Hobby drill ?

[Scott Douglas 1]

After many years of faithful service my poor wee Minicraft drill's finally starting to die.

Just wondering what you guys use these days. I could probably get another one on eBay somewhere but is there something better?

Thanks,

Scott

[TheFlyingCrust]

Lidl are selling an engraving set which has a machine in it. Its mains driven and comes with a set of bits. Worth a look.

Ian

[Nigel Day]

I've got one and it's excellent - especially with the add-on pack that's available at the same time

[roger graves]

Bite the bullet, spend the money and get a Dremel cordless with chuck you won't regret it.

[Kris S]

Ibought a cheap one from Maplin which is ok for using the bits it came with but not for any drill bits other than the 2 that came with it due to not having a proper chuck.
Worth thinking about (wish I had before buying it)

[Scott Douglas 1]

Posted by roger graves on 06/11/2014 11:41:45:

Bite the bullet, spend the money and get a Dremel cordless with chuck you won't regret it.

That's what I was thinking but I'd prefer not a cordless one. Whats the best they do? Sorry, poor internet at work!

[roger graves]

I have both corded and cordless Dremels , the cordless is an old 7.2volt and is probably used on a 100 to 1 basis with the corded. I think they now do a lithium powered one. I also keep a 12v cordless on the bench for heavier stuff. I find that the cord gets in the way and makes the tool feel unbalanced.

[Scott Douglas 1]

Thanks Roger, I'm kind of "old school".. don't like cordless stuff and charging batteries, just want to switch it on and get on with it!

I think Dremel is the way to go though, got an old jigsaw that's at least 15 years old and works like a dream.

[Delta Foxtrot]

I have been using one of these for a couple of years and it is excellent:

**LINK**

It comes with a lot of useful accessories. The flexible drive is very useful for getting in tight places.

The chuck is worth buying as it make tool changes a lot easier then trying to find the right collet.

I bought the drill press, but this is not brilliant. I use it a lot, but the drill is not held firmly in place and it can wander, so not great for precision drilling. I am looking at buying a proper press drill for accurate work.

The 3000 series also looks good and is a bit cheaper. There are a lot of cheaper items around which will probably do a good job, hopefully the Dremel will payback in the long run with quality and the wide range of accessories that you can get.

good luck

dave

[roger graves]

If you go corded then beware the accys that you buy. The high speeds of the demel causes cheap wire brushes to launch their bristles like missiles, this is one of the many reasons that I prefer the cordless the lower speed makes them more controlable and less likely to burn the workpiece.

[Scott Douglas 1]

Thanks David & Roger, I think I know where I'm going now

[Andy48]

My Dremel cordless are brilliant, with Lipo batteries they last for ages. I have proper chucks fitted to both. The most useful aspect is the speed controller on each. I rarely use them on full speed. Old school or not I cannot understand why anyone would not consider cordless. Do you still have a corded phone? Bet your transmitter is cordless too.

[Delta Foxtrot]

Posted by roger graves on 06/11/2014 12:33:40:

If you go corded then beware the accys that you buy. The high speeds of the demel causes cheap wire brushes to launch their bristles like missiles, this is one of the many reasons that I prefer the cordless the lower speed makes them more controlable and less likely to burn the workpiece.

I agree you need to be careful, but there is a speed controller and the speed should be utilised with some empathy for the material and tool being used. You make a good point and I would always advise wearing eye protection with these tools.

[Scott Douglas 1]

You mean you can get 'em without???

Posted by Andy48 on 06/11/2014 15:48:29:

My Dremel cordless are brilliant, with Lipo batteries they last for ages. I have proper chucks fitted to both. The most useful aspect is the speed controller on each. I rarely use them on full speed. Old school or not I cannot understand why anyone would not consider cordless. Do you still have a corded phone? Bet your transmitter is cordless too.

[Scott Douglas 1]

Got one of these one the way, thanks to all for answering!

Posted by david fillingham 1 on 06/11/2014 12:23:46:

I have been using one of these for a couple of years and it is excellent:

**LINK**

It comes with a lot of useful accessories. The flexible drive is very useful for getting in tight places.

The chuck is worth buying as it make tool changes a lot easier then trying to find the right collet.

I bought the drill press, but this is not brilliant. I use it a lot, but the drill is not held firmly in place and it can wander, so not great for precision drilling. I am looking at buying a proper press drill for accurate work.

The 3000 series also looks good and is a bit cheaper. There are a lot of cheaper items around which will probably do a good job, hopefully the Dremel will payback in the long run with quality and the wide range of accessories that you can get.

good luck

dave

[Peter Miller]

Definately the most essential item is a chuck. I converted my Dremel to a chuck as soon as I bought it. I also have a couple of other minidrills, one from Argos and one that I inherited which is a spare. all have chucks.

[Dave Hopkin]

I have a Rotorcraft from Hobbycraft, its OK but in truth its slow setting is too fast, and tends to burn as much as it sands.......as mentioned before changing collets is a PIA and one with a chuck would be far better

[Prop Nut]

I bought a Dremel online, without realising how clumpy and heavy it is - big mistake. I went back to my old Minicraft that has served me well for sixteen years, so I know what I'd choose if I had to replace it.