Based on the Micro-Mark catalogue, there are (3) Dremels: The corded 300, cordless 800, and the zowie corded 400XPR. I’m a beginner currently building benchwork, so most of the fun is still ahead of me. Anyone give me pointers on the plusses and minuses of the various models and which accessories they’ve found to be most useful for general modeling applications? Thanks
Rick
I love the Dremel 10.2v cordless. I find it very useful for working on the layout. I also have two corded Dremels, one with a flexible shaft on it, which are also useful. Get an assortment of sanding disc/drums, cutoff discs, bits and collets, etc. The drill press is useful, but I would wait until you actually need it to get one. I have never needed the router attachment.
Enjoy
Paul
I have the corded Dremel and like it very much. (My wife, a jeweler, uses a Fordam which is much much bigger and more powerful.)
I do not typically use the thin cutting discs however. Too often they broke up on me and flew all over – seems a bit dangerous.
I buy the reinforced cutting discs. They do cut a wider curf or whatever the word is.
You can guy them at a good hardware store.
Not Dremel products per se but … ALWAYS using a good pair of safety glasses whenever using Dremel or any other power tool. Also, depending on what you are cutting or grinding, a cheap painter’s cap can keep stuff out of your hair 
Dave Nelson
I too am a fan of the Lithium battery Dremel. The most usful bit is the diamond cutoff. It costs a bunch but it does not break and makes a smaller kerf than the fiber ones.
Check your local Wal-mart tools section and get a Dremel Model 800 Lithium-Ion cordless drill set after comparing their price to Micro-Mark. I have both an original corded Dremel, and use the battery model a lot more.
I have several cordless power tools. While they are great to work with, I find the juice they provide is great when fully charged, they tend to wear down quickly depending on use.
I have a corded multi-speed dremel. My second one. I got it at Christmas.
My first was a single speed. I gave it to a freind
It came with all kinds of wonderful attachments. See attached url.
The flex shaft was the thing I was after. It was $50 CAN by itself at the Home Depot & the above was on sale for $100 CAN so I bought it instead
I have no problems cutting track anywhere. Even after it’s ben laid.
The thin cutting discs, I’ve shattered a few!
However I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was using force form me instead of letting the tool do the cutting. Since then, I haven’t shattered one disc.
Gordon
My first Dremel was a pretty basic two speed version. I killed it after five years of hard use.
My second Dremel was one of the earlier cordless versions, which was useful (and light) but which didn’t hold a charge for very long. It’s now an offroad travelling companion.
After my first Dremel died, I decided that I didn’t want to spend $100+ on a new one, so I bought a Ryobi multispeed motortool. It worked great until I killed it one afternoon by stripping six Mantua Mikes with a wire brush (too much metal and paint dust in the commutators fried the motor. An interesting experience while you’re holding onto the tool!)
My new motortool is a Black & Decker multospeed, with a flex shaft attachment. This thing is great, and is more ergonomic than any Dremel I’ve used. It’s also about half the price, and comes with as good a warranty.
As for accessories, pick up several of the cheap multi-piece sets, as the cheap knockoff tools usually last just as long as the pricier Dremels (especially the sanding drums and cutoff discs, which are about dead-on even). Once you start using the tool, you’ll figure out which ones you use the most of, and will pick up multiples of them.
Having had Dremel tools for over 40 years, I still find a single speed tool, with a seperate speed control the most useful. As for the attachments, start with the abrasive cut off wheel and mandrel. Micro Mark also has a great selection of attachments
My personal experiences with Dremels hasn’t been too good, so i have to say stay away from them. They’re pricey and not too durable. I’d recommend Ryobi or Black and Decker.
As for accessories: the flex shaft is a must- it’s the best way to avoid debris from flying into the drive shaft. And having one of these things burn out and smoke up in your hand IS INDEED a true experience.
And on the subject of protection, I use a full-face shield with my rotary - these things throw off debris like a wet dog trying to shake himself dry.
I had a little $25 cordless for many years until the battery no longer would recharge. A replcaement battery was $25. About that time Dremel introduced the Rotary Saw which I used for cutting the hole for my turntable. I bought the flex shaft to go with it . Works very good for my needs and I don’t have to wait for the battery to recharge .
I have an old Dremel corded Multi-Pro myself that I’ve used now for about 15 years. I wouldn’t part with it at any price! I’ve tried the Wizard Rotary tool, The Dremel cordless (several models) but they all ended up in the junk box or in the trash can. I’m looking at getting a new Multi-Pro that look almost like my old one. Apparently, the folks at Dremel think like I do. If it Ain’t broke, don’t fix it! On the subject of shattering disks, I’ve broken a few. You have to let the tools own weight pu***he disk through. I usually use the fiber-glass reinforced disks. They do a great job on cutting insulating gaps (SHOCK, HORROR! HE USES STANDARD DC!) in the track. The gaps are wide enough that I don’t have to worry about them closing up because of temparature changes, yet they are still hard to see, even if you’re looking for them. Of all the bits I have, I use 3 a lot. The reinforced cutting disks, the 1/8" drill bit and the diamond cutoff disk which I picked up only a few months ago.
Jeffrey Wimberly, Leesville, La.
I’m out of my mind, but leave a message anyway.
[soapbox]
I prefer the reinforced cut off wheels. The extra money is worth it. I keep several of the stainless and brass wire brushes, both cone and flat on hand, great for cleaning pick up wheels (American Flyer). The polishing tips are good for cleaning metal commutators, pick ups and the like… The metal grinding tips are good for deburring track after cutting. My Dremel is a tool that if it breaks, I 'll go and get another.
Jim