Would you buy a DREMEL tool?

[Bolster]

I could use a small, handheld cutoff/burr/grinding/sanding option, but I'm not sure DREMEL brand is the way I want to go.

Can anybody recommend a competing brand?

 

[trythis]

I wouldnt bother unless you really need something for working on tiny jewelry sized stuff. Dremel tools are really not very powerful.
If you want a decent tool look into the Foredom tools with hanging motors and flex shafts. Or just get a die grinder

http://www.foredom.com/

 

[mkirkpatrick]

I used to do a lot of glass etching with them years ago. I still have one that survived 20 years. They come in handy. The hanging motors ones like the above are great (but limited), but you can put a flex shaft on a dremel, at least you used to be able to.

 

[skeletonizer]

I rarely use my dremel now that I have air. I use my die grinder for most things.

I had a dremel brand and it lasted about 6 years and the bearing at the chuck started to go. It never seized but eventually the motor fried. I replaced it with a $20 B&D since it got little use and now even less I saw no reason to spend more than that.

 

[mkdive]

I have 2 of them. I have made some pretty crazy things with them. I use mine all the time. Next Im going to get a cordless one.

 

[bradleykd]

You can pick up a cordless, variable speed one for about $60... it's pretty handy to have IMO

 

[Arachnotron]

I've had this Proxxon for a few months. I really like it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017PWTX8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Hip2u77]

Mine worked fine cutting the bearing off a Dana 44 axle.

I actually have a Craftsman as I read they're just rebadged Dremels but offer more bang for the buck. Not sure if that's the truth, but they appear to be the same.

 

[sanddrag]

Have had a Dremel well over 10 years. I have no idea how the new ones are, but the old one has been great. I wouldn't say it's used often, but there's always those strange situations where it's just the thing for the job.

 

[larry4406]

I havea variable speed dremel for 10-15 years. Extremely valuable tool.

 

[Monte]

i prefer "Proxxon"

i just cut off these small metal ******* from my car which holds the chrome trim for the vinyl roof. Also good for model car work (AMT, Revell etc.) model train work , RC-boats and cars and everywhere where there is no air source or where the air grinder is too big ( or the discs too large or thick) etc.

 

[Cantause]

I would go for Proxxon too if you want a grinder with an integrated electric motor.

I prefer air tools so for precision jobs I bought a Bluepoint 1/8 shank a few years ago:

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=8shank.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/8shank.jpg" border="0" alt="Bluepoint AT1054B grinder"></a>

I almost only use it when I do cylinder head jobs, to grind around the valve seats, spark plug threads,... very handy, I couldn't do the same things with an electric tools, at least not as precisely...
The draw back is that you need compressed air. The good thing is that for hard grinding jobs you don't have to worry about letting the tool cool down, it might be the opposite

Well, it depends what you plan to do with it, if you look for versatility I wouldn't go for this kind of small air tools, but if you're always near a compressed air supply I would enjoy the robustness of good pneumatic tools

 

[Stuey]

The newest Dremel 4000 is pretty awesome.

I heard that Proxxon is decent as well. Foredom isn't directly comparable with Dremel, it's in a whole nother league at three times the price, and with many more options.

 

[peter_x]

Dremel still makes variable speed tools. There are just different models. My dad had one a few years ago that had a digital display on the back and you could choose any speed from I think 5k to 35K in increments of 100.

I have a Dremel 300 that I posted about here:

Excellent service from Dremel

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I think they're great. I've got a mulit speed demel as well as one of the new multi max tools. Both are great homeowner's tools...

 

[78Bird]

I have one as well, good for small things where a larger air tool won't easily fit.

example: I used it when re-welding the frame seams on my Firebird so I could dig out crud and rust without hogging out too much good metal using a larger tool.

 

[Packard V8]

IMHO, the Dremel is light-duty-basement-workbench quality. They are handy for small job on an occasional basis. Used hard, their lifespan is measured in in minutes, if not seconds.

If the need is for sustained use, get a Foredom. It will cost less than regular replacement of the Dremel.

jack vines

 

[iandh]

I've got the little cordless gun type, my boss gave me as a gift. It's been on my workbench for about a year now and I use it every week or so.

It can be pretty damn handy for some things. Definitely worthwhile for some folks, it really depends what kind of work you do. I still own a foredom, but TBH it's too much to haul out when I could just use the Dremel already sitting there.

 

[51rider]

I have a dremel variable speed & have used it extensivley from working on my handguns (before they were BANNED)to using the router frame & a whole host of jobs inbetween.

Wouldn't be without it.

