Rotary tool (Dremel, Black & Decker, take your pick...)

I got a Black and Decker Wizard as a gift from my father-in-law about a month ago, and it's now an extension of my right hand in the shop. It's much like a Dremel. This model is rechargable, battery-powered (VersaPak), which is not as much of a downside as I at first expected. It has plenty of power for up to an hour of almost continuous use before needing a recharge. A plug-in model would be somewhat more convenient, since it would just work continuously for as long as needed, but I don't think it'd have more power.

I've found this tool to be indespensable for many tasks at the workbench. I've used it to cut ply rib templates, shape a stack of ribs, cut steel tangs for strap-on mufflers and clean out the wing cutout of a profile prior to replacing a broken wing. I'm looking forward to discovering many more uses for it. It allows me to do precision work quickly, which enhances my modeling experience. Normally I prefer hand tools, but this is one big exception. Don't think twice about getting one of these - it really is a must!

Tim

What RPM's does it turn?

No idea. It's got two speeds - fast and fastest. I always use fastest. A more expensive tool would have a variable-speed switch, which would be nice, but this one doesn't. It's simple to use, though...

Tim

Tim

If you have a Dremel, consider getting one of Dremel's router tables as well. Can be had for about $29 on sale, and is great for cutting hinge slots, and doing limited routing.