a dremel question?

My dremel is rated at 5k to 30k rpms with 5 speed settings, 1 being the slowest and 5 the fastest. I normally use 1, 2 or 3 for most grinding and sanding applications. 4 and 5 are just to fast for what I use it for. I guess what I'm saying is that it depends on what your doing. Lower speeds will be good for general sanding and grinding. If you do a lot of cutting of plastics and metals you may want more speed. It is nice to have the option of variable speeds though .

Darren

I would recommend the variable speed Dremel.
I found that for most plastic you will want the lowest setting possible, so that you don't melt the plastic.
all depends on what you are doing, but the variable speed is good for all jobs.

I use the Variable Speed Dremel also... witht he flex-shaft. Using the "High Speed" cutters at the slowest speed I can. A couple of drops of water on it, and it doesn't melt the plastic while cutting.

It's easy to make very accurate cuts this way too.

Chefpi,

I have the cordless dremel and I love it for about 90 percent of the modeling I do, but there is the odd occasion I wish I had lower speeds. Luckily I have an ancient pneumatic dremel style tool that belonged to my grandfather, a machinist at Northrop and Convair. It is the greatest thing ever except that it must have an air hose hooked up to it. The cordless dremel is a great tool to start with. The cordless feature is a huge asset. But only having the two speeds will prove to not be ideal in all situations.

N.

Anyone ever heard of speed controls? LOL

Of course you have, I just couldn't resist a dig.

Fade to Black...

nwilliams that was my thought that it would be nice since the cordless is smaller and no cord.

i was plannning on using it for you basic sanding and grinding plastic. not much else strictly a modeling tool no wood projects.

general consensuos should i get the better model or is this good for what i want to do.

Hey Chefpi,

I just bought that exact same tool 3 weeks ago at Canadian Tire, (Torontonian here!!). I think it works great. I think for the money, it's a great deal.

Cheers.

I have the variable speed with the Flexishaft option. I also have the Dremel tool holder that mount on the bench. Comes in handy when you need to manipulate the material rather than the tool. - Ed

If you are only going to have one Dremel, do your self a favor and get the flex shaft set up.

I have a dremel and rarely use it. When I do though, the flex-shaft is a very nice option. I expect I'll use it more when I advance onto kit-bashing and other more intense aspects of building.

I just find that it's way too fast (melts the plastic) even on the slowest setting. I have heard that the battery powered one is better suited to working with plastic.

M.

I have a flex shaft with speed control, a cordless, and a variable speed. The flex shaft is used the most because of the ease of use and with the speed control I can have the head move as slow or fast as I want.

I use an older Sears Craftsman tool that my dad gave me, it's only a single speed. So I built my own speed controller with an old outdoor extension cord (the ground wire was a necessity), a plastic wall box (double), a dimmer switch, and a wall plug that has 1 switch & 1 plug, and some military wiring experience and I had a decent speed controller. It's a little hard on the motor, but I limit my time at super slow speeds and when & if I burn this one up I can the buy a more expensive Dremel (my wife is very "frugal").

yeah i understand totally the frugal wife

i've been in trouble lately i'm supposed to be saving for my wedding in december. and my fiancee keeps wondering why i'm wanting to buy models and now a dremel.

but i'm going to get one maybe in a month when the heat dies down.
ha haha

Hey Chefpi:
Tell your wife that you've opened a wedding gift registry at your local hobby shop - and then RUN!!

I purchased a multi-speed dremel but found tha t even at its lowest speeds it was to fast for most work on plastics. I built, with the help of an electrician friend of mine, a rheostat that can slow it right down. All we used was a plug in box and a speed controller for a ceiling fan, all purchased at home depot for about $20.00. Now it works great! I generally use it in combination with the flexi-shaft attachment

tknight, that's just what I did in my earlier post, I have a tendency to get long winded though. A dimmer switch is a rheostat. I also got everything at Home Depot. But I use an old outdoor extension cord that was so badly twisted up that the center 20 ft was all kinked up. But I used the decent 20 ft with the male end and now I can use it form the other side of the basement without interrupting my major power source (lights, tv, magnifing light, etc.).

"Same thing only different" as my wife is fond of saying.

Which ever one you go with I'm sure you'll find a thousand other uses for it. It's a good investment either way. I've had a Sears variable for about 20 years now and couldn't begin to list all the things I've used it for. The only thing I've ever had to do to it was replace the coupler between the motor and chuck once. When you can, get the flex attachment too. And the quick release chuck comes in handy. It's taken a beating over the years and it's still kicking. I also have one with a 1/4 HP motor...<evil grin>

Therriman,
Sorry, should have read your post thoroughly. Wasn't trying to upstage you!
Mine is attached right to my work bench. I hung my dremel and plug it into the unit, and have the speed controller at hand and use the flexi shaft to work with (usually). I found that the Dremel only works when it is at its highest setting, then I can control the speed through the rheostat. I know little about things electric. My buddy did suggest using a ceiling fan speed controller over a dimmer switch (my original idea as well!) but I don't remember specifically why. I have read, and I believe there is a warning with the multi-speed tool, not to hook it up to a speed controller because it is hard on the unit. Apparently you go through brushes quicker. Considering that the brushes are about $6.00, and my Dremel would be collecting dust otherwise, I decided to risk it :^)

tknight,
It's cool.
Tim H.

well for now i'm borrowing one from my father in law

but i'm am registering for it from canadian tire.
i know he'll buy it cause he loves his.
figure i'll save my money and use his and then get the dremel for free.

i made especially if i have his when he wants to use it.