You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm thinking of taking the plunge and buying a Dremel Multi Tool. I'm drawn towards the 3000 with the Flexi-drive. It will be for general purpose and craft projects. My question is which tool kits do you guys buy? There seem to be several 47/70/100/150 piece kits available, are these worth getting or buy individual tools as and when I need them.
It's the first time I've bought a MultiTool so any advice from users would be useful.
Thank you.
I bought this recently as my old one died : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075F7LYMF/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1
I mostly use it to do wood engraving like this
The flexidrive is useful as it allows you to hold it like a pen when engraving. The router gdepth shield - in fromnt fo the flexidrive in the picture is great for engraving at a consistent depth.
I would get the Dremel and basic tools that come with it in a set like the one I got. You will discover with use what other tools you need. I still have the original polish and polishing mop that came with the first Dremel I had about 15 years ago. It is of no use to me at all but I regularly need sharp new cutting and gouging bits
I have the cordless 8000 which offers a bit more in terms of handiness but at the cost of crap batteries. Thankfully they are upgradeable with the superior Bosch GREEN units. I'd love a cord adaptor for fixed use but I'm yet to find anything suitable, not sure if Bosch do one.
If I was buying a battery powered multitool again it would be the Bosch Blue. Damn near the same unit but the (even better) batteries are directly compatible with the Bosch 10/12V pro tools which is far more useful.
As for bits, I usually go for the actual Dremel bits in the box, there are other generic kits available for buttons so start with what you want and work from there. The hand chuck adaptor is a good start, I used the radius bit with the drill cutter to make a rough and ready circle but aside from that I've not had much call to use anything else.
I've just picked up a Sabrecut equivalent and seems well built and plenty powerful enough. Bought 20 wire brush pieces in two different shapes to finish sanding a door in lots of awkward nooks and crannies. Perfect tool for the job.
I use the basic one and have done for at least 20 years. I'd buy the flexible drive if i could justify and was using it more than i do.
The flexy one has the different handsets and does reciprocating ones for chisel carving.
30 mins left, get yer skates on - Super quick decision time
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WeCheer-Flexi-Shaft-Pendant-Drive-230v-Repaired/324124625301?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
THing is, the usefulness of a mains one with a snake, and a cordless one, isn't quite the same. I think there's a lot to be said for a really good corded one with flex drive- mine is absolutely ancient and gets quite a lot of use- and a cheap cordless for small jobs. Dremel still seem to be the best choice for most people for mains. This little guy here is actually pretty decent for cordless:
And the battery is compatible with some of the other draper 10.8v tools, which are cheap and cheerful but quite handy (yes, I'd rather have the Bosch blue, but it's massively more expensive- the Draper stuff works grand as occasional tools)
Pretty much everything is compatible with everything else now, tools-wise but there's still different shaft diameters and that's surprisingly annoying, when you have to change chucks halfway through a job. Maybe worth mentioning that cheap tools aren't always any good- I bought a load of wire brushes and they shed bristles like nobody's business (and fire them out at a million miles an hour- I've got a hoodie that's now a sort of brass wire hair shirt, that's going to either have to go in the bin or have all the wires extracted one by one...)
Wear eye protection, especially if using a cutting disc...
Adds - The main unit type, even the cordless will vibrate a lot and you'll get numb fingers after intense use. This is less with the flex type. I know I've read reviews stating such.
@Northwind I'd be surprised if there is much difference between that Draper and my 8000, same for the GRO tbh.
But yeah, absolutely agree corded is the way ahead, the Bosch I was talking about isn't that much more expensive than the Dremel though so if you were going cordless I'd be going Pro.
I have th eflexi off ,y old one if someone wants it. PM me
I bought a used Dremel drill press attachment off EBay and while I never expected it be precision kit, it does the job. It’s also really good for holding the tool while you use it for grinding, sanding, polishing etc.