Heya, does anyone know if bunnings stocks any cheap but good quality dremel or rotary tools?

I need one but I don't want to pay over $100 for one.

Any ideas?

Saw an Ozito kit in Bunnings the other day - was about $50 including all the bits and bobs.

Also my old man rang me two days ago letting me know he could get me a cheap one for $30. I turned him down, my lithium ion rechargeable cordless Dremel suits me fine But I'll ring him and find out what it was and where he saw it so I can let you know the details.

Cheers,

GT

GT has it. My local stocks about 3 or 4 brands and types. They're sitting in the power tools section of the store around the drill bits rather than on shelves with other traditional power tools.

Cheers guys!!

That'd be awesome GT, if not ill go grab an ozito one if they are in stock, gotta love ozito, I wanna buy me one of their little jigsaws

I got a 'hobby drill' I think it was, from Dick Smith for $20 about a year ago. Not cordless, but came with a selection of drill heads, sanders, etc. Very handy.

ryobi are pretty cheap and comes with all bits zord, @ bunnings too mate (thats where i got mine, joondalup to be more precise)

Bi-Lo sells a tool for $10. It vibrates like a bitch but comes with lots of drill bits and such. I use it to clean mould lines and flash.

Thanks guys, looks like Ill be heading to bunnings when I get a chance

Not sure if the one you suggested would do the job I want, AG. I need to remove Archaon's bottom half from his horse.

you can borrow mine Zord if you want?

i got mine for $10 from golo, it FREAKIN' AWSOME. although the cutting disks suk.

jod

[quote=Jester of Death]i got mine for $10 from golo, it FREAKIN' AWSOME. although the cutting disks suk.

jod[/quote]

I got mine from Go-Lo as well, but I don't do any serious conversions, so the crappy bits and stuff don't matter as much...

Thanks for the offer Spektre. I do want to purchase one, but if bunnings doesn't have any in stock Ill keep you in mind

I'd actually try doing it all (or as much as I could) with a standard Jeweller's Saw, unless you want to take the pleasure in gouging out bits of metal with the dremel.

Jewellers saws are awesome for straight deep cuts of metal minis. I wouldn't try a cutting wheel with a Dremel (and equivalent); it would turn out all wobbly as the wheel bumps around the metal.

yeah definately.. straight cut first and then "shape" with the dremel...

Got to say Zord that the cheap ones are not that great... they often can bite in etc. For me the extra money is far better spent in the long term on the orginal dremel... man I sound like an advert!! heheheheh

Gav

Got to agree with Slardy, Zord.
I had a Ryobi, great box of bits came with it, vibrated lots, way too noisy, died quick.
Bought a Dremel when the Ryobi died, few bits, cardboard box, but so much better in many ways. Power Dremel (with cord) $80 at local Bunnings, rifle through the shelf though as same size box with extra bag of bits is $90 or $95.
Steve

I have a $13 ? $15 ? i can't remember... very cheap hobby toolTM ... it's lasted me through quite a few projects (mostly drilling and gross filing) i really don't know how i got along without it all those years. I am however looking at getting a 'real' dremel tool some time in the not too distant future, having used a cheapy i can see just how useful the tool is, and how much more useful a good, solid, multispeed tool could be.

That said, if it's just for basic projects without fiddly work i'd say go with a cheapy if you're looking for something with more control for things like buffing or fine sculpting/detail work then i'd spend the money

Possibly take up the offer of borrowing one first and see if you're comfortable with it (i took mine to many, many ancient models from my bits box before i put it near anytihng valuable)

Home Hardware has the one he was referring to.

So if Bunnings doesn't suit your need try the dogalog store.

Cheers,

GT

Slardy and SteveFrith are on the right track. If you want it for the long term don't bother with any cheap version. I have a Dick Smith one at home and it is rubbish. They heat up and burn out. We just brought a Dremel at work (gosh what a coincidence) and they are far superior and will last forever.

There really is no comparison, suck it up and pay the extra or convince a nice somebody to get you it for christmas.

there is nothing more fun than drilling out the head of a space marine

Thanks GT

Hmm guess ill have to save up for a bit for a good one. Maybe I can get it for christmas. How dorky is that. hahaha.

So is any Dremel good? Does the model type matter?

Oh and, would a jewellers saw cut Archaon from his horse well?

Hey Zor, go with the Dremel, you pay a bit more, but it's worth it's weight. I bought an Ozito and it's fairly good, the only complaint I have is the speed controller is crap, there is no low speed to talk of, it's either fast or bloody outrageous!!!!

cheers,
Tony

I have a 14.95 job from Go Lo. Coupled with electrical drills (ranging from .5 - 1.5mm, pack of 12) for 9.95 from dick smiths, it goes very well. The battery doesnt last too long, and isnt the best for metals, but if used while plugged into a power point it goes well. Good value for money, it has lasted about a year/year and a half now.

So as long as its dremel brand it will be good?

A jeweller's saw will have no problems dismembering Archaeon from his horse. The thinness of the blade should allow you to get around those tricky corners easily. A much safer way to do it (and cleaner) then using a rotary saw or a burr on the dremel (and you won't lose much of your fingers either if you slip). I've seen too many avid modellers with missing bits of fingers due to power tool mishaps.

