M12 Rotary tool or M12 Die Grinder

[isuhunter]

Group - i'm looking for an all purpose rotary tool and looking at staying in the Milwaukee lineup. I also want to be able to use it for some wood working projects as a dremel would be used. What do you guys suggest I go with?

M12 Rotary tool or go with the M12 Die Grinder

 

[f575gtc]

Can't offer much help on this but I can say Milwaukee has already RMA'ed my rotary tool 3 times all with next to no usage... in my opinion the rotary tool is not great. My current RMA was sent in and still looked brand new, used it for about 15 minutes with a brass wheel brush to clean out valve seats and it started spinning less and less, the motor became stiff and it will only spin at setting 3 or higher.

The straight die grinder should offer more durability.

 

[Gcf11]

I love the rotary tool. Ours gets used all the time in the shop and we’ve never had a problem. Plus I like that being 1/8 you have a massive selection of cheap bits. It’s not a power house by any means, but for most things it’s an absolute gem.

 

[ez-duzit]

My M12 angle die grinder is one of the handiest cordless tools I own.

 

[darkzero]

I have both the M12 RA & straight die grinders. To me the straight die grinder is not an alternative to a rotary tool like a Dremel.

Rotary tools max out at 1/8" & there are tons of accessories (bits) for them. They're more for detailed work as you can grip the tool like a pencil close to the nose when needed.

The M12 straight die grinder you can't cause the power switch is a paddle/lever like air die grinders. So when holding the tool your hand is far away from the spindle & you lack control compared to a rotary tool. You could use 2 hands but that defeats the purpose.

A rotary tool you can turn it on, set the speed (for variable speeed models) & hold the tool anywhere. The die grinders you have to hold the paddle switch for it to stay on.

I use my M12 straight die grinder more for metal work, carbide burrs, grinding stones, cut off wheel. I have a cordless Dremel which the basically the same as the M12 rotary tool and it gets used for different purposes.

 

[ez-duzit]

d--good points.

 

[darkzero]

 

[cheechi]

Whenever I can, I use my dremel with the flex shaft so I don't get a whole lot of use out of the M12 rotary tool. I got it free in a kit. It has however come in handy enough times to be worth buying if you consider you might use it; you definitely will find a use for it somewhere. Sometimes, flex shaft or not, AC power or not, you just need the portable aspect of it to get to that tight spot.

I don't have the straight but I do have the angle M12 die grinder, it's pretty much permanently got a roloc chuckd in it. I also have the M12 cutoff so I don't need to use the die grinder as a cutoff

 

[isuhunter]

Great points everyone! Thanks!!!!!

 

[eyeball]

Can't offer much help on this but I can say Milwaukee has already RMA'ed my rotary tool 3 times all with next to no usage... in my opinion the rotary tool is not great. My current RMA was sent in and still looked brand new, used it for about 15 minutes with a brass wheel brush to clean out valve seats and it started spinning less and less, the motor became stiff and it will only spin at setting 3 or higher.



The straight die grinder should offer more durability.

My experience was just the opposite... My son and I practically dismantled the sheet metal body of a rust bucket 1970 Nova and cut the replacement panels almost exclusively with the M12 rotary tool. Was it ideal? Not by a long shot but, it worked.

I now have both the straight and 90 degree die grinders to accompany the rotary tool. I find the straight grinder a bit bulky and heavy to replace the rotary or Dremel type tool for more detailed work

 

[wxm]

Whenever I can, I use my dremel with the flex shaft so I don't get a whole lot of use out of the M12 rotary tool...

Same here. I have both M12 rotary, but I prefer the size of Dremel (corded), and that's my go-to. I can't remember how many times that I have used M12 rotary, probably once or twice.

 

[mc4life27]

Group - i'm looking for an all purpose rotary tool and looking at staying in the Milwaukee lineup. I also want to be able to use it for some wood working projects as a dremel would be used. What do you guys suggest I go with?



M12 Rotary tool or go with the M12 Die Grinder

I have all of them the m12 rotary tool die grinder 90 and straight and even the m18 cut out tool. My
Favorite is the 90 die grinder. The rotary tool I like better then my Dremel and no longer even use my dermal. And when I need to do something small and delicate I grab the rotary tool but when I need speed and more power I grab the die grinder. They do offer a different collet for the die grinders that is made for 1/8 bits so you can can use
Cheap bits but I find they don’t hold
Up well with that power the die grinders can put out.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[tunnelengineer]

I love my M12 rotary tool. My dremel has built up a layer of dust on the shelf ever since I bought it.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Those are different tools for different jobs IMO. I think you need the rotary tool first. I have both and use the small dremel-sized unit the most.

 

[dlwilson]

I use my M12 right angle grinder all the time, with the roloc pads that a friend introduced me to. I can swap quickly between flex disc and sanding disc and scotchbrite pad.

That being said, I keep thinking about getting the M12 straight grinder for use with a cutting wheel. There have been a lot of times lately when I'm cutting sheet metal and I have to get out the pneumatic grinder because the ergonomics of the M12 right angle grinder don't work for me for cutting.

Does anybody have experience using the M12 straight grinder with a cutting wheel?

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had the rotary tool since they came out about 8 years ago. It has ridden around in my tool bag and been used dozens, if not hundreds of times. I use it for cutoff, sanding and wire brushing frequently. Sometimes saving me hours of work.

My only complaint is the noise - it's got to be one of the noisiest tools I own.

I carry the bits in a little altoids tin - I like the dremel quick change tools - I go through those cutoff wheels like candy.