On Feb 2, 3:00*pm, Adam Funk wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a Dremel or Dremel-like rotary tool for taking
stubborn things apart, improvising spare parts, making a mess, etc.

Among other things, I've seen some sets at Maplin in the £25 to £32
price range (their codes N52FX, N14BG, N60GR), but I don't recognise
the brands so I wonder if they're any good. *A genuine Dremel 8200
from screwfix.com is £100.

Comments on brands & quality? *Other recommendations?

Are the blades & such interchangeable between brands?

I see that the Dremel 8200 only comes with one battery, but it's a
Li-Ion, so that shouldn't be a problem, right?


Battery tools only last so long, a good brand mains one can last a
lifetime if youre lucky. Unless there's a specific need for it to be
cordless I'd stick with mains. This is especially the case with Li-
ion, which die during non-use, nicd/nimh only age from charges, so
last logner on tools that dont get much use.

I've not looked at Mapllin ones, but beware of the cheap light low
voltage things that have little power and little life expectancy.
Dremel is a good quality brand, but as someone said the price is also
loaded up by advertising etc.

They're called die grinders. The standard fitting is 1/8" shaft, so
there's no brand restriction on what fits what. Speed reduction
facility can be handy now and then - handy as in without it there are
the odd apps it won't do.

If you decide to look at old tools, I'd check it has a safe on/off
switch, ie it stops when you take your finger off, some have a less
satisfactory setup that means they cant be stopped promptly.


NT