Dremel v's Other ? ? ?

[busastars]

Right then nice and easy one to discuss.

In the next few weeks I would like to search for a small rotory tool. Year's ago I always had air tools to hand for free in places Ive worked to do porting etc but now im on my own I have nothing. I want to stay away from air rotory grinders.

So Ive seen Dremel 300 series with sod all with them from around £40 so with extras would take me way above what I could afford.

BUT

I have seen a challenge one in Argos with alot of attachments including a flexi shaft for about £35. I have used Challenge stuff before and had no problems.


Others ??????

 

[bawjaws]

aldis had them in not too long ago, with the fangle flexi bit and all!, and their big kits of spare bits were only about £3 too

 

[Paul.]

I would buy a die grinder with a 6mm collett, theres a much better range of pro quality tools, mounted points etc available, the 3mm ones seem a bit diy ish and overpriced to me, a simple solution is to use a power drill in a bench clamp and a flexible drive like these, I use one with polishing mops etc for finishing stainless.

 

[Wedg1e]

I have a Black & Decker Wizard... doesn't get a lot of use but does what I've needed it to. Has a router attachment, flexi drive, lots of burrs, stones, cutting discs etc. and three collets up to about 3.2mm I think.
As far as I know they don't make them any more but you may pick one up cheap on the 'bay etc.

Like this one, except mine has a bigger case to accommodate the router & flexi...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-Decker-...hash=item110354452997&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

 

[shenion]

I have a Dremel, it has sat in a drawer for years Just too weak and the bearings soon get sloppy.

I use an air die grinder as it has more power than the little dremel.

If I was going to use something electric, I would go with a RotoZip. Has much larger motor and can handle 1/4" bits.

 

[jaykay]

i busted 2 of them flex shafts doing one ford 4 banger head.i'd go air drive.

 

[Sinister]

I have a made in China Dremel clone that's done great for everything I've thrown at it.
Cost about $30 U.S.

 

[madkayaker]

i think you options are expensive die grinder that will last or cheep and treat like consumables

 

[dannyweld]

have a dremel, ebay, from the states , good for cleaning up PCBs. mines a battery powered.

 

[busastars]

Right may give the drill attachments a go. Can someone have a quick look at these two on ebay and tell me or gess what size chuck they may have.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FLEXIBLE-FLEX...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-Pc-DRILL-F...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[madkayaker]

both have small chucks same size as dremal i think

 

[MrFluffy]

I think everyones missing the point of a dremel, its for FINE work.
Porting a head is far too big a workload for one, and it will shag it quickly...
However, there will be times when the little dremmel with its tiny abrasive cut off disc or little cutters will be perfect for a tiny snip or shave, and thats when you should be using one. Mine gets most used to cut through the braid on stainless brake hoses when making up ends after taping up, for that its perfect, but Ive been known to cut slots slightly wider in screw heads etc.
For porting, can't beat a proper die grinder with a carbide cutter on it. Ive got a flexi shaft but I'd go with the die grinder every time...

On the dremel vs chinese copy, I kill about a dremel every two years, mostly something dies when I first turn them on after not using it for ages so I guess its damp related, and much to my annoyance usually the week after the warentee expires. My mrs's chinese one lasted a week before it went all nasty and sloppy on the bearings...
But, the quality of the different attachments makes it worth seeking them out.

 

[busastars]

Just wondering what type of attachment has the Rotozip got, are thay a chuck aswell?

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Have a look see?

 

[shenion]

It comes with a collet chuck for 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4" and maybe other sizes.

There are all kinds of attachments. My dad has one, we used it to cut holes in drywall. Was real impressed with it as it had an order of magnitude more power than a Dremel.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Drywall holes are best cut with one of these

 

[fluxcored]

I think everyones missing the point of a dremel, its for FINE work.
Porting a head is far too big a workload for one, and it will shag it quickly...
However, there will be times when the little dremmel with its tiny abrasive cut off disc or little cutters will be perfect for a tiny snip or shave, and thats when you should be using one. Mine gets most used to cut through the braid on stainless brake hoses when making up ends after taping up, for that its perfect, but Ive been known to cut slots slightly wider in screw heads etc.
For porting, can't beat a proper die grinder with a carbide cutter on it. Ive got a flexi shaft but I'd go with the die grinder every time...

On the dremel vs chinese copy, I kill about a dremel every two years, mostly something dies when I first turn them on after not using it for ages so I guess its damp related, and much to my annoyance usually the week after the warentee expires. My mrs's chinese one lasted a week before it went all nasty and sloppy on the bearings...
But, the quality of the different attachments makes it worth seeking them out.

I've got a Dremel and a Makita die grinder. Before I got my Makita I used my Dremel to cut all the rust out of my car's panels - and there was a lot - and grind the welds down in awkward places where my normal grinder could'nt reach, in 2003. That Dremel is still alive and kicking. A feat, I do not want to repeat ever again!

Nowadays, I rarely use my Makita and most often whip out the Dremel. I think the Dremel is close to dying tho and hope it quits so that I can justify the expense of a new one.

If the application requires more than 5 minutes of grinding time, I use my Makita. Being a hobbyist, I find that occasion very rare nowadays.

 

[madkayaker]

there also good for cutting floorboards against the wall etc