVE YOUR HAND off the vents. lol.

But the fact that the vents are right where your hand naturally sits when holding the tool blows my mind They've been building these things for decades, there's no excuse for not having a better solution.

(Actually, I could swear it wasn't nearly as big a problem on my 1990s-vintage Dremel as it is on my current one).

I would also recommend switching to a Proxxon rotary. It's a well-made, precision tool that doesn't feel or sound like it's going to come apart in your hand the way the current Dremels do. I use mine a lot for all sorts of hobby work including automotive (owned it for maybe 10 years, couldn't guess how many hours on it) and just keep my Dremel around as a backup when I don't feel like swapping bits back and forth for a project.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Get the milwaukee rotary tool.

 

[70chevellegsp]

I have/had one (2 speed) until last week. I was opening up a hole with a carbide bur on some soft metal and I heard something binding inside the housing until it wouldn't turn anymore. Anyway, after I took it apart the commutator (i believe) came apart. In the garbage! Shame is it was a lightly used tool over the years I've had it, but whatcha gonna do?

 

[6PTsocket]

Get the milwaukee rotary tool.

That Ave review was an eye opener. The Milwaukee really looks good.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I just discovered that Dremel makes a tool similar to the Milwaukee. It is the 2000 or 2200 depending on the package. It uses a 12 volt 2Ah batteries with led battery monitor. I have no info on either one but they appear to be in the same market. Does the Milwaukee use the same 3/4-12 nose thread so it will take the Drenel accessories?

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[myredracer]

I find a Dremel is great for tight spots. Also produces less heat when slicing into sheet metal (and I'm working on some pretty thin stuff). After using a die grinder, I can knock down welds a little more before using a sanding disc and thus need less use of a sanding disc which can help prevent thinning out the sheet metal too far or reducing heat. I use the Dremel for making thin plunge cuts to get a bodysaw blade into the cut. I still have all the usual tools for grinding down welds like air belt sander, body saw, DA sander, several die grinders, etc. and also have an excellent compressor setup to run them. I don't care what anybody says, I can't see not using my Dremel for some things.

Anyway, I ended up buying a Dremel 4000 model off CL in almost new condition for about the same cost as a new switch. The 4000 is a much better tool for more frequent use. It has a separate on/off switch and speed control switch. The 3000 requires you to move through all 10+ speed settings to get to full speed so if you want full speed every time, it's going to put more wear and tear on the contacts. The more powerful motor is better too.