Is there a rotary tool better than a Dremel?

[Marksman44]

I am interested in buying a Dremel-style tool. Is there a better tool than Dremel for under $100, or is Dremel the best option? Thank you.

[hsvhobbit]

For the money you're talking about, the dremel IMHO is pretty much THE tool to get.

For considerably more money for a bench-only tool there's the Foredom tool...basically a much larger motor and a flex cable driving a seperate handpiece.

Couple of pointers in case you haven't used one before...Always, ALWAYS wear safety glasses when using these things...they can run up to 30K RPM's or so and will sling stuff ALL over the place.

Ditch the cheap, thin cutting wheels...the fiber reinforced ones cut better, last MUCH longer and don't explode as easily (see point #1 above)..I mean it, don't even waste your time with the crappy cutting wheels normally provided...get the fiber reinforced ones.

For polishing, think Cratex..available from Brownells in every shape you could imagine needing...get a large number of the bullet shape in all the grit's.

Lastly, be cautious if/when you use this tool on a precision item (gun?) you can REALLY remove metal fast with one.

Good luck.

[major]

Hard to go wrong with the Dremel

[TimWarner]

Don't skimp and get a single speed one though...

I ended up going back and getting a second with variable speed.

[4eyes]

I bought a B&D w/ accessory kit at Home Depot for $20. 3 speeds and works fine for me. A single speed Dremmel kit was $50.

[big88foot]

I bought a Ryobi because the cord was longer and more flexible. However, maybe the Dremmel would have been a better idea because replacement brushes are readily available. Also, sometimes the Ryobi, when really kicking up the sawdust, will sputter and stop until I blow it out...I don't know if the Dremmel has the same problem.
BF

[elsolo]

I want the pneumatic one my dentist uses, it's definately more than $100.


+100000000 on the suggestion for Cratex, I can't imagine owning a Dremel and not having Cratex wheels and points, they get used 99% of the time.

[Lazy D]

The Foredom is the choice one for gunsmithing, but if your on a budget it can be cost prohibitive. I have both and I like the Foredom with the dial control.

[Joe D]

Enco has a Chinese Foredom copy that works well. Seems like I paid $89 for mine. I have had it for 5+ years.

[gunplumber]

does foredom have a model with the speed control on the unit instead of on the foot pedal? That stupid clunky footpedal is the one reason I won't buy a foredom. And my dremel hasn't broken yet . .. .

[Lazy D]

They do have a hand dial speed control that sits on the benchtop and the unit plugs into it.

[Glockdude1]

Hard to go wrong with a variable speed Dremel. There are plenty of bits availble to most any kind of job.

:cool:

[BULLCARVER]

I have a Foredom & an air driven super high speed (50 gazillion RPM) plus a Dental Lab bench mounted rotary grinder ~ I honestly use the Dremel more than any of the others. It's a great tool.
Ditto: Get the variable speed.

1/8" Carbide Burrs are pretty inexpensive on Ebay.

[VAshooter]

I have a Foredom bench model with a speed control on the base the motor mounts on. It is a high torqe model that maintains power even when running at low RPM. I've had mine since 1984 and have never had any problems with it. I own a manufacturing business and when I started the business I took the Foredom unit to work to save money. After the workers using it daily from 1989 to 2004 I finally got to take it home. It still works great. No Dremel will stand up to that kind of use. I think I went through 3 Dremels before I got the Foredom.

[gunplumber]

Originally posted by VAshooter
I have a Foredom bench model with a speed control on the base the motor mounts on.

Is there a way to wall mount it? I need something that can hang as bench space is at a premium.

[VAshooter]

It wouldn't be difficult to make a bracket for the base so you could wall mount it. You just need to be able to reach the speed control.