DREMEL rotary tool: are they any good?

[SiKiD_01]

i'm looking at getting a Dremel rotary tool, so i'm looking at pros and cons for getting one first.

who has one? and what do they think of it? i haven't used one before, so i'm not sure how they are. apparently there are 101 uses for the dremel, so, is it really that good?

reason why i'm looking at one, is mainly 4by related, like cutting rusted screws and bolts in hard to reach places, or places my trusty angle grinder cant get to.

and also, for its tiny high speed cut off wheels, for like cutting shapes and stuff, or cutting in small places. on the dremel website, they say you can do anything with it, providing you have the right tool/attachment bit.


or do i just forget about getting one, and just use the grinder for everything?

thanks
Steve

[Eddy]

yeah Bay-bee!! have had two of'em and about to get another.

No I haven't worn them out........first one got "borrowed" and the second.......well lets just say they're no match for a backhoe stabiliser leg

[zzzz]

to put it simple they are the shiznitz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shorty40]

I have a knockoff brand (OZITO) and I reckon its great.

Get one

[grazza]

They can be useful but I have busted 2.
The "bits" that work can be expensive. $38 for a tiny tungston carbide bit which is the only one that will work with hard steel.

The "grinding" bits are useless but the sanding barrels are OK but dont last long.

Good for making models I suppose but not tough enough for many jobs which a grinder or power drill with eat up.

[SiKiD_01]

cool, thanks for the replies.

how do the cordless ones go? dremel have a 9.6V, and a 7.2V i think. how do they go compared to the one with the power cord.

i dont mind legging out the extension cords, but a cordless one would be sweet. just like the cordless phone.

anyway, thanks again.
Steve

[Steve F]

I use my dremel for trimming panel work etc, was real handy when I fitted the snorkel and had to oval out the hole in the guard that was cut with a hole saw, not enough room for a grinder but perfect for the Dremel. The cutting discs wear down quickly but you can get the non original ones pretty cheap and they seem to work just a well. I think the extension head would be a better bet than a cordless one as I find the biggest hassle is getting the dremel body in to tight places.

Cheers
Steve

[twinnie]

ok i sell the little buggers and i know a fair bit about them i also have 1

dremel is owned by bosh, who are actuly a charity. the aformentioned ozito is a good bargin tool but it misses 1 vital part it doesn't have a jawed chuck, there is no point getting a dremel without this. there is also a gmc version but it goes for just as much as a dremel so there is little point in it. as you have to use dremel parts ($10 each)

there are a few kits that have cheap parts but the best i have seen is a $20 kit that has 502 bits i have 2 of these and they are well worth it. as for is it worth getting one well once you have it you will think how did you ever do with out it.

now as for where to buy it go to bunnings if there is a bunning up there, and then go to your local tool shop and quote the bunnings price and see if they will beat if they don't buy it from bunnings simple.

Matt

[SiKiD_01]

great info, thanks.

i was at bunnings today to check them out. only bunnings is open on weekends anyway.

they have all these different kits the dremel comes in, ranging from about $80 - $150.

$80 is simply the dremel tool, and 10 bits and pieces. there was one for about $110, which had 40 bits and peices, and the little jaw chuck thingy. i was going to get this one, then the $150 one, had the extension thing, and a holder for the dremel, but only has 20 bits and pieces.

there was a seperate bits and pieces kit, 300 pieces or something for $30.

grrr, its a bit of a decision to which one to get. maybe i'll just get the kit with the chuck, and be done with it for while. i mean, sheesh, the dremel's gotta be more able in tight spots than the grinder.

the dremel has a 5 year warranty, but they do not replace them, only fix them.

the ozito one was $40, and had a 3year warranty. the just replce the rotary tool if you claim warranty.

then there were the arlec ones, and a few more, but none went to 37,000RPM, the ozito was close at about 30,000 i think. well, i'll just get the dremel, but which kit? i'll have to have a good look next time.

[bru21]

do you have a good air compressor. i thing a cheap ($50 odd) diegrinder and decent ($35-80) tungsten bits are more of a man sized approach. but if you don't have air get the dremel

[beefa125]

Seriously mate I would get one if I were you they are so damn good, I have done so mnay jobs on my 4x4 with them, so convenient,

Beefa

[berazafi]

I have a cheapy, but as soon as it breaks will be buying a dremmel, they are so handy to cut bolts and the like, i use it all the time

when buying cutoff disks spend the extra and get the reinforced ones, they are thicker but last 15 times longer

Dave

[SiKiD_01]

cool, dremel it is then.

thanks again.

[Spoon]

Yep got one at work I use for when I'm working nights and they turn the factory compressors off. Awesome little tools for getting into hard spots.

[paul1a]

I've even repaired my wife's glasses with my Dremel by reshaping an old set of wings for them, cutting holes in the Cruiser dash, cutting bolts off, slotting threads for screwdrivers I wouldn't be without one.

[twinnie]

there was one for about $110, which had 40 bits and peices

it's $125 down here

there was a seperate bits and pieces kit, 300 pieces or something for $30.

if you can get the one with an orange back (502 peices or so) on it buy 2 or 3 at a time becase they ar hard to get and sell like hot cakes

the dremel has a 5 year warranty, but they do not replace them, only fix them.

this means it's cheaper for them to fix them then to make them

the ozito one was $40, and had a 3year warranty. the just replce the rotary tool if you claim warranty.

for them to do this they have to have 1 in stock or have one in stock in a store nearby.

bunnings should be open tomorrow 8 am to 5 pm

Matt

[murcod]

I've got a Ryobi 240V Dremel rip off. No idea how much it cost (it was a present) but the thing is unbelievably powerful.

If you go to the Ryobi website www.ryobi.com.au and look in the Products- Power Tools - Others you'll see them. Mine looks like it is the discontinued model. The new one has an LCD readout for the RPM?!

[Ice]

got both a dremel and a die grinder

both have thier uses and abuses

also have dremels at work which get really abused deburing stuff comming off cnc machienes etc

used to use a cordless dremel for doing on site stuff mainly

[just cruizin']

How do the dremels compare with a die grinder?

I know with the air you can really put some pressure on them till the nearly stall without damaging them much, how does this compare with the electric Dremels

[Tiny]

How do the dremels compare with a die grinder?

I know with the air you can really put some pressure on them till the nearly stall without damaging them much, how does this compare with the electric Dremels

use die griders at work for use on castings et, they get dropped and abbused etc and they work a treat, the dremmels are damb good, mate has one I boorow, but for yourself te dremel will stand up to most and work pretty much as well

[RoldIT]

I have both a corded and cordless and I would highly recommend either.

They are great for detailed work and fabrication around the 4b, especially things like fitting electrical doo-dads like GPS or stereo, etc.

Mine get a workout pretty much every weekend.

Only thing I'd add would be the cordless one is great and the battery lasts for ages but it always seems to run out just when you're nearly finished and takes 3 hours to charge. But that's only a niggle, still awesome for quick, fiddly jobs.