Alternatives to Dremel?

[wierdscience]

I use Dremel rotary tools a good bit and for the past few years the quality has really gone to crap.It's gotten to the point where I only get a few months out of one before it's trash.

Are there any quality alternatives out there?Same features as Dremel,1/8" collet,size and speed,110vac,just better built?

Money is no longer a consideration,I would pay $200-250 for one if Dremel would make a rotary tool with a metal body and single piece armature shaft.Can't they make a "professional" or "tradesman" line in addition to the injection moulded milk jug plastic POS

[Arthur.Marks]

Dumore Series 10 hand grinder. 5/32" chuck. Excellently balanced and ergonomic to handle. They're my favorite small, handheld grinder.

[Mike Amick]

If you dont mind a little bigger ... try the rotozip .. lots of power and the model I have actually
has a chuck on it instead of a collet.

[Jaakko Fagerlund]

Proxxon is one. I don't know if it still ecists, but Electer made some good professional machines. Came with a power supply that could change the speed, direction and also had a connection for a foot pedal.

[Toolguy]

I have a Dremel M732 flexshaft that's been doing fine for a lot of years. The better flexshaft tool is a Foredom. They are not all that expensive and are considered the industry standard for that type of tool.

[KJ1I]

Not sure if it would meet your need, but both Foredom and Grobet make flexible shaft motor tools. My Foredom is nearly 40 years old and still going strong.

[jamie76x]

The new air powered mini die grinders work great. I thin kthey call them "air pencil grinders" They are pretty small and handle real well. I got mine off the snap on truck but there many other options. The tool and die shop I used to work in was getting them from a few different sorces. I have been using mine for about 8 years now and have never had a problem with it.

[mattthemuppet]

I've had 4yrs out of a Black and Decker rotary tool. Not fancy but I haven't managed to kill it yet, although it's had a lot of use, mostly with aluminium, copper and plastic plus the occasional bit of steel sheet/ car stuff. I'm not sure how well it'll hold up in a shop environment but it is at least well cooled.

[ckelloug]

Foredom.

[wierdscience]

Proxxon is one. I don't know if it still ecists, but Electer made some good professional machines. Came with a power supply that could change the speed, direction and also had a connection for a foot pedal.

Okay,I did see this one-

http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=206&idcategory=

Any good? Looks to be a step up from Dremel since it has an Aluminum nose piece and steel collets.

[wierdscience]

Not sure if it would meet your need, but both Foredom and Grobet make flexible shaft motor tools. My Foredom is nearly 40 years old and still going strong.

Sorry,forgot to mention flex cables are out.I need something more compact and portable.The Dremel fills the bill in all respects except durability.

[saltmine]

I donno. I've got an old Dremel 380-6 Moto-tool, that's old as the hills. It's got an AC cord on it and a variable speed feature. It's probably worn out more grinders and bits than most guys have ever seen....and one day, if I get around to it, I'm going to recondition it with new bearings & brushes. I was going through quite a few of the Dremel cordless models before I decided to take the old girl out of the box, and dust her off. In fact, I wasn't even sure she would work. Plugged it in, and turned the switch and away she went, like brand new. It's a good thing I had the old girl sitting on the shelf, recently, or I would have never been able to finish a project....without having to buy another cordless one.

[Dr Stan]

Okay,I did see this one-

http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=206&idcategory=

Any good? Looks to be a step up from Dremel since it has an Aluminum nose piece and steel collets.

While I do not have any direct experience with Proxxon tools given the rave reviews on Amazon.com they appear to be of very high quality. Its a German company and as such probably makes its tools in Germany, rather than some low wage low quality offshore facility.

The reviews are here: http://www.amazon.com/Proxxon-38481-.../dp/B001FWXEO6

If you do buy one please give us a review of the tool in a few months.

[wierdscience]

I sent an e-mail to Proxxon asking where it's made.Even if it's China it still looks to be better than Dremel.

[Gazz]

Flex shafts are out? You've been hanging onto a bit fat Dremel and the slim handpiece(s) of a Foredom are no good? The Foredom offers a bunch of different options that you will never get with a handheld motor. You want collets, they have collets (and much quicker to operate than the cheesy Dremel collets), they have Jacobs drill chucks as well as hammering handpieces. I retired my Dremel about 35 years ago and have found the Foredom flex shaft to be much easier and comfortable to use and control. The foot control is a huge plus. (You can set a Dremel up with a foot control from a sewing machine as well but still have that big old motor to hang on to.) I have three at the moment and they all get used for jewelry making, knife making and gunsmithing as well as other odd jobs. You should do yourself a favor and at least look at them before you make your decision;

http://www.foredom.net/