What Rotary Tool do you own?

I have a Craftsman rotary tool. I've had it for about 10 years now, mirror image of a dremel. Always does what I ask it to do and accepts all the same tools.

Dremel variable 5,000-30,000RPM. I've had it for over 20 years. Still works great.

I have a couple of corded Dremels plus a Foredom tool. The Foredom tool has a large remote motor and a variety of handpieces, all of which are smaller than a Dremel motor.

 

Pete

I have several Dremels, both corded and battery.  I prefer the corded tools because they are always ready to go.  The battery is almost never charged when I decide to use a tool.  

 

The best rotary tools I have are two corded off brand units that I got at Costco.  They accept all the Dremel accessories and work great.  I have been looking at Costco for a year to buy another set.

 

Joe

I have an old Dremel tool, probably at least 35 years old? Still works, but I have been thinking about upgrading. I was looking at one of these recently, they are new. Looked pretty nice at the store, nice, comfortable to hold and light weight.

 

Dremel 8050 Micro 

 

My current model also says Moto-Tool and it's a model 380-6.

the one I have is so old it was named Moto-tool, is a dremel basically.

AG.

 

My suggestion: look at the accessories the unit will support.

 

Even though I had other rotary tools, I purchased a Dremel 398 because I wanted to have the attachments, and my older tools would not accept them.
(The 398 was discontinued some time ago)

 

The accessories were: right angle head, circular saw (like a mini circular saw, not just a blade), and a grout removal base / burr.

 

Other than my Dewalt Max tools, I am not a fan of cordless tools. The few I've owned lacked power, never had a full charge when I went to use them, and replacement batteries were cost prohibitive. So I would go with a corded one.

 

 

I am with C.W. on this one!!  I have a couple of Dremels one of which has the flexible shaft....best thing since sliced bread!  I also have a craftman and it is great too!

 

Alan

Dremel cordless, love it.

Two.   Dremel tool and a Rotozip.

Two variable speed Dremels; one with the flex shaft.

 

Carl

     Chris my dad had an old Dremel that I burned up porting A set of heads on A motor. It got replaced with A new Dremel that one was being used at the train club. Someone left the shaft stop button in and turned it on and blew apart the end. I went to H.F. and bought A cordless model brought it home charged the battery over night. The next night I went to use it when I put the tip in and tightened it the plastic shaft stop button broke off. I bought another dremel with A flex shaft, drill pressand every attachments they have. I like it I use it but I do not lend it out to anyone anymore. Choo Choo Kenny

 

By Golly! I'm glad I'm not alone on this one. I'm not sure of the model number of my ancient Dremel suit case. It's the one that opens like a suit case. Then each side opens again. My children bought it for me around fifteen years ago. I love it except for the fact that I'll never use all of the attachments.

 

God's Blessings,

"Pappy"

I started with a low end single speed corded Dremel in 1984, and added a Dremel variable speed controller a year later. It (the tool) wore out about two years ago (the bearings went), and i sent it back to Dremel along with $30 for rebuilding. Not having repair parts they sent me a brand new tool (current version of the original single speed tool). At 71 i don't expect to have to send this back for rebuilding if it lasts another 28 years!

jackson

Rotary Tools That I Use

Dremel® Lithium-Ion Cordless

Milwaukee® Right Angle • M12 • Red Lithium

The right angle is very useful for tight areas.

  Click photo to enlarge.

Two corded Dremel tools, one 18 years old the other 3 years old. Good quality work tool,only replaced the brushes and speed control switch on the 18 year old unit. This tool has seen hours of use on home and model railroading projects.

I love rotary Tools, particularly Dremels.  I have:

 

a 30 year old single speed corded Dremel

a newer variable speed corded Dremel

two battery powered Dremels

a large stationary Dremel with a flexible shaft

drill press stand, router base and right angle attachment

a Rotozip tool

 

They are very durable if not abused.  While they each have their advantages, my prefered tool is the large stationary Dremel with a flexible shaft. Pat B.

3 dremels   corded variable speed, corded with flex shaft and a cordless. bought a harbor fake and it resides in the landfill probably not doing a good job taking up space there either. first dremel purchased in late 70's still works like new!!!!!

I have had my Dremel going on 12 years. added the right angle attachment a few years back. still works great

I have a late '70's single speed corded Dremel Moto-Tool. Great little device. It keeps on running so I've had no reason to buy a new one. Just have to put a few drops of oil in the oiler holes once in awhile.

