dremel quality?

[sberry]

Its interesting, one guy uses it all the time and the next none. It wouldn't even cross my mind. It would be possible but too slow except in extreme circumstance. I understand specialists but I /we work on about everything needed for modern life support and then some and don't use it?
I polish a port on occasion too, don't do model airplane but small engine to 6 cyl diesel. The battery drill I would be at a loss without. I am going to get a grinder shortly.

 

[knobby]

Kinda obvious but how/where you hold a dremel tool makes a huge difference in how cool it runs,seems that the most comfortable grip on the things has your hand blocking most of the cooling slots.
I find that I use my dremel mostly for cutting a slot into the heads of small button head hex screws that are stripped so that they can be removed. Sometimes extractor bits just don't cut it.

 

[Parrothead]

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys dremel

I have used it for so many little things, home, car, and other I wouldn't be without one. I've used it to grid out a deadbolt strike plate, cut dividers out of storage containers, grinding down spot welds, cutting notches in carriage bolts, cutting off rivets, sharpening lawn tools, small rust removal, cutting tile, etc. It's one of the few tools I woudln't be without. It's small, powerful and doesn't need air to run. I'd recommend one almost as much as you recommend a Black and Decker grinder (which I own).

 

[wildbill23c]

They aren't meant for heavy continuous use. They get hot really fast because the speed at which they operate combined with the extremely small motor and limited air-flow.

I hardly use either of the ones I have. I have a cordless and a corded one. They're nice to have when you need to do small detail work, other than that full size cutting, scraping, grinding, etc. tools are needed.

 

[LUKE221]

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys dremel

I use mine for all sorts of intricate detail work and everything from cutting, to grinding to polishing...

 

[PureLeaf]

I have a dremel I was given about 15 years ago. Its fantastic, still works as good as the day I got it.

Use it all the time for small modifications to things like if I need to take a small cut out of a piece of metal, or grind or cut a screw down for instance. I also use it to cut cross sections into large steel jacketed cables (around 2-3 inches in diameter) used for work.

 

[CJM8515]

I have the slight upgrade of the 395, the 400xpr. It feels WAY more solid than the newer stuff. I have had it for eons and the only thing that broke was some sorta panel thats spring loaded i cant seem to make stayon without taping it on. Machine wont run without it.

It gets VERY hot, why the cooling ports are where you would hold it IDK-stupidity lol. However its very handy, I mostly use it as a die grinder for very fine work. But it makes an excellent cut off tool for very tight spaces. My favorite task I ever did was use oneof the bits to reshape some metal I had welded on an atv case (replacing the case woulda cost 3x as much). Well welder globbed it on there and I lack a real die grinder so I went to town. Worked VERY well.

 

[fasteddie313]

I have a newer model dremel, have had it for about 3 years. A friend wanted to sell a bunch of tools and an old dremel in a hardcase was in there, i told him I didn't need it but i ended up with it thrown in the pile anyway..

One day a month or so later I decided to see if it worked... WOW sooo much different!! Much less vibration and it didnt feel strung out going to blow its self up like the newer one..
I dont even remember off hand right now where the newer dremel is..
The old dremel is in the Snap-on stack

 

[SASORacing]

i got a WEN on amazon for $18, it has variable speed setting so I dont see much of a value in spending 4-6 times as much money for the same thing.

 

[skruft]

I have some older Dremels and have not had them fail, but I have seen some where the variable speed control failed. I have not tried newer ones. I think Dremels are great for portable use and a bargain. Get an old one at the flea market.

However, for any kind of heavier duty or continuous work I use either an old-fashioned Foredom flexible shaft tool or a dental "micromotor" tool, which are meant for frequent use. Also there are woodcarving machines that look similar to the dental ones.

 

[CGT80]

For me, anything Dremel is useless. I have real die grinders for small work and many other tools for bigger work. It is rare that I need to use a die grinder on something that can't be taken to the garage (or within 100' of it, where a hose will stretch to), and then I have a portable compressor if I really need to go to the work.

