Hey guys,
For Christmas I got a gift certificate to Walmart. Last time I was there I saw a cordless dremel for 20 bucks. Should I buy it? What can I do with it? Can I cut HO track with it? Let me know please! Thanks!
You may not want to cut rail with it, but there are many, many other used you will find once you get it. Aside from hobby projects (cordless is great for layout work), you may just find a couple of household items that it may help with. Definately a worthwhile investment.
I have both a corded and cordless, and both have their niche for my model railroad persuits.
Yes, you can cut HO track with it. You can do many things with it that are associated with model railroading. Just don’t try tackling any real big jobs without an extra battery at the ready and a good supply of patience. I prefer corded Dremels myself.
I agree with Jeffrey. I bought a corded Dremel a couple of years ago, and it’s rapidly become my #1 model railroad power tool. I suppose if it’s a genuine Dremel, the cordless version will probably be pretty high-quality, too.
I’ll second Jeff’s advice above about the batteries. I’ve decided to replace any cordless tools I’ve now got w/ corded equivelants when they wear out. The only rationale I can see for cordless is in situations where you have no nearby outlet. For the price of a cordless Dremel and the necessary spare batteries you could get a corded one w/ speed control. This is one of those tools that you’ll ask yourself “How did I ever get along w/o it?” about 2 months after you get it. I’ve got 3, one each for the train room and my in-the-house workshop and one that migrates between them.
I didn’t have one before. Now I don’t know how I did without one. Example, my latest project. I have no idea how long it would have taken me to cut or file by hand the excess mounting lugs in the Stewart F7 B unit. I just put a heavy duty cutoff wheel in the Dremel and in a few minutes I was done. Switched to an abrasive cylinder to smooth it out and chamfer the edges a bit.
I just don’t see the cordless Dremel as having enough power, maybe the newone with the Li-Ion battery. Yo just can’t have a big enough battery and make it small and lightweight. I’ll stick with the cordered one. I do want to get two more things - the drill press and the flex shaft.
I’m not ditching battery-powered tools though, my DeWalt cordless drill/driver is great. I have two batteries, one is always charging, so when the oe runs out, I swap them and keep on working. Drilled pilot/countersink holes and screwed together all my benchwork and didn’t have to stop because the battery ran out.
–Randy
OHHHHHHHH yeah buy one!!! These are one of the most useful tools for model railroading ever invented. I use mine all the time for all sorts of tasks. Heck if it wasn’t for Dremel motor tools,I wouldn’t have been able to scratch build things.
On a side note…For twenty bucks the cordless one is fine and if you really get the hang of it. Later purchase the corded one for those long model working sessions,you’ll be glad you did.
Patrick
Dremel makes 3 cordless tools (plus some specialty cordless - golf cleaning, etc.). They are 4.8v, 7.2v. and 10.8v Lithium ion. I have the 10.8v and it’s great, I suspect the other two are under powered and the batteries don’t last long.
For $20, you’re probably getting the 4.8v or even the golf cleaner - you won’t be happy with those. Add some $ and get the 10.8v or one of the corded ones - I have the 300 series which I like also.
Enjoy
Paul
I have a lot of tools and used to do finish carpendry, and a dremel went on every job. What it can do is limited only by the bits and your imagination.
Jim
Man, if I saw a Dremel brand hobby tool for 20.00 I would slam those bucks down just for the thrill of it. I have a non-Dremel brand hobby tool and use it, but it was more than 20.00 and it’s corded.
You’ll use it for alot more than just cutting track … which it’s great for . As some others said I’d go with the corded model though . More power and when the battery starts getting low on the rechargable one it gets finicky and stalls . I even use mine to cut tubing and brass shell casings "large sized " for brass tanks .