A lamp dimmer or variac will make these variable speed. Dremel used to sell speed controller for the fixed speed ones back in the day. Not sure if they still do. Especially useful if you use the wire brushes.

 

Pete

I have two Dremels:

 

The first is, well, I actually don't know how old.  I can't remember not having it.  I've bought tons and tons of cutters, grinders and bits for it over the years.  Several months ago, it started running erratically and even stopping completely after a few minutes of use, as it warmed up.  

 

The second is its replacement.  As close a copy as I could find.  I prefer using the older one, but the newer doesn't start stuttering after two or three minutes of use.  

 

 

I also have a older one - got it back in the 1980s. 

Dremel Moto Tool Kit  Model 261

( Dremel Mfg Co  Racine Wis )

Dremel still made in Racine Wis ?  Some how me thinks .....  No

 

Steve

New-ish Dremel cordless.  Works great and I have no issues with it.  Even the battery seems to last a long time.

I have used the 575 Right Angle attachment for some time. 

15 yr old bare bones Dremel with a cord.

 

Peter

I have two identical standard Dremels; one I bought years ago, the other was a recent gift. As a result, I have one permanently mounted with the flexible shaft. It hangs from a hook over the workbench. I find using the flexi-shaft's hand piece is much more accurate and easier to control than holding the motor part. It also lets you get closer to parallel to your work since it's narrower.

old school dremel

I've got four dremel corded tools but my favorite rotor tool has to be a used USA made Foredom stationary that I got for $35. Used it one night and fell in love with it. Smooth and powerful and I'm sure will last a lifetime. 

Ace Hardware has a corded Dremel and a tool kit listed in their black Friday ad.

Interesting.  I haven't found the old, old style Dremels new anywhere.  I have two also, but the new one is far different.  The old one has multiple speeds that go from very high to incredibly high in stages.  The new one has multiple speeds that go from too slow to very high.  It is the better tool, set at a mid-range speed, for many uses, but I love the older one. 

Lee: Where would you expect to find long discontinued Dremel tools as new, old stock?

 

I have a bad habit of picking up old Dremels and other quality rotary tools at Estate sales and the outdoor antique markets that my wife and I visit. It seems that many people get them, perhaps as gifts, and never use them.
I used to do the same with Weller soldering guns, but I've stopped. I had my older son sell or give away a bunch of them.

Of my original Dremels from the '70s, one had a fixed speed and the other had a dial which would give infinitely variable speed. They both used different collets from the current models and the head would fit into their drill press attachment which I found very useful and precise. I ended up burning them up working on cars and when I returned them for repair they replaced them with the newer style which no longer worked in my drill press.

 

You can still use a variac or lamp dimmer or their speed controller if you can find one to give infinitely variable speed. Just set the tool at its highest speed and used the remote controller. No need to be stuck with speeds you can't use.

 

Pete

Gentlemen,

    I have 2 of them, the newer little Robi is not the fantastic old tool the original Dremel tool is, but it gets the job done in a pinch.  My old real Dremel tool I picked up years ago at the Antique shop in Adamsburg, comes in it's won wooden box and all with all the different size bits.  A good old tool for sure.

PCRR/Dave

Regarding fixed speed Dremel tools: Dremel used to offer external speed controls. There were both foot operated and table top ones. I have a table top one.

 I am the odd man here that owns two variable speed corded Black and Decker roto- tools. They were purchased when the company had their chain of factory stores open about 5-6 years back. Being value conscience each tool cost only $15 as opposed to the $39 for the Dremel. They look similar, are very powerful and have held up to abuse. Had it not been for these tools my model railroad would not exist in the form that it is now in. Its the way I cut my Gargaves phantom 3 rail track to size.

In closing here is some free advise. Do not buy the Harbor freight rotary tool. I originally used one but it broke after a few hours of use. Its really LOW quality.

I have an old Foredom flex shaft unit that has given me good service over the years.

I've worn out the foot speed control & had to replace it, but not the machine.

I've never owned a Dremel tool & the B&D flex shaft tool I had didn't survive hard use.

 

Dave

 

 

Tips from Dremel

Unboxing the Dremel 100 Series Rotary Tool

 

 

 

Craftsman, kids got it for me one Christmas.