Tools What dremel tool do YOU have?

I'd like to second this question.

I'm thinking of getting a dremel 4000 for Christmas... but I really haven't got a clue!!
It's the 4000-1/45 set, that comes with a flex shaft and 45 accessories. The flex shaft sounded useful for doll type stuff??

~*Mystaia

 

i use my dads, not sure of the model but it's older, has a wire, has drill press, the flexi shaft is from another tool so doesn't fit.
The flexishaft if i could get it to work would be used all the time. i used to use on in a jewllery making class.
What i can say is that the variable speed is invaluable, the extras are fairly easy to get hold of. They are worth every penny, and get some rubber thimbles, seriously, they really help grip and protect finger tips

 

I am using a Dremel 300, and I just love it. It came in a set with a lot of accessories, e.g. a flexishaft. I hardly use this.

What I find a bit difficult at times is for which purpose all the many, many tools are used for. I tried to look it up in the internet. Now I usually try out what I like best for the corresponding purpose, and some I am sure are used incorrectly.

E.g. I am using engraving tools for very fine sanding, what is obviously wrong. But it seems to work.

There exists also an accumulation Dremel. I did not want to buy this, as I had the fear every time you want to use it (and sometimes I have longer Dremel sessions), you have to charge it first - very annoying.

That's all of my experience with the original Dremel.

We bought an imitation of a Dremel at first (bad idea), but as I started making my own modelhorses, which includes similar works like for BJDs, it got incredibly hot. So I would not buy something like this again, not worth the money.

 

I'm using a Dremel 300 (I'm 90% sure) and it's a dream. Especially as Apoxie Sculpt is very difficult to saw through. I'm still discovering new uses for the attachments that came with the kit. I've not used the flexi shaft before though so I can't give input on that.

It seemed like a scary tool at first but it isn't TOO loud and you don't need a lot of strength to control it (those were my worries when first getting one :XD) The only problem it brings is the amount of dust that flies off it. Lots of mess + angry mums

Note: I first got a dremel as an early birthday present because my dad was scared I'd buy a cheap-o version. He worked as a technician at a university and told me about other people's budget dremels exploding in your hand after using it for 5 mins.

 

Budget dremels exploding??? Oh my...I did not know that. Good that I got it replaced by the real thing.

Regarding dust: I always wear a mask. If not, I get serious problems. This may not be a pleasure, but its better than sitting up the whole night and coughing (and what other consequences this may have). And something over the eyes, as it is not nice to get little pieces of Apoxie in the eyes.

I am not allowed to use it indoors, I have to do it outside. For short sessions that's okay. But for sanding, it is awful. So these works are limited to the warmer seasons for me.

But isn't there a device you can connect to a vacuum cleaner like for some other tools to remove dust? This could be an option for working indoors.

 

you can get a pack of grinding stones that have a round one for eye wells and the most useful one is a rounded conical shape, it can get into awkward places.

There is a round sanding drum that is quite coarse that is good for taking off larger amounts of material, the cutting discs are quite brittle and snap in a blink, be very careful if you use them, i never bother personally.

if you can ever afford it, the drill press is very handy. i use it with the dremel horizontal and a sanding drum on there mostly. it keeps it stable and weighted so i can move the material around the spinning point of the tool.

sanding speed i keep fairly slow so i have more control, don't keep the material in contact at all times though, it can get fairly warm so keep moving it and taking it away every now and again.

for even finer detail you can use engraving/cutting burrs, but they also take off a fair amount of material if you're not concentrating.

general stuff: keep hair tied back, don't wear flappy sleeves, wear dust mask, keep speeds slower until you are familiar with the tool, don't let the tool heat up too much, you'll burn out the motor and ruin your tool.

(sorry for hijacking)

 

I think I'm using the Dremel 300. I also have two little rechargeable ones, which I like because they are lower speed, which you want sometimes. I use all three Dremels depending on the project. Have not tried a flex shaft.

I agree with Maggs on the attachments, the orange rounded cone is THE most useful attachment, followed by the drill bits. I like the round grinder for eye wells, and the engraving bits which I use like a router to make cuts. The sanding drums will take off large amounts of material in a short time. I don't like the cutting wheels.

I use safety glasses and dust mask and work outside.

 

I'm taking a time out from dolly making atm because of a nasty cough and I reckon the sanding is partially responsable. I also am only allowed to use the dremel outside (or when no one's home for long enough! D: ) which is a pain because it's such a useful tool!

:XD I lol'd. That's my biggest problem.

I second this!

 

I have the Dremel 7700 cordless and I love it -- it's so portable :] I also have any number of sanding bands, sanding stones, carbide cutters and also the diamond wheel cutter. I also have drill bits. All have been enormously useful.

