....Hello to all you Fettlers out there! ...Seriously thinking about getting some sort of small powered assistance and not having much experience with anything smaller than a 115mm Grinder I thought I would seek advice from people who know!.... ...Should I go for a Mains type (240v) Dremel?... or do the Rechargeable ones have plenty of 'Go' in them these days???... ...All suggestions gratefully welcomed ! Many thanks, PB
Hi My personal opinion is to stick with the mains unless you have a need for something portable. Batteries do not last forever and are costly to replace. Andrew
I have had both, but prefer the mains type (which is 230VAC). The rechargeable one had just as much "go" as the one connected to mains, so no difference in that aspect according to me. Only reason to have a rechargeable is if you're often is going to use it far away from a socket, which I seldom did. It was a bit smoother to handle, I give you that, but not so much that it was worth the inconvenience when the battery got low at a crucial moment. And batteries do get bad pretty quick when not handled correct. And on top of that, the mains tool was much cheaper! So that's the only type of Dremel I have now. The rechargeable one was given away a couple of years ago. Regardless which you choose, you won't regret it. It's wonderful little tools, and they can be used to so much. They have saved me many times. From anything to surprisingly quick split stuck outer races of even large bearings free from narrow fittings, to polishing small details or even cutting glass. Your imagination is the only limit.
...Ah!....Ok, that is good advice! ...Thought I would ask on here as 'Dremels' have been mentioned now and then and Lamp fettling would be it's main use if I decide I just can't live without one... ...Thanks Andrew!.....BTW, Do you own one yourself?.. and if so how useful do you find it? Regards, PB Oh Hi Christer! Ah!...2 Nil for the Mains already eh?... ...That was my only concern about the wire getting tangled?.... ...I guess I could just turn the lamp round a bit?.. ....Thanks for the feedback Chaps, all good stuff!... :-)
PB I have two Dremels - both battery operated (I have three batteries). I managed to buy all when heavily discounted. My shed has no permanent electricity, and I work outside as much as possible - but I see the advice re electricity v batteries and do not propose to convince you one way or other. I will say, though, that the Dremel is an oft used tool in my fettling - in all phases. I even use it for drilling out stove jets by hand when I'm repairing them by brazing in stainless steel syringes (a technique developed by John "Presscall" over at CCS). They are a versatile addition to a fettler's toolkit. Sometimes I can be seen wandering across the paddock with a piece of some lamp or stove, and the Dremel... Cheers Tony
...Wow, that would be quite a small drill then? ...That reminds me I have to get one of those movable magnifying glass-on-a-clamp things first! ...Hmm...we take our electric for granted up here, flick a switch, press a button.....all got to come from somewhere.... Thanks for your views Tony, no, it's good to hear both sides of the mains v batt ... ..and they seem to be well made with spares readily available, brushes easily access-able, Many thanks, PB . :-)
A little piece of advice... You see cheaper (from China) accessories for Dremel. Don't bother buying the brushes (brass or SS) as the wires separate from the tool at about 15000 rpm and become miniature airborne missiles directed to your face and eyes. The Dremel part is expensive, but sturdier much much much longer lasting and safer to use. Cheers Tony
Pod, The drill I use for jet repair is 0.4mm. The jet can be drilled by hand through the existing hole; a 25 gauge syringe (0.25mm ID) inserted in the jet, and then brazed. The Dremel is the used to trim the remnants of the syringe (a cutting wheel); smooth the surface (fine grinding wheel); and create a small dimple at the jet (a small diamond ball). Note: this is John "Prescall's" technique that I have copied. I've often thought it has application for certain problematic lamp jet repairs... Cheers Tony
Every now and again the ALDI store sells a small power tool which is very similar to the dremel for around £12:99. They are mains powered with variable speed and good quality construction. The accessory sets have small cutting discs which will cut through a 3/4 inch bolt with ease. Have had one for a few years and find it very useful. Bought a second to keep as a spare.
