I'm looking to get myself a Dremel 3000 multi tool, or equivalent.

 

Corded, no need for cordless really, so I'm looking around £45 (15 accessories) from Amazon or £70 (25 accessories, including the flexi shaft) from Screwfix.

 

I've noticed that there are other non-Dremel versions available for much less money. I won't use it very often, so very much DIY rather than professional use, but I don't mind paying a premium if it's for better quality.

 

Anyone got one, or one of the many alternatives?

 

 

The main reason for purchase is to shorten the metal contacts on the LED bulb on the left, access is really tight...

 

 

 

The new bulb won't fully seat in the bulb holder as the 'too long' contacts versus the original is preventing the bulb from sliding all the way into the bulb holder and from the latch clasping shut...

 

 

 

Thanks all.

if you have a normal drill you can save yourself some money by using a Dremel-type grinding head in that instead ....

I've got a Dremel, it must be 15 years old by now and is the same as that set with the flexi-drive.

 

As far as the Dremel goes though I think any rotary tool with an equivalent sized motor would do just as good, I don't really think there is anything special about it but it is a very useful tool that might not get used every day but I wouldn't be without it, its really handy for small or awkward spaces. 99% of its use has been with the small cut off wheel.

 

Alternative?

Edited 2 March, 20197 yr by SuperbTWM

Good shout as a decent alternative to the relatively pricey Dremel.

 

Stumbled across this review on Auto Express which rates the Sealy unit in high regard...

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90576/best-rotary-multitools-2019

59 minutes ago, StickyMicky said:

if you have a normal drill you can save yourself some money by using a Dremel-type grinding head in that instead ....

 

Nice idea, much cheaper too...

 

 

I'm assuming one of these could be used to shorten the contacts, without bending them?

 

Edited 2 March, 20197 yr by silver1011

33 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

 

Nice idea, much cheaper too...

 

 

I'm assuming one of these could be used to shorten the contacts, without bending them?

 

 

Using a bit that's designed for a rotary tool or die grinder running at 20-50,000 RPM would not work very well in a 2000RPM drill, just to stop you from being disappointed. (I know I have tried it)

 

If you want to shorten those pins You would be better off with a pair of small sidecutters and trim them down rather than trying to grind them

 

Something similar to these but you can get much cheaper versions

Edited 2 March, 20197 yr by SuperbTWM

37 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

Nice idea, much cheaper too...

 

I'm assuming one of these could be used to shorten the contacts, without bending them?

The pins could be hollow so any attempt to shorten them would result in a less than ideal outcome!

If they're solid then the white tool above would be the one to use.

There's a Hi-Spec tool on Amazon including some accessories for under £20 - and it's surprising what other (albeit infrequent) jobs they can be used for.

 

Edited 2 March, 20197 yr by john999boy
Added photo

 

6 minutes ago, john999boy said:

There's a Hi-Spec tool on Amazon including some accessories for under £20 - and it's surprising what other (albeit infrequent) jobs they can be used for.

 

A lot of kit for £20...

 

 

12 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

 

Using a bit that's designed for a rotary tool or die grinder running at 20-50,000 RPM would not work very well in a 2000RPM drill, just to stop you from being disappointed. (I know I have tried it)

 

If you want to shorten those pins You would be better off with a pair of small sidecutters and trim them down rather than trying to grind them

 

Something similar to these but you can get much cheaper versions

 

I like the look of them, I was worried about access for any type of wire cutter or pair of pliers, but they'll look as though they'll do the job!

 

Cheapest I could find them...

 

 

I'll see if I can find a cheaper alternative...

Those won't be any good and even if there was enough access, they'd be the wrong type.

The ones you'd need are like this but even then you'd be restricted for access.

BTW they're £130

Think I'm going to give this a shot...

 

37 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

 

I like the look of them, I was worried about access for any type of wire cutter or pair of pliers, but they'll look as though they'll do the job!

 

Cheapest I could find them...

 

 

I'll see if I can find a cheaper alternative...

 

I think those would be fine, they are only a soft metal pin and with the angle of the head you should be able to crop some of the length off.

 

I think in practice you might end up just bending them with a grinding tool but its your call, its worth having the Sealey tool kit anyway it will come in handy

I use a Dremel and so does my mechanic.

Both of us have gone through a number of other brand rotary tools, before biting the bullet and getting proper Dremels. For us, the warranty and build quality is well worth it, but if you can't splash on one of those then you should at least get the proper Dremel accessories for whichever motor unit you get. Cutting discs especially. That's usually where the quality shines through.

 

There are other trades that use rotary tools and certain brands are actually better for their purposes, especially jewellers who favour pendant motor style tools. But for general use and abuse by a ham-fisted oaf and his spanner-slinging lackeys, Dremel have been the best option so far. If you need something more substantial, you're probably grabbing an angle grinder!

I've had a few rotary tools made by others and they've all failed at some point. I picked up a Dremel in a sale and found it much better to use. Quick lock changes etc make the experience less fiddly. As above the Dremel accessories are a better quality too and last much longer so the initial expense is offset by the life you get out of them.

 

If you're going to get other uses out of it then get one. If it's just to shorten the contacts on that one job then just undo the connector, usually just a a tiny tab that secures them, pull out the wires with the connectors and shorten them with a pliers and clean up the cut before re-inserting them back into the plug.

Edited 4 March, 20197 yr by CWARD

This will be (another) uself thread for us Briakodians....I was having this very battle a few months ago. As it happens I was given a corded Dremel with a few attachments, which made my decision easier 

On 02/03/2019 at 22:06, john999boy said:

Those won't be any good and even if there was enough access, they'd be the wrong type.

The ones you'd need are like this but even then you'd be restricted for access.

 

BTW they're £130

Yeah but Lindstrom cutters are the mutts nuts. I've got a pair of flush cutters from Openreach that retail around the £40 mark. 

Had a Dremel 3000, stopped working on about the 3rd use. Smelt like the motor had burnt out but it had hardly been used.

 

Bought an Aldi version later, just as good. wouldn't pay over the odds for Dremel again.

I've got a corded Dremel thats about 5 years old and also a cordless Parkside unit from Lidl. To be honest, if I was buying again, I would not bother with the Dremel as the Parkside unit is just as good and more versatile being cordless.

 

I'm with others on here in saying you will probably bend the pins if you try to grind them, as even the least aggresive stones in the tool kits still move a lot of torque into the job.

 

A dremel type tool of whatever brand is something I would not be without now I've had one, I'm just not convinced the brand name is worth the price premium unless you intend to use it a lot.

There's also the point that most Aldi and Lidl tools come with a 3-year guarantee ...

The RRP of a lot of Dremmels is affected by the number of "bits" (grinders etc) in the set.

I've got a "Woolworths" one that I've had for years. Needs some new tools /bits as the original ones weren't particularly high quality.

I got my mate one of those for a birthday joke about 15 years ago and it's still going strong. damn good quality tool for what I paid at the time.