Rotary Tools

[ft-fan]

Many thanks to everyone who posted an answer to my original question. I decided to wait on this purchase. It is not something I am going to need for a while, and the quality on this unit is probably questionable, so I will wait and save my $$ for a quality unit down the road.

Thanks again for your help.

FT 

[dknelson]

- but regardless of what choice you make your first ancilliary equipment must be EYE-PROTECTION!!!! 

 Let me second that mandate for eye protection.  And while you are at it, a painter's cap is not a bad idea to keep metal filings and dust out of your hair.  Indeed when using the wire brush it is not uncommon to feel a bit of a sting on your nose or cheek as a tiny wire impales itself.  And lastly -- some of us are in the habit of sticking out our tongue a little when working on a project (like Michael Jorden when he played for the Bulls).  Get out of that habit when working with a motor tool.   Don't ask me how I know this.

Dave Nelson

[jerryl]

I usually avoid the newer B&D products but needed a new rotary tool because my V speed Dremel died. Bought the B&D because of the price & the higher amp. rating. It accepts all the dremel collets & has been working great for 2 years.  So, go figure.

[sansouci]

For the benefit of the other readers of this thread, look at the Proxxon Moto Tool. Smooth, fast, pwerful, low vibration, and quiet too. A Mercedes vs a Chevy.

Check eBay as a source....

[CP5415]

Another option for a Dremel is a Craftsman from Sears.

They're made by Dremel for Sears & can be found at a decent price.

 Gordon

[Virginian]

Forgot to add that my Dremel that died was well over 20 years old, and I did use it for everything around the house.  I do think highly of Dremel.  But in truth, I have been getting by without one for a couple of years, just using that cheap substitute.

[Texas Zepher]

The question is, is this something that will be used much in building a model RR?

A Dremel Rotary tool is on my list of essential tools for model railroading.  If all one is using it for is cutting gaps in rails, as someone else suggested, they have not discovered the wonderfulness of the tool.   I use it for polishing bearing rods and wheels, cutting cookie cutter flanges down to size, turning wooden shapes, drilling (of course), cutting plastic for kit bashing, etc.   I do not recommend any brand but Dremel.  I tried a cheapo one from Harbor Tools - it has no torque at all. 

My Dremel is a top-of-the-line unit with the flexible shank (not the add-on thing), and variable speed.  I paid full price for it about 30 years ago.  I have never regretted it.  It has never failed me.  I don't just use it for model railroading either.  I've used it while working on real automobiles, household repairs, all types of models, awana grand prix cars, computers,  and a few years back I discovered diamond coated bits and now carve stones with it too.

However I will say the Atlas track saw and a pair of Xeron rail-nippers should be added to your tool box first. I do not use the Dremel for gaps in track.  The "cut-off" disks make way to wide a cut.

[Anonymous]

 I tried the less expensive rotary tools -- all went down the whirring-ginding sound- slipping road . My 2 dremels are still going . Yes for sure get the variable speed . I use them for alot more than my train detailing too . The tools for them can be the off brand -- they worked very well. My old dremel is probably over 6 years old with heavy useage and still perfect ! Take her apart and clean and lube it once a year. The best and cheapest if you have the time is ebay. You can save at least 50% on cost ! I did . 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Going on past experience with Black and Decker, I avoid their rotary tools like the plague. I bought two of them a while back and they were both JUNK! The Dremel tools, on the other hand, are a worthwhile investment. I've only bought one, but I've been using it for over 15 years now and the only things I've to replace on it have been the chuck (replaced once) and the brushes (replaced once). Most of the attachments are inexpensive and can be found at most any home center or Wal-Mart.

[IRONROOSTER]

Before I bought my rotary tool, I cut my track and many other things with an Atlas Super Saw. At about $2.00 you can't beat it.

 

PHEW! I thought I was the only one! :) 

 

Nope, I did too.

 

While you can definitely get by with out one, the Dremel is so handy you'll be glad you own it. The 10.8v cordless is really nice around the layout.  

Enjoy

Paul 

[dl&w brakeman]

   I have had the same Dremel for 35+ years and use it for everything!!! Not just the railroad! Used it to cut rusty clamps off the muffler and then the pipe itself. Around the house to sand off a little sticky part of something or polish up or smooth something. My wife loves it when I can fix stuff so this helps justify the cost. Definetly get a variable speed tool. Geez, I sound like a commercial for Dremel! I just bought a second one because the old one doesn't take a flexible shaft for tight places and I hope to use it today to fix a door latch. As my father would say, "The right tool makes all the difference."

[Virginian]

I bought a $10 rechargeable 2 speed Black and Decker as a back up to the Dremel on a whim a few years ago.  All the attachments and chucks fit.  The Dremel then proceeded to die about 2 years ago, and I have been getting by with the B&D so well I haven't felt the need to get a new Dremel yet.  When I start the new layout I will probably get one though, because that 90 attachment is great for cutting track.  I usually use the Xuron cutter and clean up with a file when laying track, but it's hard to beat that Dremel for cutting insulating gaps in laid track and such.

