What the heck is a Dremel?

gg_duce · Post by **gg_duce** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:56 pm

Okay, I guess I'm old school in that I use an Xacto, toothpicks, clothespins camel-hair brushes, and Testors glue/paints and not much else

So, what is this Dremel tool I read so much about here?

Umi_Ryuzuki · Post by **Umi_Ryuzuki** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:00 pm

Small powered rotary tool...

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool- ... m?H=188091

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:00 pm

Dremel usually refers to any small, rotary tool - several companies make them.

Dremel Corp was the original, and some say, still the best

They also offer small scroll saws, detail sanders, engravers and glue guns

Sample of what they have can be found here

I have an old model 295 (20+years old) that I still use.

Atlantis

gg_duce · Post by **gg_duce** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:29 pm

Is it a required tool now-a-days? Is it the type of thing where I'm going to say "I wish I had this 15 years ago"?

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:02 pm

gg_duce wrote:Is it a required tool now-a-days? Is it the type of thing where I'm going to say "I wish I had this 15 years ago"?

If you're planning on scratch-building from wood to make molds for casting, I'd suggest one - it's invaluable for shaping the wood to make the masters.

For general use in building, it's a bit of an overkill and definitely not a needed item.

Atlantis

gg_duce · Post by **gg_duce** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:07 pm

Thanks for the info, folks.

I thought maybe I was missing out on something.

Kolschey · Post by **Kolschey** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:24 pm

If you are a hard core scratchbuilder, you'll find it absolutely indispensable.

I personally find that the new "Stylus" model finds use for me at least as often as any other hand tool. If you are working at all with metal or hard plastic elements, it will save a great deal of time and energy in your work.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:04 pm

My Dad had one of the early ones so I've been grinding away at models with it for a looong time. Can't imagine not having one around.

But is it a absolute need? No, not really. Just makes some things easier.

Like removing vast quantites of resin.

Kolschey · Post by **Kolschey** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:29 pm

PS: If you have a loved one who is stumped for a decent holiday gift to give you, they are quite affordable and well appreciated.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:57 pm

Kolschey wrote:PS: If you have a loved one who is stumped for a decent holiday gift to give you, they are quite affordable and well appreciated.

Indeed. One of the best gifts my wife ever bought me.

Kenny

Julius Orange · Post by **Julius Orange** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:30 am

Kylwell wrote:
Like removing vast quantites of resin.

Amen, brother! Like hot knife through butter.

There are thousands of uses for a Dremel with regards to modlbuilding and general use alike.

Don't know how I lived without one.

You can get an off brand one at Harbor freight for like $15. If it works for you then move on to the real deal.

Cheers.

Ti Raven · Post by **Ti Raven** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:24 am

The little 'off' brand one that my father-in-law handed down to me is really useful.
It has a bit of a nasty wobble, and just can't cut, polish or drill rock...
so at some time, in a more fianancialy secure future, a Fordom or Dremal shall be mine!
Mua-hahahahaha! said the Raven!

TREKKRIFFIC · Post by **TREKKRIFFIC** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:55 am

They can be overkill when working on styrene and can quickly melt the plastic so you need to run at the slowest speed for limited amounts of time. Great for carving and drilling harder resin, wood, and metals. If you buy one I'd also recommend getting the flex-shaft attachment for greater control and a more comfortable grip.

Ti Raven · Post by **Ti Raven** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:21 pm

That was quick!

Michael, or Mr. Raven as he has been referred to by some folks here, dropped his car off at the Costco Tire center for a patch job today.

While browsing the tool isle, he saw a Kawasaki Rotary Tool and Accessory set.
233 pieces of drilling, polishing and other powered goodness!
It has a Table Mount.... AND a FLEX SHAFT!!!

$\:D/$

My Main Dude insisted that it get picked up...TODAY.
Dang, but this is sweet!!

TREKKRIFFIC · Post by **TREKKRIFFIC** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:07 am

Ti Raven wrote:That was quick!
Michael, or Mr. Raven as he has been referred to by some folks here, dropped his car off at the Costco Tire center for a patch job today.

While browsing the tool isle, he saw a Kawasaki Rotary Tool and Accessory set.
233 pieces of drilling, polishing and other powered goodness!
It has a Table Mount.... AND a FLEX SHAFT!!!

