Best Dremel set

[StarTech]

I have a $50 gift card from Home Depot and I am thinking about buying a Dremel set. Anybody familiar with the set options? I know they start in the $20-30s, but I will not mind adding to the 50 if it makes sense.

 

[Blain]

Here's a bump from a fellow Dremel shopper

Best model numbers? For case modding, of course.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Make that 3 of us.
I'm all ready to cut up my 7896A.

 

[Mday]

i'd recommend a kit with the flex shaft, or the right angle adapter. the flex shaft being so important. the flex shaft and right angle adapter are $30 each, or something.

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/display.asp?sku=225 is the page for the flex shaft. it allows more flexibility.

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/display.asp?sku=575 is the page for the right angle adapter. it allows for more flexibility also, not as much as the flex shaft, but comes in handy.

you will need extra cut off discs, the fiberglass reinforced cut off discs in the page, you'll see a "multipurpose cutting bit" that looks like a drill bit, it's a "spiral saw" which is what rotozips use ;-) it's great for cutting PLASTICS on your case without melting it. great for wood, if you have that. NOT FOR METAL. use the cut off discs for metal (although it'd take a while).

a whole lot of sandpaper replacements for the sanding drum bit you may also want grinding


basically you need parts from each category in the top row
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of course get those bits in a kit be it with the actual tool, or in a separate pack.

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misc stuff you need:

cutting oil. ask where it is.
safety glasses (recommend actual googles for all around protection).
newspapers and drop cloths
rags.
a vacuum to suck up metal and plastic "dust" after cutting.

 

[Mday]

you don't have to get the kit with the flex shaft or right angle adapter (i have neither, but want them). but they come in handy. it'd be cheaper without if you have a budget (like i do ;-))

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you will go through the "regular" cut off discs like crazy. you will go through sanding bands like crazy. get plenty of those.

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make sure you get the tool with the variable speeds. either with the digital read out (professional) or the regular red switch. the digital one is more customizable with respect to speeds, but the regular red one is what i have, and it's fine with me. get used to each rotational speed. start slow to get a handle of it, and go faster (like the middle notch) since you don't need the highest speed.

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NOTE i have the "craftsman" labeled "dremel" which is obviously made by dremel for sears.

and black and decker has a rotary tool like the dremel too. get what you can afford. but don't ignore all of what i wrote above.

 

[Mday]

i use my the dremel mostly for small cutting, and finishing (deburring and stuff, so i don't get cut). i use a jigsaw and a drill for my "main" cutting. you need a drill if you want to make screw holes for mounting a fan.

the dremel uses a "collet" to hold the bits. some of the bits have a smaller shaft (1/8" or .125 is standard for dremel) which require a smaller collet nut. so read carefully before you buy, and here is the collet page, see all the way to the left

 

[Mday]

if you want, i can write a small "article" and put it in my personal page. i'll steal pics from dremel. send me a PM if you think it'd be a good idea.

 

[ericd]

Have any of you guys used the Diamond Cut Off Wheel or Tungsten Cutter that CaseEtc sells? From what they say in their product description it sounds like those Diamond Wheels are great.

Eric

 

[Blain]

I've got a new DeWalt 3" Bi-Metal hole saw and a 7/16" Mandrel.

Oops, I forgot to check what chuck size I'd need. So I'm faced with selling the hole saw & mandrel, and buying a Dremel kit (which would give me more flexability). Or buying a 1/2" drill.
Or should I just buy a Dremel kit AND a 1/2" drill and keep the hole saw? A hole saw seems FAST for knocking out 3" case fan holes.

 

[Dan]

I used a bi-metal 3-inch hole saw to cut the blowholes for my case. Fast and works great.

 

[Blain]

Along with the 3" hole saw, would this list set me up to be able to do just about any case cutting that I could want?

DREMEL KIT
CARBIDE BURRS/FILE
ACCESSORY KIT

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Mday
I think that a page like that would be really cool. It'd help me a lot, to be sure.

 

[StarTech]

Thanks to all for the comments, in particular to Mday for the in-depth contribution. I would think the page Mday is offering to put together would have a significant value.

Is that kit of bits in the HarborFreight link compatible with Dremel? It seems like a good price for all those parts..

 

[MrMole]

<< Is that kit of bits in the HarborFreight link compatible with Dremel? It seems like a good price for all those parts.. >>


ditto

Can Any atest to the quality of this kit?

:hat

 

[Blain]

I don't know about the quality of the kit. But I've ordered from Harbor Freight several times, and been very satisfied.

 

[Nessism]

My advice is to but some carbide burrs/cutters instead of the more common high speed steel type that Dremel sells. The carbide stuff will last more than 10 times longer. Also, if purchasing cut off wheels, make sure you get the fiber reinforced type not the small Dremel type, they break very easy. Happy modding.