Dremel et al

[RayintheUK]

You know what they say about bandsaws - throw away the blade that came with it and get a good one? This ALSO applies to the budget rotary accessories - DAMHIKT!

Ray.

[gabedad]

I never thought about using it for pumpkin carving...have to give that a try next Halloween.

It works really well - you can get some intricate carving - It's just really messy and the dremel get kind of gunked up from pulp/juice

[cwsmith]

I've had one for quite a few years. I think I bought it back in the 70's. I can't say that it's the first tool I grab, but it has certainly come in handy for several tasks over the years.

Originally purchased for model railroad projects, it has come in handy of cutting bolts, sharpening the lawnmower blades, etc. I've even cut a lawnmower blade in half with it for use on another project. It works great for cutting and polishing metal. I've drilled very small holes with it and used small sanding drums for cleaning up those tight inside curves on wood.

The real advantage to the Dremal is the variety of sanding, grinding, cutting, and burnishing bits that are readily available for it. For about $25 you can even add a small plunge router base.

The only negative that I have is that it's a tool to be used with great care when using a cutting wheel. The inexpensive carborundum wheels break easily (always wear those safety glasses), and with any high-speed rotary tool, it's easy to slip when cutting... make sure your other hand isn't in the way!!!

I hope this helps,

CWS

[dwolsten]

I have a Dremel with the flexible shaft attachment, and I find it indispensable. However, I don't think I've used it once for any woodworking. The main thing I use it for is the cut-off wheels. The plain ones are good, the fiberglass ones are better. I've probably gone through dozens of cut-off wheels in my various (non-WW) projects and home repairs. The wire brush attachments are also very useful, for things like cleaning up rusted metal.

Great tool, just not for woodworking.

[bigsteel15]

It's also great for pumpkin carving.

BINGO!!
I have three units. One I bought that is more like a rotozip but has a flex connection for finer work. I also bought a cordless dremel knock-off (PowerFist) because it was on sale for $20 and I didn't want to pay $35 for the Dremel "pumpkin carving kit"
The other one my dad gave me is a corded PowerFist that he got for $20 for the whole kit with flex hose, stand and bits.
I've used the spiral saw for cutting out all the electrical outlets in my garage. LOML also bought me the angle grinder attachment which is still in the box.

[25]

My first power tool was a dremel, some odd 13-14 years ago. I have used it a lot of various tasks. It's very useful to have around. I have used it for shaping wood but mostly use it for metal and plastic and other home repair type stuff.

[atgcpaul]

Got the grout removal tool and pushed it to the limit for a week on a shower
stall. I'll have to buy addons but down the road I may get the small router
base for veneer inlays later.

[MilDoc]

I've had one for years, with flex shaft and a lot of accessories. I do use it a lot but little for woodworking other than sanding in intricate areas. Mainly used around the house. But, I'm seriously looking at the new Dremel Stylus!

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/to...=66204&I=69808

[sbs]

I have a B&D. Use it quite a bit on the house and cars.

Mostly for cutting metal and rust/paint removal. Occasional grinding.

Also have a flex-shaft on the scroll saw, but haven't used that in 20+ years.

[Wood_workur]

Its handy when you need it, but you don't need it too often.

[Pappy]

I have a Crafstman version that sees a fair amount of use. Detail clean up, metal cut off wheels for small screws and bolts, Small sanding drums, and several differrent burrs. I also have a pneumatic kit that has yet come out of the package, mainly because setting up a storage box for it isn't a priority.

[Warren]

I have three. One, an old two speed, with a flex on it for light carving, detail sanding, cutoffs, and etc.. A large one, an Advantage, is permanently set up for routering. The other, a really old multi speed is for sharpening the chainsaw, mower and for other light grinding. Getting a Stylus for the shop and another for the wife for her bead work.

Great little work horses that have a place in some shops.

[rosesunkist]

I have had mine for about 8 years now. I've used it for just about everything imaginable, and some rather creative uses too. It has always been my main tool for anything(until I recently started buying tools worth a darn). I have used it for cutting and shaping metal, wood, plastic, and stone. I stuck a straightened coat hanger in it to clear out a clogged 40yo fuel line. Very handy for pretty much everything...automotive, woodworking, pottery, glass, computer mods, sanding, grinding, drilling. I really love getting in there and the amount of control I get with it. I just hate the regular cutoff wheels, MUST wear safety glasses when using them. They love to break and fly all over the place really fast. I will never give mine up.

[LinuxRandal]

After watching how much my father uses his (almost his primary tool) I decided I needed one. I picked up a Craftsman variety, and have used it for pc cases (moding), car repair (paid for itself with the cutoff wheel, in a nearly impossible location without engine removal), and a few other things. Doesn't get a lot of use, but well worth the cost.

On the Rotozip, I picked up one from a friend, who was going to put in on Ebay, for $10. It was broke, and I was trying to obtain parts, when they told me about the recall that affected my model. I got a brand new one out of the deal, it's already been used on a drywall job, cheaper then renting one, and I own it.

[scorrpio]

I've had my Dremel for about 7 years now, a variable-speed kit with flex-shaft etc. Got a ton of accessories for it, and it is my go-to tool for small work. A small metal part needs cut/deburred/polished? Shaping a piece of plastic? Cutting drywall? And a whole lot more. Electronics work - making the properly sized holes etc for all those LEDs, buttons and other. I also have a plunge routing base for it, and it is really great for inlay work. "A civilized weapon of a more civilized age" so to say.

One always has to remember that this tool is for SMALL work. If you want to cut a steel I-beam, you can do it, but it'll take several hours and several packages of cutoff wheels.

I have the drywall kit for it (a special spiral cutter and a guide) and let me tell you - carving openings in drywall is awesome. Set the bit depth to drywall thickness, and you can cut holes of precisely the right shape, and never worry about damaging the insulation, wires, pipes, electric boxes or anything else behind it - and studs are not in the way either.

Plumbing work: deburr/chamfer a pipe in a couple seconds or clean those gunked up threads. Electrical: trim those extra-long clamp screws or shine up an old contact.

Just like a router, Dremel by itself is no use. You gotta get a nice arsenal of bits for it. A bunch of burs, grindstones, mandrels, wheels, brushes etc.