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for sanding only when you have a lot of material to remove. Also use for cutting wire. Plus I also have the dremel drill press which comes in handy from time to time as an economy version of a mill. 
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- Dec 1, 2016
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you can go here and see one use for a dremel tool
School for Shipmodel Building - School for model ship building
Thanks, Dave. Picking up so many useful tips from the class here, especially the kerfing method. Thanks, and appreciate it very much.
shipsofscale.com
I have been using a nail drill that I picked up from Amazon for $13. It is much lighter weight and easier to control than a Dremel. The shafts are not the same size but arrowmax drills fit it. I use it mostly for sanding and drilling holes. It does not have as much torque as a Dremel but it is more than enough for my needs. I highly recommend it for use on model building.
Rob
Rob
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- Oct 5, 2023
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So you think a Dremel is overkill most of the time?
It certainly has many more accessories like buffing pads cutting disks to use and I have a Dremel. I just find it too bulky in my hands to use well especially with delicate model parts. I find the nail drill really useful, compact and I use it almost daily. It is set up on my bench, the Dremel is stored away, Plus the nail drill is much less expensive. the Arrowmax drills are a great value and are well made. They come in 2 sets of various sizes.
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- Oct 5, 2023
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I'll definitely look into that. I already have a dremel with a flex shaft that is easy (for me) to use for precision applications.
Personally, I like the pedal controlled option of my flex shaft rotary tool. It has all the torque and speed needed; small hand piece (interchangeable with a 90° hand piece) and I can place the drill bit exactly where I want it before pressing the power pedal. Best of all worlds.
1200W 30000RPM Rotary Tool, Electric Flex Shaft Rotary Tool, Foot Pedal Control Electric Hanging Carver, Forward and Reverse Rotation, Metal Flexible Shaft Equipped with Polishing Accessories - Amazon.com
1200W 30000RPM Rotary Tool, Electric Flex Shaft Rotary Tool, Foot Pedal Control Electric Hanging Carver, Forward and Reverse Rotation, Metal Flexible Shaft Equipped with Polishing Accessories - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
and the hand held piece is smaller so it can get into areas where you can't get the normal rotary tool.
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- Nov 29, 2023
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A useful application of a handpiece for mixing two-part epoxy without creating a lot of bubbles to be removed prior to use I learned in Navy Electronic 2M (Micro-Miniature) Repair school:
Start with premium two-part epoxy, like Hardman Green in their double-bubble packets. If applying to a metallic surface, scuff it slightly to give the epoxy a better "tooth" to adhere to.
Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hardman-Doub...qid=1760800607&sprefix=Hardman,aps,324&sr=8-1
I've used this product for years in aerospace applications and it has a fifteen-minute working time, unlike five-minute epoxy, like Hardman Red. It is solid after a few hours, but I always let it cure for twelve. Cure time can be decreased with heat if you have a dedicated oven.
Mixing technique for flexible handpieces or Dremel-like tools:
Reverse a bit so just the round shaft is protruding from the tool. Place the desired quantity of two-part epoxy on a glass block, (for best results.) Using slow speed, mix the epoxy with the exposed shaft until it is thoroughly combined. Apply where needed and clean off the glass block with IPA. (That's isopropyl alcohol for all of the beer drinkers reading along.)
Voila! This beats using a miniature spatula or popsicle stick.
CC
Start with premium two-part epoxy, like Hardman Green in their double-bubble packets. If applying to a metallic surface, scuff it slightly to give the epoxy a better "tooth" to adhere to.
Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hardman-Doub...qid=1760800607&sprefix=Hardman,aps,324&sr=8-1
I've used this product for years in aerospace applications and it has a fifteen-minute working time, unlike five-minute epoxy, like Hardman Red. It is solid after a few hours, but I always let it cure for twelve. Cure time can be decreased with heat if you have a dedicated oven.
Mixing technique for flexible handpieces or Dremel-like tools:
Reverse a bit so just the round shaft is protruding from the tool. Place the desired quantity of two-part epoxy on a glass block, (for best results.) Using slow speed, mix the epoxy with the exposed shaft until it is thoroughly combined. Apply where needed and clean off the glass block with IPA. (That's isopropyl alcohol for all of the beer drinkers reading along.)
Voila! This beats using a miniature spatula or popsicle stick.
CC
I have both a Dremel and the cordless version from Harbor Freight. The HFT version is totally adequate for my modeling projects (USS Rattlesnake, HMS Surprise, USF Essex [with scratch-built masts and spars], and HMS Victory), though I cannot claim to be doing museum quality works. Just ships that make me happy. The Dremel is corded, which is annoying, and actually has too much power and too little control for my work.
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- Jun 7, 2023
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When I started model building, I use several different brands of fingernail drills--each with different specs and cheap. I did buy a Dremel as I progressed, but find it is too heavy and awkward for my small rheumatoid arthritic paws. My favorite has become a very inexpensive cordless Hardell. It fits my hand better, not as heavy, and I feel I have more control. I bought on Amazon for about $20 back in 2022 when I began working on wooden boats/ships.
I've got 4 different Dremel tools over the years and I've never had a problem with any of them.
Thanks .Hope it was a single issue. I Had sent it Back now
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- Jan 21, 2023
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i have a Dremel tool that i got for Christmas in the late 1970's that it did not have a speed control in so could not use it til about a year or so later when i got an external speed control. i have 2 Canadian Tire clones with 1 having a fried speed control so going to fix it to use my current external speed control. i also have a Dremel drill press but have not used it yet.
i use the older Dremel tool on my OBB build of 17 models using Revell's 11/429 scale model of the USS Arizona as a basis to correct the concave stern, fix the shape of the torpedo blisters & do clipper bows & combination clipper & ram bows.
i use the older Dremel tool on my OBB build of 17 models using Revell's 11/429 scale model of the USS Arizona as a basis to correct the concave stern, fix the shape of the torpedo blisters & do clipper bows & combination clipper & ram bows.