Recommend a Mini Dremel for Plastic Modelling

I bought a dimmer switch (for a lamp) built into an extension cord at Walmart several years ago. It worked as far as slowing the Dremel down but the slider switch that controlled the current was very frustrating to work with.

I havent used it since I bought the Tamiya.

I just bought a single speed (on/off only) because a friend of mine gave me a Dremel foot controller which had belonged to his mother and for which he had no use.  Thing is like brand new and gets the Dremel tool down to somewhere between 400 and 500 rpms minimum.  Really like it so far.

I picked up one of the bead reamers at Michaels yesterday.  Neat coincidence- the normal 40% off coupons in Sunday's paper were, for this week, 50%!  Anyway, the set does come with three collets- the largest of which works fine on normal 1/8 tool shanks.  The speed control is not the greatest- minimum speed is about 5000 rpm.  If I need slower I still have the Dremel cordless.  But the bead reamer is much smaller and lighter than either my cordless or corded Dremel, so I expect to use my bead reamer a lot where the faster speed is okay.

RX7850

Hey guys,

I have owned a Dremel for years and it's never failed me. In it's standard  form  it's poorly suited for the type of tasks modellers ask of it. However all you need is the flexible shaft attachment that fits comfortably between your thumb and forefinger to create a precision tool. By hanging it vertically you  can  create some distance, negating some of the harsh decibels Dremels emit. Repair parts are  also easy to obtained. Harbor Freight also sells a flexible shaft grinder / carver with a convenient foot switch, $48.99 on sale with a 20% off coupon it's $39.20 as for reliability I'm not sure.

Dremel flex shaft

Harbor freight flexible grinder/carver

I use a very similar set up but mine is a Foredom motor tool.  I like that foot control a lot and the variable speed aspect of it is great.  Not cheap, but it should last for a long time.

Gary

Hey guys,

I have owned a Dremel for years and it's never failed me. In it's standard  form  it's poorly suited for the type of tasks modellers ask of it. However all you need is the flexible shaft attachment that fits comfortably between your thumb and forefinger to create a precision tool. By hanging it vertically you  can  create some distance, negating some of the harsh decibels Dremels emit. Repair parts are  also easy to obtain. Harbor Freight also sells a flexible shaft grinder / carver with a convenient foot switch, $48.99 on sale with a 20% off coupon it's $39.20 as for reliability I'm not sure.

Dremel flex shaft

Harbor freight flexible grinder/carver

Don,

My Bead Reamer came with three 1/8" collets (common size for Dremel bits) so to use 3/32 shank bits I use a Dremel 3/32 collet (or smaller collet for smaller sizes) in the Bead Reamer. My Bead Reamer usually has a 1/8" shank Dremel sanding drum in it; I use the WeCheer for everything else.

I looked over the Bead Reamer at Michaels yesterday.  Then I went home and looked at Micro Mark to see how many tools are available with 3/32 shanks.  Not a whole lot- that has given me some pause.

For drilling holes you cant beat the Tamiya Handy Drill. Looks like a toy but it gets the job done.

I bought a Dremel set in the mid-1990s and then found it completely useless for most modeling projects. Unless you are scratchbuilding a lot and using lots of multimedia parts, drilling, sanding or cutting with a Dremel tool is not on your task list. The quality of models and model superdetail sets is such that scratchbuilding is no longer so important as it was in the 1970s. Also, you are much more likely to damage delicate model parts. Be careful...

Thanks for all your help everyone

I have basically narrowed my purchase down to

1: www.woodcraft.com/.../High-Torque-CarverEngraver.aspx

For $59.99

2: www3.towerhobbies.com/.../wti0001p

For $89.99

I am probably going to get the WeCheer from woodcraft but wanted to see what you all think about these two compared to each other

Scott,

Yes, and Yes I think, Model 248. There are two models one with chuck (24817) and one with collets (24813). Mine is marked only 248 and uses collets - for the two models SEE HERE. From the pic in the link you posted it looks like that might be the one with a chuck (silver where mine is a black collet nut) but the description describes a collet one. The units are the same and I think the collets and chuck are interchangeable but don't know about availabilty. I got mine from WOODCRAFT and note that it's on sale for $59.95 right now.

Hi Guys is this the Wecheer you are suggesting  

www.trendyhands.com/wecheer-248-micro-engraver.html

It is for $64.95.

Bick is this the same as the one in the middle of the picture you displayed?

