I’m getting a Dremel with a clamp designed for the model I chose. I’m just waiting to see how it goes once I start using it.
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I have the Proxxon Micromot 60/E. It replaced my Dremel and there's no looking back. It's easier to hold than the old (really old) Dremel. I quite like the speed control - two actually as there's another on the power supply. I have a bench mount for it and use it all the time. It's really easy to remove from the bench mount too. Here's a pic of that setup.
Cheers,
Todd
Cheers,
Todd
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Oh, this is all fine, yet, since the decision on the choice of a specific manufacturer has already been made, continuing to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different options would essentially be rather akin to an academic debate, perhaps
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I have been trying different brands from very inexpensive to overpriced. They all have a wobble at various rpm's.
The only one that works great, at least what I have tried was Proxxon. More expensive than Dremel but way worth it.
I have two different Dremels, one old Sears brand (decades old but still works) and a real cheap Chinese one from Amazon. From now on, all my power tools will be Proxxon without a doubt. Well worth the price!
I've always used a Dremel, but, and I'm sure some will laugh, but Harbor Frieght carries several, with accessories, from $10 to $80. I do have the cheap one, if you're on a tight budget, it should do what you need, and if not, not much to lose.
No laughing here—Harbor Freight actually has some surprisingly decent tools. For light to moderate use, those cheaper rotary tools can get the job done just fine, and like you said, at that price there’s not much risk. If it ends up not meeting your needs, you’re only out a few bucks, and if it does, even better.
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Oh, this is all fine, yet, since the decision on the choice of a specific manufacturer has already been made, continuing to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different options would essentially be rather akin to an academic debate, perhaps
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As to the original poster perhaps, but I intended the post for those who may be using Foredom or Dremel rotary tools. The holders are handy accessories to have if you have jobs to do with them. Truth be told, unless one is doing a fair bit of miniature carving and metal grinding, buffing, and polishing, a rotary tool is about the least necessary electrically powered ship modeling tool of them all. People buy them thinking they are necessary, but there are actually no ship modeling tasks that require them, and very few which are much easier with them, while most jobs done by rotary tools can be done much better by a more specialized tool. This isn't to say that they aren't handy from time to time, but I've found the importance many modelers seem to place upon them is exaggerated.
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Yes, you are absolutely right. I myself use these rotary tools to a moderate extent, mainly because most jobs are better suited to slow-speed machines such as lathes or milling machines. But when they are needed for a specific task, they are simply irreplaceable. In addition to the tasks you have already mentioned, for example, for making hundreds and thousands of holes when treenailing. But how can one hit the right spot when the tip of the drill bit mounted in the Dremel spins in circles "as big as a Neolithic Stonehenge" and the rotary tool itself slips out of the hand due to the enormous vibrations? On the other hand, the Dremel bits themselves are good, very good. I would also add that Proxxon's quality and precision is good enough that one no longer need to look for expensive and ultra-expensive offers.
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Hey, something I can comment about! Most rotary tools are bulky and really require a corded hand piece. That is where your fit comes in. I have a Dremel and a Foredom, both with hand pieces. Problem for me is I am getting the hand piece to cooperate with where I want it is difficult, because of the diameter of the cord. I have ordered a Dremel Stylo because it looks like it may alleviate the problem. The wood on ship models is usually bass and easy to carve. Admittedly, my use has been in wood carving on harder woods, so you might not have this concern. Anyway, good luck with your search and let us know what you decide on and how well it works for you!!
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I use a Certa rotary tool, it is corded and rated a bit higher than many others for power, it is also reasonably priced, maybe hard to find depending on where you are.
I am so pleased with it I have bought another identical machine as a spare just in case. I fitted it with a cheap Chinese 3 jaw chuck.
Excellent.
Doug Hey NZ.
I am so pleased with it I have bought another identical machine as a spare just in case. I fitted it with a cheap Chinese 3 jaw chuck.
Excellent.
Doug Hey NZ.
Finally I´m getting a Dremel 4300-5/40 High Performance RotaryTool Kit with a Led Lights and a Drill Press Rotary Tool Workstation.
I really love the feedback and the discussions here—both the pros and cons, the practical experiences and the more academic perspectives. This kind of exchange is really the foundation of the forum: sharing, agreeing and disagreeing respectfully, and helping others form their own experience through thoughtful input from friends we may not know personally, but who share the same passion. Thanks All and Happy Holidays !!
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I have had a Sears Dremel clone; single speed, corded, since the 1970’s and found it to be unnecessary and useless for the ship models that I built prior to my present project. It’s too fast for drilling and can remove way too much material in an instant. Instead, I have tried to improve my skills with hand tools. Its main use is turning an abrasive disc for cutting metals.
Several years ago, a friend gave me a Dremel two speed rechargeable rotary tool. It’s more useful as I have been making many brass parts for my current project. It’s particularly useful with a tiny dental bit for cleaning up soldered joints. Like most battery powered tools, the battery is discharged when I want to use it.
