Dremel tool

[barebackjack]

What dremel tool do you all own or use? Not necessarily for building guns.

Im looking at a few, and was just wondering what model seems to be the best bet.

Thanks

 

[Roy]

Just a normal plug in the wall Dremel with variable speed.

 

[dlocke]

You may save a few bucks at Sears. They call theirs a variable speed rotary tool and it is basically the same as a dremel, but usually cheaper.
DJL

 

[Jim-Iowa]

Well now you can't always go by me. Cause I'm a Hopeless Tool Junkie, with no desire to quite.
I have two one handheld and anothe pedestal unit with flexshaft.

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

What dremel tool do you all own or use? Not necessarily for building guns.

Im looking at a few, and was just wondering what model seems to be the best bet.

Thanks

I started outjavascript: markup()
Color:Yellow with a little model 750 Mini-Mite, which served me well and went through 2 sets of batteries/packs. It just didn't have the torque for the heavier jobs though. The new battery pack powered models are supposed to be practically as powerful as the corded models.

Current one is a model 395... they're in the 400's now. It came in a grey hard plastic case and had a couple handfuls of accessories with it. You definitely want the variable speed, but there are some advantages to the cordless (lithium ion) battery charged new models. That power cord can trip you up in all sorts of ways that you never knew were possible.

Also try to get an angled tool (I think they make some adapters), cause it can really exacerbate carpal tunnel problems in people who are susceptible to it.

I'm sure by now someone has warned you about using a Dremel tool on your muzzleloading guns, but I have not found it to be a problem. It does take a good bit of patience and finesse to use a high speed power tool to do certain jobs, cause there's no substitute for experience either. 'Nuff said about that.

You will find you life sooooooo much easier with that Dremel and wonder how you survived without it. It can do practically anything (except hammer that is--from the joke on the old TV advert.) No matter how expensive it might seem at the moment, it more than pays for itself again and again.

Note: There are other makers of the little bits that work in the Dremel and other brands of rotary tools. They will work just as good and sometimes even better, PLUS they are generally less expensive. Everyone usually has their favourite tool for the Dremel and I guess mine is the fiberglass cutoff wheel. These are NOT the flimsy thin aluminum oxide wheels that disintegrate if you put any side-loading on them. You bind them, they shatter... which brings up another point.

ALWAYS wear the safety goggles (or face shield) not just safety or regular corrective glasses. I've been hit by ricocheting pieces of metal and bits that came apart. Sometimes a bit has a speed limit and it's wise to heed the warning on the packaging.

I've also owned a Black and Decker Wizard Rotary Tool and Sears used to make one also (that one didn't last!). The B&D tool held up well, but I don't think they are manufactured any longer. Remember to clean your Dremel after use-- especially if covered in metal dust or wood dust. It's kind of a pain to get it all off, but you'll be rewarded by absolute reliability when you need it. Keep it in the case when not in use, as dust can make it contrary.

Sorry about the length, but I hope this helped you some, if you need to know more or want to talk about specific jobs and what is needed, send me a private topic, OK?

Regards, and Dremel away!
WV_Hillbilly

 

[renovato]

At the bench, I normally use a Foredom motor tool for it's versatility in handpieces and fine speed control. I have a 395-something variable speed that I use everywhere else. Dremels are one of the most useful tools ever invented! Learning to use them with a light touch and knowing when to stop is the most important part. So is learning when not to use it.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

What dremel tool do you all own or use? Not necessarily for building guns.

Im looking at a few, and was just wondering what model seems to be the best bet.

Thanks

The same one I bought back in 1973. Well, plus also a couple of variations since with the Advantage & all accessories being the latest.

 

[rabjr]

The dremel I bought in 1978 just died last year. The newer dremel I bought to replace it lasted only 4 months and it died. They sure don't make em like they used to.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

The dremel I bought in 1978 just died last year. The newer dremel I bought to replace it lasted only 4 months and it died. They sure don't make em like they used to.

I have put many hours on my old one in the pedestal clamp mount, very little time on the newer ones. I do like the plunge router attachment for the Advantage, it works real slick.

 

[44-henry]

I don't know which model it is, but mine is an older variable speed affair which has served me well for many years. I will go out on a limb and say that I do use it for some inletting tasks, but this is mainly restricted to inletting the internals of the lock. For this task I use an ancient dremel router attachment that is probably older than my dremel tool, but it works very well. I don't use the tool for inletting the lockplate, I still do that with hand tools and patience, but for the rest of the job it really is a slick tool. As for other parts of gun work, I really like some of the grinding wheels and sanding drums for shaping intricate metal parts such as hammers. Useful tool, wouldn't be without one.

 

[dlocke]

I like the little abrasive wheels for de-rusting old parts. I sometimes wonder if you could jig up and use a dremel w/ the router attachment to cut a barrel inlet (at least the 2 side flats and the bottom flat) or a ramrod slot?
DJL

 

[Roy]

It would be bit of a work out for a long gun, but for a pistol I have used it to partialy inlet the barrel. I do use mine all the time to inlet the lock and side plate.

 

[renovato]

The one thing I have found out about Dremels is that they don't last very long. At least the earlier ones didn't. My newest one is needing bearings already, but I think I'll just replace them instead of buying a new tool. I think the early ones used a bronze bushing instead of ball bearings. I used to wear them out yearly and didn't know they could be repaired.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

The one thing I have found out about Dremels is that they don't last very long. At least the earlier ones didn't. My newest one is needing bearings already, but I think I'll just replace them instead of buying a new tool. I think the early ones used a bronze bushing instead of ball bearings. I used to wear them out yearly and didn't know they could be repaired.

Beg to differ, mileage may vary for some, but my first one is over 30 years old, and still going strong. As with most tools, there is use, and there is abuse.

 

[dlocke]

Yep, and the best way to abuse them is to use them for serious autobody work, esp. rust grinding and steel cutting. That is what air tools are for. If you use your dremel for its intended purposs and keep it clean, it should last several years.
One gripe that I have with the newer models is that the speed control is rather chintzy and will wear out over time. The external speed control is nice. If I had to do it over, I'd get a single-speed rotary tool with external speed control.
DJL

 

[aragorn]

I have the Craftsman one (Sears) which has been pretty good for me.

 

[bob1961]

right now i have two a varible speed and a single speed....the single speed i have in a router attachment and rigged up as a drum sander on a table top that clamps in my bench vise....it's high enough so i'm working at just under chest level....

my varible speed dremel is rigged up with an 3' cable extention fer hand grinding and carveing work....

so anything from sanding my knife handles on the drum sander to carveings with the extention cable are not a problem once i pick up one more varible speed dremel i should be set to do anything :v .............bob