Dremel or Proxxon rotary tool

[shoturtle]

A friend of my wants to get a new rotary tool. And was considering dremel and proxxon. Which would be the better tool for an avid hobbits that build wooden boats and planes?

 

[Carguy99]

one of these...... I have one
http://www.foredom.net/

 

[shoturtle]

Do not think he wants to spend 300 bucks on one of the flex shaft, but that is pretty darn cool

 

[OEXL16B]

I'm always using my Dremel with a cut-off wheel. I Just got though using it a little while ago to cut a section of sink drain pipe because I don't have a tubing cutter. The one thing I'd recommend is getting the variable speed; it's a necessity.

 

[TwoInch]

i have heard the proxxons put dremels to shame. at least the dremels made in the last X amount of years. apparently there was a turning point in dremel quality a few years back, and the newer versions get not so great reviews. i have a dremel that is about 3 years old, and i have worked it to death, and i have been pleased so far. FWIW

 

[OEXL16B]

at least the dremels made in the last X amount of years.

Mine is from the 1990's when they were still USA. It's got me out of some tight situations many times. Wouldn't want to be without it.

 

[illmatyk]

I've been using a Dremel for the last 5 years or so. Hasn't let me down.

 

[jim2664258]

i have heard the proxxons put dremels to shame. at least the dremels made in the last X amount of years. apparently there was a turning point in dremel quality a few years back, and the newer versions get not so great reviews. i have a dremel that is about 3 years old, and i have worked it to death, and i have been pleased so far. FWIW

Kinda wonder if the tide may have turned for the good with Bosch taking them over. I had the previous-generation top electric model Dremel made, and it was frankly a POS. I emailed Dremel customer service just to tell them how disappointed I was in it (out of warranty so I wasn't angling for anything) and I got a reply from Bosch customer support. They wanted me to send the unit in. Since I wanted it to be gone, I did, with no promises from them.

They sent me a refurb 4000 model, their current top electric. There is no comparison between this one and the previous - the 4000 is far better. Hopefully Bosch will steer Dremel in the right direction.

 

[Monte]

just look at them in a store and check out the built quality.....you´ll leave the store with a Proxxon with metal gear housing.... (or simply take a look at the Dremel collet/chuck and then the Proxxon....)....

 

[Robbie UK]

With the demise of Dremel there is only one game in town - Proxxon.

For those who have an older Dremel it will come as a shock as to how the brand has raced to the bottom of the quality market - so look after your old one!

 

[jtrace]

I have and used both, I have one corded and 2 cordless Dremels (one minimite and the stylus I love) but the Proxxon blows them out of the water,but you need a power supply for it. I also have a sander by Proxxon which is great. But I just use them for modeling.

John

 

[Monte]

@jtrace: Proxxon also does 110 volt tools

 

[cbracer]

I was in Target the other day and saw a Black and Decker rotary tool. $20 and it had a full 2 amps of power! That's far more than any dremel tool. I might have to get one just to give it a try. The dremel ones never seemed to have enough power for me.

 

[woody 73]

Back in the Day dremel was the king and they made some very nice rotary tools. After my third dremel, my brother-in-law bought me a chinese one from England it only runs on 220V so I bought a reducer plug and it now runs on 120 v but only in one speed. I wish it had more balls but I never look a gift down and I use it all the time.

When the day comes that it dies I will look at the Proxxon and see what has that the dremel is lacking.