I also have a Proxxon engraving tool that drives a tiny ball ended tool. It is variable speed driven by a separate power supply. As posted above, my impression is that it’s a much better built tool than the Dremel product. It’s primary use is also solder cleanup.
Roger
Several years ago, a friend gave me a Dremel two speed rechargeable rotary tool. It’s more useful as I have been making many brass parts for my current project. It’s particularly useful with a tiny dental bit for cleaning up soldered joints. Like most battery powered tools, the battery is discharged when I want to use it.
I also have a Proxxon engraving tool that drives a tiny ball ended tool. It is variable speed driven by a separate power supply. As posted above, my impression is that it’s a much better built tool than the Dremel product. It’s primary use is also solder cleanup.
Roger
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I've been getting a lot of use out of a Chinese "Nail drill" or "nail machine". It has a corded handpiece with a quick change collet for smaller than 1/8" 2.35mm shank bits. Lots of bits in this size are available. Variable speed and has been working well for a couple of years now for rotary engraving and most things I use the Dremel for. It was phenomenally inexpensive! There are several styles available from all of the usual sources. Here's a link to one on Temu:
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Ageed! However, over the many years I've been around, I've always kept my eyes open for used top shelf tools in good shape and I've been able to accumulate a nicely equipped shop of "the good stuff" for a lot less than the "good enough" at retail. There were a lot of years that went by while I was hoping and wishing and waiting for those good used tools deals to come along, but I got all the tools I needed and somebody will still be using them long after I'm gone.
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I had a Dremel, but found it awkward to use, so sold it & replaced it with a Proxxon kit including a flexi drive & added a foot switch to make life easier.
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Admittedly, it was not my intention to get overly involved in this already settled issue, but perhaps it is worth mentioning other, usually overlooked issues, hopefully for the benefit of others.
Below is a selection from my personal hobbyist toolkit for small and very small scale model making. Not because I intend to get into some kind of bidding war over who has what, but to clearly show that all the rotary tools from one manufacturer shown here are completely compatible with all the accessories from the same manufacturer (apart from the already mentioned possibility of trivially easy making such self-made holders). This is precisely thanks to the “magical” metal neck with a uniform diameter of 20 mm for all Proxxon rotary tools (whether corded or cordless; however, like Roger, I have been avoiding battery-powered variants like the plague for a long time
). This metal neck provides a secure, rigid, stable grip, and replacing any rotary tool in any holder is quick and easy (in Dremel, it was a plastic thread, unscrewable flanges, and some equally plastic washers, and all of this could be in quite different sizes for different Dremel models; honestly – an engineering and practical nightmare). Incidentally, all the essential components in Proxxon accessories of this type are made of metal, unlike Dremel, where even strategically important components (in terms of their stability and rigidity) are regularly made of plastic.Apart from these features, I think that in addition to the quality and precision of the devices themselves (Proxxon lacks nothing in this respect for our DIY projects), it is also worth considering features such as versatility and universality (interchangeability of components) in systems offered by different manufacturers, as well as, if necessary, the possibility of easily and quickly expanding one's own set with new system components through subsequent purchases, as well as the possible replacement and servicing of system components one's already own. As it happens, Proxxon meets all these conditions very well, selling its products and servicing them “all over the world.” On the other hand, apart from some really successful deals, I have also had bad and very bad experiences when buying used items of this kind, and besides, they usually don't fit with anything else one already have (particularly when it comes to the device-holder interface).
For example, one can start by buying a specific model of rotary tool and just leave it at that. Or, one can gradually expand the arsenal with additional accessories, knowing that they are always available or at least will be in the foreseeable future. And, once a larger arsenal in one system is already accumulated , even the failure of, say, the base rotary tool will not be a disaster, since one can always have it serviced or instantly buy another, replacement one.
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Gradually expanding my tools arsenal...sure some money will be lost in the process !!
This is indeed a very unpleasant prospect. Unfortunately, we live in increasingly terrible times of transactionalism. No one wants to give anything away for free anymore, in either direction...
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@-Waldemar- , a nice set of accessories for the Proxxon. Looking at your picture, it looks like the stands are sturdy and stable. The Dremel brand is lacking seriously in that aspect. I tried a few... waste of money and time.
Initially, you think that the free-hand option of a portable rotary will be more than enough... wrong! Most time, I'm looking for a stable holder to free my hands and increase precision. My solution (Dremel and Foredom) was Vanda-Lay mentioned above. Does not fit all Dremel models, so be careful here. However, it is a fantastic option for the foredom... highly configurable but comes at a price.
Initially, you think that the free-hand option of a portable rotary will be more than enough... wrong! Most time, I'm looking for a stable holder to free my hands and increase precision. My solution (Dremel and Foredom) was Vanda-Lay mentioned above. Does not fit all Dremel models, so be careful here. However, it is a fantastic option for the foredom... highly configurable but comes at a price.
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