Rotary Tool Suggestions

[iBorg]

I'm in need of replacing my rotary tool. I had a Dremel, a Black and Decker(which is no longer made....

and a Dremel cordless.

Any suggestions as to what model to look for?

Thanks,

Mike

[my80malibu]

Sears Craftsman,is identical to the dremel. But costs less.

[bad0210]

I just bought a corded one from harbor freight for $10. It comes with a bunch of accessories but it only has one speed.

[LDO]

Dremel cordless variable speed. Corded and single-speed tools spin too fast; they melt styrene instead of cutting or grinding.

Edited December 31, 2014 by LDO

[Snake45]

DEFINITELY get variable speed.

[Jon Haigwood]

I have a lot of Dremel bits, tools, adapters etc. so when my Dremel wen awol I bought a Harbor Freight Corded Vspeed. None of my Dremel stuff will fit on it.

I owned a Sears (made by Dremel) for years and never had a problem. Put a keyless chuck on it and threw away the wrenches.

[Zarana-X]

Multi-speed is the only way to go. I learned as a kid on an antique single speed, that single speed sucks, and melts styrene.

[jbwelda]

double the recommendation on the dremel cordless. corded variable speed goes too fast. I would recommend a Stylus but they are no longer made and the ones out there seem to be collectors items judging from the price they bring.

remember: those who buy cheap, buy often. and that jive with the harbor freight one not being adaptable to dremel bits is a non-starter for me.

jb

[BMXNBULLDOG]

I love my microlux flex shaft rotary tool I got from micro mark. Smaller to hold and variable speed with the foot switch, works great and it's flexable. Look into micro mark their tools are really good.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I have a corded variable speed Dremel. It's an older one, maybe 2007 model. Works great. Slow speed and high speed, cuts good in both.

Edited December 31, 2014 by chunkypeanutbutter

[my66s55]

I have a Harbor Freight variable speed with cord and cordless. They comes with a bunch of tools plus my Dremel tools work also. It does all I need for $27 minus a coupon if you have one.

[Jon Haigwood]

Works OK unless your tool bits have a different shaft size. I use various tool bits and drill bits and most won't fit and the Dremel keyless chuck has different threads

[Belugawrx]

They do offer different size collets for the dremel,

to take different size shafted bits

[PeeBee]

I have an old Dremel corded variable speed that I control with a foot pedal, which allows me to run it at very low RPM. I've been expecting this method to burn out the motor, but it just keeps running.

PB

[DrGlueblob]

I find the PROXXON tool to be much better made for the price. Amazon has them.

[Deathgoblin]

I've got one of the Harbor Freight ones. It's got multiple chucks, so it'll handle any sized tool. I just need to pick up a speed controller for it so I can pull the speed down below "melting plastic"

[dartman]

I have a Dremel corded that stays in their drill press,a cordless vs I use for just about

everything else,and a dremel mini mite that I use with wooden q-tips for polishing

metalizer and other small things.The mini mite turns slow so it's ideal.

Edited April 5, 2018 by dartman
.

[Roadrunner]

I'm still using the same old Dremel I've been using for years. If I were to seek another right now, I'd probably go with the Craftsman.

[jbwelda]

yes I was referring to the "Mini Mite" above, just couldn't think of the name, I was just referring to it as cordless though there is a bigger (too big) cordless model that I do NOT mean.

with the mini mite you don't really need a flex shaft, in fact it gets in the way. the tool is small and comfortable enough in your hand you can get right down in there very easily and efficiently.

I think my mini mite is my most important major tool in my toolbox. couldn't get along without it...and now I might try chucking up a q-tip for polishing, thanks for that suggestion

jb

[1930fordpickup]

Just make sure whatever you buy has different size collets. There are a few different sizes collets that are out there 3/32 and 1/8 are the most popular US made stuff.

[Snake45]

remember: those who buy cheap, buy often

jb

Another way I've heard it said: "When you buy the best, you only cry once."

[my80malibu]

I guess its fair to say,I like my rotary tool. I have had it for a million years. The new dremel tools have a quick change rotary lock device to there sanding, and grinding disks that I am not too fond of.

[ChrisBcritter]

I've got two variable speed Dremels, one much older than the other. I use the old one more often since its slowest speed is 5000 RPM, which won't melt plastic as easily. I've looked into the Mini Mite but its slow speed is 6500 RPM so I'll stick with what I have.

The most off-the-wall rotary tool I ever had was one I made from a battery powered lollipop rotator ; thing ran about 10 RPM and I had it rigged up like a powered pin vise. Wish I still had it...

[dartman]

yes I was referring to the "Mini Mite" above, just couldn't think of the name, I was just referring to it as cordless though there is a bigger (too big) cordless model that I do NOT mean.

with the mini mite you don't really need a flex shaft, in fact it gets in the way. the tool is small and comfortable enough in your hand you can get right down in there very easily and efficiently.

I think my mini mite is my most important major tool in my toolbox. couldn't get along without it...and now I might try chucking up a q-tip for polishing, thanks for that suggestion

jb

Yes JBWELDA,I use it on the low setting and it works great but dont over do it.It is easy to rib through the finish.

[jbwelda]

>I've looked into the Mini Mite but its slow speed is 6500 RPM

hmmm I am not so sure about that, esp if your old dremel corded ran at 5k. seems to me on low speed, which I hardly use because it is too slow, would be more around 650 - 1k rpm. plus the good thing about the mini mite is it gets better as the battery discharges and its torque gets reduced. you can stall it without hurting it, it can run that slow if you really want to. but I myself usually use it on fast speed and again its that lack of torque vs the AC model is what saves you from melting the plastic into a blob.

jb