Dremel seems more geared toward DIY or amateur workers. A knife, drywall saw, and sawzall let me do what I need with drywall. I used a rotozip in the past on drywall, but they are loud and make a mess. I did a lot of small repairs when I worked in the construction industry, but I still managed without a dremel.

The tool I have been interested in trying is an electric die grinder; something that has some real power and can be run for a period of time, but I know they will be heavier and bulkier than the air powered versions.

 

[fsae0607]

I have a 4000 series and I love it. I only use it for small jobs or limited access grinding.

The last time I used it, I needed to grind a larger fillet into one of the inner wheel bearing cones for my 1961 GMC truck. I just bought a set of NOS ball bearings, and the inner cone would not sit flush with the spindle, since it needed a larger fillet to clear the one on the spindle.

So, instead of using a die grinder, I used my dremel with a stone to slowly and controllably grind a fillet. Once that was done, I cleaned it up with the sandpaper rolls.

I used to the dremel tool in this case because I wanted very slow, controlled metal removal. Perfect for the job!

I'll also add, the comfort grip does block the airflow a lot. I try not to use it if I can help it. But yeah, trying to remove grout in an entire bathroom with a dremel??? No way. Use an oscillating tool in that case.

 

[lat905]

I've had several Dremel's burn up on me. Not just the brushes, completely dead shorted, let the smoke out. I think 2 were 3000 series and 1 was a 4000-something. The one I have now is ok so far, and I got the extended warranty.

I had a late 80's craftsman single speed version that lasted until maybe 2 years ago, then it smoked out.

I recently got an M-12 Milwaukee version that I like, but it's been replaced under warranty after less than 6 months and probably less than 30 minutes run time.

I also have a HF model that I used to use to grind the dog's nails until he passed away. That lasted about 4 years but is very underpowered, which is why it was ideal for the grooming task.

I mostly use them for small area clearancing, grinding, and polishing. I find I use the sanding rolls a lot. Once in a while I'll use the cutoff wheel for small stuff where I can't get anything larger in the spot.

Most of my work is DIY automotive or motorcycle stuff.

 

[Steinmetz]

I own one, and use it occasionally. It's OK as far as it goes. Light work only.

In addition to the famous "Moto-Tool", Dremel tried to market various other tools and attachments, such as a small drill press, a jigsaw, and a few sander/polishers. Most of it was junk.

Dremel used to advertise the Moto-Tool as contributing to the creation of the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos. I'd bet there were any number of hand tools that could make the same claim.

 

[LordPsychon]

I own one, and use it occasionally. It's OK as far as it goes. Light work only...

If you think Dremels are supposed to be used for heavy duty work, you have a problem - light work to medium work is what they are designed for.

 

[gungatim]

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys dremel

I use mine for all sorts of intricate detail work and everything from cutting, to grinding to polishing...

I will cut slots on bolts, cut off toilet bolts that are too tall, slit copper pipe, sharpen chainsaw chains (probably my #1 use), grind hollow spot on a kick starter sharft that had the screw in wrong location, that kind of thing...I would say the cutoff wheel is the #2 use after chainsaw chain, most everything I use it for is a one-off where I don't feel like using a file, or a hacksaw, or a larger die grinder.

 

[LordPsychon]

I use my Dremel to polish and remove rust and some light drilling into wood. I will also use it to sand some small corners.

 

[Steinmetz]

If you think Dremels are supposed to be used for heavy duty work, you have a problem - light work to medium work is what they are designed for.

I have no "problem" since I never asserted that they were useful for anything other than light duty tasks.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have no "problem" since I never asserted that they were useful for anything other than light duty tasks.

Sorry if you took offense but I was agreeing with you.

 

[LUKE221]

Yeah dremel tools are for SMALL jobs or like the previous poster said one offs

 

[Steinmetz]

Sorry if you took offense but I was agreeing with you.

Understood. Thanks.