Dremel Tool Recommendation?

[CountryGent]

So, I am looking to buy a new dremel tool set. Is largely for a firearms-related antics that is imminent. I thought I already have one. Wife says "no", but I maintain this is so. I suspect is in upper shed and will investigate tomorrow. Wife has opined this upper shed theory is highly suspect, but I have found all sorts of treasures there. To whit, I find .22 pellets for a friend not all that ago long there and yesterday I recovered 9x23㎜ Largo ammo from said. Who knows what other shenanigans have resulted in matériel there?

But, I digress. And, in all seriousness, I am comparison shopping for the aforementioned. Any thoughts on a good quality setup? Thanks for sharing.

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[WAYNO]

I have a couple of them, and they' re used often. One, an old Monkey Wards model, and one, a genuine Dremel.

They both perform well, and I have quite an assortment of wheels, cutters, polishers and burrs.

 

[CountryGent]

The reference to Monkey Wards really takes me back.

 

[Nosferatu]

Budget?

I'd mostly recommend NOT getting one. Too many people eff things up really fast with those stupid things.

Do you happen to use the Milwaukee M12 platform? If so, get that. I have one that works well.

If it's something that will live at a workbench, a Foredom foot-pedal model is my preference. Mine is going 25+ years so far.

 

[thorborg]

I've collected several over the decades, the first in the 1960's was a table top small motor with a foot pedal to run and vary the speed. it has a flexible shaft with a collet system head, the other end a tapered stud for a polishing wheel. The collet system is rather limited if using other things besides Dremel tools. the flexible shaft limited angular attack on things and can get real hot after a fashion. The second I paid a pretty sum in 1978 for was a motor that hung from whatever you wanted to hang it from, I used a large chain like typically used for dining room light fixtures that would hook on the ceiling of the shop. that way, with a hook, I could vary the height. the motor pivoted on a swivel and had a flexible shaft but had bearings that ran cooler than the bushing shaft of the earlier module, this one also had a mini chuck that excepted non standard shaft sizes and worked well ran cooler but the chuck tended to heat up too after a fashion. it also ran with foot pedal. It allowed many more angles of attack to the work. Set up a little clunky but once you got going things basically fine. It also had the most power or torque of all of them
The last one I bought in 95, was a hand held version with collet system variable speed switch on the unit. I like this best except for the collet, I still wanted to use other drills or mini end mills that I never could find the right collet for.
I finally found on Amazon a mini hand tightenable chuck like the Albritch chuck of old that doesn't require a key and has an infinite adjustment. (AKA keyless chuck) I had to buy a pack of six but then it was only about six bucks total. remove the collet and screw it on in its place. I think the way to go, highly recommend them, and wished I had them forty years ago. Also I bought a mini drill press that the hand held Dremel fits in and a worth while addition especially drilling multiple holes needing to be plumb.. Though not the press, all the other tools and hand held Dremel fit nicely in a small fishing box. Buying some Carborundum or other such of varying grits to make your own sanding tools for odd shaped areas comes in handy too.
Like all such thing, the Dremel is the cheap part, you'll soon find out when buying the tools for it. Over the years I've acquired a box of them, cutters, saw blades, Arbors, polishing things, drills, stones, sanding drums, etc. but in the end, if your a hobbyist, well worth the expense, just acquire things as as you need them and it is not so painful. other wise, if bought up front at the start, you end up with things you never use. One to the most used, besides the sanding items, is an 1/8" shank set of 20 diamond grit tools of various grit and shapes, balls, points, ovals, straight, etc.

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

I've got this one.

https://amzn.to/3NZSYJU

While I'd love a foredom, this one does the job. I use mine quite often for metal and woodworking. It's been going strong for over 10 years. I wouldn't hesitate replacing it with the same model if mine ever burnt out.

 

[Tony617]

I have a couple of them, and they' re used often. One, an old Monkey Wards model, and one, a genuine Dremel.

They both perform well, and I have quite an assortment of wheels, cutters, polishers and burrs.

I remember when I as a kid, all of the kitchen appliances were Montgomery Wards. I am not sure who made Montgomery Wards kitchens appliances but they latest for many years. I bought a Dremel tool from online. It has been so long I do not remember the company name.

 

[orygun]

I have a couple of them, and they' re used often. One, an old Monkey Wards model, and one, a genuine Dremel.

They both perform well, and I have quite an assortment of wheels, cutters, polishers and burrs.

This is me! Mom and Dad bought me a Montgomery Wards "dremel" as a Christmas present about 1977. I still have it and it works well. Then, about 10 years ago they bought me a variable speed Dremel. They both work well for me.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Milwaukie m12 is super handy.

A flex head like this one is really helpful. The polishing foam pads that come with it are amazing (I use primarily with mequires diamond cut compound).

 

[edzz]

I've picked up a few over the years, garage sales, estate sales, they're very common often cheep and often have lots of accessories / bits included. I've had a few battery powered, was always disappointed in the power and battery life. I'd guess the newer battery units are much better than they used to be.

 

[Mike_M57]

I have a couple of them, and they' re used often. One, an old Monkey Wards model, and one, a genuine Dremel.

They both perform well, and I have quite an assortment of wheels, cutters, polishers and burrs.

What the heck are you doing in my garage?!

 

[orygun]

Milwaukie m12 is super handy.

I the equivalent Snap-On only because the tool isn't quite as bulky as the Milwaukee. It's really useful, especially because it comes with 2 collets, 1/8" and 1/4".

I've picked up a few over the years, garage sales, estate sales, they're very common often cheep and often have lots of accessories / bits included. I've had a few battery powered, was always disappointed in the power and battery life. I'd guess the newer battery units are much better than they used to be.

All tool batteries used to be junk! They took forever to charge, ran down easily and often just died from use, or non use. The developments in batteries have been what's made cordless tools really viable, even to the point that I pretty much only use air for the "air squeezer" (nozzle).

 

[Idaho44]

Wired with a flex shaft works for a wide variety of "projects" . BUT, there are other brands out there!

Anyone ever tried the flex shaft with an electric drill?

 

[Joe13]

Ryobi 18v flex shaft has been the one I've used the most recently.

I still have my 2 black and decker (1 that is a handheld and one that is a hand held with a flex whip on it) that are corded but cordless is so nice for random usage.

If I needed it for long extended uses then I would go corded with a foot pedal.

 

[Barefootdog]

My local Costco has a Dremel 4000 7/50 kit on close out for $80..
Superior package of extras and best price I've found given whats included.

I have been looking for a Dremel.....The Costco unit is the best deal I've found.

Good Luck...

EDIT...I just went to Costco to buy one of their Dremels and the price is back up to $100.

I asked is this on close out?....YES...Why did you raise the price?....Blank stare.....Will keep looking from time to time.

 

[Barefootdog]

$80 at Costco today.....
Seems like a good deal given all the components included.

 

[Certaindeaf]

View attachment 1988447

$80 at Costco today.....
Seems like a good deal given all the components included.

I forget where I got my dremel, complete with flexible drive and other gewgaws.. mighta got it from Costco. What I do remember getting from Costco was a fold out display case type thing with probably 1000 cutoff wheels and whatnot for probably $30.
Costco rules.

 

[CountryGent]

Thanks all for thoughts. I ended up using hacksaw and file for the firearm idea, but will eventually invest in a dremel tool. Well, if I don't find in upper shed. I was there recently for cartridges and gasoline, but forgot to look for the aforementioned. I just lost my train of thought.

 

[orygun]

I just lost my train of thought.

My train derails regularly. Eventually I get it back on track...