Which rotary tool is the choice of OGR forum members

I haven't seen much difference in Dremel motor tools over the years other than the shapes and colors.

  I'd choose get a hex collet though. I had a finger collet, and the thin wrench portion didn't last long before grooving. I threw it out before it failed.

 And any new choices, motor torque difference over a higher rpm.  

(not a bunch of info online. The only thing I could find different was the collet).

I use Dremel's top of the line rechargeable.  Not having to bother with a cord is a big help.  Flip side is that supposedly some attachments can't be used.

I've always used the top of the line Dremel. My Dremels must be corded for use in all my attachments. I prefer to work at my bench. I can honestly admit to using up at least seventeen over the years.

I have the Dremel 4000 and love it!!

Dremel in this shop too!

Dremel all the way.

Brad

It depends what you want to do and for how long.  Dremel works fine for light work as long as you don't run it to long.  I have been using Foredom tools for a long time and find them far superior to Dremel. They have interchangeable handpieces and I use a foot controller to regulate the speed.  I have never had one burn out but I have had 3 Dremels burn out.  Always the armature goes.   The only bad thing about the Foredom tool is that it costs 2 to 3 times as much as a Dremel.

Over the years, I've picked up several different ones.

The one that gets the most use is a 12 volt model that was made by Minicraft.

When I want to use a 110V model, my favorite is a Dremel 398.
I have several of the attachments for the Dremel 398.

The ones that get used are the right angle head, and the miniature circular saw attachment.

Dremel rechargeable.

Don't know what the model number is off hand, but I am still using the one I bought back around 1980.

Starts with a "D" and ends with an "L".  Fill in the blanks.

I use a Dremel 4000 for transformer repair - a lot!. I use it with the flex shaft extension with the motor hanging from the ceiling over the workbench. All previous smaller Dremel models ended in meltdowns after heavy use. The 4000 has had heavy use for about 3 years and keeps on spinning.

I have a Dremel 280 with an external Dremel speed control box that I've been using for about 40 years give or take.

Rusty

I have a couple of Dremels but most of the time I use a Foredom tool for its virtually burnout proof motor and much smaller handpiece.

Pete

I have a Dremel 7700 cordless.  As much as I like not having a cord, I wouldn’t recommend this particular model.  The first battery lasted about a year.  It currently won’t always operate in high speed.  If I have a lot of track to cut, it loses power before I’m done.  When this battery goes, I will most likely get a corded Dremel.

I have a standard Dremel......Model 395.....nothing fancy......bought around 1998-2000. Nothing fancy, but works every time I need it.

Peter

A Dremel or the Craftsman exact copy will last forever.

I have an old Dremel that I use for my small drill press and a new rechargeable, cordless for all my on layout needs.  Love them both.

Art

I have a hand me down Dayton. 60's, or 70's ????? very smooth.

Dremel variable-speed 5,000-30,000rpm. Bought one 20 years ago. Still going strong. Primarily use it for cutting/grinding.

I don't know the model number but I have a corded variable speed Dremel that is about six or seven years old. Works great for me. I have no need for a cordless unit since almost all of my use is at the bench. I seldom need to use it directly on the layout.

While I and I suspect the vast majority go with Dremel tools of varying models and costs, if you've had a new and unused tool (whatever brand...) since last year, why not just use it and see if it works for you? 

 Battery life is a game of chance for all rechargeable items. Its more about the battery than the tool most times you have issues.

Compounded by initial charge memory and condition of them as you cycle the charges and discharges each time.

 I like my cordless goodies, but they all have corded duplicates for "go to".

I have the Dremel 4000, and I can tell you that it's a brute and will perform most tasks effortlessly.  It has speed control so that when you set the speed, it doesn't bog down as the load increases.  If there's on knock on the 4000, it's that it's somewhat larger than many other Dremel or competing rotary tools, probably why it's so powerful.  I also have an ancient Dremel in my basement workshop, the number escapes me right now, but it's at least 25 years old.  Finally, I have a $20 clone I bought at Lowes some years back that I use for small jobs when I don't need the power of the Dremel 4000.

