Non-Dremel rotary tool.

[beee]

I'm looking to buy a rotary tool to sand and detail small parts (dense foam and plastic). I've seen some cheaper rotary tools and am considering them.

's one I've seen at Target. It has a lot of the grinding bits I would use and a flex shaft and its only $25. Would I be throwing away my money if I bought something like this? Should I go for the Dremel instead? (similar Dremel set would cost $75).

Thanks

[Dave Balderstone]

From the pic it looks a lot like the one I got as a gift a view years back, branded "Clarke" here in Canuckistan. I've only used it casually but have no complaints.

I also have the Dremel kit, and while I'm sure there are internal quality differences they both work the same.

[Larry Jaques]

On 20 Mar 2005 14:17:59 -0800, the inscrutable "beee" spake:

I picked up one of the $7.95 kits (on sale) at Harbor Freight last month and was surprised at how beefy the teeny little motor was. If you have one local to you, go look.

--- After they make styrofoam, what do they ship it in? --Steven Wright Comprehensive Website Development

[J. Clarke]

I'm curious--some of the Dremel accessories screw onto the front--do they also fit the other brand tool?

[mac davis]

hmm... I got the same one, knowing it would be crap... (which it was, IMO) Main reason for ordering it was that I was running out of cheap bits and the ones that come with the 12V kit are pretty good for the price..

Maybe you got the turbo model, Larry, the one I got bogs down if you lean the little sanding drum against anything tougher than air.. lol

OTOH, I've heard that the HF 110v 4 speed one is a pretty good tool....

mac

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[Larry Jaques]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 08:25:57 -0800, the inscrutable mac davis spake:

You need to remember that it's not a 3hp router. They're meant for minimal material removal with very light pressure. That said, I feel that it still works even if it slows down to half speed: a full

10k RPM. YMMV.

He's doing foam, fer chrissake. That ought to cut quick and clean.

I haven't seen them. Or try the $90 Griz trim router or the other mfgr who makes those zip tools. But all of those are triple the price or better.

[Dave Balderstone]

I just went and checked.

I've got the flex shaft and the right angle attachements for the Dremel. While the threads on the body fit, the hex nut from the Dremel (that replaces the collet when you add the attachment) does not fit on the Clarke.

[Bob McConnell]

If you are not going to use it very much, you probably won't notice the difference. But if you plan to use it 15-20 hours a week, I suspect you would be happier with the Dremel. I have a three different units, including one Dremel. For a quick job, any will work. But when I get ready to sit down for a big job, I only pull out the Dremel.

Bob McConnell N2SPP

[Upscale]

Have you ever considered anything else? For big projects, I was thinking of Foredom.

[mac davis]

I sort of compare them all to my old (30 years?) Sears "lil' crafty", their dremel knockoff... it drills holes in whatever I put in front of it, sands, buffs, etc... I think the HF multispeed goes on sale for around $20 to $30 and comes with a pretty good assortment of accessories..

mac

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