What does a dremel tool have to do with home design? If you are doing any type of home improvement, furniture refinishing, or DIY decor, a dremel is the best tool to have around!
The best dremel tool you can buy is the Dremel 3000 or Dremel 4000. The latest model is the Dremel 4300 and while it is a good tool, the two favorites are the previous two models.
First allow me to say what a dremel tool is for any newbies. Then I’ll go over a few basics that these best dremel models all have in common. Let me be clear that when I say the “best dremel tool” I am referring to any of these three models. After that, I’ll describe the different features between each of them and tell you why the Dremel 3000 and Dremel 4000 are the best options, plus why you would buy one over the other, plus all about the Dremel 43000.
What Is A Dremel Tool
In a nutshell, the Dremel is a handheld tool that uses a motor with interchangeable bits to accomplish a wide variety of jobs.
What Can A Dremel Tool Do
Now, what makes the dremel awesome is its ability to do a variety of jobs and projects. I have used it for many, many tasks. Check out my DIY Dremel projects around the home here! When you buy a dremel tool it will come with a kit that includes a handful of accessories, maybe more. Those accessories are bits- the pieces that slide in and out of the motor area, that rotate and perform the task.
Tasks that the dremel can do include shaping wood, sanding in detail or hard to reach spots, sharpening tools, drilling, cutting metal, smoothing edges, routing, cleaning rust, polishing, cutting wood, engraving, smoothing mirror and glass edges, drilling glass, grout removal, jewelry making and on and on!
How Does A Dremel Tool Work
The dremel uses speed over power. A standard portable electric drill runs at speeds up to 2,800 revolutions per minute. It has low speed but high torque (twisting force). A dremel runs up to 35,000 revolutions per minute. It has low torque but high speed and herein lies it’s secret. The high speed combined with whatever bit, or accessory, you are using is what accomplishes its work. Instead of applying a lot of pressure like you would with a drill, the dremel works simply by guiding it.
The Best Dremel Tool – Basics
The best dremel tool, the 3000 and 4000 model, has a long and slender design that allows you to hold it easily in one hand. You can even hold it in a “pencil-grip” position as needed. The best dremel tool has an “EZ-Twist” nose cap which makes it super easy to switch out the accessory bits. Instead of using a separate wrench to tighten and loosen the shaft that hold the bits, you can hold down a button and unscrew this nose cap that then turns slightly and will grip the bit so you can use it like the wrench. The wrench still comes in the kits but you won’t need it with the EZ Twist nose cap.
Corded VS Cordless
The best dremel tool is corded, meaning you can plug it in to the wall and turn it on. There are models that are cordless and therefore very portable. You don’t have the hassle of a cord, obviously, but you are trading convenience for performance. The motor in a cordless won’t be as powerful and you run into the trouble of the battery running out, not being charged when you want to use it, etc.
Models Of The Best Dremel Tool
Dremel 3000
The Dremel 3000 is a cut above it’s previous models. It has 1.2 AMPS and a speed range from 5,000- 35,000 RPMs. It’s design is ergonomic with a soft grip around the tool. An efficient fan design with side vents make this tool cooler and more comfortable to use. This is the best dremel tool for someone just getting in to a rotary tool.
The best dremel tool kit for the Dremel 3000 is the 2/28 kit, meaning you get two attachments and 28 accessories. You get a few extra accessories than the 1/24 kit plus a second attachment that is quite handy. It comes in a nice carrying case.
Check out these kits on Amazon now!
Dremel 4000
The Dremel 4000 is a really good rotary tool. It’s motor is a little stronger at 1.6 AMPS, it’s a little bit longer and heavier. There’s two new features. It has an electronic feedback control. This allows the dremel to maintain a consistent speed when under a large load. The other is a separate on/off switch and speed control dial that simply adds convenience between jobs. This is the best dremel tool for someone who uses a rotary tool often for lots of tasks.
The best dremel tool kit for the Dremel 4000 is 4/34 kit where you get 4 attachments and 34 accessories. The attachments are a multipurpose cutting guide, a sanding/grinding guide, a circle cutter/straight edge guide, and a detailer’s grip.
Check out these kits on Amazon now!
Dremel 4300
The dremel 4300 has a motor that’s a bit stronger yet at 1.8 AMPS. Same speed range from 5,000 – 35,000. Has the electronic feedback control and separate on/off speed control dial as the Dremel 4000. It’s bigger and heavier. It still has all of the same functionality as the other two models- you can use all of the same accessories.
What’s new is this model has a small light that sits on the end near the bit piece so you can shine it on your project. The light can pivot. It attaches to the nose cap (known as the EZ Twist nose cap). It’s supposed to run quiet and even cooler because of a newer redesigned airflow system.
What’s really new about this dremel model is that it comes with a universal 3-jaw chuck that you can use instead of the collet. It still comes with a collet for preference. For anyone new to the dremel, this is the part of the tool that loosens and tightens to hold the interchangeable bits you use for different projects. The 3-jaw chuck is easier to learn and saves time when switching between jobs. This is supposed to make it easier to figure out when first using a dremel, for beginners. And it is quicker to change out bits, for those who use their tool a lot. If you already have a Dremel tool there’s probably no real reason for an upgrade.
Conclusion
The Dremel has been by far my favorite tool. It has saved me on numerous projects and it is just SO versatile. If you are thinking about getting one for the first time, go with the dremel 3000
NolsMalan
Hi i do own a dremel trio and want to use it as a router but the cillect is to small and what size router bits do you suggest,i am South African
Julie
I am catching this comment really late and I apologize for that. The size of your router depends on your project but generally they come in 1/4 and 1/8 in. and I haven’t seen anything bigger, so you are limited here in size. Read all about the project where I used the dremel as a router here.