Recommend a rotary tool (Dremel like) please?

I have the Sears Craftsman version of the Dremel. It comes with a wide array of attachments for sanding, polishing, cutting, etc.. 

Sounds like a Dremel to me. I recently bought one of the new Dremel's with beaucoup attachments. Seemd like just about any job in need of doing, you can figure out a way to use the Dremel on it.

It is versatile enough for hobby work and hefty enough for handy man work. I use a Dremel 4000 and they come in a variety of kits with accessories - the high end kits have 50 something accessories and they work down from there.

I'm with Harry, I own a dremel 300, a less expensive set with fewer attachments,although I still have more than I'll ever need. Check your "big box" hardware stores,i.e. Menards or Home Depot for good prices on these.

Over the years I've picked up several different rotary tools.

The best of them is a dremel 398, which is a discontinued item.

I'd go with the current equivalent.

If you have an air compressor, the pencil die grinders are great!

Dave

Whichever one you get make sure you also get the flex shaft attachment. It is indispensible for train kind of work.

Rod

Dremel rotary tools are very handy.  With added attachment you can do many tasks with these.  Go with one with variable speed.

Like Jim, I have a Craftsman version...it is a Dremel with a Craftsman label.  I have had mine since the mid 90's.  I use it a lot and have never had a problem with it.  All the Dremel accessory attachments fit it as well as Black and Decker's Wizard accessories.

Stick with the real deal Dremel. Not sure if they are still made in the USA but you will always be able to get parts for them unlike the Chinese knockoffs. Plus they honor their warranty. Rubberized abrasive wheels are handy but for cleaning dirt and oxide off rollers a wire brush attachment is better as it won't remove nickel plating like the abrasives will.

Pete

The only advise I can add is this. Shop around before you buy. Buy only what's comfortable in your hand, not by brand. I'd stay away from the rechargable type, IMHO and experience.

Rule #1 when using a rotary tool: Always use eye protection.

Harbor Freight has three $10, $24 and $27

$10

$27

and $24 for this 4 speed

Whatever you do DO NOT get that $10.00 one from Harbor freight! It has no power and you can't do anything with it. It is junk. You have been warned! (However the attetchments that come with it will work with a Dremel . )

Get a real Dremel!

Dremel is better quality, but the $24 HF above is adequate.  I have one on the workbench and one in the garage, and they are used practically daily.  While you are there, the $69 cast iron drill press is a good deal too.  I have one in each hangar and two at home.  Be aware - a lot of HF stuff is junk.

I still have a Dremel from 25 - 30 years ago.  It has a foot peddle variable speed controller.  It still works great, and I can't image doing trains without it.

Alan

Hello guys and gals.........

I have a dremel motor tool # 395 set with 50 pcs accessories and flex shaft attachment with plastic case in like new condition for 25 dollars from graigslist 2 years ago the best motor tool i ever bought for that price.  The dremel tool is made in USA !!!!!!!!!!!!   What's the best attachment to buy for cleaning the bronze and steel roller pick-ups that is used on railking trains ? 

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

Hi everyone (& Tiffany. ),

I too would recommend a genuine Dremel. I bought one of the 'bargain' super-dooper kits some years ago, and it didn't have enough torque to pull the skin off of a rice pudding. But the accessory kit was OK, so I threw the motor away and bought a Dremel. That has been 100% reliable, dependable, and I'm sure that with the right tools attached it could make the Earth spin in reverse. 

Yes.

I have an ancient Dremel, and I also have the 4000.  The 4000 was actually a warranty replacement for my XPR 400 which went up in smoke!  After that experience, I did some looking and it seems the XPR 400 was not one of their shining stars.  The 4000 appears to be much more robust and so far has not exhibited a tendency to let out it's magic smoke.

I recommend the Dremel brand, but NOT the XPR 400.

I've got a old Model 2 and somewhat newer 395 Type 5.  The former is 50(?) years old while the latter is about 10 years old. 

Had to look up what a 4000 was since it's been just awhile since I've thought about a new Dremel,

Get a Dremel,, micro mark sells foot pedals and other Dremel accessories.

I have a Dremel and it has been very handy. I would totally agree with the poster above who said to always wear eye protection.

I was using an abrasive cylinder of sandpaper to shave off some plastic from a bridge and thought my eyeglasses would be enough protection. Not so! The circular motion must have allowed a plastic shard to curve right around my glasses and into my eye. The result was an abraded cornea and a few visits to the optometrist. I still have discofort in the eye and wonder if a fragment buried itself in the tissue around the eye.

So, after getting a Dremel, before you turn it on, put on wraparound safety goggles or glasses.

Hello Nicole !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hehehehe you have GOOD sense of humor !!!!!!!!! about the rice pudding, perhap try the chocolate pudding and make a bigger mess !!!!!!!!!  LOL 

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

Great buy Tiffany, I too use a Dremel with the flex attachment and it has been working great for about ten years.

Another good place to pick up all kinds of tools is "Harbor Freight". Of course it's like anything else buyer beware when it comes to price, but their prices are normally way below other places.

www.harborfreight.com

Thanks all.....Decided on a 4000! I WILL wear eye protection. I'll keep it with the tool.

You should be happy with that one.  It's the most powerful of the lineup, and apparently it's pretty robust.  At least mine didn't go up in smoke like the XPR-400 doing the same job, that's a big plus.

I use my trusty 40 year old Dremel 280 with the motor speed control box they offered for it.  I can get that thing to run much slower than contemporary Dremel's if needed, to use small drill bits for drilling out for grab irons and the like.

Once had some off-brand motor tool.  It was noisier than a Dremel, ran hot after a couple of minutes and didn't run as smooth.

Rusty

For what it's worth, I have a rechargeable Dremel, and like it a lot.

Whatever you buy in tools, always buy the best you can afford. In the long run they are much cheaper than the Chinese stuff. You will be rewarded with many years of service. This particularly applies to small hand tools like cutters and screwdrivers etc.

I have a couple Dremels, one a single speed and a Ryobi that was varible speed but now has one speed. I use the single speed ones for heavy, continuous work, saving the variable speed ones for when speed is important.

I recommend a 110v variable speed Dremel or other major brand.  The battery operated ones are never charged when needed and cost you plenty to replace the batteries in a few years.  They have a place for persons you use them often, not once a month or less like I often do.  I have given up on battery operated tools and have enough extension cords to reach my whole 3/4 ac. lot.  I see Porter Cable, Milwaukee and other superior brand battery operated tools for cheap at garage sales all the time.

Garage sales are the best place followed by Craigslist to get a deal.

Charlie