Need a new Dremel. Which one?

PRSL Pete,

I had a Dremel it self destructed  I used maybe a dozen times in 2 years!

I would look for a heavier duty unit and preferably non China price is cheap so are there products. only my opinion, I tried just finding the tool no kit involved seems like only way they sell dremels now.

 

anyone know of a better replacement I'd sure like to know.

 

$oo

Can't speak to the new Dremel's, but I've got an old Model 280 with a 219 speed control that hasn't failed me in over 35 years.

 

Rusty

I have several Dremels and have had no problems with any. By all means get one with a variable speed, now days I think they all do. The key is to keep dust and dirt out of it as much as possible. Also try to find a way to hold it so as not to block the air intake. I have worn out several Craftsman and other makes over the years.

 

Al

Micro Mark is advertising the newest dremel with the redesigned chuck,

EZ- change collet system, no wrenches needed

Dremels are like wrenchs IMO.  No one single tool will do it all.  For soft detail work I like one of the smaller hand held units.  For installing lotza track I lay the large unit with a flex  drive cable in a padded tray and slide it down the right of way.  I also use the old Roto brand tools. 

 

One of the nicest things about Dremel is the friendly factory service.  Quick turnaround and low or no charge.  Dremel has taken over the Roto Tool line so they service both tools. 

 

IMO, the cable drive or 90 degree head is the only way to get a nice square sliced end on installed rail. 

 

Never have tried the cordless. 

 

Pete, send your broken tool back to the factory.  I had a similar incident with one of my light duty pieces.  It was back in about a week and works perfectly today. Free.

 

If I was only going to have one Dremel it woukd be the large hanging (laying) unit with a flex shaft with an E-Z arbor. 

 

When you install any drive adapter on the nose make sure the drive shaft is fully engaged in the coupling plus make sure the screwed on connecting collar stays tight otherwise you may wind up damaging the interface and you will blame the tool.  Ask me how I know that!   tt

I can safely say that I recommend against the Dremel XPR-400.  They have a history of going up in smoke, and I got to witness that first hand here!  When I sent it in for warranty replacement, they sent me a Dremel 3000 as a replacement.  This is a much more robust tool and handles the work with ease.  The Dremel 4000 is the same tool with electronic speed control, probably an even better choice.

 

One annoying thing of late with Dremel keeps changing the body in every design.   Thus making my Dremel drill press holder obsolete as well as many other Dremel addons designed to hold the Dremel.   

 

gunrunnerjohn,

I agree with you on the XPR-400 thats the exact one I had and just cutting ross track it got so warm couldn't hold it for more then 3 cuts!

at time of it's demise I was cutting a aluminum window finger grab to clear a window security alarm device a 1\16" thick if even that.

and the air coming off the fan well it wasn't cool as if the hot air from the desert at 122degrees!

am leary of dremel now would love to find a dremel demo her local so I could hold use as no more buy take home and then the hassel of returning it.

anyone ever hear of tool demo's by dremel?

$oo

Well, I can attest to the fact that the 3000 I got has lots more power and runs a lot cooler than the XPR-400.  I was initially bummed out that I got a different one back, but after using it I realized it was a much better tool. 

 

FWIW, I have an ancient Dremel in the 200 series (don't remember the exact number) that I have had for 30 years.  It's a much smaller tool, but I've abused the crap out of it over the years.  The only thing I ever had to do is replace the rubber coupling between the motor and the chuck a couple of years ago, it finally gave up.  I still keep that in one of my toolboxes.

gunrunnerjohn,

 

what is the difference between the 3000 and 4000 dremel is the 4000 a heavier duty model or?

have you had any really hot air coming off of tool via the fan outlet?

 

$oo

I will probably get flack for this. But to **** with the Dremel products. I never really like the dremel products just to big for my hands and bulky.

 

You might consider the Foredom products, I recently had to replace my 45 year old

 

flexible machine. that's right it lasted that long. I replaced it with this and it was more

 

bang for the buck after the discounts.

 

Marty---South of big D

 

 

http://www.ottofrei.com/store/...-Flex-Shaft-Kit.html

All you guys must work for the space industry, where if it doesn't cost both arms and both legs it must not be good.

 

The Dremel I have is O-L-D.  I've used it to cut mufflers off of autos and many a piece of brass in my model making.  I highly recommend their product.

 

The 4000 rotary tool sounds fine and if it's too big for your hand get the flex-shaft attachment to go with it.

 

I'd try any of the brands out first though and go with one that will cut at a slow speed, otherwise you'll burn up the bits.

