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  • #983933
    Tink
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        I’m ready to buy a new Dremel. I have a MiniMite, which is fine for cleaning beads, but I need one with some torque to polish metals, cut tubing and stuff like that.

        Based on that, I feel it needs to be corded (for the additional torque). I also want a variable speed motor. And I definitely want the Flex Shaft attachment. Oh, and I want it to be Dremel brand. I plan to add a drill press attachment in the near future, too.

        I’m going nuts trying to figure out what all the different models and kits are! Home Depot has 3966-03 ($100) and 3964-02 ($80). The Dremel site shows model 3956-02, which can be had at Amazon.com for about $75.

        I CAN’T FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL THESE!

        I thought maybe someone here has dealt with this and can tell me what the difference is. :confused:

        [FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
        Etsy

        #1024236
        nicker
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            Good thread! I have a Dremel Tool I lvoe it but I am having a heck of a time finding bead reamers for it. barrie has offered topick me one up from Mountain Gems but other than that I haven’t found anything. I love my Dremel but it seems to be not that useful for bead related stuff.

            Nicole's Ebay Items

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            #1024227
            Dale_M
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                When buying any electrical power tool (corded) look at specifications and see how many AMPS (or miliamps) tool draws. Those drawing more amps (or miliamps) generally have more POWER….. FYI, 1000ma = 1 amp.

                Battery tools usually have more power depending on the higher the battery VOLTAGE is. A tool that operates a 12 volts usually has more power than a tool that operates at 6 volts.

                Also be aware whe buying upper end Dremel tool kits, the motor unit in some kits are the same. What is different is accessories that come with kit, that is where price difference “may” be.

                Dale

                Who will teach the young?
                Only the old that have survived!
                And only if the young will listen.

                #1024228
                Dale_M
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                    Good thread! I have a Dremel Tool I lvoe it but I am having a heck of a time finding bead reamers for it. barrie has offered topick me one up from Mountain Gems but other than that I haven’t found anything. I love my Dremel but it seems to be not that useful for bead related stuff.

                    Check this site for tool bits for Dremel and other hand held power tools. Check under “Dremel Index”.

                    http://www.widgetsupply.com/

                    Dale

                    Who will teach the young?
                    Only the old that have survived!
                    And only if the young will listen.

                    #1024238
                    Chae
                    Default

                        Do You absolutely have to have a Dremel, Tink ?
                        Craftsman puts out a “Dremel-type” tool (which uses all the same bits as Dremel) …. it’s variable speed, quiet in operation, and is marvelously long-lasting. I have both the official Dremel and the Craftsman and prefer the Craftsman !!! (Have used it for everything from forming and shaping silver, carving ivory and bone, wood carving and now, reaming beads and grinding glass pieces ….. and its still running like a top !!!)
                        What i like best about it is ….. it’s quiet …. doesn’t sound like a hoard of screaming Banshees like the Dremel does …..
                        Just a thought
                        Chae

                        #1024220
                        Tink
                        Default

                            Thanks, guys! While you were responding, I was out cruising The Walmart for Dremels. All it did was confuse me more.

                            Chae, I’m kind of a brand ho sometimes. LOL! But on your recommendation, I will go check out the Craftsman stuff. I always loved Craftsman tools… Until the mid-80s. I think they started cutting corners or something.

                            I second the recommendation for Widget Supply. I get SO many things there, including my diamond bits for cleaning beads!

                            It looked to me as though the Dremel w/FlexShaft they carried was a “high speed” Dremel as opposed to a variable speed Dremel. I want a variable speed tool. You’re so right about the prices/accessories, Dale.

                            Also, I want the most current model. I forgot to mention that.

