This may be the wrong form for this question, apologies if it is

Anyone used these as an alternative to a dremel

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

I'd be inclined to pay a bit more and buy a Dremel. I got a 200 series off the bay about five years ago for a tenner and it's pretty good. The only drawback I found is that it only has two speed settings (15000 & 35000), which can be a bit inconvenient for some jobs. If I were to buy another one I'd go for the 300 series as it has a variable speed controller, which would be handy if you are working with plastics. You can pick them up for about £40 with the accessory kit.

I have a Clarke dremel-type tool from machine mart.

I have rarely found a job where it could actually be described as useful. In almost every even that I have tried to use it, I have ended up giving it up, and grabbing for the proper angle grinder, or a battery drill with brass brush attachment, or a hand file, or wet and dry paper ... I really don't see the value in these tools.

Can anyone explain a purpose for them where it really was the best and only imaginable to use? Only thing I can think of is engraving and how much of that does your average biker do?

I suppose the product referred to in the link, would be OK for simple jobs... There are Dremels, and Dremel-like tools, and you always get what you pay for as I have learned to my cost!

I had a cordless Dremel (forget the actual model) and it was OK but the battery went, as they always do, and I couldn't get a replacement. I used it to cut a slot in the end of exhaust studs, so I could use an impact driver to remove them... I used it to grind down chain link pins when shortening drive chains, as well, and to clean out brake caliper piston bores and grooves.

My verdict: they're fairly specialised tools and you can live without one, but they're useful to have in the shed. I need another one, actually....

Chrissy_J wrote:I suppose the product referred to in the link, would be OK for simple jobs... There are Dremels, and Dremel-like tools, and you always get what you pay for as I have learned to my cost!

I had a cordless Dremel (forget the actual model) and it was OK but the battery went, as they always do, and I couldn't get a replacement. I used it to cut a slot in the end of exhaust studs, so I could use an impact driver to remove them... I used it to grind down chain link pins when shortening drive chains, as well, and to clean out brake caliper piston bores and grooves.

My verdict: they're fairly specialised tools and you can live without one, but they're useful to have in the shed. I need another one, actually....

Both cutting jobs would be easier and quicker with a disc cutter.

The brake groove I would probably have to grant you, but toothbrush sized brass brushes are much cheaper or you could fit a brass brush to your cordless drill.

the only time i found my dremal useful was when i needed to cut into my fairings to fit some crash bungs, everything else i tend to use a grinder or drill+attachments

Very good for removing inner bearing races. Just grind a small slit in the inner race not all the way through, insert a cold chisel and give a sharp tap and the race will split and allow easy removal.

Hi, I have a dremel cordless it was the first cordless one they made i think, must be 10 year old, still goes great. Also have a clarke and a draper one. the draper isnt as well finished as the clarke, but both work well. If you have a compressor you could get a air dye cutter, there good and wont burn out if you get a bit heavy handed.
I use them all the time on various things from cutting seat mounts out a cars to porting my model RC car engines!
Cheers
Ian

Ive had 2 dremals, both of them packed up on me

I now use one of these http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=14196
sorry not much help unless you have a compressor