Hitchcocks Forum

sometime ago, I bought a Draemel like electric drill from Maplin. My idea is to use it for various things such as detail polishing and removing the burrs from the edge of the clutch plates. Trouble is, it really isn't up to much. The different accessories are fiddly to change over and they wear out very quickly, before I had time to finish the job. My question is, has anybody tried a Dremel and are they better than the Maplin rip-off equivalent?

Only prob I, ve had with cheap chinese knockoffs are switch gear failure got both cheapie and dremel accessories apear same shank size got to let the tool rev and dont press too hard have ported alloy cyl heads with the cheap onewent ok look on ebay you can buy dremel bits quite cheap even got some rotary files. Happy grinding.

I think Dremel is better, but another option is a flexible drive with chuck that will use a standard power hand drill for rotation

Some 8 or so years ago I bought the kit from either Aldi or Lidl (Powercraft) and its served me well.
It came complete with flexible extension, bench clamp and a box of bits, replaced some of the worn bits easy enough, and its still going well!Look out for them, good value for money.

Terry

I think LIDL had them in last week or so, could be some left on the shelf. They also did a kit of spare bits. I have had one for a while, OK for small or fiddly jobs.

I've had a couple of Dremel clones and they last a few years. Brushes go, switchgear goes. I stumped up the cash for a proper one a few years back and wish I'd bought the good gear first.

I got one from woollies, and had all sorts of bits both cheap and dremel and all are just about the same.just don't use too much pressure and there ok. Steve

I've got a Proxxon - given to me as a gift some5 or 6 years ago and in regular use since. The accessories I've used are a mixture of Dremel and cheap ones. None of the cutting discs or grinding stones seem to last very long but that's in their nature isn't it? Have a look at http://www.proxxon.com/en/micromot/28472.php?list]

Be careful with the Lidl version. I bought one and it only lasted a few weeks. I had a job to get a refund as I had lost the receipt. I replaced it with a Dremel 300 that came in a kit with a flexi drive. It is totally different in every way. If you are going to use it much or want one that lasts that's the make to go for. When on offer should be around £40 perhaps less if you wait for black Friday!! Keep an eye on the discount website's on line.

I invested in a Dremel and a huge package of all the extra fittings and bits. I never have regretted it. Use it a lot with no breakdowns and the kit just lasts for ages. If you're going to use money on tools, don't scrimp.