I don't have a corded Dremel, but I have 2 cordless models. I have an older Dremel 8000, which has worked great for years. I also have a newer Dremel 8200 that my wife bought me a couple years ago. It's wonderful. I enjoy the convenience of the cordless models and to date I have never found myself wishing I had a corded model. The cordless models are fantastic. 

-Eric

Is there any other than a Dremel. I have TWO Cordless and Two Corded. I have a Dremel 4000 as well. GREAT Tool!!

Fred.

I have two Dremel MOTO-TOOL drils, Models 395&3000, both corded, American made, replacement parts available many locations, easy to repair, replaced speed selector switch and motor brushes twice on Model 395 after much use, Dremel offers a good selection of accessories, seems that Dremel had a solid first MOTO-TOOL design, new models enhanced this design and I believe certain common parts are used on the model upgrades.

I also like the drill case design on both models easy to hold, no performance issues with either MOTO-TOOL just expected typical maintenance for worn out parts. 

I have one of the first cordless Dremel models. Indispensable tool for the train work shop and many other applications.

 I have the Dremel 4000 with the drill press  and all the accessories . All I have used are the cutoff weels to cut Atlass track so far.  I do like the 4000, and has been a great too to have in my collection.

I use a Pep Boys model, with hanging flex shaft.  Had it about 12 years.  It's a plug in model.  It cost less than $25.00 with accessories.  Still works great.

    A couple of months ago I bought a battery operated one from Harbor Freight for off-workbench use.  It too has the flex shaft.  It was on sale for $22.00. 

    I use them regularly, but they don't get hard use.  (No 2x4's or concrete blocks).

    Dremels are great.  But there other good ones out there for much less that will do the same job for a long time...for much less.  Gotta shop around.

          Logan

I will say, I've had one Dremel "clinker", that would be the XPR400.  I bought that and within about two months it burned up in my hands.  Pretty exciting, but not all that pleasant!  However, on the good side, that's how I got the 4000, they sent that as a warranty replacement, so it all worked out.  After the fact, I went looking on the web and found that the XPR400 going up in smoke was a very common thing, virtually every site that sold them and had reviews had multiple people with the same experience as I had.

I was fortunate that I ended up with a really nice tool for the price of the XPR400 junker, but others weren't as lucky.

This is what I use in the Train Room and projects around the house.

The right angle Milwaukee is great for the layout and electrical projects.

Gary

Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, Click on photo to enlarge.....

Ogaugeguy,

    Got to admit I have several different kinds, TrainroomGary's Milwaukee is top shelf cordless stuff, for a cordless. My very best one however is a plug in ROTO ZIP Z10 made by Bosch, a very high grade piece of professional industrial equipment.  Not a cheap piece of equipment however.   This thing even alters hi grade stainless when required to do so, I reworked the back stairs on my heavy Cast Legacy Shay Engine with it, smooth as glass.

For guys who do light work the dremel is fine, for longevity industrial type work, IMO the ROTO ZIP Z10 - Bosch is the tool I recommend to own & use.

PCRR/Dave

"I have never had one burn out but I have had 3 Dremels burn out.  Always the armature goes.   The only bad thing about the Foredom tool is that it costs 2 to 3 times as much as a Dremel."

So buy a Foredom and you come out even plus saving on aggravation. Win!

I had used a regular Dremel back in the 70's.  But what I found out is that when you use the cut off disc, like to cut track, you canot do it at full RPM...I brought a Craftsman model 61002, it has variable speed.  I have been using it for over 30 years.  And it has seen its fair share of work.  No problems with it.

Marty

Marty, I'm curious why you can't use a cutoff wheel at any RPM you desire?  That's news to me.  If you're talking about the non-reinforced ones, I don't think I want them spinning at 25,000 RPM, they come apart too easily.  However, the fiber reinforced ones I run full blast if I need to.

Martin,

   Guns is absolutely right and now I no longer use any kind cut off tool for cutting custom track pieces.  The Portable Rockwell X2 does a much more professional job at making custom size track, at any size and angle you need.  Even my ROTO ZIP RZ10 can not match the Rockwell X2 high speed saw for this kind of work.

PCRR/Dave

I knew there was a RPM limit on the dremel discs,  I don't use them any more, I just use the fiberglass reinforced ones.  Maybe being over cautious...

Marty