 

If you really want old, I have an old dental drill running off round belts, functional but cumbersome

The only difference I know of is the 4000 has electronic speed control and not just a power control like the other models.  I believe other than that, they have the same motor and the same specifications.

I know I love the dremel we have.  I've used it for everything, from polishing axles for cub scout pinewood derby cars, to cutting a big eye bolt off so I could replace our garage door springs.  We've had it for at least 10 years and it's still going strong.

 

Not sure which model it is though.

I don't think I have ever had a Dremel in 40 years that I wasn't able to burn out in short order until I got a flex shaft and a hanging base.  Either the variable speed control burns up or the motor windings.  I do like the pistol grip Li-ion unit I have but the charges don't last very long for me.

gunrunnerjohn,  I searched dremel reviews and have discovered some complaining of really hot air being blown out from exhaust vents.

this is same issue I had with my 3-4 year old and it went poof. and these were reviews on the current 4000 model.

 

who else makes these type tools or are they basically all made by dremel with various name brands applied any one know?

 

thanks $oo

The only time I get any hot air out of my 3000 is when I work it hard and long with something like the jigsaw accessory or the little planer.  I think any tool that's drawing an amp or more is going to exhaust some pretty warm air, I don't think you get away from that.  The air is what is cooling the motor.  1 amp at 120 volts is 120 VA, well over 100 watts.  All that energy is not being converted to rotation, a lot comes out as heat.

gunrunnerjohn,  in my case it was instant heat out the cooling vents and doing no work at all.  is it possible I just had a bad unit from the beginning?

 

how long can you use yours before it really gets hot air from its cooling vents?

 

thanks

$oo

If you want a really good - high quality handtool get yourself a Foredom tool.

http://www.foredom.net/

 

Spent 13 years working in a model shop using one of these almost everyday and never had a problem. They make a great, high-quality product!

Instant heat is bad, I have to run mine for a bit before I start getting anything but cool air.

For three-four times the money, you should get a better tool, gosh that's so hard to figure out. Must be nice to have unlimited funds.

 

Are you buying, I'll take one of the expensive ones please.

well went to sight for foredom tools wow is right but if they last then the cost is warranted as I already went through 2 dremels at 100.00 plus each so was almost there!

gunrunnerjohn,

within there site are some nice videos of the tool how to use care for worth the time to watch only cost was your time.

 

seems as the hanging tool holder is the choice to have can be clamped to our layouts where we are working and with flex shaft a very versatile tool.

 

wonder why they don't offer a bench top general application tool choice?

 

$oo

Since I have no intention of replacing what I have, it seems somewhat pointless to learn about taking care of a tool I don't own.

 

As far as the cost, I bought the XPR-400 a couple of years ago, and Dremel provided the Dremel 3000 tool as a replacement free of charge.  Since my other Dremel has lasted about 30 years with only one shaft coupler replaced, I don't expect to need another tool for some time.

 

I have no doubt that the Foredom tool is a fine tool, but I don't have another $300+ to spend on something that works perfectly fine for everything I use it for.

I've always preferred Dremel. I bought my first one way back in 1972. It was a basic variable speed one. I loved that tool and used it for everything. A few years back when I purchased my current home, one of my first projects was to finish the basement. I used a drywall bit in it and was unaware of the consequences. It popped and shorted as it smoked and died. I was a bit upset as I had owned that Dremel for over 30 years. No problem purchasing a brand, Dremel was definitely the only one I wanted. I again chose a basic variable speed model in the case and a dozen tools. Another investment I'll never regret. Since then, I have found a deluxe model with variable speed and the flexible chuck so I don't have to hold the larger unit. It was like new in the case with all attachments for $10 at my local Saturday morning flea market. I bought it as an emergency back up. I've never had to use it and it's sat under my workbench now for at least 3 years.

My recommendation is go with a Dremel. I would also recommend a variable speed model, and one that comes in a nice hard storage case with a few tools thrown in.

Gandy

I don't know what model it is, but, mine does not have the variable speed. I vary the speed with an old Dremel variable speed box. It will slow the thing down to a crawl where it will not melt plastic when I drill. Can't do that with the others.

Any thoughts on the 8200 Dremel? It is battery powered, with re-chargable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Might be kind of handy for more portable work around and under the layout, in place of my VERY old corded model.

Personally, I'd steer clear of the battery powered models.  I've used a friend's, but I was not impressed with the power compared to even the smallest of the corded units.  Battery life was nothing to write home about either.

I have an older corded Dremel, along with a new 8200 lithium-ion 12v tool. I do both trains  and R/C aircraft with the 8200. If I had to buy just one tool, it would be the 12v lithium-ion 8200. Great tool, plenty of power and quick charge times. 