$\:D/$

My Main Dude insisted that it get picked up...TODAY.
Dang, but this is sweet!!

I'll bet it was a lot less expensive than what I paid for my Dremel 10 years ago. IIRC mine cost something like $80.00 with only about 5 different bits and no carrying case ! I ended up buying a 100 piece accesory assortment for about $20.00 later on at COSTCO. And the flexi-shaft ran about $40.00. Not more than a few years later you could pay about the same amount or less for a complete kit with about 100 different pieces AND a carrying case.

Ti Raven · Post by **Ti Raven** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:23 am

The one that I bought yesterday cost $39.99 + tax.
3 small canisters , filled to brim with diff. cutting discs
and a canister of polishing compound were amoung the parts.

It could have a better closure system than the plastic snappy things,
but I can't very well complain about the cost.

Scratchawan Learner · Post by **Scratchawan Learner** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:58 pm

I haven't modeled without a motor tool since I was in the service... that was in the eighties. I can't conceive of a project that involved the cutting and shaping of plastic, wood, or minerals, that I haven't used it on. I actually own two of them, (actual Dremels) and I find the flex shaft attachment indispensible. I modified my power cords, to run through a step down transformer... and it slows the RPM down some. You can still melt styrene, if you try to force the cutting wheel along too fast.

One of these days, I'll be able to afford a Foredom tool, like the Rich kids have! *laughing* My daughter (grown) bought me the largest accessory kit that Dremel makes, for grinding, polishing, cutting and drilling... for Father's Day last year. Kids are so much fun while they are kids... then they grow up and buy you presents!

She told me that she realized that since I was never going to grow up, in literal fact, that she'd buy me a new set of "toys" for my Fathers Day present.*grinning*
Happy Motoring! Scratch

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:14 pm

Hi,Ti! For cutting glass and rock, try getting some 'diamond points' - just shapes of rubber on a 'stick' or shaft, imbedded with diamond powder. I needed a lot of precise holes in the bottoms of little colored glass bottles for one T.V. commercial I was working on and those points worked very well. (Someone else did the hole making for me, I have to add.) Work on rock too.

(But not on Rocs - they make too much noise when you try. Silly giant birds....)

Ti Raven · Post by **Ti Raven** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:44 pm

O Great and Wise Zog, these sound very interesting.
An odd bit of timeliness as well. I've been etching patterns onto ceramic and
slate 4ish x 4ish tiles recently and the two bits I've been using are rather
smooth now. Planning to go to the local Lowes or Home Depot tomorrow to
get several different masonry bits. I'll check for these as well, Sir.

Thanking you muchly!

Tanya

Scratchawan Learner · Post by **Scratchawan Learner** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:36 pm

Ti,

You may want to check out a place called Jantz Supply. Leo Jantz has lots of shaping equipment...including tungsten carbide bits for motor tools. Leo's bits range from the small to the large, and the teeth sizes vary also.

I have a couple of his actual (magazine sized) paper catalogs, and they are full of polishes, sanding and polishing mediums, etc.
Jantz Supply is a major supplier of materials and tools to the knifemaking trade... and it's like a toyshop for modelmakers. One can leaf through his catalog for ages, just drooling at some of the tools that Jantz stocks...and all their potential usage for modeler.

Not certain if Leo has an online office... but he'd be a goof NOT to. Check him out, and get one of his catalogs.... it has all the ultracool accessories that a modeler, and crafter of your interests could ask for!

For those of you who are amateur or even expert machinists...Jantz also carries CNC controlled vertical milling machines. Ouch. Talk about a pain in the wallet... but they are quality made items.

Ti, you'll also like a lot of the lapidary supply items that Leo stocks. Some of the knifemakers here in Oklahoma make REALLY detailed art knives... and so Leo stocks a variety of fancy woods, and other materials, with which to detail knifehandles, and guards. I rather suspect that the same materials might be of use to you, in your other hobbies... as I've heard you mention in a few previous posts.

If Leo doesn't have an online website... but your interested in it,
leave a message for my in my box, and I'll get a catalog sent to you.
Leo can use the business, and I always love to share supply sources with people who can make good use of them.

Regards, Curt

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:42 pm

I still prefer Widget Supply for Dremel bits. Some stunningly fine kerf saw blades.

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What the heck is a Dremel?

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