.FLYINGHEAD COOL TOOL OF THE MONTH
.TITLE Dremel, Dremel, bo-bemel, banana-fanna-fo-femel, fe-fi-fo-memel…Dremel!
.AUTHOR David Gewirtz
.SUMMARY Back in December, we included a number of helpful Dremel tools in our holiday gift list articles. However, it was pointed out that we’ve never formally reviewed or rated the various tools we discussed in those articles. Dremel-style tools are incredibly useful around the computing shop. Here, then, is our formal review of three cool tools.
.OTHER
Back in December, we included a number of helpful Dremel tools in our holiday gift list articles. However, it was pointed out that we’ve never formally reviewed or rated the various tools we discussed in those articles. Dremel-style tools are incredibly useful around the computing shop. Here, then, is our formal review of three cool tools.
.H1 Essential tools for working at home and modding
If you’re one of those people who are into modifying your PC, cutting the back out of your Tivo, or fixing stuff for your wife, the Dremel rotary tool is an essential tool. Most of us know about Dremels, but you might not know the Dremel’s undergone a pretty radical transformation in the last few years.
We had the opportunity to take a look at two unique Dremel products, the Dremel 400 Series XPR and the Dremel Stylus. We also had a chance to look at a Dremel accessory, the Dremel Workstation
.H1 The Cordless Stylus
For basic tasks, the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66204&I=69808|Cordless Stylus]], shown in Figure A, is a wonder to use.
.FIGPAIR A When it’s in its package, this thing looks like a dormant Cylon.
I’ve had many Dremel products over the years, but the Cordless Stylus has been the most convenient. It comes with a docking cradle, just like your favorite PDA. It’s got a lithium-ion battery, so you won’t see the "memory effects" you might have seen with older cordless devices. And it fits your hand perfectly — making it easy to do all sorts of delicate work.
.TEASER There’s more tools in this articles, plus pictures of dried glue. Nothing’s more exciting than dried glue! Tap here to read.
I’ve generally used Dremels for tech-related projects. Back before Tivos had Ethernet, I once used an older model Dremel to cut a whole out of the back of the Tivo’s case to pass an Ethernet cable that went to a hacked circuit board inside.
Since I’ve been married, however, I’ve found the Dremel indispensable for "Honey Do" projects (you know, the kind where your lovely wife asks, "Honey, can you do …?"). What I like about the Stylus is that it’s easy to pick up and it’s cordless, so it’s almost a no-brainer for fixit projects. Here’s one example.
Denise had a little bookshelf that was glued together, but had subsequently come apart. As Figure B shows, the slot inside the shelf side was filled with glue. No amount of prying with a screwdriver would work, nor did I want to damage the side of the shelf.
.FIGPAIR B I’m stuck on you!
As Figure C shows, it took about ten minutes with the Stylus and one of the included bits to clear out the glue, so I’d have clean, pristine surface. This would make the new glue adhere better.
.FIGPAIR C It’s a grind.
I know, this isn’t a typical tech project, but those of us techies fortunate enough to be married to wonderful people sometimes need life skills as well. Fixing stuff is one of those life skills and the Stylus makes it easier. Besides, isn’t it better that we review the device based on a real-world actual experience than something we made up just to test the thing out?
Because the Stylus does everything it says it does, and because it’s inexpensive and easy to use, we give it a four out of five. We’d give it a full five, but it’s just a tad under-powered.
.RATING 4
.H1 Experience the XBR
Without a doubt, though, the coolest and most versatile device is the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66981&I=69673|400 Series XPR]], shown in Figure D.
.FIGPAIR D Holy rotary tool, Batman!
This is the Batman Utility Belt of rotary tools. First, it’s your basic corded Dremel. But you can tweak it up with a wide variety of attachments, from a flex shaft to a circle cutter. You can even turn it into a jigsaw and add an attachment that’s fundamentally a planer — use it to trim up door frames and shave wood or other materials from projects. You can even turn your Dremel into a mini-shaper/router. Just amazing.
This is a very cool tool, with tons of possible attachments. And while the vacuum-molded case does fit most of the attachments, getting everything in there is an exercise in patience. If the case were a bit more versatile, a bit roomier, and a lot less frustrating (winding the flex shaft and making it stay put requires four-letter words), we’d give this tool a full five. As it is, it’s a quality four.
.RATING 4
.BEGIN_KEEP
.H1 Hang up your tools
In addition to the attachments that attach to the rotary tool itself, Dremel offers a variety of shop tools that augment the rotary tools. By far, our favorite is the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-detail.htm?H=188575&G=69679&I=69727|220-01 Workstation]], shown in Figure E. This nifty device turns your Dremel into a tiny precision drill press.
.FIGPAIR E If you’ve got small, precision projects, this is an ideal tool for you.
Dremel’s attachments are addicting. I keep finding myself drawn into the local Home Depot, buying any new attachment I haven’t yet seen. No, I don’t need a Dremel Mower and Garden Tool attachment. No, I don’t need a Dremel Tile Cutter. But I want both. It’s like crack.
Anyway, we really like this mini-drill press. It works with most Dremel tools, but not our favorite Stylus. So it’s a four out of five.
.RATING 4
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
Learn more about the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66204&I=69808|Cordless Stylus]].
Learn more about the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66981&I=69673|400 Series XPR]].
Learn more about the [[http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-detail.htm?H=188575&G=69679&I=69727|220-01 Workstation]].
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
.END_KEEP
