I was wondering, cuz I didn’t get a chance to actually investigate at all - was it a “right” choice for our dear hobby ? I saw the sanding options were pretty low grain ( 320 at best ? ) and I’m now reading everywhere Dremel isn’t a good tool because it rotates too fast, chews through whatever you throw at it, and basically destroys much more than it helps.
Soooo yeah.
4250 : for plastic/resin planes or wooden boat, was it a good choice or should I switch?
What accessories would users of a Dremel tool here recommend to get ?
Navigating unknown waters here and I fear if I use it for a test run, we won’t get a refund or an opportunity to switch.
I use a Dremel for many things, but not for plastic models. Even at its slowest setting it will melt the styrene you’re trying to manipulate. Probably okay for wooden models, I don’t build them so I’m just guessing based on woodworking experience. I use sanding sticks or a DSPIAE electric sander for my model building needs.
A Dremel is a great addition to your tool kit. It is capable of many things. Check out their website for a catalog of attachments, there are hundreds available.
Yeah that’s what I’ve seen, indeed. Too much speed and too much torque can quickly melt plastic if not careful.
But given that I’ve also seen people high praising the tool even for plastic I am confused
I thought maybe the Stylo+ was more adapted but then now I read it’s “too weak”, so more confusion ahoy! On the other hand there is the flex shaft that gives the flexibility of the Stylo with the power of the 4250.
Also found some super fine grit accessories on Amazon, they could help maybe. I’d love to find a polishing accessory fit for wood, but ( at least from mobile ) their site is a bit hard to navigate
I don’t use rotary tools for modeling but I did watch this video not long ago where he goes over what he uses and this new one he’s trying out. Might help you out with your search.
As with so many other things in our hobby, it comes down to personal preference.
I have a Dremel, and it’s handy, but I don’t use it much at all on plastic, or with resin, or with white metal, especially not for drilling. I find, too, that it’s too much power for that operation, and too easy to slip and damage the piece and maybe snap the drill bit. It’s hard to hold the tool to keep the bit aligned with the hole to be drilled. I have the drill press stand, too, which reduces that difficulty, but I still find it easier to drill with a pin vise.
I use my Dremel more with grinding and sanding bits, and cutting wheels for some cutting, especially metal rod and tube stock.
I do like Dremel’s customer service, though. My first Dremel wore out. I called them to ask about getting it fixed, and it turned out that the model version was obsolete. That is, they couldn’t just replace the worn out parts. So they offered to replace it, free of charge. I just had to send them the old one. I was impressed.
I’ve had a basic Dremel in my collection for decades, used it for all kinds of stuff. Last year I picked up a 4300 that was on sale, came with almost 100 attachments. Way cheaper buying them this way than individual attachments.
As with any tool, your technique has to be modified based on the material you are using it on. Some plastic examples are dents, gouges, scratches, thinning plastic for rust or bullet damage, or rubber tire wear. I’ve also used it to rough up rolled armour a bit as well. The key here is low speed, light touch and small applications to avoid excessive heat.
As mentioned above, it make short work of cutting brass or steel wire, tubing, rod and even gives a nicer finished cut. Can also be used to cut styrene and abs shapes to length without deforming the shape (think I-beams, etc).
Aside from modelling applications I have also found multiple household / handyman uses. Final sharpening of lawn mower blades, cutting wire shelving and various craft things for the wife and kids.
Is it for everyone? Probably not, some people might only find limited use for it, but for me it’s come in handy more times than I can count.