 

[pedro1990]

I have the dremel xpr i got as a gift a few years ago. if i had to buy one now, i wouldnt spend near as much as i dont i have a great need for one. to me, the bits are too expensive and poor quality. whatever model you choose, i would look into a flex shaft as they make handling a little easier.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Maybe you should look into a Milwaukee, Dewalt, or Makita electric die grinder. More powerful than a dremel but will last longer and hold value better if you decide to get rid of it. They do cost 2-4x the cost of a dremel though.

 

[84scrambler]

I got a craftsman single speed a few years ago and it did a descent job but it got extremely hot. I ended up getting a variable speed dremel 1 year later as a gift and can say I like it a lot better. I have used it on my jeep numerous times and around the house where other tools couldn't fit. Most recently I used it around the hardware that goes to my bedroom doors that I recently installed. It saved me a lot of time and frustration.

 

[dellwas]

Dremel comes in handy. I have variable speed with a flex shaft. Recently replaced rear spring hangers on my F350, and one of the rivets was impossible to get at with air tools. Dremel was small enough to get at it and do the job.

 

[BetterDays]

They come in handy. I have used it for quite a few jobs...

 

[woody 73]

I wouldnt bother unless you really need something for working on tiny jewelry sized stuff. Dremel tools are really not very powerful.
If you want a decent tool look into the Foredom tools with hanging motors and flex shafts. Or just get a die grinder

http://www.foredom.com/

Bolster Hi,

This member hit the nail on the head,don't get me wrong I use both the hand held dremel and the Foredom (mine has a different name,From the 1970's).
I use mine every day.

Woody.

 

[Mickey O]

Absolutely would recommend a Dremel, preferably and older USA made one, I have 2 or 3 or 4, use the thing all the time. The "bits" can be expensive but I bought a lifetime supply at an estate sale for $2.00.

 

[StingRay]

I use my Dremel for all kinds of stuff. The angle attachment is a godsend. I sometimes use it as a tiny angle drill. I have the router attachment that comes in handy, the tiny saw attachment, flex shaft and a pile of bits. It's not the heavy dutiest of tools but I get 5 or 10 years out the ones I've had.

 

[speed bump]

I have a cheap Buffalo one I bought at Checker or somewhere for $20 and its head and shoulders above the dremels I have used. The on/off button isn't in some stupid easy place to bump, I haven't burned it up yet (unlike 2 previous dremels including a US made one), and it came with a flex shaft.

 

[Brookesy]

I've got a dremel I find its a handy tool to have when you have some intricate cutting or sanding. Only bought it after going through 2 B&D wizards.

 

[hoopty388]

I have one of the older plug in ones (about 10) years old. I use the heck out of it. love it.

I have 2 friends with the battery ones, they are always borrowing mine because the batteries don't hold up.

 

[Major Ramifications]

How about telling us what you plan to use it for?

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

I have the B&D tool. I have used, abused, and misused this tool and it still looks and works like the day I bought it. For small light duty detail work you cannot beat it. It is easily 4 years old and easily has 300 hours on it just from dog manicures. I would not use it in the place of a hammer drill, but for fabricating thin metal stuff, like custom car interior work, it is great.

 

[Heathens]

I have one that I bought about eight years ago, I use it all the time. I was actually using it this past week to grind chrome away on a set of door handle inards I just got back from the chromers.

 

[Bolster]

How about telling us what you plan to use it for?

Hi Major.

Currently refurbing an old house (1927). Main need is: every slotted screw that has to come off is caked with 7 layers of paint. Can't get my cordless in close enough to clean out the slots with a small cutoff wheel. Second need is nipping off the ends of nails and screws that have gone "too far". They seem to be Dremelish tasks.

 

[Scout Driver]

It sounds like a Dremel job to me. I've had mine since 1997. Wouldn't be without it. It should have more than enough power for what you intend to do with it.

Scott

 

[gc11090]

I have one at work, an older model adjustable speed. It gets used about 20 minutes a week and is at least 5 years old. Got a 3 year old cordless one at home I almost never use. Then a few days ago I brought the 200 model at lowes on clearance for like $45. There really are infinite uses for them. Lowes also has the flex shaft kit on sale for $24 I think right now, I will be picking one of them up next week.

 

[recklessnova]

After blowing a few up I just bought a flex shaft for my rotozip. Works amazing and way more power then a dremel.
Josh

 

[frankreno]

I wouldnt bother unless you really need something for working on tiny jewelry sized stuff. Dremel tools are really not very powerful.
If you want a decent tool look into the Foredom tools with hanging motors and flex shafts. Or just get a die grinder

http://www.foredom.com/

We have used Foredom for years, good stuff!