David aka Blue7 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I have been considering buying a dremel for some time, ideally in a boxed kit but they are quite expensive. There seem to be cheaper alternatives on Amazon as mentioned in the subject but I do wonder about the quality of the cheaper alternatives. Has anyone had any experience with the alternative dremel clones and would you go corded or cordless?David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 12, 2019 Member Share Posted April 12, 2019 There are some positive comments in the archives about non-Dremels, from Aldi or Lidl IIRC.I find that not having a trailing wire on my Dremel makes it much more convenient.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamQ Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I bought one of these recentlyhttps://www.axminster.co.uk/proxxon-fbs-240-e-precision-drill-grinder-multi-tool-410475having read some pretty damning reviews of Dremels and very good reviews of Proxxon on various DIY and professional fora - the consensus seemed to be that Dremels have declined in quality over recent years after a takeover or something - I can't remember the details. I know the last two Dremels I've had have conked out pretty quickly (and it wasn't the brushes in either case).Time will tell, but so far very pleased with the above - and the chuck means that you don't have go on the hunt for that missing collet for some cheap non-Dremel tool you've randomly acquired and that has a different shank diameter (which always seemed to be the case with the Dremel).FWIW ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I have two. A Homebase one and a dremel. The Dremel is much better in my experience. I never use the other now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted April 12, 2019 Area Representative Share Posted April 12, 2019 Whichever product you choose, the convenience of not having a cable is surely a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I went through the same decision process and plumped for the Dremmel mainly as I saw it as the most robust offering. However as a rare to occasional user I think a cheaper option would be just as good and still last quite a few years. I bought a kit but to be honest the party bag of different tools remains 90 % unused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony P Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 I have a corded Dremel (I forget which model, but it wasn’t especially cheap). I can’t say I’ve been delighted with it: it’s a bit clunky and the speed control is very notchy and could do with a finer control at the slow end of things - and for some kinds of work won’t actually go slow enough. Somewhere between “marginally above mediocre” and “crap” would be my judgement, depending on my mood and the task I’m asking of it.If it had the extra convenience of being cordless I might forgive some of its shortcomings, but a lot of the time I imagine a cheap lookalike would do pretty well in comparison.(Re. The collets, you can get a small Jacob’s-style keyless chuck for a Dremel which is a lot more convenient.If your intended use is more at the smaller scale, precision end of things, I’d take a look at a Foredom - but that’s a whole other level or two of expenditure.The Proxxon products have a good rep amongst modelmakers and model engineer hobbyists. (And the supplier quoted above - Axminster - are, in my experience, a delight to deal with. If you’re into woodworking, a visit to one of their big stores is a treat. But leave the credit card at home.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share Posted April 14, 2019 Many thanks for all of your replies, some of which tie in with customer feedback on Amazon regarding latest Dremels being of inferior quality to earlier models. I've still not decided which one to go for but I definitely think it will be cordless.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony P Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Do let us know what you go for, David - and how it works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted April 15, 2019 Support Team Share Posted April 15, 2019 I had a cheap Black and Decker corded one and it didn't last long. I went to Axminster and they advised their own brand (corded again) and so far it's been excellent. The speed control is infinitely variable and it has plenty of power. I have used it for cutting and trimming carbon fibre, fibre-glass (wings and nosecone) and sheet aluminium.I can see the advantage of cordless but I suspect for sustained cutting it would both lack power and battery life. For occasional use this might not be an issue.For me, they are one of those tools that you thought might be rarely used but it comes in handy for a lot of unexpected tasks so worth getting a decent one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 5, 2019 Member Share Posted May 5, 2019 Corded at Lidl for £20.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 My Dremel switch failed couple of years after light domestic use, so that it no longer variable speed. A cord,was one would be very handy, but the law of the sod would dictate it would be flat whenever it was needed! I think for the amount I use it (mainly derusting parts of the 7 with the small wire brush) I’d get one from Aldi etc. Most of their kit is Germanic and perfectly adequate for occasional domestic use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 6, 2019 Member Share Posted May 6, 2019 My Dremel switch failed couple of years after light domestic use, so that it no longer variable speed. You can get parts for genuine Dremels. The chuck failed on mine and Beesleys sent what I needed the same day. ... I’d get one from Aldi etc. Most of their kit is Germanic and perfectly adequate for occasional domestic use. I haven't been disappointed in any tools or similar from either Aldi or Lidl. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 12, 2019 Member Share Posted May 12, 2019 Cordless at Aldi for £17.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Thanks Jonathan ... that's really cheap, can't really go wrong at that price so I will order one.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted May 16, 2019 Author Share Posted May 16, 2019 Changed my mind ... the usual irritation, item costs £17 but you get hit with p&p unless you spend up to £20. So I have looked again and gone for cordless Sabrecut which has a storage case and lots of accessories ... and made in Liverpool ... well probably made in China but company address is Liverpool ... and Liverpool are performing well at the moment . Cost £32.99https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NWTNXXX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted November 24, 2020 Author Share Posted November 24, 2020 I thought it worth resurrecting this thread to report that the cordless Sabrecut that I eventually purchased proved to be ok if the cutting was of a low torque variety but even cutting the plastic rear light lenses proved to be problematical, the circular cutting blades soon stuck if I applied even a modicum of pressure.I have since invested in a corded mains operated version made by Tacklife, which is much better with loads of power. I needed to cut out a rectangular hole in a tile in the bathroom and the masonry discs (bought separately) cut through the tile like a knife through butter. Interestingly, Dremel are still receiving terrible reviews so I steered clear of Dremel. If I have one criticism it is that it is operated by a rocker type on off switch and I feel that a trigger switch would be safer and more convenient. This is the one I boughthttps://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QN3344C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1On another matter, the search facility on L7C site is pretty much hopeless IMO. When trying to locate this thread using the key word "dremel" it produces lots of results that just aren't at all appropriate and then asks "do you mean dreaded"?David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 24, 2020 Member Share Posted November 24, 2020 Private Message sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timb2117 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Got a corded dremel about ooo 23 years ago still going strong, speed control is fast or uber fast and tools are expensive but worth it, I have tons of bits for it now and it just keeps going. However if the quality has dropped off with newer ones (often the case) then dont go super cheap but you do get what you pay for..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel B Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I bought the smallest, cheapest Dremel a few years back. It was fine for a while, but then started to randomly cut out. Eventually it wouldn't work at all, so I (stupidly!) got the next model up, which again worked fine for a while, but has recently started conking out in the manner of the previous one. I don't think I'll be buying another... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 Well that seems to be in line with all the negative reviews on Amazon. I must admit that having read various articles in Which? magazine about Amazon fake reviews, I did wonder if some Shenzen syndicate had been paid to write multiple bad reviews in order to kill off Dremel sales and boost the sales of other similar competitor products like Taklife. These tools still seem to be described as Dremels rather than multi-tools, which are bigger and more robust. It is a bit like "Biro" pens which were ball point pens that replaced ink nib pens and although many varieties of ball points were eventually produced, they were always referred to as biros. Maybe there is a Shenzen conspiracy to drive down sales of Dremel in order to purchase the company and the rights to use the brand name Dremel but the sting in the tail would be market loss of confidence in that particular brand name but maybe Taklife Dremel would work. The way things are going Caterham Cars may end up being made in Shenzen ... so beware negative Caterham views Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 If anyone is still tempted to buy a real corded Dremel then the 3000 is an Amazon deal today at £30.00. I have no opinion as to whether good or bad, but thought I would add the link. Think it is only available today at this price.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-Acessories-10000-33000-Polishing-Sharpening/dp/B0078LENZC/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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