Dremel Tool

My trusty Dremel Tool finally gave up the ghost tonight (got it 13 years ago reconditioned). Anybody using any other brand (I've seen a couple of other brands like Grip) or should I stick with Dremel?

Thanks,

You get what you pay for. Love my Dremel's.

Bill

I agree you get what you pay for. I've got a Foredom that is 24years
old, still going strong.

The Dremels have undergone several changes over the years. The Craftsman is a Dremel with a different name. Sometimes it is on sale. The Black and Decker is similar and I wouldn't shy away from it if the price were right. These should be pretty equal quality. You might want to avoid the cheap knock-offs unless that is all you can afford. Wal-Mart sells both the Dremel and the Black and Decker at good prices. I got a couple of these off of their bargain table once.

Dremel is king. Check your local Ace Hardware. They have occasional sales on many Dremel models. (Yes, I work for Ace.)

>My trusty Dremel Tool finally gave up the ghost tonight (got
>it 13 years ago reconditioned). Anybody using any other
>brand (I've seen a couple of other brands like Grip) or
>should I stick with Dremel?
>
>Thanks,
>
>James

Try:

http://www.dremelstore.us/dremel.html - - There's a #395 kit with a bunch of the accesories for about $55.

I bought the $30 cordless Dremel and now I rarely (like never) use the corded one. I also use it much more often. My regret is that I didn't get the more powerful version.

I did get the keyless chuck so I can drill asst size holes and the various tools and not have to look for the wrench.

- Norm

I have a Black and Decker, which I like better than my previous Dremel. It has a very clever shaft lock, for one thing. The collet clamp was misaligned, but I replaced it with the one from my Dremel and all is well.

My findings are that the Riobi is nifty....It features a seperate switch that allows the "sweet" speed to be obtained and then retained.
Look at the home centers for this stuff.....they usually have super bargains on something....and I wouldn't shy away from the "house" brands (Rigid, etc.) either....

See Ya

Peabody

About six months ago,I replaced my 25 year old Dremel tool with a new Lithium-Ion cordless Dremel tool (model # 800). I purchased it at Home Depot for around $70. I could not be happier with it! Cordless is very convenient. Also a charge lasts a long time. I am always building something, and only have to charge the thing about once a month. It has plenty of power. I would highly recommend this model Dremel.

I've used a (corded) Dremel since the 1980s. I've gone through at least six ... it is my most important tool. In addition to hobby work I use it for cars, motorcycles, boats ... everything!

For several years I used the flex attachment but now I just prefer the plain ol Dremel.

I bought a cordless Dremel Model 800 at Christmastime when my old Model 380 finally gave up. The 380's cord was too stiff, the rotary switch/speed control was inconvenient and the cooling vents got covered when you held it. Nevertheless, it did it's job well and survived 20+ years of "innovative applications". I rebuilt the bearings several times, replaced the brushes and trued the commutator- basically kept it alive long past it's design life.
In my opinion the Model 800 is not 2.1053 times better. I'm happy not to wrestle with a cord, but the top mounted battery pack results in poor balance. My unit sounds cheap and there are resonant vibrations at various speeds; the bearings are obviously substandard. That poor little cheap motor has practically zero torque. I think the design philosophy was to rely on the rotational inertia once the armature and chuck spin up to speed.
If someone were to sell a hop-up kit for the 800, I'd be interested. I'd gladly give up run time/charge for a nice little electronically commutated ball bearing motor with an armature wound for torque. I'd even pay 50-75 bucks to get it.
Like Norman says, my Model 800 gets used more frequently because it has no cord. It *is* convenient. This Christmas, though, I'm getting a Foredom. http://www.blackstoneind.com/foundations/store/home.asp
Derek

In the early '90s between shipping out on tankers I did some carving (figures, decoys, etc.). Most of my fellow carvers used a "Flexible Shaft Machine." It was a 1/4 hp motor suspended from a gantry with a flexible shaft about 4' long. Talk about TORQUE! I'm sure the darn thing would spin start a Harley Davivson.

I have one of the old Dremel scroll saws that I inherited when my father passed but it just sits there on the bench.

I use this 20" DeWalt.

>I have one of the old Dremel scroll saws that I inherited
>when my father passed but it just sits there on the bench.
>
>I use this 20" DeWalt.
>

Agreed, Walter! To get a better saw than the DeWalt you have to spend over $1000. Mine is 8 years old and runs like a top.

Walter,
What do you like the most about this saw?
Thanks!
Derek

>Walter,
>What do you like the most about this saw?
>Thanks!
>Derek

Hi Derek,

After using the old Dremel scroll saws for many years I found myself in a position of instant need for a new scroll saw so I went to buy a new one and found that you can’t get them anymore so I got a new model Dremel and was very disappointed so I returned it for another and was also disappointed so my last option was this one, at a little over $400.00(then) you can understand why it was my last choice and it weighs so darn much I had to double up the board of the bench that it’s on.

Anyhow, after using the old type that had a blade that moved at a high speed I actually didn’t like this one either when I first purchased it because I thought it didn't have enough speed to meet my need but after a few cuts for kit parts the high speed proved not to be necessary.

This saw has a real adjustable speed control, not just high, med. or low, the blade is easily changeable; table top doesn’t move once you set the level or angle, when you change blades the front top part of the saw lifts upward giving you clearance to work on the removal of the blade, and when compared to the sound level of any other scroll saw this thing is quiet. Oh! And lets not forget the little adjustable dust blower.

This saw has really proved itself worthy for these Sweet Sweep kits I'm making in that the center rib/engine mount/bellcrank mount is a 3/8 maple sheet and needs to be hand cut and this saw cuts through it like soft butter, not even one change in the rpm.

LAST EDITED ON May-07-06 AT 03:58 PM (CST)
 
Thanks, Walter.
I did a little poking around and the consensus is that this saw is just about the best you can get for less than $1,000. In fact, this machine was designed by the folks who make the Excaliber scroll saws; Excaliber and Hegner being the best available.

I also discovered there is an entire sub-culture of scroll saw hobbiests- folks who really enjoy cutting out intricate and beautiful little do-dads. They probably outnumber PAMPA members 250-to-1. I wonder what they think of laser cutters?

I have a Craftsman-branded Dremel saw from the early 80's and it's time to upgrade.

Derek

>Thanks, Walter.
>I did a little poking around and the consensus is that this
>saw is just about the best you can get for less than $1,000.
> In fact, this machine was designed by the folks who make
>the Excaliber scroll saws; Excaliber and Hegner being the
>best available.
>
>I also discovered there is an entire sub-culture of scroll
>saw hobbiests- folks who really enjoy cutting out intricate
>and beautiful little do-dads. They probably outnumber PAMPA
>members 250-to-1. I wonder what they think of laser
>cutters?
>
>I have a Craftsman-branded Dremel saw from the early 80's
>and it's time to upgrade.
>
>Derek

should you decide to get this one you won't be disappointed.

LAST EDITED ON May-07-06 AT 07:01 PM (CST)
 
Gee, the last time I burned a bearing on my Dremel I sent it back to the factory for repair and they sent me a brand new tool for nothing. Nice folks. Nice tools. Like any other small tool it is built to stand certain useage and if you exceed its specifications it will wear out or break.

I echo Jon's reply. My Dremel wore out after many years. I asked them about new parts and they said "send it in". So I did, and back came a brand new Dremel! I was only out a couple bucks postage.

Wouldn't it be great if General Motors or Ford in Detroit would do the same? (hey, I drive Japanese cars).