Around our home there are certain tools that get used more often than not. Specifically Dremel Tools. From crafting and vinyl toy customization to home repair, this tool in our home is a handy staple to have around. When our last one bit the dust, it was time for an upgrade. We had a list of specifics that the new one had to contain and we think we found the perfect match for our needs. Check out our full review after the jump.
One of the main reasons this model persuaded us over the other options on the market, is how it's held. Other models make you hold onto the tool like you were trying to dremel with a banana and that's not natural for anyone. This model allows you to hold your fingers close to the area you are working on like you would use a pair of tweezers.
In the box with the unit is: a box of bits, charging station and as expected -- instructions requesting it not to be used while intoxicated or in the bathtub (no really).
After the initial charge of the unit we put it to work with several projects that needed attention around our home. It passed the "I don't know how I ever lived without this," test with flying colors! The only complaint we could possibly drum up pertains to the on/off switch. The switch is located on the top of the unit between your fingers. It requires two hands to turn on and off since it's just far enough away that you can't reach it with one finger while holding the tool in your hand. This isn't a major draw back by any means, just something we noticed.
Other specifics we were looking for in a new model were easy bit changing, cordless, and size. The transition between bits is seamless and quite smooth, this model is cordless and is quite small, but big enough to feel comfortable in your hand. Because it is smaller than other units and docks in the manner it does, it allows us to leave the unit out and plugged in. It sits next to our other battery chargers for our other drills and such and blends right in.
We picked ours up at Target for $69.99 and it's been a fantastic purchase.
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Cool! I know what a dremmel is, but I'm sure a lot of people aren't aware of all the handy things you can do with it. What are some of the projects you used it for?
view Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe's profile
Dremmels are perfect for trimming a dog's nails! Especially bigger dogs.
view mplstony's profile
I was considering getting a Dremel (the box says it only has ONE m), while for the "first" project I have in mind (requires more of a hand sander along with the detail pointy thing), the dude at Home Depot tried to sell me on a Black & Decker Mouse (whichever is the more versatile and bigger one). I came home to look up reviews online of either tool and find out that most think the Dremel is a waste of money and a broken piece of crap that's not as good as it used to be. Forget about the Mouse. I have never heard anything good about Black & Decker, period, and reviews seem to back that up.
I want to get something that won't burn out in 12 minutes and emit blue smoke, so I don't know what will fill all these capacities. Thanks for the review, but I'm still a little nervous about it.
view K T G's profile
KTG - 400 Series XPR dremel, done and done, that is the one to get.
It's not that expensive, mine was a gift and it case with the case, a small accessory kit and the add on flexible shaft tool (basically simulates the stylus action here so you have a smaller pen like tool to work with)
I have used my dremel and used the heck out of it and it is still going strong. It's out in the storage cabinet awaiting it's next task, when it dies i will buy another.
I have used it to just play around and drill through, grind, sand and play with a bunch of wood to get the hang of it.
Molded a custom ipod dock that fit into the console of my suv with it, Looked factory when i was done.
Removed burs and rough spots from an industrial steel desktop i had made up. It would grind through solid steel with a standard rough sanding bit.
Target screwed up and sent me a desk with a with a notch wrong, so i made the notch correct.
Engraved with it with the correct attachment
Drilled through wood, steel, plastic, anything
Soon i will sand down a small chip in a pyrex dish.
Countless other things as well that I can't remember. I love (LOVE) my dremel. I have ran it on low and i have ran it on high, always performs.
view jmorey's profile
this is the one that I have- except I got mine on clearance for 18.00. I use it- it's ok I guess, but the on/off switch is a real hassle.
I got this to work on my art dolls and their stands and to help in re finishing vintage bikes. I wanted something smaller than my "real" tools- and something that I could use inside my house- not in the workshop. I guess it does that. I'm iffy on the entire Dremmel issue as you can probably tell....I think getting some actual tools would be money better spent.
I'm not sure if it had been more than 20 bucks I would have bought it-
view lorijo's profile
Oh man. Dremel's... yes. Definitely yes. They're great to have. But the Stylus? No.
Even if you have small hands like me, the most natural position for your hand to be in seems to be with your finger right on the tip. To avoid putting your finger on the tip, you have to put your hand in a funny position. And after more than a minute or two of holding it, your hand is going to hurt. I promise.
Instead, get one of the other models and an extender attachment. They are amazing, and will save your hands!
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100019434
view SCADanielle's profile
(Pssst... Dremel is spelled wrong.)
view SCADanielle's profile