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dremel tool - which one to buy?

updated wed 22 dec 10

 

May Luk on mon 20 dec 10


Hello all;

I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
accessories, as I don't know how to use them.

Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld & cordless one?

Thanks in advance
May
Brooklyn

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-300-N-Variable-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B000FW5GA=
M/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI2ZI9JHNY49FTG&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-1100-N-25-7-2-Volt-Lithium-Ion/dp/B002BAHF7I/r=
ef=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI1OC75LEKZVO8E&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6

--
http://twitter.com/MayLuk
http://www.ceramicsbrooklyn.com/

Lee Love on mon 20 dec 10


May,

I own the corded version and went through the original cordless
version quickly. The battery died. It wasn't very powerful

I wouldn't recommend the cordless, except as a second dremel to
bring to shows in case you find something you need to smooth. I
don't use them on the foot of pots, but usually for smoothing before
refire.

My current dremel is the Dremel Trio. It is a sort of router
hybrid. I wonder if I can find a cable attachment for it? I've
used it to cut cement board with the ceramic attachment for bats:

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-6800-01-Trio-Rotary-Tool/dp/B003HIWR2Q/ref=3D3=
Ds=3D
r_1_1?s=3D3Dhi&ie=3D3DUTF8&qid=3D3D1292882035&sr=3D3D1-1

I highly recommend these diamond hand blocks for finishing the
bottoms of pots. If you only go with two, I'd go with the 50 and the
200:

http://www.toolocity.com/diamondhandpads.aspx
--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

John Rodgers on mon 20 dec 10


I have used a Foredom tool for years. That came about because i found
the dremel tools didn't hold up for me. After going to Foredom I fell in
love with the versatility of the thing. The Foredom is however, a
professional jewelers tool, and is pricey. But they are worth every
penny. Mine is over 10 years old and running strong, and I use it heavily.

Here's a link to have a look.

*http://tinyurl.com/2fv9gvv*

http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=3DGRID&category|ca=
tegory_root|120=3DBench+Tools+and+Equipment&category|cat_120|312=3DFlexshaf=
ts+and+Rotary+Tools&t=3Ds

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 12/20/2010 3:39 PM, Mike wrote:
> Hello May,
>
> I can't speak to cordless vs. corded because I only have used corded
> versions, but I highly recommend you get the flex shaft attachment for
> whatever version you get. This tool is great for grinding and polishing
> little bits on pots, but after you go through a few ware boards worth of
> pots, your hand gets pretty tired. Holding the flex shaft attachment is
> much easier on the hand and wrist than holding the main motor casing,
> and the cordless version may well be heavier than the corded version due
> to the battery.
>
> Any of the green bits for grinding stone, ceramic, and glass seem to
> work pretty well for grinding, but they are not so fine as to give you a
> polished surface. Dremel makes one polishing disc that does give a
> passable polish. For higher polishes, I've found that other bit
> suppliers are more useful, such as dental supplies (bits for polishing
> ceramic teeth, bridges, etc.)
>
> Happy grinding,
>
> Mike
>
> Mike
> in Taku, Japan
>
> http://karatsupots.com
> http://karatsupots.blogspot.com
>
> Workshop in Taku, Spring 2012: To Be Announced
>
>
> (2010/12/21 4:12), May Luk wrote:
>> Hello all;
>>
>> I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
>> occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
>> accessories, as I don't know how to use them.
>>
>> Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld& cordless one?
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>> May
>> Brooklyn
>>
>> http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-300-N-Variable-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B000FW=
5GAM/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI2ZI9JHNY49FTG&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RF=
L6
>>
>>
>> http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-1100-N-25-7-2-Volt-Lithium-Ion/dp/B002BAHF7=
I/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI1OC75LEKZVO8E&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6
>>
>>
>> --
>> http://twitter.com/MayLuk
>> http://www.ceramicsbrooklyn.com/
>>
>
>

Eleanora Eden on mon 20 dec 10


HI May,

I use both corded and cordless Dremels, though my cordless is an older
style by far than this. For jobs that need lots of power, like grinding ti=
ny bits
of glaze off pot bottoms, the corded drill is the one.

For jobs that require a slower rotation, like polishing wheels for jewelry,
the cordless drill is a better choice. The cordless drill just is not as p=
owerful.

For your use, if it were me, I would definitely go with the corded drill. =
And,
if you decide to go in for accessories, various kits are available that can=
be
good deals.

