I want a Dremel...need help...too many choices. (Purchase Complete)

Hmmm. I guess cordless is out then.

Like others said, the cordless is good for small jobs. As a primary dremel tool, go with a cord. I have a Ryobi for almost 10 years and it is still going, but sounds kinda funny after the DIY build. I gets pretty hot after an hour or two of grinding. If anyone asks, I really wasn’t trying to kill it. Really. :smiley:
I’ve used the Li-Ion cordless Dremel with a 90 degree handle, and it is quite good for a cordless. Pricey though.

want an awesome rotary tool with tons of power and really long battery life, check out this Milwaukee:

I have this one and love it

I have used both dremel and the Proxxon IBS/E. The dremel is not even in the same class as the Proxxon. Almost no end play and no vibration. A well balanced tool. Very quite and more torque at slower speeds.
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I got turned on this brand by some guys at a miniature CNC milling machine forum. Dremels had to much run out to be accurate. The Proxxon uses a metal nose housing that holds two bearings on each end of the shaft. The dremel I had only had one bearing at the tip and used a plastic housing. The two bearings and the metal nose housing hold the shaft more securely in place with out hardly any run out or vibration. The vibration with cut-off disc is what kills them, sending them flying across the room. I have yet to explode a disc while cutting. The disc runs true in the cut so it never vibrates in the cut reducing jamming which explodes the disc.
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Also the speed controller on the Proxxon is very precise and can be used in low speeds without bogging down thanks to its full wave speed controller. The motor seems to try to hold the same speed no matter how hard you force the cut. I have had mine a little over a year now and love it. I also use it attached to the lathe tool post as a tool post grinder. Its seen some heavy use and still purrs like a kitten. If you can spend the extra bucks I would definetly look into the Proxxon IBS/E. It gets five stars from me.

I like the sound of it. I almost bought a Milwaukee DMM a while ago. Xtar Li Ion battery is nice too.

Hmmm. The Proxxon has caught my interest. How is it size wise to a dremel?

I have this one, very good RT and is compatible with dremel

http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-rotary-tool-kit-68696.html

I got a ton of the M12 line. best cordless tools ive ever used. check out some review on their rotary tool.

I have both Milwaukee’s M12 clamp DMM’s, both are better then my fluke!

Some of the Proxxon 38 481 IB/E I checked just call it a rotary tool, and some state ” grinder motor only”?

This is the one I have and where I purchased it with free shipping. Comes with carrying case and a few bits and tools.
http://www.amazon.com/Proxxon-38481-Professional-Rotary-Tool/dp/B001FWXEO6
Read the 77 reviews there also to see what other owners say.
Its about the same size with very close to the same weight as the dremel 4000.

Hmmm. I had it in my cart and was ready to check out, and decided to read some of the reviews. Now I’m nervous.

The Proxxon 38481 caught my attention too… overall the reviews are good.

Hmmm, I need an air compressor too, which one first?

Does the Proxxon accept Dremel accessories? This feature is on many of the Dremel copycats. Based on the front end in the picture, it does not accept threaded Dremel accessories. May not be a deal-breaker, but it is a nice option to have.

Reading the reviews, and some of them mention that Dremel bits work just fine.

Dremel 8200 cordless uses LiIon, battery charge time 1 hour, it is variable , lots of power , handles lots of jobs , battery is decent , run times decent , used it for cutting mostly and grinding.

Sorry, wasn’t talking about the bits. I’m talking about the various extension and adapters that can be added on to a Dremel.

There are some youtube videos on it, but I haven’t had time to watch any yet.

Most dremel accessories wont work with the Proxxon because the Dremel has threads under the plastic thing in the front while the Proxxon is just round. But most of the Dremel accessories are just a little above cr*p, so.. :D

But there are adapters for both to use in a standard drill press.

As moderator007 explained, Proxxon is another league. You cant even rate Proxxon and the rest on the same scale.

Dremel bits work. Those are usually 3.2mm, the Proxxon comes with a set of different collets from 1mm to 3.2mm. There's also a three jaw keyless chuck. A little cheaper is the Proxxon FBS, its also good, but if you go big bucks, take the IBS. ;)

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and ordered the Proxxon IBS/E.

Good choice. Have fun with it.

You might buy the flexishaft later on.. and a lot more of tools. ;D