Rotary Tools

Dremel has a variable speed foot control #221; works from 0-full rpm.
Information can be found at www.dremel.com

Gip Winecoff

can recommend fwd reverse battery operated 12 v dick smith drill which can be operated from speeds of 0-5ooo rpm will not burn or melt plastic and can be operated in drill press

I use a single speed Dremel with a foot control for a sewing machine.
Lee

My wife gave me a little battery powered nail buffing tool that I've been using lately (I had a similar one several months ago, but I tried to 'modify' it and unfortunately we lost all vital signs in the operating room .... very tragic). It takes a couple of AA batteries and works quite well. It has 5 or 6 bits that are good for filing and buffing plastic parts. It doesn't have the speed or torque to really do any significant melting on the plastic. Dremel bits don't fit into it, but I'm storming up an idea for an 'adapter'. I did make a small paint stirring bit that attaches to the end. Works great!
It doesn't have the torque to do major construction, but it suits me well.

M.

If the mini mite does not offer enough variance for you, check with the jewelry supply operations like Rio Grande or tool supply places like Grizzley Industrial, or Lee Valley. The make rheostats (or variable speed control units) for tools like the dremel or other brands of similar tools. All have websites so check them out.
A flexi-shaft will also do wonders for you.

I've used an old fixed speed dremel for 28 years and it has given me great service over time. It is one of my most cherished tools.

Mike

I endorse the Dremel Mini-Mite tool ... with the two speed settings you have the correct speed and torque to do most jobs and it is just the right size. I have used one for several years now ... wouldn't want to be without one.

I have been told that the reastat (light dimmer ) control switch is a very bad idea.
It does not work in the same way as the dremel speed control.
Using this is hard on the rotary tool and even be a fire hazard.
I know this because I also researched this method and contacted many electrical experts in my local area.
I do not know that much about elecronics so I have heeded their warnings .

good luck......

Dremel and speed controller here.

I have the variable speed Dremel and I have it plugged into a speed control. I just turn on the Dremel and have the speed control turned low. Tehre is a fine line between it running and sitting still. The mini would probably be the way to go. Less clutter on your bench and probably cheaper.

If you already have a dremel moto tool you can build a speed control for it from common electrical parts obtained at any hardware or home improvement store all you need is an extension cord, a common light dimmer and a wall receptable box to hold the dimmer.










contact me by e-mail and I will send a schematic of the hook-up.
orvallin@cox.net

For plastic models, get the two speed, battery operated Dremel minimite. Like Mr. Larson above, I also have the high powered plug-in unit that goes a gazillion rpms, but the mini is the one I use for modeling. I use the high speed cutting bits at 5k rpm to grind and cut holes, I use the sanding drum at 5k rmp to remove lots of plastic, and I use the cloth buffing wheel at 5k and 10k rpm to polish canopies. For plastic, slow is better. My minimite is blue plastic model number 754. It has a 4.8Volt rechargeable battery. Its one of my favorite tools. By the way, if you're thinking of using it for drilling plastic, forget it. Too fast, melts the stuff. I've never needed more than a manual pin vise for drilling any plastic.

Good luck,
Tom

I went out and bought the big variable dremel and it was way to much for what I was using it for but at the time their was nothing else available.A couple of years ago I got a the dremel mini mite battery operated tool. This thing is way cool.Two speeds.The high speed is fast enough to through metal with the cutting disks and the slow speed is slow enough to cut and grind on plastic and not melt it.
I still have found uses for the big dremel but the small one is much handier.Its small size is also a good thing.....good luck.

Even 5,000 RPM can be fast for working with plastic, some people use a rheostat controller to bring that speed down even more but I'm not sure whether it works with Dremels line or not.