What Dremel tool to buy?

Berthold · March 17, 2001, 07:19 PM

I want to do some of my own work, Whats a dremel model?

UK2TX · March 17, 2001, 10:32 PM

A gunsmiths nightmare and a dealers dream!

James K · March 17, 2001, 11:54 PM

Caution: More guns have been ruined with a Dremel tool than with any amount of shooting. I have a fair amount of experience and yet I have had them get away and ruin parts. I recommend working with old pieces of metal and scrap parts before tackling anything important.

Of course, no one ever takes my advice.

Jim

George Stringer · March 18, 2001, 08:07 AM

Berthold, dremels can be useful but I'd spend that money on some good files instead. George

johnwill · March 18, 2001, 01:03 PM

When you buy your Dremel tool, make sure you don't buy any grinding wheels. Just use it for polishing things until you really get the hang of it. FWIW, It's the greatest gadget for doing things like polishing feed ramps, but the grinding wheels can destroy a gun faster than you can imagine!

Badger Arms · March 18, 2001, 06:06 PM

I agree with the other's. Your more likely to do damage than anything else with a Dremmel. Stick with polishing strictly on guns and nothing else. A good set of needle files, some very fine sandpaper, and some jeweler's Rogue are all that's required in most cases. Polishing the feed ramp is one of a few jobs that I feel it's necessary to have the Dremmel for. That should take you a while to do and you should be careful not to remove too much. NEVER GRIND with the Dremmel.

That having been said, I prefer the large, variable speed one that plugs in. The rechargeable ones are simply too annoying.

Ken Cook · March 20, 2001, 02:30 AM

Yup, like everyone else, BAD! YUCK! EVIL! NASTY!
but then again,
forget dremel and do a websearch on Foredom tools. They make Dremels look like something from Fischer Price!

My one serious caveat?
It's much easier to take metal off than to put it back.
(Trust me, I know!)

BBBBill · March 20, 2001, 08:59 AM

What they all said...But when you do buy one (and I know you will

), get one of the top of the line models like the 395. Get a flex shaft and hanger also. 'Course if you got the money, a Foredom is better. Be very, very careful...and have fun.

Redlg155 · March 20, 2001, 01:24 PM

If ya absolutely gotta musta I can't stand it mama I just gotta have one, I would suggest the models with the flexible adjustment and variable speed.

Get the best one you can afford because when you ruin a good gun you will retire your dremel tool to polishing jobs and duck carving. Slow and easy is the way to go, file a bit, check the fit, file a bit, check the fit...

But then they are ok for bobbing a hammer spur.

Good Shooting
Red.
Ps..when ya get a new gun cause you ground the old one into powder...get a glock, you won't need any tools except a punch!

WalterGAII · March 20, 2001, 10:30 PM

I bought the kit from Sams that has the variable speed with the flexible shaft and the rechargeable unit, plus a bunch of attachments for $89.95.

I use the felt wheel attachment with Simichrome to polish trigger assemblies and feed ramps on my Glocks. Also have used the drum sander for free-floating a couple of rifle stocks.

I don't do any metal grinding with my Dremels, but then, I have Glocks and probably will never need to do any grinding.

Keith J · March 21, 2001, 10:31 PM

I use mine for general housework, from polishing to chainsaw sharpening. I think the only time I've ever used it was in polishing the feed ramp on a 1911 and de-leading a chamber (felt rod with red rouge).

I use a spherical burr to remove the primer crimp from military cases. It only takes a second for each case (3/16" for small and 1/4" for large).

The one thing its perfect for is cutting bicycle shifter/brake cable. Just silver solder where you want to cut and use the cut-off wheel. Deburr and polish so the cable end can be run through the casing.

March 18, 2001, 06:06 PM	#6
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	Bad Dremmel, BAD! I agree with the other's. Your more likely to do damage than anything else with a Dremmel. Stick with polishing strictly on guns and nothing else. A good set of needle files, some very fine sandpaper, and some jeweler's Rogue are all that's required in most cases. Polishing the feed ramp is one of a few jobs that I feel it's necessary to have the Dremmel for. That should take you a while to do and you should be careful not to remove too much. NEVER GRIND with the Dremmel. That having been said, I prefer the large, variable speed one that plugs in. The rechargeable ones are simply too annoying.

March 20, 2001, 02:30 AM	#7
Ken Cook Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 1999 Location: Hot Springs AR. USA Posts: 265	Yup, like everyone else, BAD! YUCK! EVIL! NASTY! but then again, forget dremel and do a websearch on Foredom tools. They make Dremels look like something from Fischer Price! My one serious caveat? It's much easier to take metal off than to put it back. (Trust me, I know!) __________________ On Target Indoor Firing Range Hot Springs, Arkansas Semper Fi and Molon Labe!

March 21, 2001, 10:31 PM	#11
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	Not for gun work (except polishing) I use mine for general housework, from polishing to chainsaw sharpening. I think the only time I've ever used it was in polishing the feed ramp on a 1911 and de-leading a chamber (felt rod with red rouge). I use a spherical burr to remove the primer crimp from military cases. It only takes a second for each case (3/16" for small and 1/4" for large). The one thing its perfect for is cutting bicycle shifter/brake cable. Just silver solder where you want to cut and use the cut-off wheel. Deburr and polish so the cable end can be run through the casing.

March 17, 2001, 07:19 PM	#1
Berthold Member Join Date: February 15, 2001 Posts: 21	I want to do some of my own work, Whats a dremel model?

March 17, 2001, 10:32 PM	#2
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	A gunsmiths nightmare and a dealers dream!

March 17, 2001, 11:54 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Caution: More guns have been ruined with a Dremel tool than with any amount of shooting. I have a fair amount of experience and yet I have had them get away and ruin parts. I recommend working with old pieces of metal and scrap parts before tackling anything important. Of course, no one ever takes my advice. Jim

March 18, 2001, 08:07 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Berthold, dremels can be useful but I'd spend that money on some good files instead. George

March 18, 2001, 01:03 PM	#5
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	When you buy your Dremel tool, make sure you don't buy any grinding wheels. Just use it for polishing things until you really get the hang of it. FWIW, It's the greatest gadget for doing things like polishing feed ramps, but the grinding wheels can destroy a gun faster than you can imagine!

March 20, 2001, 08:59 AM	#8
BBBBill Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 197	What they all said...But when you do buy one (and I know you will ), get one of the top of the line models like the 395. Get a flex shaft and hanger also. 'Course if you got the money, a Foredom is better. Be very, very careful...and have fun.

March 20, 2001, 01:24 PM	#9
Redlg155 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: NW Florida Posts: 2,307	If ya absolutely gotta musta I can't stand it mama I just gotta have one, I would suggest the models with the flexible adjustment and variable speed. Get the best one you can afford because when you ruin a good gun you will retire your dremel tool to polishing jobs and duck carving. Slow and easy is the way to go, file a bit, check the fit, file a bit, check the fit... But then they are ok for bobbing a hammer spur. Good Shooting Red. Ps..when ya get a new gun cause you ground the old one into powder...get a glock, you won't need any tools except a punch!

March 20, 2001, 10:30 PM	#10
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	I bought the kit from Sams that has the variable speed with the flexible shaft and the rechargeable unit, plus a bunch of attachments for $89.95. I use the felt wheel attachment with Simichrome to polish trigger assemblies and feed ramps on my Glocks. Also have used the drum sander for free-floating a couple of rifle stocks. I don't do any metal grinding with my Dremels, but then, I have Glocks and probably will never need to do any grinding.