Carol,=20
>From my experience with Dremels and scale model-building:
The variable speed kind that I am familiar with will not go slow enough =
(10,000 RPM minimum) to cut styrene or most plastics cleanly, it kind of =
melts it. Makes for unsightly seams. These have about 8 speeds to select =
from and you don't have to 'hold it there' you just select a speed, turn =
it on and go. There is (or at least used to be) a separate table-mounted =
variable speed switch that can be used to alter the speed of the =
single-speed Dremels. This permits speeds quite a bit slower than 10k =
and is infinitely variable up to 30k. These work great for cutting =
plastic and make the tool a bit more flexible, but you are tethered to =
the switch. Their literature says that it won't work with the variable =
speed ones. I don't think any of this would matter to MGs but for =
modifying computer cases, since most are now plastic, I suppose it =
might. I used to have one of these and it "got nicked" as our friends =
across the pond would say. It is the kind of setup I am buying now since =
a friend of mine killed my variable speed. (No fault of the tool - he =
abused it and broke the chuck and casing.) =20
For most applications besides plastic and some wood, I find that the =
more speed, the better. Thus some of the cordless ones might not work =
as well as their top speed is slower. I have never used one however. =
Dremel always says "make the RPMs do the work"=20
The Flex drive is very useful, reduces hand fatigue from holding the =
chunky tool, (leave it alone, Bob) and permits access to places that the =
whole tool can't get into.
I like lots of toys, but realistically, I mostly use Sanding and cutting =
discs, wire brushes, and occasionally drill bits.
Phil Vanner
Mk1 Midget
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Carol [SMTP:car@texas.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 1997 11:15 AM
To: shop talk
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: [Non-MG] Dremel tool
I wish I'd known about Dremel tools when the Dremel King, Ray Gibbons, =
was
here to advise me, but... I defer my question to the rest of the info =
pool
on this list...
I am going to get a MotoTool (aka Dremel). Period. I'm getting one. You
can't talk me out of it! ;-)
Now...
I will use it with car stuff, and with redoing a couple of antiques I =
have
around here. (No, not him!!!) I also just realized that it will aid in
making odd parts fit into computer systems that I put together for odd
clients. (use a 286 case for a pentium system --- talk about a security
system!)
I can spend about $38. I can spend $59. I can spend $79. They come =
cordless
and corded. The rpms are variable or fixed or 2-speed. The rpms vary =
from
10,000 to 30,000. They come with few tools to having a complete set-up =
that
includes the flexible dealie, 105 tools, a nice case, and a booklet
entitled "175 Ways to Use Your Dremel Tool".=20
Ryobi also has their model (2-year guarantee vs. 5 years) and Black and
Decker has one now, too. I'm not sure all three brands share the same
tools... probably do...
Obviously, the simple decision to "buy" has become clouded. I'm =
confused.
Do I really need a 105-piece tool set? Can I put the thing in a shoe box
for a case? Won't the cordless version be less powerful in the long run? =
I've never used one of these things, but I can see the possibilities. =
The
little tools are sort of expensive ($3 and up) on an individual basis, =
so
maybe the extra tools are a plus. I dunno... The variable speed may not =
be
all that great because you'd have to keep your finger on something to =
keep
it going. My delicate, fat fingers are sorta' short. The tool is chunky.
That's a consideration: hand-fatigue.
Any ideas out there?? Remember: working on the un-bought MGA, getting
grunge out of niches in antique hardware, remodeling computer cases... =
and,
of course, other un-thought-of uses... Bang for the buck is the goal =
here.=20
TIA
Carol
|