Is having a Dremmel worth it?

[fred gordon]

This a question I have been wondering about for a while. I have seen them on offer in various places and looking at all the accessories makes my head spin. Is it a tool worth having? Should I go for the mains version or the rechargable one? All answers welcome.

 

[rik_uk3]

They are a good tool, I use them a lot for restoring classic camp stoves

 

[Halfdevil333]

YES......Ive got got the rechargable one but i think the mains one would be better for long term use.

Scott

 

[big_swede]

When I bought mine there was some kind of mixup with the barcodes so I paid for an extra bit instead of the machine, so on my behalf it was totally worth it

But in retrospect I can say that I don't think they're worth full price. The bits are of low quality and I think it is better to buy proper tools. Can't think of an application where it was necessary with a dremel.

 

[Eric_Methven]

So long as you ain't bothered about 'authentic', they are great tools. I have three. Two are B&Q's own brands a small one and a large one that also doubles as a mini router, and a Dremel rechargable.

One thing to note is the chucks from the Performance Pro (B&Q) range don't fit the dremel range, so I found I had to buy an extra set of collets for the dremel (I was hoping the collets I had would fit).

The rechargable Dremel is brilliant though. Everything from drilling to cutting sheet metal (with the thin cutting disks) to grinding, sanding and polishing through to engraving.

Eric

 

[JohnC]

Very good tool, B&Q had some at a good deal for including the extension kit.
I've got a mains one and would recommend that.
The wife said "look at the accesories, that's Christmas prsents taken care of for a few years..."

 

[Brian]

Fred,

I was using one a lot at work so got one for myself, I find it pretty useful.

Brian

 

[David.s]

I bought a RYOBI one from costco with loadsa accessories and came with the long extention so you didnt have to hold the main unit, and was only about £20, totallyworth it imo, so many uses (well, for me anyway)

 

[Sickboy]

Bought a machinemart own brand one (clarke), main's powered and it's superb, does all i ask of it and it only cost about £30 with a load of part's.

 

[rancid badger]

This a question I have been wondering about for a while. I have seen them on offer in various places and looking at all the accessories makes my head spin. Is it a tool worth having? Should I go for the mains version or the rechargable one? All answers welcome.

You need to decide what you want to do with it. As Eric stated; if your not bothered about authentic then they are handy little things.
The main thing to remember is that they are not designed for heavy stuff but are very good for getting into tight corners. I am not that keen on power tools as such but these things are very handy. One note of caution- while the cheaper versions are okay, I found that some of the accessories, in particular the flexible drive shafts are not very long lived and while with some of the cheaper ones you get a bucketful of bits, they are often of poor quality and again; dont last two minutes.
buy the best you can afford and I would go for mains supply.

Kind regards
R.B.

 

[fred gordon]

Thanks for all these Posts folks. Very good advice and much appreciated.:You_Rock_

 

[Jedadiah]

I got a B&Q Performance pro one years ago and it's still going strong. One thing i ought to mention, when i got it, the accessory set had small, medium and large interchangable chucks so any accessories you get from most manufacturers fit it! I usually use Dremel sanding drums for 1st and 2nd shaping on my knife scales when they are fitted. If you do go for one, try to get one with a variable speed as some materials will scorch if 'attacked' with a high speed tool.

Yes, i'd say that a rotary tool is worth it. I'd like a Dremel, but don't really know if it would give me more than i already have with the Performance Pro one.

 

[John Fenna]

I have a Blackspur cheapo clone and use it a lot
Lidles cheapo accessories fot it and although the stones wear out fast the price is right!
The tool itself has lasted about 5 years so far....and is going strong

 

[Big Bad Stu]

I have had my dremel for over a year now, I wouldn't be without it. It comes to hand more that the angle grinder for fidly jobs, I once cut the exhaust off my land rover with it!

Look out for the bundle deals with bits, the sets can be a very economic way of getting what you want, things like the mower blade sharpener will pay for themselves on their first use.

I would like to recommend the flexible extension, it makes the the tool much easire to use in tight spaces etc.

Hope this helps.

Stewey.

 

[spamel]

If you ever have the problem where you turn your dremel on and it goes straight up to maximum, it may be filings from grinding steel have got into the switch. It happened to me, so I took the tool apart, not too difficult, swept the filings out with a dry model paint brush and rebuilt the tool. It worked perfectly after that.

I have had mine for a number of years now, it works perfectly and has so many applications. Just one thing it can't do, knock in nails!

 

[C_Claycomb]

If you have a bit more to spend, and will always be using the tool at the same work bench, the flexible shaft tools, also called pendulum drills, like the US Foredom type. I got one from Axminster and it is pretty good. The motor is rated for about 190W as near as I can remember, and the hand pieces can take up to 1/4 inch tool shafts. The foot pedal control and lighter hand piece makes it easier to do fine work than it is with the Dremel type rotary tool.