Best Dremel type machine?

[Simon Robinson 4Participant @simonrobinson4]

[Simon Robinson 4Participant @simonrobinson4]

Hi

I was very disappointed after buying a Parkside cordless Dremel like tool from lidl for £16.99. Yes I know you get what what you pay for but this was not good. I only used it on light hobby work and after not long the spindle bearings went meaning the collet and bit wobbled all over the place. I found it very clumsy and not at all precise. My neighbour had exactly the same problem with his, in that the main shaft came loose. Has anyone else bought this tool and had similar experience?

My main point is what is the best make of Dremel like tool to get borsch, draper etc, there are several makes, is Dremel the best of all? I'm even prepared to get a used one as its bound to be better than the parkside on I once got.

Also what common things if any can go wrong with such tools?

(My main use is light grinding, carving and some polishing)

thanks

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

You can get your munney back but fixing the bearings might be a good option.?

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I have had some of the cheaper ones in the past but started to vibrate, probably because it had cheap bearings (after warranty period) and now have a proper Dremel and would recommend it. Still going good after 2+ years. Keep an eye out for when they are on sale at a reduced price.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Get the genuine Dremel.

[Simon Robinson 4Participant @simonrobinson4]

Posted by Ady1 on 26/01/2017 00:43:21:

You can get your munney back but fixing the bearings might be a good option.?

Lidl refused to refund me or replace it as they are now a discontinued item

I thought of fixing the bearings but not sure if its worth it for the sake of £16.99 especially if something else goes wrong, motors on these have been known to burn out even on light hobby use like I used it for.

I only had it for less than a few months when it started playing up during a mamod restoration project which has been on freeze until I get a replacement Dremel.

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

Definitely Dremel.

If you have very deep pockets DuMore.

For flex shaft grinders Foredom

[Adrian JohnstoneParticipant @adrianjohnstone89946]

If you havea look round on the net, you'll see a lot of discussion around these rotary tools. Dremel's reputation has taken a dive in recent years even amongst our friends across the pond who like to buy American. I have a Proxxon (the mains powered one) which is a very high quality tool that is quiet, has good bearings and will run up to 20,000rpm (which is good for engraving). It is expensive though, but only around three times what you paid at Lidl (if you shop around). I wouldn't go back to using one of the cheaper tools.

 

Adrian

Edited By Adrian Johnstone on 26/01/2017 02:07:11

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

Another vote for Proxxon I use their industrial dia grinder a brilliant piece of kit and easy to mount in a vice with the optional clamp they also do a cordless version now.

[John CoatesParticipant @johncoates48577]

Posted by Simon Robinson 4 on 26/01/2017 01:13:39:

Posted by Ady1 on 26/01/2017 00:43:21:

You can get your munney back but fixing the bearings might be a good option.?

Lidl refused to refund me or replace it as they are now a discontinued item

So what if it is discontinued? That's not your problem

If it is within their warranty period and they can't replace it they can give you a refund

If they disagree tell them you'll go to Trading Standards

 

Edited By John Coates on 26/01/2017 07:07:25

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I bought a genuine Dremel years ago, and it started to vibrate badly after a few months.

Upon investigation the little metal cooling fan on the motor had started shedding its blades.

I then bought a Proxxon and am still using it with no problems many years later.

Phil

[James AlfordParticipant @jamesalford67616]

I have owned a Dremel for several years now and it has had a lot of heavy use. I have had trouble with it twice, mainly with the collet chuck jamming. On both occasions, Bosch, who seem to own Dremel, arranged to collect it, repair it and return it, fully repaired and all for free. The machine is long out of warranty, which I made clear when I requested the repairs.

Based on the service alone, I would recommend one.

My model is an older version which has a combined on switch and speed control. I find this annoying as I cannot set the speed and leave it. My Lidl Parkside version has separate controls, which I find much easier to use. However, the collet chuck, made from aluminium, has failed. I don't suppose anyone has a dead Lidl tool with a spare collet chuck?

Regards,

James.

 

Edited By James Alford on 26/01/2017 07:16:01

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Proxxon +1

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I've had a number of Dremels and clones over the years but now have a Proxxon IBS/E and am very satisfied with it. More expensive than some others but well worth the price IMHO.

Russell

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

Dremel.

