I was looking at a cordless (rechargeable) Dremmel tool today. Seemed like a pretty neat gadget. Anybody have any pros or cons on them?
they don’t have the horsepower of the corded versions, but ok for light duty
One good thing I’ve heard is that they’re a lot easier to use when working with plastic, since they don’t tend to melt things at high RPM like corded tools do if you’re not very careful. I’ve been thinking of getting one specifically for this purpose and would be interested in any recommendations that people may have. It’s another case of using the right tool for the job. Bigger and more powerful is sometimes counterproductive in modeling.
Yeah. I have one I never use it. It doesn’t hold a charge worth snot, and has a minimal amount of RPM. Get the corded version. If you don’t want to melt plastic, just turn the RPM down.
The cordless one is safer- both for plastic, and for human fingers.
If you try and debur/burnish small parts in your hand, the corded version can get away from you faster than you can react. And you can only turn the speed down so far on the variable speed units.
It’s best to go with the cordless version in this hobby.
“If you try and debur/burnish small parts in your hand, the corded version can get away from you faster than you can react.”
Not if you use a foot pedal it can’t.
Buy it. Be sure to get the 10.8v one with the Lithium battery. Mine holds a charge and runs a long time. I love it as much as my two corded ones. It’s great for working on the layout without having to drag a cord around.
Enjoy
Paul
My preferred choice of Dremels lately is the cordless.As mention it can cut through plastic due to the low 5,000 rpm speed-mine has 2 speeds…10,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm more then enough rmps to get he job done…I have even cut C83 rail with it.
I have a cordles Dremmel and corded Dremel and like them both. I have the foot pedal and the flex shaft for the corded Dremel. Which one I use depends upon the type of project that I am working on.
Also a few years ago I took my wife shopping to an outlet mall. The mall had a Black & Decker shop. I picked up four cordless B&D rotary tools just like the cordless Deremel. There were $5 each. (Cordless rotary tool only.) They are great when working on the layout as you don’t have to change attachments. It is also nice when you have others helping you with your layout. I had some other B&D (3.5v) cordless tools so I have plenty of chargers and batteries for the cordless rotary tools.
JIM
I have both, corded and rechagable cordless, both have their uses, but the cordless is handy in tight spots where a cord would be getting in the way, especially if I have to do some work on my layout where a cord would be dragging over things, or just plain inconvenient.
Walmart sells them for a reasobale price plus they carry a nice accessory kit for the dremel sets at a very reasonable price.
I’d recommend getting one of each if you can afford it.
I also have the Dremel circle cutter, works great on foam cutting! Has it’s own power unit.
Actually was meant to cut wallboard openings ( electrical outlets, etc.)
Just my 2 cents worth!
K4 Kid
I have an older non-variable speed corded one, plus the external speed control (the one with the dial, not the foot pedal), and it can be slowed WAY down, certainly as slow as the cordless. So I’m not sure where the idea of the corded ones always being too fast comes from.
I’d consider the newer cordless with the lithium-ion battery. The only cordless item I have that is worth anything is my big DeWalt drill, but the battery pack for that alone weighs more than a Dremel tool, which is why I can drill and drive screws all day with that. Lightweight batteries with older technology mean lightweight battery life and/or lightweight power. Li-ion and lithium polymer batteries have a much higher energy density and finally a fairly lightweight tool can have decent battery life.
–Randy
Maybe that’s why mine isn’t worth a crap. It is an older cordless model. My corded dremel tool is also variable speed, Randy, but the foot pedal sure is nice to have on it. You oughtta try one. I love mine.
I’m going to weigh in on the cordless group. My wife bought one for my birthday and it has been a tremendous asset. It goes anywhere on the layout, slices through rail, metal, plastic, etc. It’s easy to maneuver since there are no wires. The two speed control helps a lot, too. I’ve had no problem with the Dremmel retaining a charge. Plus, I like the small build and it is very light weight.
If I were a rating agency, this one would get two thumbs up. [tup][tup]
That does it for me, then. I may go get a newer model. dragenrider, what model is yours?
My tool is a Dremel MultiPro 7.2V Model 770. It’s a handy little bugger. It came with a carrying case and several accessories. Carrie, my wife, bought it at Wal-Mart.
Thansk dude. I may have to check one out. Give the little woman a good hug. Good ones like that are hard to find.
I highly suggest using a corded one. I’ve had two of the cordless ones. I was extremely dis-satisfied with both of them. I’ve been using the same corded one for over 15 years now, and all I’ve had to replace is the chuck. It’s a wonderful tool. I don’t know what model is out now, but mine is the model 395, type 5, variable speed. It goes up to 30,000 rpm.
I bought the model 750 rechargeable unit. It is a 2 speed unit with a 4.8 V. battery pack. It has performed great for me on small metal and plastic work. I also have a corded variable speed unit that has been a real work horse for all kinds of applications in model work, automotive and electronics work. The rechargeable is a great addition to my tool box and I’m glad I got it. The only problem so far is that I wanted to get an additiona battery pack but I have only been able to locate model 755 pack. The tool needs a model 755-1. If anyone knows who is carring the newer model battery pack would you post the info here.
Thanks,
Dave
That’s the problem I had with my 2 cordless models, batteries. Couldn’t get them, an dwhen I finally found them, they were too expensive to be worth the cost.
30 grand. That’s a heap.