 

                                                                    JG

I am wondering how the folks who have problems burning out their rotary tools are using them.

As I recall, the directions that come with the Dremel tools caution the User to let the high speed of the tool do the work. If the tool is bogging down, the user is supposed to apply less pressure to the work.

I purchased my first dremel (260) in the 1970's, and more recently a newer model (398) because I wanted some of the accessories that didn't fit the old models. I probably do not use them as much as many of the folks here, but both run fine, and I do not recall running into any problems with overheating.

I've used my 398 with the mini circular saw attachment to trim siding, and open up the back of a china cabinet to covert it into a stereo cabinet. My older son has used it to cut openings in automobile dashboards.

The 398 got dropped once. One of the bearings that is pressed onto the armature shaft shifted, causing the unit to bind. Dremel sent me a new armature assembly. But I didn't have to put it in. Turns out, it was easy to get the bearing back in place.

Lithium ion and Lithium polymer batteries are re-writing the book on rechargeable devices, including power tools.  As long as there is a provision for easily replacing the battery in the 8200, it will eventually give out, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on that model.

 

Pete

In my case, I was using it as designed, but apparently the XPR-400 was one of those lemons that occasionally gets out the door.  As I said, the other models have served me well.

 

I'll also add that I have a cheap rotary tool that I bought at Lowes for $20 a number of years ago, and I've used it a lot as well, and it's still going strong.  It has variable speed and works as well as my smaller Dremel for the same jobs.  The only thing I've had to do to that one is replace the power switch, the original bit the dust after a few years of use.  It's cheap enough that I toss it in my traveling toolbox just to have one handy.

From a review on Amazon.  This is one concern of mine regarding tools that don't offer removable batteries.

The new 8220 has the newest Lithium battery so I'm hoping it will last longer than the 8200 which has mixed reviews on the battery. For me, the price difference between the 7700, 8000 vs 8200 was justifiable because a replacement battery quickly makes up the price difference. I dremel once a week or two - even at that rate the old NiCad and NiMH were not holding charge very well.

Yes, I can take it apart and replace the battery, but I'd rather have a tool that has a battery designed for user replacement.

Thanks guys. Our local Home Depot has the newest Dremel #8220 listed for $99, but appeared to be out of stock. They had two of the #8200 "complete kits", also for $99, but I don't need any more attachments nor a caring case. I'll just wait for the #8220 models to come back in, plus get 10% discount with my VA ID card, to boot.

 

Thanks again.

According to their instruction manuals, online at Dremel, both the 8200 and the 8220 have easily removed batteries, which must be removed from the tool for charging.

 

Pete

 

 

 

I didn't read the manual, but that's good to know.  I suspect the Lithium battery model would probably be better than the one I used, which was not impressive.

well I will try again bought a new dremel 4000 at sears I came across a forum dealing with trouble shooting dremel products.

It seems these need broken in run at slow speed for 10 minutes then at a medium speedam other 10 minutes then slow speed again let cool down for a minute suites.

also if motor speeds up and down to tighten motor brush screws until tight but not to point thatyou strip plastic threads I did all above and it runs like it should and speed on my variable is consistent.

This is all done as a no load breakin and so far tool was as cool as could be. 

I amgluing to make a clamped tool holder and use it with the flex shaft only just to see if it keeps tool cool as really no way to hold tool without blocking vents top or bottom they need to rethink design and allow for big hands.

I would have liked to get the freedom tool but couldn't justify the cost now that am retired so have to be mindful of  money spent.

To those of you just getting into hobby and with disposable income I suggest you look at the freedom tool it should last a long time.

$oo

well I will try again bought a new dremel 4000 at sears I came across a forum dealing with trouble shooting dremel products.

It seems these need broken in run at slow speed for 10 minutes then at a medium speedam other 10 minutes then slow speed again let cool down for a minute suites.

also if motor speeds up and down to tighten motor brush screws until tight but not to point thatyou strip plastic threads I did all above and it runs like it should and speed on my variable is consistent.

This is all done as a no load breakin and so far tool was as cool as could be. 

I amgluing to make a clamped tool holder and use it with the flex shaft only just to see if it keeps tool cool as really no way to hold tool without blocking vents top or bottom they need to rethink design and allow for big hands.

I would have liked to get the freedom tool but couldn't justify the cost now that am retired so have to be mindful of  money spent.

To those of you just getting into hobby and with disposable income I suggest you look at the freedom tool it should last a long time.

$oo