Dremel / Rotary Tools

[debonaire]

Hey all,

I'm looking at getting a Dremel or similar tool, as, having only moved out from home less than a year ago, I have not amassed a collection of power tools and want something to use for general cutting, drilling and knocking together the usual little engine bay and interior projects.

I went to Bunnings this morning, and they had the following:

Dremel 300 + 10 Acc. $89

Dremel 300 + Flex attachment + 55 Acc. $129

Dremel 400 + 4 attachements + 80 Acc. $169

Ozito - don't really know whats in it. $46

Ryobi + many attachments $104

Also I doscovered at the local hardware an engraver/cutter for $25.

For working with materials like Aluminium and plastic up to 1mm, bits of timber and the like, would the engraver be out of its league? I'm interested to know what people use and recommend. The Ryobi looks like a good set, but at least with the Dremel you wouldnt have to worry about compatibility issues with all the attachments they offer, like the thing that turns it into a pedestal drill which looks awesome One thing I do want is the attachment that allows you to cut around like a jigsaw, which the Ryobi has but only the biggest Dremel set has.

I want this to last a long time so happy to spend a bit, but just thought I'd get peoples opinions... cheers

[Samon]

I bought an ozito one from Bunnings a while back... it's been great! I've used it quite a few times now for grinding little things down here and there (mainly for under the bonnet of the 'line ) and it's done the trick for me. I'm still living at home, and my dad's a builder... so I've got a fairly decent tool selection at my disposal, so I've never had to use this for actually cutting anything large, for drilling or anything like that... but for tidying up an edge or making a quick modification to make something fit, it's been great.

Just my 2c...

[G-reddy]

^^ whs.

no good for big projects and the sort, but good for cleaning up and small interior projects etc. i've got a dremel (got the best one, about 3 years ago) i'm yet to use it on anything on my car, but i've used it for small sheet metal cutting (thin intricate stuff) and its alright.

but before you buy, you've just got to accept that they're all weak as piss and i wouldnt use them for drilling, especially not metal anyway (too fast, not enough power).

perfect for polishing small-medium items, etc.

if you want to drill, buy a drill. if you want to cut large amounts or thick metal, buy a grinder and a few cutting disks.

[PhilKenSebben]

Agreed. Even if you hardly ever use it, sometimes it'll be the handiest thing you own, and the amounts of truly useful attachments you can get for them is phenomenal. But the cheap knock offs are often as good, and lets face it, if it breaks, Bunnings will replace ANYTHING. suckers. gotta love em

[debonaire]

Thanks guys, thats helpful feedback

I am only wanting it for little things, for instance a while ago I made an air box out of thin metal - without anything better to use I had to use scissors to cut it out which was a pain in the anus, especially to cut the hole for the pipe - I had to pierce a hole and then awkwardly cut little bits at a time until I made a 3 inch circle Got there in the end, but would like to be a bit less primitive in the future

[vidospace]

They are like a honda. Lots of revs, no torque.

[Mr Cali]

Go the Dremel, much more superior in quality. I've had an ozito + another one maybe bosch not sure but they broke pretty easy.

The Dremel have replaceable bushes as well and has lasted me for years now + better control of speed.

[urtwhistle]

buy a 2nd hand small air compressor and a air die grinder. will be 10x better.

[T04GTR]

i bought a rotomax 25 from the usa. (foredom rebadged) its a flex shaft tool. came with a foot pedal and does 20k rpm. has enough power to drive 30mm flap discs into a port

well until you overload it and the cable spirals up... new cable is 50 bucks and comes with a set of brushes for the motor..

best $300 ive ever spent. i will never use a die grinder again.

also as its a foredom about 10 differant hand pieces are available with collets or the economy one with a mini jacobs chuck.

ps. a die grinder uses more are than a rattle gun

[T04GTR]

if i had a grand to spend id get a sunher..... best of them all.