Dremel Rotary tools

[Nancy]

Hi

Do any of you guys have any experience with rotary tools - Dremel or similar - can you recommend the best buy?

I will be hoping to used one for light cutting or sawing, sanding, a little drilling and some recessing.

Ive been looking at the Dremel but I see that amazon do a Skils version of similar spec for a better price and it comes with a lot more accessories including a flexible extension and torch attachment. and Dremel bits fit it too. it seems to have good reviews but id rather trust the experience of real people than those on a commercial site.

Thanks in anticipation

N

[sparkysdad]

I was introduced to the dremel by a friend who was a great fan... Though I ended up with a black and decker version (a gift) myself..

While the B&D is perfectly fine and functional, I find it more cumbersome than the compact dremel and it is a better balanced tool.. perhaps not 3 times the value though.. :rolleyes:..

I am sure the skil version has its economies too, but I think the biggest factor is whether you feel comfortable holding one of the cheaper versions, if not, you are perhaps wasting money.. if you were expecting to put it to a great deal of use, and thus get value from the extra expense I would buy the Dremel!

[Nancy]

Yeah.. I think Im edging toward the Dremel - Skils do a similar machine for 30 quid and it gets great reviews , they say the bits "arnt all that" but they do say the bits are easier to change and the actual unit is just as good as the Dremel and nice to hold too- I`d probably spend what i save on extra bits and probably not use the vice and torch and other bits and bobs anyway- Seems Dremel do the 300 including the flexi extension ( which appeals to me) and a few bits for about £40 so its probably a safer bet -

thanks for the confirmation
N

[greannancrafts]

I love my Dremel - once charged the battery lasts for ages - it comes with so many attachments.

I find many uses for it around the house.

Jane

[mizgeorge]

I'd be inclined to stick with Dremel or Proxxon. I think a lot of -alike versions are not great quality, and most of the extra accessories are things you don't actually need or use. Better to get the right machine and buy the bits you want to go with it separately imo.

[onlyme]

Are there different types of Dremel, or is it just one combi-tool? I really shouold get myself one before I drill a hole in my foot with the one I use! :o

[sparkysdad]

I love my Dremel - once charged the battery lasts for ages - it comes with so many attachments.

I find many uses for it around the house.

Jane

Bet your hubby is terrified of sitting still in your house.. you always seem to be "on the go".. I envy all your seemingly endless energy!

[Nancy]

After much deliberation I ordered the Dremel Stylus stylus from an Ebay distributor for £49 plus £6 P&P and it included the multichuck and the speedclic cutting tool ( together worth £20 apparently) - the tool alone with a few bits was £68 in B&Q.

I hear people saying that re chargeable units arnt so good but mine will be used for light work and i will want to use it outside, away from a power supply ( i suppose i could haul out the extension lead but what a drag...)- i went and had a look at the range and as soon as i put the stylus in my hand i knew this was the one - its perfect to hold .. so all things considered...

it arrived at 7 am this morning and its already in the charger.. ill let you know how it goes

[Kiamyka]

I know this has been answered now but thought I would add a little to it
Had my dremel years and bought one of these universal chucks for mine (dremels own is about £15)
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21914&name=universal+chuck&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44
I use mine for drilling gemstones and using this chuck I can buy cheaper drill bits and changing them is a doddle

[Nancy]

Agreed - The Multi chuck was something I decided i wanted too after reading what other people had said about changing the bits - I hunted around and not only did i find the Stylus for a great price but it had the Multi chuck included free - bargain !!

[Nancy]

one thing i will say about thie dremel is that it didnt come with any instructions at all - yes there is a safety manual and a huge glossy poster with lots of snazzy photos ( some featuring beautiful girls using the tool - as if to say.. "LOOK - This tool is so easy to use.. EVEN GIRLS CAN DO IT!!!! ha ha ha")

joking apart - it would have been nice to have some instructions - like some basic ideas about what bits to choose for certain projects, it doesnt even show you how to change the bits, collets, chucks etc... yeah i know it might be obvious most of you but i have only recently been set loose on power tools... and i am a girl !!!!

[bodrighy]

If you have a friendly dentist, the dentil drills are usually diamond tpped and fit these tools. Thety are expensive to buy but get thrown out after a few uses. They are sterilised so safe. I got a load when my wife was a dental nurse and they are ideal for delicate work.

Pete

[Nancy]

I have found some basic operating instructions in the safety manual....

That will teach me to go poking around with things and spouting off before i have read all the literature properly...

But everbody knows crafters dont read the blurrb - WE`RE JUST TOOO EXCITED by our new toys to be delayed by such trivialities !!!!!

...and Who ever heard of reading the instructions before attempting to assemble an Ikea book case !!! ..and I`d never be caught smuggling the directions under my jumper and dissapearing into the loo half an hour later leaving a pile of nuts and bolts in a heap in the middle of the living room carpet !!! noo.... not me - never !!!!!!