I had my first one early eighties, motor gave up after fifteen years. Now got two, all corded thinking of getting cordless.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I bought one made by Black & Decker, within a year it died, got it replaced, within a year it died, got it replaced, about 18 months it died, I pulled it to bits and found that the main drive was a coiled spring about 10 mm long by 6 mm dia, got one from the junk box, put it together, and it lasted another 4 years till the motor died. The previous faults were the same as the one I fixed. I bought a second hand Dremel, and its been going strong for about 15 years.

Ian S C

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I have to say, the Dremels are exceptionally good. The small cordless has limited battery life (cutting 1.5mm diameter springs at a shallow angle, I could do about six cuts) before it started to flash amber at me. But it come into its won for delicate work which put less load on it, including polishing/cleaning up small items.

The larger cordless is fantastic, comes into its own when you have a rusted exhaust fitting under the car etc. and you can charge one battery as you use the other.

I have a big corded dremel and a corded wickes one. The wickes feels really agricultural in use compared to the other, I think the Dremels are generally better balanced with better bearings.

I must admit my ~17 year-old woolies corded one is still going (it did need one repair, I think a wire broke), although the spindle clamp is now a bit flaky. I've had the body of it too hot to hold!

Neil

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Ditto on the woolies corded.. taken heaps of abuse and still going. The first hammer drill i bought from them ble smoked on the first hole I drilled.. was replaced but didn't last manu years. Oddly I found a battery drill of there's i'd forgotten i owned (last week). It's recharged and running — bit I doubt it'll stay charged long

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

I bought a Dremel with the flexibility drive from a boot sale (?5) looks new. Never really wanted one but since I have had it it has been so useful!
Dremel, highly recommended!

Alan

Edited By AJW on 26/01/2017 10:42:47

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Difficult to decide! I have an Aldi mains version. just under £20. I have given it a rough life and it is going strong after 5 years. Looking at the build quality I just didn't expect such good usage.

I have an early mains powered Dremel and that is OK after 15 years of intermittent use. I also have a late model Dremel and it has given me a load of trouble. The new ones seem to be built down to a price. The only good thing is that spares are available.

So take your pick! A Proxxon is probably better than all of the above, but I have no experience of them. Yes I have 3 dremel tools and they are in different workshops, One for model planes, one for ME use and one in the house! They can be a lifesaver and so useful!

Andrew.

[Peter TuckerParticipant @petertucker86088]

Hi Simon,

Many yeas ago I bought a dremel, used it very little but once it was out of warranty the motor gave up and couldn't be repaired. Now I buy the cheapest rotary tool I can find and treat them as consumable items.

Peter.

[oilcanParticipant @oilcan]

Hi Simon,

I've only ever used a Proxxon (mains voltage model). Can't fault it. the reason I chose the Proxxon over the Dremel was the Proxxon had a machined collar whereas the Dremel hasn't. the machined collar makes it easier to design holders for it. think tool post holders etc.

Peter

[TobyParticipant @toby]

I had a dremel (3000?). It was ok but not particularly smooth and burnt out after cutting some marble tiles with it. I took the dremel apart when it died and frankly wasn't impressed with the way it was made so I replaced it with a Proxxon (FBS/240E).

The Proxxon is (imho) in a different league – smooth and quiet and much better made. Time will tell if it is more reliable but so far it hasn't missed a beat.

[JAParticipant @ja]

Out of impulse I bought a cordless Dremel some years ago and it sat on the shelf unused for quite sometime. I then discovered it was the ideal tool for smoothing rough castings. It is now being used for parting off 3/16" square mild steel bar on the lathe.

Unlike Neil I find the charged battery life very good, in the region of hours if one does not run the tool at very high speeds.

For something that I was not expecting very much from, it has served me well. The only thing that has failed is the bag it is kept in.

JA

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

I have a dremel but it's too fast for many jobs, if you have a compressor then a desoutter air grinder type 04, a beautiful machine & as it's a turbine there's no vanes to wear out, I use mine for fettling up castings etc with dentists carbide burs, for fine work I use a motor driven dentists drill with a flexible drive to the handpiece & a foot speed control again with dentists burs,they occasionally come on ebay or autojumbles & are really good quality, I've been well using mine [came from a local hospital] for over40 yrs now.

[Author]

Posts