Which Dremel or equivilent

[Rivertest]

Guys

I'm considering getting a Dremel or some other equivalent quality tool to help get into those awkward places which need to have the rust / paint cleaning prior to welding and or painting. Anyone out there make a recommendations? Which model and tools etc. Whilst it's an easy, if expensive, decision to go with a Dremel just thought I'd ask the question. I'm currently restoring a MG Midget so whilst it will get some use it is not likely to get hammered for years.

Any help much appreciated

RT

 

[datostar]

I've had a corded Black & Decker RT650 for a few years now with no problems at all. To all intents and purposes it's virtually the same as a Dremel for half the price. Cheap cordless 'multi-tools' are pretty hopeless. One I've got even the tiny wire brush stops it under slight pressure. They are an incredibly useful tool for precision work.

 

[shenion]

I would go with an air die grinder.

My dad has a RotoZip, much heavier duty than the flimsy Dremel.

 

[Rivertest]

Yeah Shenion, I know where you're coming from, although electric is way to go for me at the mo as I don't have a compressor,.....yet. I'll take a look at the B&D though, I need one soon as its holding me up at the moment.
Thanks guys.

Anyone else got any suggestions?

 

[Robotstar5]

I've had a Dremel for best part of 20 years and providing you don't try and overdo it they are great tools.

 

[shenion]

I had a B&D and it wore out fairly fast. The dremel is better but mine is one of the low end ones without ball bearings.

 

[NTwoO]

Was looking to get a metabo electric die grinder, but ended up with a 470lpm 100l compressor and an air die grinder. Metabo and makita make very nice die grinders. I think if you want to do something that won't take too long with a car, skip the dremel and go for the makita or the metabo. They are not cheap.

My vote is however still for the air die grinder.

 

[chunkolini]

Have a look at Axminster tools, their multi tool is a good dremel clone and the flexible drive is a great option, I have had mine for years without blowing it up.
from memory around £70.00 with the flexi drive and a few other accessories. A good buy.

chunko'.

 

[MrFluffy]

The dremmels with the bearings arent much better shennon...
I go through one a year on average, and I dont use it on heavy stuff because I have lots of other cutty thingies to pick up when the occasion demands it.
Faliure mode is that I use it after weeks of inactivity and it either wont start, or its dog slow. Every time I strip it the armature winding has a break in it somewhere...
I even bought a pro last time, same issue and always about a month after the warentee has expired...
I think the work that rivertest has for the tool is too much for a dremmel.. theyre little hobbyist things not serious metalworking tools. Cut a slot on a shaft to make a screw fitting, carve a mark here and there and engrave stuff etc, not lots of metal removal...

 

[Rivertest]

Yeah just to confirm guys, I'll also need it for grinding down the odd welds which are in awkward places. I've got a couple of Makita tools and there damn good. But I see what you mean about price NT. Also do you get much use out of a flexi drive attachment?

 

[Rivertest]

Ok, how about this one
http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/item.php/site/froogle/sn/GD0600/2

The power ratings on these blow away the Dremel and B&D so would be up to the job.

Sorry to ask stupid questions but regarding the collet size.
Do I need to ensure that the tools I buy are 6mm or does the collet take different tool shaft diameters?
Also am I likely to get a flexi drive that will fit?

 

[NTwoO]

Variable speed provided by an air die grinder or the more expensive electric versions is handy for those bigger flapper wheels that can't handle the speed. This is however much better than a dremel for what you want to do. A flexible shaft make the tool more versatile and is smaller in size than an air die grinder. Buckle up before you request the price. Otherwise you'll fall of your chair.

The popular shafts are 6mm, 1/4" and 8mm. A 6mm collet won't accept a 1/4" shaft. Best bet is buying only 6mm flapper wheels, scotchbrite wheels, steel brushes etc.

This is most certainly the handiest rust removal tool I have (in air in my case)

 

[fluxcored]

Is variable speed not a requirement? The GD0600 is single speed if I'm not mistaken.

Myself am looking to tool up to the unit below for finishing welds in awkward places. I think it'll perform better than my my GD0800C at dressing welds - would like the experts to comment though.

Somewhere I saw a project where a guy fabbed a drill and sanding attachment for his variable speed 125 mm grinder - thus having 3 tools in one. It makes a lot of sense to me but I'm unfortunately not at that level.

 

[NTwoO]

3 tools in one means always the wrong setup for what you want to do or that the device is always in one configuration and you change your requirements to suit the setup.

 

[fluxcored]

3 tools in one means always the wrong setup for what you want to do or that the device is always in one configuration and you change your requirements to suit the setup.

True!

 

[steveo3002]

ive ran several cheapie aldi and b&q dremel style tools

worked out fine for me considering the cheapo price , they all still work lol

if your gona be using it all day every day maybe get a good brand , but cheapies are cheap enough to sling and they usualy include a good selction of bits n bobs too

 

[v10mike]

Myself am looking to tool up to the unit below for finishing welds in awkward places. I think it'll perform better than my my GD0800C at dressing welds - would like the experts to comment though.

I've used the cheap B&D equivalent (Powerfile) for years, and I find it the best and most versatile tool for dressing welds, particularly if you get some good quality zirconium belts.

 

[weldingscotty803]

have a look at the bosch die grinder, very powerful, got one at work , too big though for 1 handed operations