Dremel tools: recommendations?

maximus otter

maximus otter

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Jul 20, 2002
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With Christmas looming, SWMBO is nagging me about prezzies. I have half a mind (many would say that I should end that sentence right there...) to ask for a Dremel tool.

I'm seeking recommendations as to what tool/type of tool/accessories to buy.

I'm not a DIY bloke, though in time to come I fancy trying my hand at stock-removal knifemaking on a "one by one" scale. I do love gadgets, though - I'm here, aren't I?

Is it worth buying the cordless battery version. How long do Dremels last, in general? Do knuts find them useful? Are they like a SAK: Once you've bought one you can't imagine how you lived all those years without one?

Help!

maximus otter
 
I believe that a Dremel would not be a suitable tool for stock removal knifemaking. In my own extremely limited experience, there aren't very many situations where you wouldn't be better served by 3-4 nice files, a file card, hacksaw, and plenty of sandpaper.

If putting holes in things is what you'd like to do, be forewarned that the Dremel drill press is a shoddily-constructed waste of alumin(i:))um. A proper and cheap drill press only costs US$60 and along with the correct bits will allow you to put reasonably accurate holes in steel.

However the corded Dremel's high RPM makes it perform well for quick hogging of kydex sheath and G10 scale outlines. Wear a respirator if you're going to be doing this.

For non-knifemaking purposes, the Dremel serves as a flexible hole-maker and thing-cutter. Cutoff wheels are very useful, but they break quite easily, so I recommend getting the cutoff wheel accessory pack to have some extras. To be able to use smaller drill bits and accessories (< 1/8" shank), you'll want to to get the Dremel Chuck (#4486) or the smaller quick-change collets. The former is more convenient, the latter will hold bits more tightly. I find that my chuck often has to be tightened with pliers prior to drilling, otherwise the drill bit's shank will slip up into the chuck rather than sink into the material to be drilled.

Have fun- make loud noises. :cool:
 
Maximus,
I have a corded tool I use for all sorts of small jobs and projects. The cordless tools are just as good, some say better since they are more portable by not being tie to an outlet. After you get one, you find lots of things it's usefull for. It can drill, sand, grind, polish, cut, ect. They come with various accessories and tools, depending on which kit you get. Try looking at thier web site http://www. dremel.com. Over here, the cost varies, so it's a good idea to shop around.
 
Your comment about them being like a SAK is most appropriate. Once you've owned one for a while it's hard to immagine being without one.

Like AphpalphaBB mentioned, a Dremel would be a poor choice for trying to hog out knife blades, but they are so useful for so many other things. I only have the corded versions and would be leary of the battery life on a cordless one as I'd hate to have it die mid project, but I can see the portability would be nice to have. MAke sure you get one of the kits with lots of accessories, especially the flexible shaft option as it makes the tool a lot easier to control for fine work.

I like mine so much that when I finally wore it out and had to send it in for service, I bought another one to use while it was away (I was in the middle of a project). I haven't felt a bit of guilt as now I can work on a project that takes two different cutters/abrasives without having to unchuck and change the tip all the time.

You say you're not a DIY kind of guy, but with your impending retirement, you're going to have a lot more time on your hands soon (lucky bastid).

jmx
 
I have the Sears Craftsman version of the Dremel, and it looks and performs just like the "real-deal"...Mine is a corded, variable-speed model, and it works perfectly.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
I have the Sears Craftsman version of the Dremel, and it looks and performs just like the "real-deal"...Mine is a corded, variable-speed model, and it works perfectly.
Click to expand...

Ditto.I also have two others...corded,variable speed.I used them mostly during my pipe making days, but still find uses now and then.If you get one, run out and get extras of everything,cut-off wheels,buffing wheels,sanding drums, etc. Get a set of brushes for the motor so you have them when/if they crap out in the middle of a project. ;)
 
The craftsman is the one to get. I just picked up a 6" bechgrinderfor $20.00 and plan on getting a drill press and some bar stock annd start tryin. I am going to atttend the 2004 bladesmith school and take intro to bladesmithing so I'm going to to try to get a feel for some things before I go
 
Originally posted by Cougar Allen
The cordless is much slower even when the battery is fully charged.
Click to expand...
..and the charge doesn't last long if you're doing any serious work that puts a load on the tool.

I would (did) get the kit with the variable speed Dremel, the flexible extension, and a variety of grinding, polishing, and cutting attachments. It has come in handy for modifying several knives, including cutting handles to a shorter length, rounding micarta and G-10, polishing screws and clips, grinding grooves, and one time even a wave on a non-waved CQC7. It can quickly rough out material on an edge, if you don't have a belt sander, too. Just have to be careful to not let the metal get too hot.
For actually grinding blades, it will work on small knives, like some slipjoints, whose blades are not wider than a grinding drum, since you can just lay the drum flat on the blade, and use the blade itself to hold the angle-for instance, I fully ground and reshaped a serrated sheepsfoot blade on a small stockman into a plain edge wharncliffe, and it worked great. I guess you could do a wider blade, but it seems like it would be alot harder to get a consistent grind, not to mention time consuming.
The Dremel comes in handy for stuff around the house pretty often, too. I've used mine for everything from modifying handles on tools, sharpening a chainsaw, and polishing a watch. Besides metal, the grinding drums also work on wood, and even plastics.

When I first got it, the Dremel was like a new toy. I looked for things to do with it. That was actually a good thing, because I found uses for it that I would have probably never thought of if I had just bought it, and stuck it on a shelf under the workbench (where it lives, now).
It's a useful tool that I would buy again without hesitation, which to me is the true measure of anything bought.
 
Got mine over 25 years ago and it´s still fine, no maintenance other that replacing worn bits and broken cutting disks, it´s variable speed with cord and came with small and large chucks, in my young years I used my father´s dremel which was 2 speed and the variable is much better, never tried a cordless.

Yes, it´s one of those things that I wouldn´t like to live without.
 
I've got the Black and Decker version, and it's great (and cheaper) -- it's also variable speed and has plenty of uses in the shop.
 
I've got both the Dremel version and the Sears version. Has anybody ever used these for sanding in the plunge cut area? Seems like it should work pretty well for that.
 
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