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OK.... the 3 Dremels I have are from the early 90's. 1 of them croaked last night, and the last 2 are in bad shape. Also, most of my attachments have been modded so many times through the years they are almost useless. Time to upgrade!

I checked out the Dremel website, and I'm pretty sure I want a 4000 model, but what about all the various kits that are available? I want maximum bang for my buck - plenty of options and versatility all in one fell swoop.

You have favorites? Tell me.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Favorites? I find it hard to use that word in the same sentence with Dremels. I have tried to find other tools to replace Dremel operations wherever I can. Bosch Colt laminate trimmers and a pneumatic air turbine have reduced my reliance on Dremels for guitar building, but I still use them on lots of repair type of stuff.

I'm going to have to side with Barry on this one. I'm easing Dremels out of my life. I really think there's a better way to run a railroad.


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Proxxon...

Hi Haans,
Thanks for the heads up on the Proxxon tool. I see that there are a couple of different models, one of which is variable speed. Which do you have experience with and could you comment on why it is superior to the much maligned Dremel?
My Dremel is dying a slow death so I have been looking for a replacement also.

Proxxon has much better bearings than the Dremel tools, many of which just use bushings. I have the fixed speed model -I always used the variable speed on full speed. Plus the simpler fixed speed model has less to go wrong. Be sure to buy a collet set if you decide to go with the proxxon. I should also note that the proxxon is much quieter and smoother than the Dremel tools which always feel quite crude to me.

-jd

Never heard of Proxxon. What are you using, and will Dremel attachments work with it?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Chris, I blew up a dremel grinding metal. Turns out,it had a lifetime warranty (in 1980).
I mailed it in a got a new replacement.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

What would you use it for? I found it was only useable for rosette channels, and I can't wait to replace it for that task with a more powerful laminate trimmer...

Much better motor, has a metal lower half and real bearings.
Pretty straightforward mod. Grind out the threads with a small sanding drum, tap in a set screw...





Google it or Bing it or Duck, Duck, Go it...

Did that several times back in the day.... sometimes they came back repaired, some were replaced. Wonder if they'd still honor the old warranty?



I only know one other guy who's heard of Duck, Duck Go.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

don't get the smaller proxxon, it'll blow up too.

I'm going Foredom when I'm ready to upgrade.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

I've heard a lot of good things about Foredom flex shaft tools from wood carving friends.http://www.foredom.net/flexshaftkits.aspx

John Hall (Blues Creek Guitars) has air powered tools on his site also.

Problem I found with Foredom tool is that it can be bulky and cumbersome sometimes, especially for quick jobs. Dremel seems to excel at that. That said I think Proxxon is better made because they aren't made in China.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Once you put the Foredom motor on a hanger it is anything but bulky and cumbersome. The problem is that sometimes a flexshaft tool isn't the right tool for the task. That is where the Dremel or Proxxon come in.

I love my Foredom for rosettes. I also like that I can buy parts and rebuild the hand pieces if I ever need to.

The 4000 is much better than the older ones.

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Pat

Like I said I'm replacing my Dremels. However,I do find it combined with a flexible shaft a very handy tool. Lots of little jobs that it is just right for.


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Anyone have something else to add?
Frankly, I've checked out both websites, and Dremel seems more user friendly.
I dig the ball bearings, over bronze bushings....
Need more from you guys, if you want to convince me.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Just FYI, you guys do realize that brushes are replaceable on Dremels right? They do wear out after a while.

I've still got a couple in my random tool box somewhere, and couldn't even tell you what models I have. IME the new Dremels seem to be better than the old one I had as a kid, as well as the earlier 'modern' screw top Dremels. The older ones, both USA and import, had more play.

Sure, but that's not the only parts that wear out.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I still use a Dremel for the rosette. The one I have works fine, just make sure you purchase it from a dealer that will accept returns or exchanges if you're not happy with the unit. The problems with Dremels (and a lot of other things these days) is the level of quality control. The unit I have now was the third exchange due to runout problems with the first two. I figure that 1 out of 3 is probably about average.
I'm looking at proxxon right now, but it seems I would have to order it online which is a hassle if you have any issues with it.

Good luck.
C~

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

"Need more from you guys, if you want to convince me."

We picks our poison and takes our chances.
I appreciate the pointers given in this thread and will do a little bit of research on my own. The odd jobs I use a dremel type tool for don't include rosettes at this time, but using it as a small drill, cutoff tool, sander/grinder & etc. Thanks again to those who posted.

tossed the dremel
if you don't have an air compressor the Foredom will do you well. I never used the proxxon but it looks a heck better than a dremel.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Found this at Frets.com

http://frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Too ... mbear.html

Good stuff! Thanks for the post.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince