And, of course, I'm going to ask you guys what's best these days. Is there someone else I should consider?
Widespread Panic - I need to buy a Dremel tool.
- Thread starter Swirling Snow
- Start date
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LonglandPattern
Tele-Meister
I guess it depends on what you need it for. I used mine on antique gunsmithing, leatherwork, pick guard cutting, etc. I saw the other day harbor freight has cheap off brand dremels wondering how they hold up. Id go for the classic dremel if i had to buy it again
"Someone" as in "some other company". Like, now Hakko is an alternative to Weller.
And if you must know, I want to put a P-90 in a Melody Maker. (Just don't tell the guys on the LPF! There will be pitchforks.)
And if you must know, I want to put a P-90 in a Melody Maker. (Just don't tell the guys on the LPF! There will be pitchforks.)
I have a very old standard model Dremel (tm) that has done a wonderful job of small lutherie routing. I primarily use it for inlay and small cavity routing, acoustic guitar saddle slots and ramping pins, a little polishing and small cutting.
Make sure the one you buy has a nose cone that you can unscrew, that is how you attach the various router bases and accessories. It will come with a bunch of different bits or you can buy a small assortment for cutting and polishing. Quite a few bits in those sets I've never used. Different size bits may require different collets, I keep the right sized collet in the box with the bit that it goes with,.
I have both a plunge router attachment and the adjustable router base that SM sells - the former isn't all that useful, the latter I use all the time
Set the depth with those two threaded thingies on the sides and route away.
I would not use a Dremel for routing pickup cavities, a laminate trimmer is a far better sized router, you will be using a 1/4 inch bit for most cavities and the medium sized router handles that better and can use a bit with a follower bearing which a Dremel can't do.
You can't really do that ^ with a dremel.
Make sure the one you buy has a nose cone that you can unscrew, that is how you attach the various router bases and accessories. It will come with a bunch of different bits or you can buy a small assortment for cutting and polishing. Quite a few bits in those sets I've never used. Different size bits may require different collets, I keep the right sized collet in the box with the bit that it goes with,.
I have both a plunge router attachment and the adjustable router base that SM sells - the former isn't all that useful, the latter I use all the time
Set the depth with those two threaded thingies on the sides and route away.
I would not use a Dremel for routing pickup cavities, a laminate trimmer is a far better sized router, you will be using a 1/4 inch bit for most cavities and the medium sized router handles that better and can use a bit with a follower bearing which a Dremel can't do.
You can't really do that ^ with a dremel.
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Supertwang
Tele-Afflicted
Dremel is the attachment king in the miniature project world so if your projects are in that size genre I’d stay with Dremel. If you want something more useful generally, say in the automotive world, a regular size “die grinder” would be my choice
@Freeman Keller, thanks for the great response. I only need to shave one wall, and may never need a router again. So I was thinking a Dremel might get more use polishing things.
But I hate the smell of hot motors.
But I hate the smell of hot motors.
My daughter, a dog groomer, uses one of these a lot every day. She’s replaced one in the past three years.
aging_rocker
Poster Extraordinaire
I just bought my first Dremel last week!
So far so good...
I'm reading that it's best to stay away from the 'budget' accessory bundles, the '1000 things for 10 bucks' jobs and use the proper Dremel stuff - any comments?
So far so good...
I'm reading that it's best to stay away from the 'budget' accessory bundles, the '1000 things for 10 bucks' jobs and use the proper Dremel stuff - any comments?
if you don't think you be using that often I would recommend the Harbor Freight basic corded rotary tool. it comes with everything you will need for said project and is $20
They both can do the same job. The difference is the bearings will go out much sooner in the cheaper tool. But if you are only using it a couple of times a year or less that won't be a problem for you.
They both can do the same job. The difference is the bearings will go out much sooner in the cheaper tool. But if you are only using it a couple of times a year or less that won't be a problem for you.
badinfinities
Friend of Leo's
I've heard the same thing. I've seen a few YouTube videos where people demo some of the cheap bits & sanding/cutting wheels. They don't last as long as the Dremel ones.
The only thing I went budget on was the polishing wheels. Other than that, I tend to stick with Dremel-branded attachments.
badinfinities
Friend of Leo's
@Swirling Snow I went with the 4300 Dremel. They go on sale regularly and you can get them in a case with lots of attachments.
I don't know, I only buy good stuff. I did buy (or was given) a little plastic router base that is next to worthless. Most of the attachments I buy from luthier supply houses. You can sometimes ask your dentist to save old burrs for you, they might be too dull for tooth enamel but they are plenty good for rosewood.
A Dremel is sufficient for occasional small cutting, grinding, and routing jobs. If you're getting into wood carving and heavier work, go with a Foredom because it's far more powerful and the handpiece is smaller and lighter, allowing you to work longer without fatigue.
I have a few Dremels including a cordless (it's a GOOD one) and a Foredom, and all of them get equal time because they all have their niche jobs.
I have a few Dremels including a cordless (it's a GOOD one) and a Foredom, and all of them get equal time because they all have their niche jobs.
B Mannix
TDPRI Member
Good info. I do a lot of mixed work. If you are using for fine small projects. The Dremel has been great for me. The last one I bought has been around for well over 10 years of my abuse. If I have to do heavier carving. Like removing a stripped bolt head, out comes the 1/4" air tool. As far as the multi $10 kits. I have one, but rarely use the stuff in it. For me the carbide burrs and the thin abrasive disks are used the most. (BTW make sure you use safety glasses. The disks can shatter at high speed.) I use the corded one. Not sure if it would be charged when I need to use it at random times, or long use.
Soapbarstrat
Tele-Meister
90’s and older Dremels, and Craftsman branded Dremels common at Estate sales and garage sales. I’ve gotten them as low as $2.00. I probably paid $5.00 for the majority of them. There is one I bought, in brand new condition, for $15.00. Turns out, it’s the only one not made in USA. Made in Mexico, but a genuine Dremel. I was surprised, and not in a good way, although the quality seems fine.
I came close to getting a Foredom at an estate sale, but I had the choice of going to the garage for the Foredom or going to the basement for the guitar. I chose the guitar. I did try to get the Foredom after, but sure enough, someone beat me to it.
I came close to getting a Foredom at an estate sale, but I had the choice of going to the garage for the Foredom or going to the basement for the guitar. I chose the guitar. I did try to get the Foredom after, but sure enough, someone beat me to it.
I have had several generations of the real thing. But now I just have a cheaper hardware store version (Ozito), plus a $10 Chinese mini version (both mains powered). I also have the flex arm, which means I can get down nearly parallel to the top surface of a guitar, to drill for trem ground wires, although its power is not great for that (I should just buy a long "airplane" bit for a regular drill).
It depends what you want to do with them. I probably use the mini one most, for drilling small pilot holes for small screws. If you will be doing jobs that require higher power and good quality cutting wheels that last (eg metal cutting), a real Dremel with that power will always be best. But it's overkill for other jobs. They are also quite expensive here. YMMV.
It depends what you want to do with them. I probably use the mini one most, for drilling small pilot holes for small screws. If you will be doing jobs that require higher power and good quality cutting wheels that last (eg metal cutting), a real Dremel with that power will always be best. But it's overkill for other jobs. They are also quite expensive here. YMMV.
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I can say with certainty do not buy the sets of bits for it from Amazon,they are rubbish, dangerous and just a waste, where you can buy dremels own or a reputable set
I'm getting the impression a Dremel is one of things the Far East counterfeits.
