On manufacturer I would say go with Dremel
On speed and cord go with the corded variable. The types of things you will
do with this lend themselves to variable speed. You don't keep your finger
on it like a drill it is more like a dimmer slide that you adjust the speed
with. The cordless is weak and a little bulky
A dremel tool is one of those things that you use in a pinch. You rarely
"plan" on using it but you will find yourself using it all the time which is
why it is nice to have an assortment of grinding cutting and shaping bits on
hand. Unlike a router where I plan on getting a 1/4 round bit for a job you
will just end up not using the dremel if you don't have the bit on hand. You
use it because it saves time and muscle but if you have to go to the store
to buy a bit you've lost that advantage. The bits can be expensive if
purchased separately. You can pickup polishing grinding and cutting kits
that are cheaper per piece but the cheapest way to experiment with different
bits it to get the big sett with the dremel.
I got the kit which includes a red case with bit tray, bits, quick chuck,
and the 3' flex extension. The flex extention is real handy because if you
can imagine... the body of the dremel its self interferes with making a
perpendicular cut with a cutoff wheel because the cutoff wheel diameter is
smaller than the diameter of the dremel. This is of course only true if you
are making a cut in the middle of something but it does come up. Say you
wanted to cut a 3' copper pipe in half. the extention allows you to cut
right up against something because the cutoff disk is larger in diameter
than the extension handle.
Costco has the whole big kit for $59 I believe. Next place I would price it
out would be Home Depot and builders square.
Chris Reichle
creichle@nsc.msmail.miami.edu
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From: mgs-owner
To: shop talk
Cc: mgs
Subject: [Non-MG] Dremel tool
Date: Thursday, October 23, 1997 11:14AM
I wish I'd known about Dremel tools when the Dremel King, Ray Gibbons, was
here to advise me, but... I defer my question to the rest of the info pool
on this list...
I am going to get a MotoTool (aka Dremel). Period. I'm getting one. You
can't talk me out of it! ;-)
Now...
I will use it with car stuff, and with redoing a couple of antiques I have
around here. (No, not him!!!) I also just realized that it will aid in
making odd parts fit into computer systems that I put together for odd
clients. (use a 286 case for a pentium system --- talk about a security
system!)
I can spend about $38. I can spend $59. I can spend $79. They come cordless
and corded. The rpms are variable or fixed or 2-speed. The rpms vary from
10,000 to 30,000. They come with few tools to having a complete set-up that
includes the flexible dealie, 105 tools, a nice case, and a booklet
entitled "175 Ways to Use Your Dremel Tool".
Ryobi also has their model (2-year guarantee vs. 5 years) and Black and
Decker has one now, too. I'm not sure all three brands share the same
tools... probably do...
Obviously, the simple decision to "buy" has become clouded. I'm confused.
Do I really need a 105-piece tool set? Can I put the thing in a shoe box
for a case? Won't the cordless version be less powerful in the long run?
I've never used one of these things, but I can see the possibilities. The
little tools are sort of expensive ($3 and up) on an individual basis, so
maybe the extra tools are a plus. I dunno... The variable speed may not be
all that great because you'd have to keep your finger on something to keep
it going. My delicate, fat fingers are sorta' short. The tool is chunky.
That's a consideration: hand-fatigue.
Any ideas out there?? Remember: working on the un-bought MGA, getting
grunge out of niches in antique hardware, remodeling computer cases... and,
of course, other un-thought-of uses... Bang for the buck is the goal here.
TIA
Carol
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