Best,

Eleanora



>Hello all;
>
>I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
>occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
>accessories, as I don't know how to use them.
>
>Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld & cordless one?
>
>Thanks in advance
>May
>Brooklyn
>
>http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-300-N-Variable-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B000FW5G=
AM/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI2ZI9JHNY49FTG&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6
>
>http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-1100-N-25-7-2-Volt-Lithium-Ion/dp/B002BAHF7I/=
ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI1OC75LEKZVO8E&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6
>
>--
>http://twitter.com/MayLuk
>http://www.ceramicsbrooklyn.com/


--
Bellows Falls Vermont
www.eleanoraeden.com

David Hendley on mon 20 dec 10


If you only need the tool for occasional small areas of glaze runs,
forget paying for the Dremel name and buy a cheap knock-off.
Like someone on Clayart wrote last month about Harbor
Freight tools - if it's a tool you will use infrequently and lightly
then they are fine. If you are a professional and it's a tool
you will use regularly, buy good-quality name brand.

I recently bought a "rotary tool" (Dremel), in a nice plastic
case, with about 50 attachments, for $10 at the local True
Value hardware store.
After all these years as a potter I never felt the need for one,
preferring more substantial grinders. I bought this to remove
a nerd from the inside of a small bowl. I touched up the glaze,
refired it, and sold it for $20, recouping my investment with
one use. If the tool craps out I've already gotten my money's
worth!

David Hendley
david@farmpots.com
http://www.farmpots.com
http://www.thewahooligans.com


----- Original Message -----
>
> I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
> occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
> accessories, as I don't know how to use them.
>
> Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld & cordless one?
>

John Rodgers on mon 20 dec 10


Lee,

I like to use the open weave gypsum sanding sheets used to finish
wallboard in houses. I buy a few single sheets in the size about like
printing paper, but the best ones are the 16 -18 in dia. circular ones
that can be obtained at the Home Depot stores in the tool rental
section. These disks are open weave, carborundum coated disks and come
in different grits. I like to put one of these on a sheet of wall board
and rotate the pots on it. I do the same for bisque and for dry green
ware. It works really well. The sanding pads you mentioned appear to be
made so they would serve very well when working on rounded surfaces such
as edges, etc.

Regards,

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 12/20/2010 4:00 PM, Lee Love wrote:
> I highly recommend these diamond hand blocks for finishing the
> bottoms of pots. If you only go with two, I'd go with the 50 and the
> 200:

Lee Love on mon 20 dec 10


On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 6:43 PM, John Rodgers wrote:
> Lee,
>
> I like to use the open weave gypsum sanding sheets used to finish wallboa=
=3D
rd
> in houses.

John,

I use those screens on green and bisque. The diamond blocks are
like magic on glaze fired ware and any kind of sandpaper or emery
cloth can't compare. They are used to polish granite.

I used to use a half of a broken in two whet stone to smooth
feet on all my pots (at the Nikko show in '98, they had to hire 2
Mashiko potters to finish all the bottoms of the Minnesota/Wisconsin
pots. They have a different standard of smoothness there.) But
these diamond blocks only cost $10.00, and go through rough spots on
fired pots like butter.




--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

Vince Pitelka on mon 20 dec 10


John Rodgers wrote:
"I have used a Foredom tool for years. That came about because I found =3D
the Dremel tools didn't hold up for me. After going to Foredom I fell in =
=3D
love with the versatility of the thing. The Foredom is however, a =3D
professional jewelers tool, and is pricey. But they are worth every =3D
penny. Mine is over 10 years old and running strong, and I use it =3D
heavily."

I second John's opinion. I have several Foredom's that I bought used on =
=3D
eBay, each for less than $100. One has an 1/8" collet, and the other has =
=3D
a small Jacob's chuck with a maximum capacity of 1/8", so it will accept =
=3D
the smaller-shaft mounted points and drills. I have one permanently =3D
hanging above my workbench with the foot control on the floor, and the =3D
other is in a box, ready for my students to borrow for glaze cleanup =3D
tasks. On eBay I have bought a large assortment of diamond mounted =3D
points that work great with a Foredom or Dremel. =3D20

I have owned several Dremels, and in fact a Dremel was my first power =3D
tool purchase. After my junior year in high-school I worked for at a =3D
summer camp in Forest Knolls (Marin County), CA, and earned a rather =3D
small amount of pay by the end of the summer. I bought a Dremel in an =3D
enameled metal case with a big selection of mounted attachments. I kept =
=3D
it in perfect shape for almost 40 years, until a student returned it =3D
broken beyond repair, with nothing said about it. When I spoke up, the =3D
student said "Oh yeah, I figured you could fix it." I bought a new =3D
Dremel, and was very disappointed. I shopped for Foredoms on eBay, and =3D
bought the two mentioned above. For the last six or seven years I have =3D
been loaning one of them to students, and it is still in perfect shape. =3D
They are fairly indestructible, and are far more powerful and much =3D
quieter than a Dremel. =3D20

