Dremel 4000 High Speed Rotary Tool Kit Review

As an apartment dweller, my tool-shed is both smaller than I’d like it to be, and messier than I’d like to admit. Crammed into a shelving unit in the storage closet is an astonishing array of wrenches, drills, screwdrivers and saws.

They seem to proliferate while I’m not looking; but the reality is that I’m the handyman among our circle of friends, and whenever a new project comes up, I find in it the justification to pick up another bit of kit. But a recent addition to my collection has seen me do a little much-needed editing. Fast becoming the odd-jobber of my tool-box, the Dremel doesn’t precisely replace any other tool—but performs thousands of functions on a small scale.

A handheld, corded rotary tool, the Dremel is surprisingly small and light. This makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, and particularly suited to delicate tasks.

Taking the day to catch up on some odd jobs around the house, I used it with a metal bit to tap some pilot holes into a metal door frame to rehang some blinds, with a wire brush attachment to take some paint off a metal door handle, with a sanding tip to ream out a too tight wooden socket—and with a cutting blade to finally cut the bolts on the toilet we needed to reinstall when the old wax gasket suddenly gave out months ago in the middle of the night (disaster).

What I appreciate most about the Dremel is it’s intelligently powerful motor. In addition to a speed dial allowing me to select anywhere from 5000 to 35 000 RPM, the Dremel incorporates feedback circuitry to ensure smooth operation—this means it’s hard for even a bone-head like me to burn out the motor. At a low RPM purr, I can manipulate delicate and soft materials without tearing them to shreds, while high speeds (along with the right bit) make drilling metal straightforward. Perhaps my favourite application so far is to easily be able to successfully drill glass and ceramic materials. Where standard drills seem to be either too gutless to go at all, or too gutsy, producing too much heat and force, and causing material breakage; the ability to fine tune the speed of the Dremel allows you to dial-in a setting that’s just right. Like taking in the sails of a boat that’s out of control, the ability to dial down makes for smooth sailing.

I have a tonne of future projects in mind, from lamp shades, to cheating in making my next wood-cut print and bringing the Dremel out to carve out large areas. In the meantime though, I know that Dremel wont sit idle, but be used in a dozen tiny but useful ways.

If you’re considering purchasing a rotary tool, I highly recommend picking one up. With the widest variety of attachments, and now with a more powerful motor, the new Dremels are fantastic! My only caution: choose a corded model to preserve the greatest versatility in the tool. The cordless Dremels are useful in that they can be taken anywhere, but just don’t have the juice for bigger jobs!

This fellow adds a bend to the end of Dremel, it really comes in handy in tight spaces, and turns the working edge of the tool in a more natural direction for many attachments. It’s a must in my book.

What’s especially great about the Dremel vice is the ability to turn the Dremel into a stationary tool. If you decide not to go for a Dremel vice, a jewellers vice or another highly adjustable clamping system is a must to hold objects stationary while you work.

Perfect for lamp making, or adding drainage holes to pottery, I’m a definite fan of the Dremel as a tool to drill glass. (There is also a drill press-like attachment available that makes this task even simpler).

The Dremel’s tips and engine are perfect for use as a small-project router. The drop-in attachment allows you to guide the Dremel along a straight edge, and to control depth. While certainly not a replacement for a full sized router, it’s a perfect tool for small jobs.

The mini-planer included with some Dremel models is surprisingly handy. It takes off a sliver of a surface at a time, making it perfect for shaving tight doors or coping trim when you don’t feel like pulling out a saw an mitre-box.

Extra Credit:

Safety glasses —

It should go without saying that you should always wear safety glasses while operating power-tools, but I guess some kids are still too cool for school. Don’t risk your sight!

Where you can pick up a Dremel – click here for list of the many retailers.