Recommended model of dremel for advanced gun smith work

[bradbn4]

That's the joke, but...

Looking for a recommendation on a dremel tool for light use in polishing small items.

I have a few old cheap knifes, and some pots and or pan areas that I would not mind hitting it up with some polishing rouge to bring back the luster. (This is customer speak saying I will be trying to run it for 8 hrs full out cutting down a tree.)

I expect that the tool will be pressed into service playing with some 3d printed parts, etc.

I really would like to stay with corded application, and it would be a big bonus to be able to hook up a flex shaft to the device.

So far I think the Dremel 4000 is on the list.

[00tec]

Whatever one you buy, do the break-in. The brushes last much longer if you do.

[ray1970]

Not sure which make/model mine is but it is over twenty years old and I have used it a lot over those years.

I would look and see what I have but, you know, holidays.

[JoeRoss]

Not sure what model, I have a few dremels.
The one I always - go to - is the flex shaft and foot pedal speed control one.
So much easier to use the shaft than the "larger" size ones.
Then being able to control the speed.
Yup, what ever you get, you are right, you want a flex shaft.

[SouthPaw]

I?ve used this one for a year now and it?s held up great. I even used it to cut the holes in my back bumper for my LED light pods and it did the trick. It did get pretty hot to touch bit kept chugging.
WEN 2305 Rotary Tool Kit with Flex Shaft
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BYRFH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_nRJ4FbYH8X2R8?_encodin g=UTF8&psc=1

Open box review
https://youtu.be/t0bRpDAYafw

Get ya some of these as well. They come in handy more than you think.
AUSTOR 60 Pieces 1 inch Abrasive Wheel Buffing Polishing Wheel Set 4 Grits Polishing Wheel with Free Box for Dremel Rotary Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BNCB8TW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_t67K5Iv3x5FDg

[BPTactical]

Foredom or none.

[Mtneer]

I really like the Dremel 8200. It's cordless so great for a lot of quick projects around the house or taking something outside to sand if I don't want a mess to clean. Works fine with all the accessories, good power, batteries last plenty long.

[ray1970]

Foredom or none.

Whoah. I thought you always encouraged us common folks to stay away from dremels?

[BladesNBarrels]

I need to repair some gelcoat on a boat, so I am following to see what the alternatives are.

From THT Forums addressing gelcoat repair
Q: Is there a preferred Dremel? Cordless vs Corded. 2000,3000,4000?
1st A: Cordless 8220. Works great for me.
4th A: Corded for Dremel. I've got both and my cordless sucks. The only cordless tools I like are drills, jigsaws and sawzalls (and even sawzalls I'll use the corded one more often)

Looking for a more definitive answer

[Irving]

I agree with #4. Corded just has more power, non-stop, over cordless. I can't really imagine any dremeling I'd need to do in the field.

[BPTactical]

Whoah. I thought you always encouraged us common folks to stay away from dremels?

I certainly do. The only thing that has fucked up more guns than a Dremel in the hands of common folks is:
A- Democrats
B- Rust

A rotary tool is one of those tools that although rarely needed is indispensable when properly used.

[Bailey Guns]

^^ You've mellowed a bit in your old(er) age.

[bradbn4]

Question: Why would I want corded over cordless?

Answer: Long term use; I expect the device to sit in a box most of the year until I need it. I figure that this usage pattern is not the best to keep those batteries happy.

Question: Why flexible shaft option?

Answer: In the unlikely event I need a lighter handle to do the work. This would also be a ding against battery powered devices due to the extra weight hit.

Foredom has some real high end hardware. If I was doing fab work I could see putting that one high on the wish list.

Why Dremel?

Attachment heads that offer good price performance and wide selection of options.

For larger objects I would get a 10" buffing wheel for my lathe, or get a dual head buffing station.

[Erni]

My cordless Dremel is useless. Even in the first year the battery would not keep a charge. Seems to me they are riding the brand name now. Probably would go with a top rated amazon brand now.

[Mtneer]

That's strange. My cordless Dremel is still going strong after 8 years. I tend to use it for something about every other month and the battery has a charge while the spare is always ready to go perhaps 9 months after it was last charged. Regarding the flex shaft, I've used it once--be sure not to lose the tiny chuck piece or it's useless.

[newracer]

I have a cordless and a corded. The corded stays in the garage where I am likely to need the extra power, cordless is in the basement shop. The batteries (Lithium) in my cordless are still fine after many years.

[Delfuego]

The only thing that has fucked up more guns than a Dremel in the hands of common folks is:
A- Democrats
B- Rust

[ROFL1]

[TFOGGER]

I certainly do. The only thing that has fucked up more guns than a Dremel in the hands of common folks is:
A- Democrats
B- Rust

A rotary tool is one of those tools that although rarely needed is indispensable when properly used.

Much like the air hammer in my shop. 999 times out of 1000, it's the absolute WRONG tool for the job, but when it's the right tool, it's the only right tool.

[SideShow Bob]

I have a cordless and a corded. The corded stays in the garage where I am likely to need the extra power, cordless is in the basement shop. The batteries (Lithium) in my cordless are still fine after many years.

What brand & model ?
My cordless Dremel is basically a paperweight. Several hours of charging for 5 - 10 minutes of light duty work. Although it is so old that the unit is no longer made. And forget about finding the NiCad batteries.

[bradbn4]

The built in batteries inside the tool was one worry I had about cordless...I did notice that some of the hardware had removable. Which makes it possible to refurb the battery pack. With removable batteries it would/should also be possible to 'direct tap' to a power supply if replacement batteries could not be found.

So far it looks like I am going the 'higher' end 4300 series with a bunch of 'cheap' buffing wheels and 6 pack of polishing material. This should be way overkill for what I need.

[bradbn4]

I just pulled the trigger on the 4300 Dremel tool... and as normally happens; all the add on goodies ship in a few weeks versus a days after I pushed the order button. The Dremel itself should not have an issue. I have one small set of buffing material that says it should arrive with the Dremel.

[earplug]

Don't forget to order a dog toe nail burr. Dremel makes grinding toe nails much easier then clipping.

[bradbn4]

hmm, sort of not happy, but not sad.....poked at the tool for a few mins. Clunky little chunk of plastic. I think I will be getting the shaft attachment to keep things a bit nimble for polishing stuff up.

I think my old ryobi drill/screw driver is smoother than the Dremel tool; however, the run out on the shaft for the ryobi is a bit more than I care for. But then it is a cheap drill / screw driver that is over 7 years old. What do I expect?

I just finished the break in period with the new brushes - so that is done. Running 5 mins full out sure left it a bit warm by the tip of the device.

[thedave1164]

Foredom or none.

This

[bradbn4]

After digging thru a bunch of crap sorting stuff out for reloading I did find my real old dremel 300 under a box of reloading equipment.

Looking at the shaft cable for the new Dremel I am going to say that maybe Foredom would be a valid choice if needing to use a tool in that configuration.