...Thanks Stuart!.....I will look out for that... . I have bought a few things from them over the last few yrs... led flat type inspection torch, work trousers, socks, spanners etc and all good... just remembered a friend bought a small arc welding set...would probably not recommend that one... but he bought lots of stuff inc an airbrush set which I thought was excellent... Thanks Tony and Expat for the accessory advice, I have some good scars on the hands from bigger tool battles.........machines don't feel pain so they don't let go or stop when things snatch or get caught.. :/
The rotary tools all seem much of a muchness now, nothing much to differentiate a Dremel from an Aldi or LIDL clone. Even a cheap B&D someone gave me holds up to the competition. I have a few including an older Dremel, but I mostly use one bought from ALDI a few years ago which came with a flexible extension shaft which is nice for tight spots. It was a good price and came with the standard three year warranty that ALDI offer on their power tools. For a tool like this I can't really see the need for going cordless, but that's a personal choice.
I wish someone did bearing upgrades for Dremels. It might be just mine, which I find is only OK for polishing and cutting off with wheels discs etc. For drilling with a large bit 2mm or so it lacks torque unless you run it at crazy speeds too fast for the cut. For smaller drills which justify high speed the rubbish bearings cause so much chuck wander it breaks the drills. Sorry to say, my opinion of it for drilling is close to junk. Better to buy a PCB drill.
I traded in my Tesco points thingies for a Dremel "Clone" which is now an essential piece of kit for me and I wouldn't be without one. I would however offer three pointers: 1) Get a flexible shaft as it saves considerable wrist ache 2) Don't just blindly shove every accessory on at the same speed. I find high speed for small drill bits/polishing pads and medium to low speed for wire brushes/sanding attachments seems to be a good combination. 3) Always always always use safety specs/goggles and put them on BEFORE you switch on. I speak from experience. One time I had an electric drill with a small cutting disc on it. My goggles were on my head ready to slide down over my eyes when I moved the disc to the piece. Unfortunately as soon as I squeezed the handle of the drill the disc shattered and a piece went into my eye -very painful so please don't let it happen to you!
+1 about safety Bill! I too have the Dremel flexible shaft. I expect some chuck wobble from that but I sometimes think it runs more true than the prime mover...
I've got one of the Lidl / Aldi versions and never had any bother with it - for the price, they're an absolute bargain. Having said that, I've never tried using it with a drill the thickness of a human hair so I can't comment on that application. But for occasional cutting, grinding, cleaning and polishing, it's fine...
I've had two Dremel 395s which burned out. Also had a Dremel cordless but found it got very hot and the battery always ran out in the middle of a job. Gave it to my son when I got a secondhand Foredom flexishaft with foot control. Unfortunately, the foot control died the other day, but picked up a Dremel 4000 at a car boot sale on Sunday for £3.00 (cheap as it was missing it's chuck, but I've got two spare chucks from the 395s I junked). My brother-in-law swears by his Proxxon from Germany. He says it is much better made than a Dremel with no play in the chuck due to better design of the bearings. I've not played with it myself, but he's recently retired after 40 years as an engineer and knows his tools. Terry
A foot pedal would be nice! Yes, in discussions I've had elsewhere Proxxon always gets recommended as one of the best rotary tools you can buy. Though, to be honest I find my current ALDI offering to be very good, no noticeable play, but I don't drill with it and contrary to popular opinion, spares are available: http://servotool.eu/en/powercraft.html Though, buying another is probably cheaper.
+1 on the flexible extension shaft, and I prefer a proper chuck to the collet system. I bought diamond coated titanium cutting/grinding disks and HSS rotary saw blades from China on ebay and I'm most impressed and satisfied with them.
Look what Lidl have on sale next Thursday: http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?id=840 Try it out, they'll take it back within 30 days, and it has a three year warranty.
...Great to hear all your dremel tales folks... ...And thank you Miss HD .... ... looks like i will be bargain hunting next Thurs then... if they ain't sold out by the time I get there ....
