RogerH Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Hi Folks, I'm after a small hobby type drill. Many years ago I had an Expo 12V that was very good and powerful so a replacement would be nice but I think they are no more. Cheap ones have no power so I was wonder what a Dremmel was like. They tend to be pricey so it would be nice if I got what I actually wanted. It will be used mainly to drill fibreglass PCB board with a thin layer of copper. I have the correct carbide drills Battery or 12V would be good. Any recommendations. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 (edited) Hi Roger I have the battery powered Dremel and it has been very good through a lot of (ab)use current model is the 8220, which is claiming to be 12v but mine is 10.8 i think i also have the oscillating multi tool that ises the same batteries. with 3 batteries i’ve been able to do most jobs ! PS, you could borrow it for a test if you’d like ? Edited March 16, 2021 by Steves_TR6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G Denson Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 When my old Dremel type machine ( can’t remember what type it was- old age ) I purchased a Dremel 3000 mains electric. I have found that it is everything I need.It happily cuts through steel sheet using the disc cutters also aluminium sheet. I have used it it cut bolts and as a drill. Only problem is that it is not battery powered Cheers Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 11 minutes ago, Steves_TR6 said: Hi Roger I have the battery powered Dremel and it has been very good through a lot of (ab)use current model is the 8220, which is claiming to be 12v but mine is 10.8 i think i also have the oscillating multi tool that ises the same batteries. with 3 batteries i’ve been able to do most jobs ! PS, you could borrow it for a test if you’d like ? Hi Steve, does it have a chuck for various small diameter drills. Or does it rely on collets and you need drills with standard diameter shank etc. Hi Gordon, Same question as above Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 4 minutes ago, RogerH said: Hi Steve, does it have a chuck for various small diameter drills. Or does it rely on collets and you need drills with standard diameter shank etc. Hi Gordon, Same question as above Roger Both Roger as standard it uses collets, i think they all do, but i bought a small chuck as an accessory steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I bought a mains Dremel 25+ years ago and have used it extensively for general household stuff and aero-modelling in metal, wood, glass and carbon fibre. Brilliant bit of kit, worth every penny. It came as a kit with flexible extension, chuck and loads of tools and cutters. If I was buying one today, a Li-Ion would be more portable. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Ive two but reliability hasn't been good with one of them. Both 240v; first with variable control and a two speed which is far less useful. Variable one works but the collet chuck you can't lock to undo as the internal pin will not engage despite been replaced with genuine parts. The other is too fast for some jobs like using wire brushes as it simply destroyed them while on slow its not enough to be effective. That said there isn't much else as good and I'd buy another 240v with the variable speed function if I can't repair the one I have. Only other thing is the cost of the cutting discs etc which is excessive, e bay is your friend in this department. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 (edited) I use a li ion battery powered one form Lidl, Have found it to be very good, & not expensive. They do mains powered ones sometimes as well, but battery is more convenient. They also do little kits of spare things to put in it - grinding discks, pads, etc. the come with 4 or 5 collets which are quick to change. If you are drilling fibreglass PCB's I would very strongly recommend the use of tungston drills, they last so much longer than HSS. Available from RS etc. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pcb-drill-bits/0457651/?tpr=1 Bob. Edited March 16, 2021 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G Denson Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Roger As Steve has said you can get an accessory of a Multi Chuck but it is limited to 0.8 - 3.2mm Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Hi Gordon/Bob/Steve, Many thanks of the info for the chuck - very handy. 0.8 - 3.2 is fine. The 8220 can be had as a 12v and 10.8. not sure what would be best but the 10.8v is £40 more expensive (MachineMart). I use the solid carbide drills for fibregalss. They work very well but are very delicate. I shall pop along to MM tomorrow. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 17 minutes ago, RogerH said: Hi Gordon/Bob/Steve, Many thanks of the info for the chuck - very handy. 