                            Anyhow, based on all that, it looks like I need/want the 3956-02 Variable Speed MultiPro® Kit w/Flex-Shaft. Here are the specs:

                            SPECIFICATIONS
                            Tool Weight…………..18 oz.
                            Speeds…………………Variable (5,000-35,000 rpm)
                            Volts………………………120 AC, 50-60 Hz
                            Amps…………………….1.15
                            Power Cord…………..6’
                            Warranty………………..5 years

                            [FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
                            Etsy

                            #1024239
                            joycerenee
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                                Tink,

                                I have the Dremel (variable speed) & the flex shaft (which was sold separately when I bought them a year ago.) Our Wal-Mart had the 3956-02 this weekend for $69.95 which is about what I paid for them separately. The flex shaft will free you. It’s lightweight & easier to work with. I use it to draw designs onto metal & glass.

                                The speed is the key with the dremel. I use it to drill holes for bails in very tiny pieces of fused glass earrings. I start out slow & then set it faster once the holes are established. Without the variable speed feature, it would be much harder.

                                I use it more for metal than glass. I do mobiles & chimes with copper, brass, & Blenko glass. You can see here some of the uses I put the dremel to. The copper hand in the third photo was cut out with a dremel.

                                http://www.joycerenee.com/mobile.html

                                #1024221
                                Tink
                                Default

                                    Wow! What cool stuff! And I love Blenko Glass! Thanks for the input. It sounds like I’m on the right track, and that I’ll be pleased with my choices. I like to study long and hard, then buy ONCE. LOL!

                                    [FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
                                    Etsy

                                    #1024231
                                    Barrie
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                                        Hi Tink!
                                        I have a Foredom flex shaft, and a Dremel mini-mite, and a corded Dremel (forget which brand!). Do yourself a favor and get the foot pedal attachment. Then you can start from a dead stop – perfect for drilling. And you can go really, really, really slow if you have to. Love my foot pedal!!

                                        #1024222
                                        Tink
                                        Default

                                            Barrie, you use a foot pedal with a single speed Dremel as opposed to a variable speed Dremel, right?

                                            [FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
                                            Etsy

                                            #1024230
                                            Steve Wright
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                                                Don’t overlook a Foredom tool. Obviously more than a Dremel, but a lifetime purchase, with all of the torque you will ever need. You hang it up over your work area and it is out of the way until you need it.

                                                Foredom tools

                                                Steve

                                                #1024223
                                                Tink
                                                Default

                                                    Steve, does the Foredom use the same bits and such as the Dremel?

                                                    [FONT=Trebuchet MS]Tink
                                                    Etsy

                                                    #1024234
                                                    Nolly
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                                                        Tink,

                                                        I found this link:

                                                        http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006JSPB/steendam/002-8640043-4756849?dev-t=D17GGAMKXDODUJ

                                                        Nolly

                                                        Ask me about the mission of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

                                                        People cannot live gracefully or peacefully, joyfully or justly, without celebration in their lives, without awe. Matthew Fox

                                                        #1024241
                                                        lazygecko
                                                        Default

                                                            Steve, does the Foredom use the same bits and such as the Dremel?

                                                            I was also going to recommend a Foredom… I’ve got both a corded Dremel and a Foredom… I consider the Foredom to be my Dremel’s big sister… tough & sturdy! They’re built to last and yes, you can use Dremel bits, providing you’ve got the correct sized chuck.

                                                            #1024232
                                                            Emily
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                                                                Wait a minute — can you use a foot pedal with a Dremel? I was told that you couldn’t. I was going to recommend that you go with a Foredom rather than a Dremel for that very reason. I’d love to have a foot pedal for my Dremel.

                                                                I think you can use the flex shaft attachment with any of the corded Dremels. At the time I bought mine, I was told that you couldn’t put a flex shaft on the cordless Dremels, but they’ve changed the models since then, so maybe it’s not true any more.

                                                                Don’t forget that you’ll want some sort of hanger-thing if you’re using a flex shaft. I got one on eBay for like $12.95. (Definitely a lower-end product, so if you expect heavy use for your flex shaft, I’d go with a better one.) I don’t have a place where I can leave my Dremel-with-flex-shaft set up permanently, so I haven’t ended up using the flex shaft much. I still tend to go for my old cordless, so I can ream beads while sitting on the sofa.

                                                                I just bought the drill press attachment, but haven’t unpacked it yet. I think it’s a must if you’re trying to drill metal.

                                                                Emily

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