A Dremel is a hobby tool. It works fine for small cleanup tasks, but if =
=3D
you want something more permanent and reliable I recommend the Foredom. =
=3D
There are some less-expensive versions of the same thing that work well, =
=3D
like the Grobet, which is available new for about $150, half the price =3D
of a Foredom. Do a Google search for "jeweler's flex shaft tool" you =3D
can will find good info. =3D20
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu=3D20
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka


=3D20

Fred Parker on tue 21 dec 10


May: I am old enough and obsessed enough to have bought a fairly large pi=
=3D
le
of tools over my lifetime. I have had some spectacular discoveries -- so=
=3D
me
great disappointments as well as some incredibly nice outcomes. I have
tried to use Dremels on pottery, but concluded they are too small to be o=
=3D
f
much good unless you are doing very small items or only need to remove a
tiny flaw.

The Dremel Tool is one of, if not THE, best marketed tool on the shelf. =
=3D
Pay
attention to the exponential increase in Dremel advertising you see aroun=
=3D
d
Christmas -- along with the ads for Chia Obamas and Snuggies. That tells=
=3D
me
the tool itself is mostly hype and marketing. Dremel targets
tool-challenged wives and children looking for a nice gift for husbands a=
=3D
nd
fathers who like doing things with their hands. They rely on buyers who =
=3D
are
not too savvy, but vulnerable to slick advertising and marketing. The
tools, unless used for very small projects like jewelry, maybe polymer cl=
=3D
ay
or sanding rust off the heads of 1/4" bolts are mostly disappointments.

In my opinion a much better choice for touching up glaze on a pot is 1) i=
=3D
f
getting into nooks and crannies is important, a Foredom flexible shaft to=
=3D
ol
or 2) a simple bench grinder with a wheel made for ceramic grinding. The=
=3D

Foredom costs more than a Dremel but it is also MUCH more capable. A
serviceable small bench grinder can be had for peanuts, and it does glaze=
=3D

runs around bases very capably.

No matter which one you end up buying, be sure to wear the right kind of
respirator AND safety glasses. Flimsy paper masks are NOT respirators. =
=3D
It
should be rated P-100 and they certainly are not.

Good luck,

Fred Parker=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20


On Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:12:48 -0500, May Luk wrote:=
=3D


>Hello all;
>
>I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
>occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
>accessories, as I don't know how to use them.
>
>Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld & cordless one?=3D

Mike on tue 21 dec 10


Hello May,

I can't speak to cordless vs. corded because I only have used corded
versions, but I highly recommend you get the flex shaft attachment for
whatever version you get. This tool is great for grinding and polishing
little bits on pots, but after you go through a few ware boards worth of
pots, your hand gets pretty tired. Holding the flex shaft attachment is
much easier on the hand and wrist than holding the main motor casing,
and the cordless version may well be heavier than the corded version due
to the battery.

Any of the green bits for grinding stone, ceramic, and glass seem to
work pretty well for grinding, but they are not so fine as to give you a
polished surface. Dremel makes one polishing disc that does give a
passable polish. For higher polishes, I've found that other bit
suppliers are more useful, such as dental supplies (bits for polishing
ceramic teeth, bridges, etc.)

Happy grinding,

Mike

Mike
in Taku, Japan

http://karatsupots.com
http://karatsupots.blogspot.com

Workshop in Taku, Spring 2012: To Be Announced


(2010/12/21 4:12), May Luk wrote:
> Hello all;
>
> I am debating between these two Dremel tools. I only need one for
> occasional dripped glaze - very small area and I don't need so many
> accessories, as I don't know how to use them.
>
> Should I get a more powerful one? or just a handheld& cordless one?
>
> Thanks in advance
> May
> Brooklyn
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-300-N-Variable-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B000FW5=
GAM/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI2ZI9JHNY49FTG&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL=
6
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-1100-N-25-7-2-Volt-Lithium-Ion/dp/B002BAHF7I=
/ref=3Dwl_it_dp_o?ie=3DUTF8&coliid=3DI1OC75LEKZVO8E&colid=3D35LYWGMV7RFL6
>
> --
> http://twitter.com/MayLuk
> http://www.ceramicsbrooklyn.com/
>