I don't have a Dremel, anyone have a recommendation? I am thinking cordless would be handy but is electric better? I see a model 8220 is cordless and rated same rpms as a model 4000, which is corded. I don't know anything about them but would be handy sometimes. Also, is there any competitor to Dremel for this type tool?
I prefer my Dremel over my HF and the other knock off I have. I use mine so infrequently if it were cordless it would always be dead. (I don't leave my batteries on my chargers nor my chargers plugged in when I leave the shop for the day). Plus, with corded like a drill for countless number of holes through metal, with it plugged in the rpm's are consistent.
Dremel is still the one to beat and everything is compared to them- it's a power tool buy the best and only cry once. That said I have an older dremel, a couple of knock off and have gone to air powered mini hand grinders for most of the things I do. Kinda fed up with battery stuff even the lith. powered ones.
I had a B&D RTX for 25 years, under fairly heavy usage - lotsa chain sharpening until I got a grinder. RTX finally wore out. I'd buy another if someone hadn't given me one.
One of my dremels is on my Beall pen wizard (The Beall Tool Company) lately hasn't been used much, but has been on it for years working hard. I have a couple of the "cheapies", in fact bought another Dremel at Lowes and so am going to send the "cheapies" to my daughter to be put in her yard sale. I use them a lot on carving, I am an aspiring walking staff/cane carver and the Dremel is wonderful for clean up/touch up work. Also when center bands on pen kits are a little small on the inside diameter I use them to remove plating. I have a large variety of attachments/stones/tools and find small uses constantly.
I only use mine for chain sharping! I have the CSS, "can't see $#!T" disease and even with my glasses on it's tough. I get those chains cutting like a hot knife through warm butter with my Dremel!!!
I own the 4000 corded. Had it for about 10 years. Works well and as I said to Eric VW, I only sharpen my chains with it. I've been doing my chains free hand for years and they come out as sharp as new. I buy these at TSC and I'll get two sharpens from one stone. TriLink Saw Chain 3/16 in. Sharpening Stone, Pack of 3 at Tractor Supply Co.
I have an ancient model 280 single speed and a somewhat newer variable speed. Both are kits and have a mess of brushes, polishers, stones and grinding burrs. My Dad used to make HO Gauge Locomotives and cars from die cast kits as well as all the houses, bridges etc. When you need a Dremel tool it usually is exactly what you need! I cant imagine a battery powered unit unless you were doing wood carving where the cord would inhibit you. As a previous poster mentioned, I use them so infrequently that the battery would always be dead! I don't think I would want a brand X model! If you find a used, older single speed you can always get a cheap router control from Harbor Fright to add the variable speed feature! I use the router control on some of my 4.5" grinders if I have a fixture that won't take the high RPM. Works like a champ!
If you are only going to use it occasionally than buy the HF one. I have it, it has done everything I needed which is usually just cutting stuff off. If you will use it often, than as posted above buy the dremel. Buy the cheap one, it won't set you back much, than you get an idea of what you're needing.
What is the advantage of corded electric other than it's always available power, assuming you have electricity? I really don't see myself using it that much, as I am not someone who does stuff all the time. Now, chainsaw chain sharpening, that's interesting! It seems I saw a youtube one time of a guy who swore it was best ever.
For me it is available power and consistent rpm's. As batteries die, rpm's lag, more drag on the motor, heat buildup. For carving I have three sometimes four so I don't get them boiling hot and don't have to swap out cutter/bits.