Dremel

I have two Dremels, variable speed models, and they both work fine on plastic.

The AC model is a Multi Pro model 305, and it lists the speeds as 5000 - 30,000.

The battery one is a Multipro cordless, rated at 5000 to 25,000 but the slow speed looks to me to be way slower than that, more like 500 to 1000. 

In any case the speeds are apparently not feedback controlled, and any load on them slows them down considerably.  On the battery job, the abrasive sleeve tool will actually stall on plastic at the lowest setting, so I have to set it up to about a 3 to get it to grind at all.  Not sure if those models are still available, but they sure work swell.

I purchased this one about 6 months ago and I don't think I could live without it now. I added the drill chuck attachment to it which makes changing bits very easy and it holds the smallest bits wih ease.

https://www.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/tools/8050-micro

Dremel tool models are like streetcars- there'll soon be another along!

Well, looks like I have the opportunity to climb back onto one of my favorite pedestals.

Dremel Moto-Tools are great tools, but for modelers they turn too daggone fast. Even the slowest speeds on the variable-speed models are too fast for comfort.

I got my Dremel (a single-speed model) about forty years ago, by winning it in a contest. It was almost completely useless for my purposes - until I bought what Dremel called a "Tabletop Speed Controller." With the tool plugged into that little box, I could set the dial to zero, start the tool, put the drill bit (or whatever) exactly where I wanted it, and gradually ramp up the juice to the speed I wanted. Perfect.

Now that little box is gone, but Dremel still sells a foot pedal speed control. My suggestion: get a Model 100 single-speed Moto-Tool and plug it into that gadget. (Dremels with built-in speed controls don't get along well with external ones.) You'll find it's big and clunky, but you can make it go as slow as you like.

With a single-speed tool, you can also go the economy route. I built myself a speed controller out of parts from Lowe's: a dimmer switch, a duplex outlet, a plastic electrical box, and a piece of cord with a plug on the end. It doesn't work quite as smoothly as the Dremel version, but it works.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Dremel, give us a tiny, pencil-sized motor tool with speeds ranging from 0 to 1000 rpm. Modelers rarely need anything faster than that - and if they do, they can choose from all the other tools in the Dremel line.

jtilley

Well, looks like I have the opportunity to climb back onto one of my favorite pedestals.

Dremel Moto-Tools are great tools, but for modelers they turn too daggone fast. Even the slowest speeds on the variable-speed models are too fast for comfort.

I got my Dremel (a single-speed model) about forty years ago, by winning it in a contest. It was almost completely useless for my purposes - until I bought what Dremel called a "Tabletop Speed Controller." With the tool plugged into that little box, I could set the dial to zero, start the tool, put the drill bit (or whatever) exactly where I wanted it, and gradually ramp up the juice to the speed I wanted. Perfect.

Now that little box is gone, but Dremel still sells a foot pedal speed control. My suggestion: get a Model 100 single-speed Moto-Tool and plug it into that gadget. (Dremels with built-in speed controls don't get along well with external ones.) You'll find it's big and clunky, but you can make it go as slow as you like.

With a single-speed tool, you can also go the economy route. I built myself a speed controller out of parts from Lowe's: a dimmer switch, a duplex outlet, a plastic electrical box, and a piece of cord with a plug on the end. It doesn't work quite as smoothly as the Dremel version, but it works.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Dremel, give us a tiny, pencil-sized motor tool with speeds ranging from 0 to 1000 rpm. Modelers rarely need anything faster than that - and if they do, they can choose from all the other tools in the Dremel line.

 

 

Hear, hear!  I agree with you one hundred percent Professor Tilley.  I broke down 10-12 years ago and bought a Foredom motor tool with the foot control.  I couldn't be more pleased with it.  It has a forward and reverse, and the flexible "shaft".  It's an indispensable tool for me.

Gary

I'll second Gary's sentiments on the Foredom flex-shaft. Wonderful tools with precise speed control and incredible versatility that Dremels just can't match. I've had mine since the fall of 1991 and never had a problem, where I've managed to burn through four different models of Dremel in the same time.

Check out the Halloween department at your local Lowes hardware store.   They have a pumpkin-carving Dremel on end of season sale.   Mine is 20 bucks, marked down from 30.  It is fine as long as you don't mind a bit of pumpkin bling

This tool features a battery pack using 4 replaceable AA batteries.   It is two-speed. listed at 7000 and 14000 RPM.   But if you use some tired batteries you can make it turn slower.   It uses standard 1/8 inch bits & burrs.

