Dremel / Multi-Tool Advice and Recommendations

[Fred Smith]

I have been considering buying some sort of dremel multi tool... the first job that I think it might be handy for is tidying up heavily curbed alloys, but I'm looking to buy something(s?) that will last long term for all sorts of DIY / car refurb and maintenance purposes.

What do I need and what features don't I need?

Corded or cordless?

Best brands?

Best models?

Maybe this thread could also be a place where men can feel comfortable posting photos of their tools for other men to look at?

[B21]

I have 2 corded Dremels and an Amazon copy,..they all do the job…can’t really see the plus on cordless as most jobs seem to take a bit of effort so running flat mid way through seems not do good…don’t see (for me) it’s worth paying the price premium for the real Dremel…useful bit of kit..most of them come with right angle drive, various sanders etc..you tend to consume those at a prodigious rate..

Flexible drive may be useful…generally it’s not work for me ..

[pvr]

I have two dremels (one corded, one not), the battery one is useless as it dies in a few minutes and does not have power.

The connecting bits break and fly everywhere in bits so you have to be really careful.

I would use a much, much more powerful tool to do actual jobs, dremel is not up to wheel refurbs. (I have a Fein multitool that I use for everything).

[Fred Smith]

Thanks you two.

Based on previous googling and above I am definitely going corded if I buy at all.

Also, from recent googling there seemed to be quite a few people who think that real Dremels are over-rated or the build quality has declined.

Fein multitool - which one do you have?

[pvr]

I have the MultiMaster 700, I had it before the battery ones existed so cannot vouch for that as mine is corded.

I do everything in the house with that as well as the blades and attachments are great.

[Pondrew]

Go Dremel, not cheap copies. The bigger motor the better IME.
I have a Draper 'dremel'. It's crap. Motor overheats at the slightest opportunity and the speed controller is rubbish. It cam with about 1,000 'tools', all of which are completely useless as they are rubbish quality.

When it dies, which will be soon I think, I will get a 'proper' Dremel. Corded, as they have bigger motors.

BTW I am talking of rotating tools, not oscillating ones.

Another option for a more powerful rotating multi-tool is to get a small router. All the tools will fit and they are basically the same; ie a speed variable motor with a collet chuck. Just need to be single hand use.

[Pondrew]

I do everything in the house with that

EVERYTHING? It must be good!

[Fred Smith]

Go Dremel, not cheap copies. The bigger motor the better IME.
I have a Draper 'dremel'. It's crap. Motor overheats at the slightest opportunity and the speed controller is rubbish. It cam with about 1,000 'tools', all of which are completely useless as they are rubbish quality.

When it dies, which will be soon I think, I will get a 'proper' Dremel. Corded, as they have bigger motors.

BTW I am talking of rotating tools, not oscillating ones.

Another option for a more powerful rotating multi-tool is to get a small router. All the tools will fit and they are basically the same; ie a speed variable motor with a collet chuck. Just need to be single hand use.

I think you need to make sure that dremel are still making good products before you buy.

Rotating / oscillating... are there any that do both? What jobs are much better or only can be done with the oscillating ones?

[pvr]

I do everything in the house with that

EVERYTHING? It must be good!

Latest requirement to cut a tree root from underneath a block paving path that is lifting it, every day a different useful application with it

[john-e89]

I do everything in the house with that

EVERYTHING? It must be good!

I think we need to pop down there and have a butchers at how he paints walls with it Pondy…I bet you’ll be able to see edge marks…

[Pondrew]

Rotating / oscillating... are there any that do both? What jobs are much better or only can be done with the oscillating ones?

They are one or the other. The oscillating ones seem to be really common, or at least I found loads for sale last time I looked. More like a pair of fancy scissors and the rotating are basically a fancy small grinder.

[Pondrew]

I think we need to pop down there and have a butchers at how he paints walls with it Pondy…I bet you’ll be able to see edge marks…

I was thinking of him chopping down a tree with it TBH. "Done it dear, and it only took me six months. My Dremel is soo versatile."

[Pondrew]

I have the MultiMaster 700,

That's an oscillating type. We used to call those type of tools 'nibblers'. No use to me, those type. I need 'spinny'.

[pvr]

Can’t cut with a spinny though when there is no room to do spinny poke:

[john-e89]

I think we need to pop down there and have a butchers at how he paints walls with it Pondy…I bet you’ll be able to see edge marks…

I was thinking of him chopping down a tree with it TBH. "Done it dear, and it only took me six months. My Dremel is soo versatile."

Chop a tree down….

Yer daft chuff….