Which dremel to buy?

[ruimglopes]

I've been wanting to buy a Dremel for some time now. So, I started investigating which models exist, and decided at least to buy one with a power cord, I have no patience to wait for battery recharging...

I'll be using it for working mostly on engines, which means also some precision cutting and grinding.
I've been looking at the Dremel 4000 and at the 4300. Being the 4300 the most recent version but the 4000 seems to have more compatibility with accessories, which one would you recommend? Or either one will be fine?

 

[Motorhead]

Dremel 4000 with a flex shaft.

 

[ruimglopes]

Yeah, thought that the flex shaft would be a must have for precision work. Thanks!

 

[huskihl]

Could also look into the harbor freight foredom style motor and flex shaft. They outlast a Dremel by quite a margin and are half the price at $50

 

[mdavlee]

Could also look into the harbor freight foredom style motor and flex shaft. They outlast a Dremel by quite a margin and are half the price at $50

Plus double the power and all the foredom handpieces fit as well as the Cc specialty right angle

 

[Dub11]

Dremels have gone down hill these days. I use one every day at work for some fine tuning clean up on nickel plates at a print shop and they have a hard time holding up to that.

I'd definitely look in to what @huskihl and @mdavlee said.

 

[ruimglopes]

I guess I could contact Harbor Freight to see if they ship abroad. I didn't miss my customs "friends", but you guys got valid points there.

However... Is it this one?
https://www.harborfreight.com/power.../flexible-shaft-grinder-and-carver-40432.html

If it is, it's a no go for me, the mains here in Portugal work @ 230VAC 50HZ, while in the USA it is 120V 60HZ, and that Harbor Freight motor is rated @ 120V 60HZ only. I would need at least a 600W voltage + frequency converter to make it work, and it is awfully expensive. So, I'll start looking at 230V 50HZ ones. Foredom makes them, and that I didn't know.

The lesson I've learned from you guys is that one of these motors will clearly outperform a Dremel, so thank you very much for steering me towards the right choice.

 

[Sawrain]

Most of these simple grinders use a basic universal brushed Motor, which doesn’t care about frequency, the motor itself can run on DC or AC, the speed is proportional to voltage, not frequency as with normal industrial AC motors.

So 120V 50 or 60Hz is ok for the motor, if it’s a universal brushed Type.

Unfortunately I cannot say about the the speed control circuit, of course it needs to be fed the correct voltage, but it mostly likely does not care if the frequency is 50 or 60Hz, I would try it myself (using 50Hz) but would feel bad out right recommending it in case there was a problem.

Assuming you can find a cheap 230/120v transformer that is?

 

[Deets066]

eBay - Foredom

 

[Deets066]

 

[ruimglopes]

(...)So 120V 50 or 60Hz is ok for the motor, if it’s a universal brushed Type.

Unfortunately I cannot say about the the speed control circuit, of course it needs to be fed the correct voltage, and mostly likely does not care if the frequency is 50 or 60Hz, I would try it myself (using 50Hz) but would feel bad out right recommending it in case there was a problem.

Assuming you can find a cheap 230/120v transformer that is?

Too many uncertainties, unfortunately. Knowing that I would have to pay customs on the motor, and that a decent transformer (able to handle more than 100W) will cost more than the motor itself, I might as well invest on a Foredom, the price difference gets lower because of customs + the transformer, and they make 230V versions

Also, I'm seeing that Foredom is represented by a company in my country, which eases things up a lot in case of a hypothetical warranty claim. It's more expensive than a Dremel, but it's clearly better, and it has reversible rotation which is awesome.

I ended up with an even better solution than the one I posted here searching for muito obrigado, guys!

Is this the oneView attachment 222730

I saw that one too, and I'd be perfectly capable of adapting a flex shaft to one of those bench grinders myself

 

[Al Smith]

Unless you have a lot of money and want the best flex shaft made a regular old Dremel brand will work just fine .Most Harbor freight stuff will work ,they are just less expensive options .
A lot of it has to do with what tooling you can find .They do make longer bits you can work the upper transfers with often going through the exhaust port to reach .Just remember it's not a race so perhaps being slower does have some merits .It's easy to cut it off but damned near impossible to put it back on .

 

[Dub11]

We use the 300 at work and when they died we went to the 3000. Flat garbage the both of them.

Now the cheapo Amazon one with flex shaft I got isn't to bad for the $15 it cost me.

 

[Motorhead]

We use the 300 at work and when they died we went to the 3000. Flat garbage the both of them.

Now the cheapo Amazon one with flex shaft I got isn't to bad for the $15 it cost me.

I went through a couple of the 3 series Dremels,Junk!

 

[Dub11]

I went through a couple of the 3 series Dremels,Junk!

We are kind of limited on size for what we do. Plus the burr we are using is very tiny so the 300 would live a long life. The 3000 on the other hand is WAY cheaper in fit and finish.

I wish someone else made a nice little unit to compete in the market.

 

[Al Smith]

I've got three Dremel's some place but can only find one at this time . Sooner or later they will show up .It's been a long time since I've modified an engine .When I did I liked to have two or three with different tool bits .Saves the pain the neck of changing them all the time .

 

[Dub11]

I've got three Dremel's some place but can only find one at this time . Sooner or later they will show up .It's been a long time since I've modified an engine .When I did I liked to have two or three with different tool bits .Saves the pain the neck of changing them all the time .

I do the same with angle grinders, I snagged a couple of them $9.99 HF units and gave them all their own disc or wheel.

 

[ruimglopes]

Unless you have a lot of money and want the best flex shaft made a regular old Dremel brand will work just fine .Most Harbor freight stuff will work ,they are just less expensive options .
A lot of it has to do with what tooling you can find .They do make longer bits you can work the upper transfers with often going through the exhaust port to reach .Just remember it's not a race so perhaps being slower does have some merits .It's easy to cut it off but damned near impossible to put it back on .

Thanks for the input AI I think I'm going to invest on a Foredom, I just liked it a lot, it seems practical and the reversibility in rotation is a big big plus. I'm not rich, but money spent on quality tools is not wasted money, I think

And I totally agree with what you said, porting should be done carefully and slowly, if you cut off too much, well, you know the rest. I'll go easy on the foot pedal

 

[Al Smith]

A lot of times faster rotating speed is not to your advantage .Depending on what design of burr you might be just loading it up because it can't clear the chips .I compare the die grinder to a multi axis hand held milling machine .
It's a learned skill .Some get it some fight with it ,You have to pay attention weather you are "down" milling or "up " milling with the action of the tool .Up milling it can get away from you and possibly bend the shank then you have a problem faster than you can react to .In some instances you might have to use a mirror which will really screw you up because everything is back a$$wads .

 

[Al Smith]

Another thing ,you have to have a good source of light to see what you are doing .I have several itty bitty little flash lights that will fit in a 14 MM spark plug hole that use xenon bulbs .I think the brand name is "Stylus'' .I got them at work ,freebies .
If you get tired take a break ,have a cup of coffee,drink a beer have a smoke if you do .You're dealing with eye strain and a lot of stress on the poor old fingers .If you don't get it all done in a day sleep on it WTH .If you are new to it find a junk cylinder and give it a go .Most likely any saw shop will give you a few for nothing .