0.8 - 3.2 is fine. The 8220 can be had as a 12v and 10.8. not sure what would be best but the 10.8v is £40 more expensive (MachineMart). I use the solid carbide drills for fibregalss. They work very well but are very delicate. I shall pop along to MM tomorrow. Roger I dont think there are two models Roger just checked and one of my batteries says 10.8v and the other 2 say 12v ! i think its just marketing..... let me know if you do want to try mine, just in case you dont like it for some reason steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I inherited my dads older model mains dremel it’s a damn useful tool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Hi Steve, I'll check them out tomorrow. Here is the blurb from MM https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/dremel-8220-245-108v-lithium-ion-multi-tool-kit/ https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/dremel-8220-565-108v-multi-tool-platinum-kit/ Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 This is Lidl's version, Parkside brand, not sure the difference between Amazon and Lidl, depends when Lidl have them in. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BX4TQGD/ref=asc_df_B08BX4TQGD1615910400000/?tag=lion0d29-21&creative=22374&creativeASIN=B08BX4TQGD&linkCode=df0 John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Hi John, thanks for that. I think I am going towards the Dremmel. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark69 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I’ve had the same issues has Andy above variable speed , locking pin no longer works , I’ve changed bushes twice. This machine as been abused and on the whole as been a brilliant piece of kit and would definitely buy another maybe battery next time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I've had an original Minidrill since the 1960s - runs off a battery charger. Bought a Challenge drill from Argos, but I've lost the most useful one of the collets, and neither the Minidrill not the Dremel collets fit it, so I bought a Dremel mains powered one from B & Q, the kit with the flexible drive. That works well, but even on the slowest speed it's too fast for sanding plastic, so for scale modelling I use a battery one from Lidl, which goes down to a very low speed, especially when it needs a recharge. I bought a chuck for the Dremel and haven't found the range of sizes it'll grip to be a problem - it works with more sizes than the collets. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Lithium ion batteries are usually 3.7V (1 cell), 7.4V (2 cells, or 11.1V (3 cells) 12V could be an older NiMh battery ? Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
little jim Posted March 17, 2021 Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 My 'dremel' equivalent packed it in recently. Was able to get this one over here: Ozito 170W Rotary Tool Kit which I like better. For small jobs they provide a cable and handpiece that fits into the larger tool. The latter has been getting plenty of use recently Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted March 17, 2021 Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 Inherited my father's battery Dremmel. Wouldn't be without it. Although had to build a new niCad pack (getting tabbed batteries was a pain). So many uses. Just this weekend had to slice two sides of a stripped nyloc to remove it as couldn't get the nut splitters in place. Before that, working on a new patio cutting out adhesive overspill in a few awkward and delicate places. Genius kit. Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted March 17, 2021 Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 17 hours ago, RogerH said: ...It will be used mainly to drill fibreglass PCB board... Does this mean there is a new project in the pipeline? Self-driving TR4 by any chance? Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tthomson Posted March 17, 2021 Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 Hi roger, For drilling PCBs, a hand drill is often easier and more accurate. I have used such a drill for nigh on 50 years. It is still in good condition and doesn't need a battery! TT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 14 minutes ago, tthomson said: Hi roger, For drilling PCBs, a hand drill is often easier and more accurate. I have used such a drill for nigh on 50 years. It is still in good condition and doesn't need a battery! TT Hi Tony, I still have my hand drill from my apprentice days and it works well when needed. Too many holes to drill and you need three hands so a simple batteyr powered drill should be ideal. Sadly the Ebay cheapo that I bought ast year doesn't have the power to drill a 1mm hole in PCB firbreglass Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted March 17, 2021 Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, RogerH said: you need three hands An Archimedian drill is the answer to that. Drilling more than a few holes by hand takes too long though. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, stillp said: An Archimedian drill is the answer to that. Drilling more than a few holes by hand takes too long though. Pete One of the tedious jobs when working on the aircraft was refitting cabin windows. Lots of windows held in with lots of screws. The standard screw driver was seriously slow and tiring. Along came the 'pump' screwdriver Just like the Archimedian you pushed the end and it would spin very nicely. UNTIL !!!! it jumped off the screwhead and gouged a wiggley line across the perspex window. They were soon banned anywhere near a window. I have a lovely Bosch screwdriver (very small) but it will not take a small drill Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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