I have a flex-shaft tool which I use most often but there are some choices when you are on a budget

I still have to disagree with Tilly and Gary.  Mine work fine on plastic, especially the battery one.  I usually use it with one of the sanding devices.  I use the lower speeds for plastic, higher speeds on wood and metal.  I find them great for inside curved areas, where a needle file just isn't practical.

Don Stauffer

Mine work fine on plastic, especially the battery one.  I usually use it with one of the sanding devices.  I use the lower speeds for plastic, higher speeds on wood and metal.  I find them great for inside curved areas, where a needle file just isn't practical.

Don what is the model number for the 1 you like?

Hokey

 

 

Don Stauffer

Mine work fine on plastic, especially the battery one.  I usually use it with one of the sanding devices.  I use the lower speeds for plastic, higher speeds on wood and metal.  I find them great for inside curved areas, where a needle file just isn't practical.

 

 

 

 

Don what is the model number for the 1 you like?

 

Check the second post in this thread, above.

Don Stauffer

Check the second post in this thread, above.

If I look Dremel MultiPro Cordless up at Amazon I get this - http://amzn.to/2f6oWTB and I'm not sure its the same. It's specs list 2 speeds - 10K & 20K RPM.

This is a model 7700. What model do you have?

Sorry- I notice I did not give the model number of my battery version- it is the Model 780.  Both models are multiple speeds, not just two speeds.  I think there are about eight speeds on them.

Don Stauffer

Sorry- I notice I did not give the model number of my battery version- it is the Model 780.  Both models are multiple speeds, not just two speeds.  I think there are about eight speeds on them.

Hitting head against wall! Nothing on Amazon or Ebay for a 780!

Hokey

 

 

Don Stauffer

Sorry- I notice I did not give the model number of my battery version- it is the Model 780.  Both models are multiple speeds, not just two speeds.  I think there are about eight speeds on them.

 

 

 

Hitting head against wall! Nothing on Amazon or Ebay for a 780!

 

Try a google search.  Found many references.

Don Stauffer

Try a google search.  Found many references.

Thanks. Ya did that too. Most of those references are for old (sold) ebay ads, accessorie kits, battery replacements, manuals, etc. Didn't find any retail outlet viable. Its no longer in production. The 8050 seems closesrt to your 780 it seems.

https://www.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/tools/8050-micro

Gymbo;

   What I have done is plug my old Dremel into a sewing machine foot control .Now it works great !  !    T.B.

Don ;

 I don't know . My re-chargeable one had the battery totally get to the point it won't take a charge . It was a two speed . Now the battery is no longer available . So a new one is in the works .

   Heres a weird one . I found a very small pistol grip rechargeable drill that works as well as the good old Dremel . And it's only 4" long . It's made by the company that makes the Day-glo Green tools . ( I don't remember the name )  T.B.

Tanker - Builder

Don ;

 I don't know . My re-chargeable one had the battery totally get to the point it won't take a charge . It was a two speed . Now the battery is no longer available . So a new one is in the works .

   Heres a weird one . I found a very small pistol grip rechargeable drill that works as well as the good old Dremel . And it's only 4" long . It's made by the company that makes the Day-glo Green tools . ( I don't remember the name )  T.B.

 

I would have liked to have picked up a hand grinder that was on the market briefly, but the company went belly up after a couple of months, before I got around to ordering one.  It was also about 4 inches long, but a straight body, that was small, about five eights inch or so in diameter, and very light.  Used either a single AA or double- forget which.  The only real problem with my battery Dremel is that it is kind of heavy for really small detail work with small bits.

You might want to contact Dremel's customer service and see if they can repair it.  They may offer to replace it for you.

The on/off switch wore out on my first Dremel.  I contacted their customer service, to see about getting it repaired, which they would have done, free of charge, by the way.  I would only have had to pay to ship it to them.  They wound up replacing it, because though it was the same model (a single-speed), the current version had been modified enough, that it couldn't be repaired.  They sent me the current version as a replacement, at no charge.

Great thread. Is my substantail investment in Dremel bits and accessories useable in a Foredom motor tool should I decide to purchase one?

Thanks!

[quote user="Radial9"]

Great thread. Is my substantail investment in Dremel bits and accessories useable in a Foredom motor tool should I decide to purchase one?

Thanks!

Yes, your Dremel bits should work.  Foredom also has a handpiece with a miniature 3 jaw chuck ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDsNVE299PE

Paul

I've been modelling for 44 years now and have had many Dremel products.

My absolute, must have, go to tool is a Dremel Stylus;

Unfortunately the IDIOTS at Dremel stopped making the most user friendly and ergonomic tool they ever made.

Paul... Thank you for the reply and for the link to a very informative video.

Cheers,

Bob