Thread: Buying a Dremel

I have been using a Ryobi speed saw to "work" on blades but the speed cannot be controlled and it is way to fast. I have read wonders about the Dremel tool and I would like to buy one. Doing my research I found the reviews for the 400 XPR series are not all that great. The question is what would be a good kit to buy?

Al raz.

I get good service from my 400 XPR. When more power is needed I use a RotoZip RZ20 with a flexshaft. The Dremel does ok for what it's designed for. I still have an old model Dremel, about 15 years old, that still works fine.

I use Dremel more often than the RotoZip.

Here's what Lynn's been using: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...tml#post327623

Sure that is the mother of all Dremel tools but I was thinking of something that would fit my already depleted razor related stuff budget. If I were a pro in restorations, I would have no hesitation with this one. I have been looking at several alternatives:

This one is sturdy and economical but it does not have a flex shaft or variable speeds. I can buy the dremel polishing kit to use with it for $12.

Walmart.com: Black & Decker 3 Speed RTX Rotary Tool (Model# RTX-B) : Home Improvement

This one is probably discontinued, it is Dremel brand and it has both variable speed and flex shaft. Probably hard to find too.

Walmart.com: Dremel Variable Speed MultiPro with Flex-Shaft: null

This one is a has lots of bits, variable speed but no flex shaft and it is Dremel.

Dremel 400 Series XPR Rotary Tool Kit - 400-3/70H at The Home Depot

and finally, this one which does not have as many bits but has the flex shaft (not shown in this description) and variable speeds by Dremel.

Dremel at Lowe's: 55-Piece Rotary Tool Kit

This one has variable speed and flex shaft but it is not a 400 series.

DREMEL 3956-02 MultiPro Rotary Tool Kit Type 6 (Variable Speed Comfort Grip, Garden Sharpener, Flex-Shaft, Two Clamps, 77 Accesessories, Mid-Size Window Case) | AceToolOnline.com

I found these 2 that are not Dremel brands but could be good as well.

Cosmeticmall.com, Shop the Beauty Superstore - Make Up, Cosmetics, Skin Care, Hair Care, Fragrances, Tools, Men, Gifts. Beauty Tips and Free Samples at the Cosmetic Mall.

Rotary Tool Kit, 41 piece # RTKUL by Buffalo Tool

245-Pc. Rotary Tool Kit | Grinders + Stands | Northern Tool + Equipment

Probably my struggle here is that there seem to be too many brands and combinations and I just do not know where to skimp. The question are:

Is the brand Dremel so superior that it is worth the difference in price?

Is the flex shaft something that people workI just do not want to Iing with razors would benefit from?

Would a rotary tool with fixed speeds be useful or the advantage of having variable speeds outweigh the higher cost?

I just would like to avoid buying another useless tool ;-). Your help in selecting my tool would be greatly appreciated.

Al raz.

I was at Lowes about a week ago and saw a Dremel 400XPR package like the one in your Lowes link (same storage box) that also included a flexshaft. I think they were on sale, too. I remember thinking, "I wish mine had come with the flexshaft".

Is the brand Dremel so superior that it is worth the difference in price?

I haven't really tried the other rotary tools in the same application/power category as the Dremel. I've been happy with the Dremels I have. You do need to check the contact brushes occasionally, but that's normal maintenance with any tool that has replaceable brushes. I've used my older Dremel so much that the brushes were replaced at least twice.

Is the flex shaft something that people workI just do not want to Iing with razors would benefit from?

For fine detail work the flexshaft is useful.

Would a rotary tool with fixed speeds be useful or the advantage of having variable speeds outweigh the higher cost?

IMO, variable speeds are a must for working with different materials and cutters/bits.

I really don't see how you could do work on a razor without a flex shaft. To me its much too clumsy as you get down towards the ends and edge of the razor. The flex shaft just makes things much easier and safer. Also the variable speeds are a must if you do polishing and grinding and sanding.

Hi Alraz!