You can definitely live without one, but it is just not as easy. 

[R. T. POTEET]

Our local "hardware" store has a Black & Decker rotary tool on sale this week. It is similar to a Dremel, but a little larger around. It is on sale for $20, which seems a good deal. It has three speeds, ranging from 5K to 30K rpm, and also comes with some attachments and a couple of clamps. The question is, is this something that will be used much in building a model RR? I'm all for saving some $$, but not if it is something I will never use. (I think I like the shape & size of the pistol-grip Dremel, but it is three times the cost, so that won't be happening this week.) So, is this something I should spring for or wait a little longer?

Thanks for the advice,

FT 

Not that it really matters a hill of beans but I would ditto most of the comments made to this post.  If, indeed, the budget is a little tight - my budget is always tight - you may want to forestall the purchase of a rotary tool at this time but I will gee-go-guarantee you that, as your modelling skills increase, you'll get one and I would not be surprized if, in about ten years, you don't own more than one.

I would definitely opt for something with a variable speed.

I don't know about Black and Decker - all three of my units over the past forty years have been Dremels - but regardless of what choice you make your first ancilliary equipment must be EYE-PROTECTION!!!! 

[Metro Red Line]

Before I bought my rotary tool, I cut my track and many other things with an Atlas Super Saw. At about $2.00 you can't beat it.

 

PHEW! I thought I was the only one! :) 

[lvanhen]

I've had & used Dremel's for over 30 years.  I was a carpenter/cabinetmaker for over 40 years & I used to write a tool column in a trade magazine.  Since "retiring" I have worked for Home Depot, & was the "tool guru" in one of the busiest stores in the country, before I transferred to a quieter one.  The B&D is guaranteed JUNK!  They have tried for years to make a "Dremel" without success - none of them have stayed in their product line fore more than 1 year - a lousy track record.  To paraphrase another product - "Nothing Runs Like A Dremel!!"  You don't need one right away, but when you buy any tool, buy a good one - they're cheaper in the long run!

[BRVRR]

ft-fan,

If you need a rotary tool, Dremel is by far the best, but expensive. I purchased an off-brand rotary tool with, variable speed control, a flexible drive and several Dremel compatible attachments for $20.00 a couple of years ago. It also came with a bunch of cutting wheels, bits of various types and buffing wheels. I don't use it often, but it has never let me down yet.

Were I you, I would look for a tool with variable speeds. It makes the tool much more versatile. Dremel attachment compatibility is also important IMHO.

Before I bought my rotary tool, I cut my track and many other things with an Atlas Super Saw. At about $2.00 you can't beat it.

Tools are personal things, and in my case, most are impulse purchases. One of the few exceptions was my rotary tool. I thought about it and shopped around.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

[Pathfinder]

If you decide you need a rotary tool over other tools, I would look for one with variable speed, not 3 set speeds.

 

[ARTHILL]

The bad news is that I was given one of these a few years ago for Christmas. It lasted about 1 week before it died. I have both a corded and cordless Dremel and they are wonderful, but if cash is short, this is a tool that will wait. For track work, the cutting tool is the one that works.

[dknelson]

There are many times particularly when laying track when I wish I had two rotary/Dremel tools -- one with a cutting disc the other with a wire brush.   At this price this sounds like it would be a good "second" rotary tool.  

While it is true that a true beginning model railroader may have no need for a rotary tool and there are other more pressing things to buy first, this can also be a chicken or egg sort of thing.  Do you remain a beginner for lack of advanced tools?  Or do you put off advanced tools because you are a beginner?

I would also say that in general beginners at some point think of hobby spending as cars and locomotives while they should be starting to build up their collection of good tools: files, drill bits, good knives and plenty of fresh blades, soldering iron or gun, saws, mitre boxes, etc.  Somewhere in there the cordless drills and rotary tools have a place

Dave Nelson

[CSX_road_slug]

As long as the chuck on the B&D tool will accommodate Dremel bits, for $20 I think you'll do OK.

Having said that, one of the things I like about my Dremel is the variety of special attachments available for it.  I especially use the 90-degree angle adapter since it allows me to cut cleaner gaps in my track.

[mondotrains]

If you're fairly new to the hobby and it sounds like you are, then don't buy a rotary tool just yet.  There are too many other more necessary things you will want to spend your money on.  I was in the hobby for several years before I decided to spend the money for a Dremel.  Cutting track or gaps in rails and other useful ways to use a Dremel can be accomplished by using an inexpensive track-cutting tool, which is what I used for years.

Hope this helps.

Mondo

 

[ft-fan]

Our local "hardware" store has a Black & Decker rotary tool on sale this week. It is similar to a Dremel, but a little larger around. It is on sale for $20, which seems a good deal. It has three speeds, ranging from 5K to 30K rpm, and also comes with some attachments and a couple of clamps. The question is, is this something that will be used much in building a model RR? I'm all for saving some $$, but not if it is something I will never use. (I think I like the shape & size of the pistol-grip Dremel, but it is three times the cost, so that won't be happening this week.) So, is this something I should spring for or wait a little longer?

Thanks for the advice,

FT