 

i have a really old one that used to belong to my grandpa... i don't even know rthe model number off the top of my head, but i love the old thing.

 

I recently found a DREMEL Flex Shaft MODEL 225 T1 in my toolbox.
The motor no longer exists (if I remember correctly, it burned-out quickly, souring me on Dremel tools, in general).
It looks like I tried to make an adapter to fit another motor.
The adapter is made of aluminum and is fit snugly over the threaded end.
The adapter has three holes in the flange for attaching it to the new motor.
I do not know where the motor is for this.
I also have two Foredom flex shaft handpieces (no flexshafts - no idea where they are?).
There are a ton of burs, grinders, saws, sanding disks, sanding drums, etc. in the toolbox.
I also have a rotary handpiece for my air-compressor + bits for it.
Other rotary tools in the studio:
A small Ryobi bench-top drill press (3-speeds) + 114 pieces titanium drill bits set.
A Taig jewelers lathe (6 speeds) with 4-jaw chuck, collets, and faceplate.
A 1/2 inch electric hand drill.
A 4" grinder with sanding pads, cutoff wheels, and grinding disks.
Yeah, rotary tools rock.

 

kwmelvin, do you think a small lathe would be useful in BJD making?

 

alewife, I have not used my lathe for making any part of a BJD, yet.

Doi Shin of ShinyDOLL says:
-I have a experience with the lathe – good for joint production.
at:
http://www.bjdcollectasy.com/articles/shinydoll-fragille.html

 

I have the stylus here-> http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=1100

I love it...hands down my favorite dremel tool ever (and I grew up with a lot of options in my father's workshop). Mine's roughly 3 years old now, used about 20-30 minutes a day (that's "on" time. It is operational for 30 minutes a day. It's battery still lasts roughly an hour if you turn it on and let it sit there running which I do every once a while to completely drain it to charge again. If it dies on you it can be used for a few minutes after about 5 minutes of charge (no long wait times). It's SUPER exact and easy to handle, can take all of the dremel option parts and most small drill bits. It can easily drill through resin, wood, and sheet metal and can engrave thicker metal pieces. It's lowest setting is great for fine detail sanding work on small pieces since it's slow enough not to kill your skin if you hit your fingers. I can't say enough positive things about it...I love the thing XD

As far as the cons....prolonged use and it can let a little hot however it cools down quickly. It also gives no warning before the battery runs out, it goes 100% until it is unable to do it and will just stop dead but that's pretty typical of any battery dremel.

 

A Craftsman 61139, the corded kind. My pride and joy

Originally I'd gone with a dremel but it was the charge-up kind, and from my mom's personal experience with one of those, and how long it can take to charge and how fast that charge can go, I took it back and got what I have now.

It never gets too hot that it burns me while I'm using it, and because it's corded, I have an extension cord on hand, for whenever I might need it. It has several different speeds rather than just On/Off or High/Low. I had to swap out the collet nut for one that handles a variety of sizes for bits, so now I can use both Craftsman and Dremel bits.

The only thing I worry about is overdoing it, or maybe the fine powder from carving soft stones, because my last one went all weird after five months, and I had to exchange it. I noticed some of the stone dust had gotten inside, but I don't know if that's what did it or not.

 

So glad someone's used and like this. I think I know what I'm getting in two weeks.

 

Now I want one.

 

I got three jobmates for my birthday last year, they were blowing them out at Canadian tire for 40$

Not the best quality, but last as long as you take care of them. Don't drop em

 

I have some non-brand generic thing and a tin of various attachments I found in my dad's shed. It's ok when it's plugged into the mains, less so when I try to rely on its stored charge. I've thought of investing in a 'proper' dremel but I'm not sure it's worth it, I'm not sure if I need more power or simple better attachments.

 

I recently bought a dremel stylus and I have to say I love it! Fits in my hand perfectly, has all the power I need for the stuff I've used it for so far anyway.

I do have one question, how do you all clean your tools? Like making sure all the resin dust gets off? I've just been dusting mine off with a drop towel for working on cars and stuff, but not sure if that's enough.

 

I do not know the Dremel stylus. But I do some maintenance for my Dremel 300.

Well, from time to time I blow off the dust with a compressor. And sometimes the whole thing is disassembled and thoroughly cleaned and reoiled. After that procedure, it runs considerably smoother again.

 

I Have a Dremel Cordless that I got from my grandpa and that I use for cutting baked clay, wood or carving small things, and I have a corded Dremel that is basically dedicated to resin mods, for which I find I need more power and consistency than a cordless can provide.