Please let me know

Thanks

Scott

Hi,

The talk about the WalMart mani/pedicure tool reminded me of another alternative, the electric bead reamer from Michaels. With a 40% off coupon I picked one up (~$16.00). It looks very much like the WeCheer but it isn't by far. It does work but it's as noisy or more than the Dremel. It takes Dremel collets - mine came with 3 collets - all 1/8". Here's a pic of the three rotary tools I have - the bead reamer, the WeCheer and the Dremel. The Dremel is fine but too large for me to hand hold and do much detail work. I like the WeCheer the best. It can use all dremel tools including collets, it's very quiet (have to hold it to your ear to hear it running at low speed) and reliable. I've had mine for about 4 years and it still works as new. As I posted earlier, my Dremel gets little use since I got the WeCheer.  Anyway, hope the pic is useful.

the one that looks like an engraving pen takes 3/32 tools, the other one that looks like a Mini Milwaukee steel grinder has its own quick connect chuck, that one takes wheels that work for gluing on discs of sanding film as a low powered sander

TarnShip

there is a real low speed, fairly low torque pair of grinding tools in the ladies beauty section of Wal-Mart

they run on batteries, and are designed for grinding off foot calluses in one case, and fingernail/toenails in another instance

they make great little cheap paint stirrers, and low torque plastic grinders,,,,,,when removing plastic, if you get too fast with a steel bit in a "real tool",,,,,,you get melted plastic globs flying everywhere, or the tool sinks in and sticks to your work

Dremels are still useful, don't get me wrong,,,,,,,but, one of these cheapos can work for you, too

Rex

Interesting!  What kind of a chuck do they have?  That is, can they use 1/8 inch or 3/32 hand grinder tools?

bought a dremel and hate it, too noisy too heavy and too damn fast. 

looking into replacing it with one of those nail buffing ones.

there is a real low speed, fairly low torque pair of grinding tools in the ladies beauty section of Wal-Mart

they run on batteries, and are designed for grinding off foot calluses in one case, and fingernail/toenails in another instance

they make great little cheap paint stirrers, and low torque plastic grinders,,,,,,when removing plastic, if you get too fast with a steel bit in a "real tool",,,,,,you get melted plastic globs flying everywhere, or the tool sinks in and sticks to your work

Dremels are still useful, don't get me wrong,,,,,,,but, one of these cheapos can work for you, too

Rex

Over 5 years ago, I bought a Dremel "Stylus" model.  It's small, and its pistol grip design fits comfortably in my hand and gives me very good control when doing delicate jobs.  It's quiet, too, and is variable speed (5000 - 25000 RPM) and is rechargeable using a small base to hold the tool while it recharges.  I like it very much.

However, I don't know if they still make it, as I couldn't find it on their web page.

I have a Dremel 780.  It has a wide range of speeds- at its lowest it is ticking over at 60-100 rpm.  Speed control isn't great at those low rpms- it tends to stall if you ask it to do much.  But at somewhat higher speeds it is fine.  And it is very quiet.  Also, battery life is quite good.

Bick

Hi,

I also have the WeCheer I got from WOODCRAFT. It's small, variable speed and much quieter than the Dremel. My Dremel sees little use since I got this one.

Ditto!

I forgot to mention that it's compatible with dremel tools

Hi,

I also have the WeCheer I got from WOODCRAFT. It's small, variable speed and much quieter than the Dremel. My Dremel sees little use since I got this one.

Dremel makes a battery powered 2-speed Minimax which runs on 4xAA batteried as opposed to their proprietary battery pack.    It takes all Dremel 1/8 inch collet bits as well as bits by some other manufacturers.  The high speed may still be a bit too fast for styrene - it may melt as opposed to cut.  Of course as the batteries get older & loose some of their charge the tool turns slower

Dremel also repackages the tool as a pumpkin carver.   Its too late to pick one up now,  but I bought a spare on sale after last Halloween.     They also repackage one as a golf cleaner/polisher [And spike sharpener for sliding into second base? ;) ]  Check the local golf world or pro shop

I've been using a rechargeable electric screwdriver. The speed is easy to control as the harder you press the more speed you get, there is lots of torque and you can get a chuck to fit in the end which will take any size drill bit. After that you can also use it on DIY to put up some shelves etc. Mine cost me about £20 ($30) which is less than a Dremmel too

Phil

I own a WeCheer like this.  Mine doesn't have the speed control, so I built one.  I don't think my model is available anymore; at least it isn't listed on the website.

Mine seems quieter than my dremel, but at really high speeds it can be shrill.  I usually keep it pretty slow, since I mostly grind plastic.

m@