Recommend a dremel for modding?

[TheVrolok]

'lo folks,

Looking to pick up a dremel for some modding. Will mostly use it to make some holes for easy cable management and perhaps some watercooling. Will most likely not use it outside of any PC modding for the foreseeable future. What do you guys have? Looking for something fairly inexpensive that I can pick up down at Lowe's/Home Depot. Thanks in advance.

 

[PCTC2]

I just have a Dremel 400XPR (XPR400?). Got it at Home Depot with a bunch of attachments and replacement wheels for $120 or so.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
I just have a Dremel 400XPR (XPR400?). Got it at Home Depot with a bunch of attachments and replacement wheels for $120 or so.

I got the same one for xmas a few years back and it's awesome. The flexshaft attachment makes life a ton easier also.

HOWEVER...

If you're trying to save money and have limited use for it, the Black n Decker rotary tools are a cheaper alternative. I think they have them at Home Depot but they're not on the website.

This one is very good for the money:
http://www.amazon.com/Black-De...ef=dp_cp_ob_hi_title_0

Here's a decent dremel kit at Lowe's for $55
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...53-200-N/40&lpage=none

Whatever you end up getting, make sure you pick up extra cutoff wheels. You'll be using those for the majority of your mods and you can burn through them pretty quickly.

-z

 

[gorobei]

i have one of the early variable speed Black&decker rot tools, very happy with it and its massive torque(maybe even too much torque). don't know about the latest versions. kragens/oriely auto parts stores carry some lesser/unkown name brands, i got a $20 nikota with flex shaft extension and a bunch of disks/wheels from them.

 

[videogames101]

The XPR400 is amazing, the flexible attachment is the best thing since the dremel itself!

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Whatever you do, don't get one that runs off of a battery.

 

[ahenkel]

one more vote for the xpr400.

 

[TheVrolok]

Picked up the XPR 400 for 80 bucks at Home Depot. Working wonderfully! AT does it again.

 

[nitromullet]

For those of you with the XPR 800 (or any other rotary tool), what rpm do you usually cut sheet metal at?

I ask because it looks like the main differences between the basic models are the rpm ratings.

Dremel 100 series: single speed, 35,000 rpm
Dremel 200 series: dual speed, 15,000 or 35,000 rpm
Dremel 300 series: Variable speed from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm

 

[EarthwormJim]

For holes in my case I just use a router. If you have one it's really great to use and will make WAY cleaner cuts than any dremel. Most people don't think of using a router.

 

[PCTC2]

For those of you with the XPR 800 (or any other rotary tool), what rpm do you usually cut sheet metal at?

I ask because it looks like the main differences between the basic models are the rpm ratings.

Dremel 100 series: single speed, 35,000 rpm
Dremel 200 series: dual speed, 15,000 or 35,000 rpm
Dremel 300 series: Variable speed from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm

I usually cut at higher speeds, but softer metal can sometimes be cut at lower speeds. Otherwise the cut wheels can get caught up.

 

[nitromullet]

I usually cut at higher speeds, but softer metal can sometimes be cut at lower speeds. Otherwise the cut wheels can get caught up.

Cool. I'm guessing this Black & Decker RTX-B will do the trick.

I also assume that the 409 wheel is the way to go?

 

[WoodButcher]

Nitro, the wheels you posted will break easy and wear fast,
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/AttachmentsDetail.aspx?pid=426
wear glasses!

 

[nitromullet]

Nitro, the wheels you posted will break easy and wear fast,
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/AttachmentsDetail.aspx?pid=426
wear glasses!

Thanks for the info.

I also found an RPM chart in case anyone else is interested.

 

[Jen]

Cool. I'm guessing this Black & Decker RTX-B will do the trick.

I also assume that the 409 wheel is the way to go?

purchase from here for supplys , widget supplys

 

[nitromullet]

I had decided to pick up a Dremel XPR 400 at the recommendation of this thread, but it seems that Dremel has discontinued this model and replaced it with the 4000 series. I considered the 4000, but it's not getting very good reviews.

I ended up going out on a limb and picking up a Proxxon FBS 115/E after reading some of the reviews on it.

The tool itself is nice and appears to be well made. I used it this weekend to cut out some holes in my case. Everything went smoothly, except that I broke the mandrel that came with the Proxxon in the first 5mins. Replaced that, and it was smooth sailing from then on.

I just figured I'd mention the Proxxon in the event someone was on the fence about buying one. It's a nice rotary tool, and I'm happy with it.