knockoff Dremel Digital at BJ's, is it worth it?

 I noticed they sell an knockoff of a dremel digital at BJ's for $24.95.
I've never really had a direct need for one of these machines so I've
never been able to justify the expense but I have a ton of indirect
things to use it for. I'd like to pick one up but I'm worried that it
might fall apart after 1/2 dozen uses. Anyone have any experience with
them? I don't believe it's any particular brand, just their store brand
which I can't recall right now.

 
Joe wrote:

If you are speaking about a rotary tool, like the Dremel is famous for,
these tools are extremely helpful around the home or shop. With any
creativity at all, you will find all kinds of uses for them. It doesn't
matter that the RPM are shown digitally or just a rotary switch.
However, being able to vary the speed is helpful. For the low wattage
unit you are considering, you could wire in a sewing machine foot pedal
as a speed control. That really makes fine work easier.

That store brand you are considering is probably a knockoff made in
China. The quality is low and it may not last too long. Sears sells a
Dremel-like unit for about $35 that would be as good as the Dremel in
my estimation.

The directions on these tools always say  "Let the tool do the work."
They don't offer much torque so you need to let the RPMs stay up. The
drive coupling inside is a section of PVC like plastic (Dremel). It is
designed to slip and burn out if you bear down too much with the tool.
That design also helps reduce vibration. Such drive couplings are
easily replaced using a section of PVC hose cut to length. The cheap
knockoff might even have a direct drive without a coupling. That would
be a plus in my book, except the motor will burn out faster if you
abuse the tool.
You can't get hurt for $24.95 and the store must offer some warranty.

 "Al Bundy" (MSfortune@mcpmail.com) writes:

I long had a specific use for a "Dremel tool" but it seemed to specific
to warrant the price.  Then I finally saw a Sear's version (which I
suspect was made by Dremel" and got it on sale.  And after I had it
I did find lots to use it for, besides my initial use.

I got a knockoff last year for under $20 here in Canada (well it
was on sale).  I bought it because it was cheap enough that the tips
alone likely paid for the whole set.  Plus, it came with a flexible
shaft and that would have cost a lot more separately.  And the new
one had built in speed control, which my earlier one did not (but
which I used with a light dimmer that I'd put in a box with an
outlet).

One thing about the knock off is that it is slightly different from
the Sear's one (and most likely from the actual Dremel tools).  The
variable chuck, that can be tightened by hand, for the Sear's, does not
work on the knock off.  And the flexible shaft doesn't work on the Sear's.
A minor thing, but I had thought I might save the best of each, and
give away the unneeded tool.

So it was a cheap way to add some function, but it didn't completely replace
what I had already.

The knockoffs routinely go on sale here.  I'm sure I've seen them down
to $10 at some point, though not as complete a set of accessories as
the cheap one I bought.

If someone buys one, it is worth buying one that comes with a slew of
bits, or buying an accessory kit when it goes on sale.  It's easier
to figure out what you need for a task when you can select and try
rather than puzzle over the book descriptions and the go off and
buy the needed tip.  My Sear's did not come with any tips, and so
while I spent less on the tool, I had to buy the tips individually.
And at least here, when the kits go on sale, they come out cheap
enough that you wouldn't have to buy too many tips before you'd
have the price of one of the accessory kits on sale.

    Michael

 
Joe wrote:

Wal-Mart has/had the Dremel 300 on clearance for $25.00.