Before you take the plunge, make a mental note of all the things you want/expect a dremel to do. In my opinion (and its only my opinion) there isn't much that a dremel can do that you cannot do by hand, and if you add a variable speed buffing tool you can far exceed what the dremel can offer.

I've had various incarnations of dremels and many other dremel clones over the years - the dremels have lasted longest (apart from one - a Como with a variable speed transformer) but none of them have lived up to my expectations - magic bullets they are not! (Once again, not to offend anyone, it's only my opinion though!).

Regards,
Neil

+1 what Neil said, I have a couple of Dremels with lots of extra's, They're great, no doubt. I've used mine many times, but for razors, I sand by hand, maybe use a little homemade jig, but for buffing, I have a variable speed buffer/grinder. If I didn't have a garage or workshop and lived in an Apt. I would use the Dremel for restoration. I like the buffer/grinder because it goes down to 2000 rpm's. The Dremel's lowest speed is 5000, kinda high for razor polishing.
I was at Lowe's last weekend and they had a Delta Buffer/Grinder with variable speed on sale for 64 bucks, I think. If you think might be getting into restoration, I think they're a must....

Well, I was set on the Dremel brand 400 XPR with flex shaft (at least now I know what the numbers in the model mean) until the comments to hold started to pour.

Originally Posted by zib

+1 what Neil said, I have a couple of Dremels with lots of extra's, They're great, no doubt. I've used mine many times, but for razors, I sand by hand, maybe use a little homemade jig, but for buffing, I have a variable speed buffer/grinder. If I didn't have a garage or workshop and lived in an Apt. I would use the Dremel for restoration. I like the buffer/grinder because it goes down to 2000 rpm's. The Dremel's lowest speed is 5000, kinda high for razor polishing.
I was at Lowe's last weekend and they had a Delta Buffer/Grinder with variable speed on sale for 64 bucks, I think. If you think might be getting into restoration, I think they're a must....

Thanks zib, like you, I normally do most of the sanding by hand anyway but it: 1) takes a long time, particularly when there is a lot of pitting; and 2) it becomes hard to work near the etching and/or the ends of the razor, it seems to round the edges. These are the areas where I think the Dremel may be useful. Here I fully acknowledge my lack of experience in this area. I also think that the small brushes of the Dremel can help me clean the razors near the scales and other places hard to reach with the sandpaper. I have a grinder/buffer (Wilton) FIXED 3.6k rpm that I would like have connected to a variac to change the speed. Randy told that he tried something similar and failed (actually the motor did ;-) ). I would keep trying to get this to work. I do not know how you guys can buff etched blades in a bench grinder, that seems pretty hard to me. Do you guys feel that it is easier to buff/sand blades on a bench grinder with lower speed but with less control than with the Dremel at higher speed but with more control? Ah and my Ryobi does not have variable speed..., it goes 35k rpm, that is blazing fast. I have started that thing a couple of times but I always go back to my my old friend Mr. Paper, Sand Paper... ;-)

Al raz.

Go see if the Lowe's one you linked to is on sale. If it's on sale then buy it. If it's not on sale you'll already be there so you might as well buy it anyway (I paid $10 more at OSH for that one). Problem solved . One thing about dremel is they're EVERYWHERE. Need bits, cutoff wheels, whatever, for a dremel you're going to find it in any hardware store. All your neighbors have them too if you need to borrow something for it in a pinch. Customer service is great as well. You can use it for most everything around the house so if in a year or so you don't think it's ideal for your razor work you can get something else and the dremel won't go to waste.

My mom rather permanently "borrowed" my Dremel setup for her jewelry making, so I've been using a Dremel from work without my flex shaft. I'm absolutely fine without it.
As has been stated- Dremel is everywhere. If you're truly on a tight budget, get the bare bones and upgrade as you can afford it. You don't even have to get the whole kit. I'd say if you started off with a variable speed dremel, a pack of sanding discs (fine grain), a wire brush, and a few polishing wheels, you'd be set for 90% of the work you're going to do on it. You can add some cuttoff wheels and grinders soon thereafter. There are tons of bits and attachments that will be great for that one tiny problem you'll encounter, but you absolutely don't need them to start.