War wounds! "Ohhhh... check out this scar! I got it from that nasty Dremel tool...."



Tales to tell the grandkids....


"Back in 2005, when I was preparing for the Golden Demon...."

"What's the Golden Demon grandad? Games who?" Bewildered look.

"Mum!! Grandpa's gone funny again!"

That's a bit scary. O_o

I have a little jewellers saw here, maybe ill try hacking my friends Archaon to bits...

Nah, id better wait till I buy my own

I was either that or

"God, you're a geek grandpa." Disparaging look as the youngster goes back to his virtual reality X-Box 2880 super-pirate-ninja game.

The saw would be the better option. I've got a cheapo dremel knockoff from jaycar and whilst it cuts some jobs in half it doesn't even compare to a normal dremel. Any dremel is good as they all have speed control.

Also, make sure you get an engraver bit. This is pretty much the only bit I use. Great for digging out chunks of metal from minis.

Has anyone ever bought those dremel attachment sets on ebay? I dont think they are dremel brand but it says they fit a dremel?

You may want to be wary of those, as it's essentially getting an add-on for a $10 tool and putting it on a $100 tool.

You may run the risk of a poor/non fit, or getting something that actually damages the Dremel.

I'd do it, but I'm a cheap bastard.

Ok I can speak from experience here. I have a dremmel and its great. I also have friends that use them and swear by it I am also a jeweller and can tell you that if you use a cheap handpiece then after more hours work and changings parts they will break and wear out faster.

For any tecnical drilling I aways do mine at work where I have a $1000 plus handpiece and range of great burs/drills. But the dremmel works a treat for 95% of work at home on my minis.

I just feel that when it comes to tools never go to cheap as you will later on have to replace it faster and never get the good finish another more expansive brand might offer. Of course thisisnt always the case.

Wait till after christmas and there will be massive sales on items like that you might be able to pick it up cheaper then.

I hope I didnt come across as 'stuck up' but I have used a range of hand drilling tools and do know a bit about them from experience.

Good luck with it, whatever you end up getting you will be very happy at how easy and much faster you can make metal dissapear on a mini.

But the dremel accessories cost a small fortune...

Ill see what the sales bring I guess.

Hey Zor,

Dremels are good, I use one, but don't rule out a cheaper option. The adage "you get what you pay for is true" but only to an extent. Still worth having a look around. Most of the rotary tool set out there will have cutting disks, polishing dust, mandrels, grinding bits, burs etc. but the one most often missing is a chuck so you can use 'lil drill bits etc.. With out it your limited to 1/4" bits.

I have seen rebadged dremels out there, I think Super Cheap autos had a green one with every thing included, though I may be mistaken. At the end of the day a $40 set may only last half as long as a $160 Dremel set, but you are getting 4 for the same price.

With my Modelling work I actually only use the engraving burs and small drill bits. Jewellers saws, a big set of files and a blade meet all my other needs. I do how ever use the other accessories for everything else under the sun.

Cheers,
d.

Hmm okey dokey. Thanks for all the info guys.

Zords,

Dremel is the orig and flagship model it is great but not cheap...

I have a GMC copy (cost $100 included accessories 3 years ago).. it now goes fro $50-70.... I have had not problems with it and it has fullfilled all my converting needs.... plastic and metal...

If you get one make sure you get the (hose attachement thingy) it is a must in my book... It is a flexible drive train(400mm-600mm long) that pugs onto the chuck and allows you to put the drill chuck on the other end.... for easier flexible use.. I hang my rotary tool from the ceiling just above my modelling desk at a hieght easy to use and the hose allows for light easy movement for delicate drilling and cutting.....

Another must for converting is a kids toy.... look in you local major toy store (toys'r'us toyworld etc) look for a kid work bench... it used to retail for $50-60 but I have seen it recently for $25 in some places selling it out.... it has a small scale drill, sander and lathe and a few bit and bobs.... it is obviously not for comercial use but it is useful for small scale one of miniature type stuff....... $50 is a bit rich for it's usefulness but $25 it worth the money....

Cheers BR

a word on cheap stuf... they wear out fast...


a friend baught a cheap battery drill from from Bunning to use n hex screw to build a shed..... he got it replaced 3 time before the shed was done and then it diead straigh afterwards... he took it back for a refund this time......built the whole shed with no cost for tools. went through 3 drills in weekend.

of course some cheap stuff is ok


i have used dremel for modelling and it was great, speed was awesome and very controlable, saning discs are great for disecting plastics.... pity the guy who owned it moved away


i used the gouging but to creat acid burns on metal termies... i'd say it work work well at removing a troublesome horse from ones legs

Are there cheap brands that are actually quite good?

Ill probably end up trying to get my hands on a decently priced dremel.. but if I cant afford it ill go a cheapie. I wont be doing heaps of converting but yeah.

I have one of those tiny hacksaw thingies, im pretty sure its a jewellers saw... maybe not as fine... but what do you use to hold the miniature while you hack at it?

Mine hasn't worn out, it was from er... go-lo ? maybe ... pretty sure it was $13 (it's also cordless, if a little heavy, i brace it against my shoulder usually). i've used it for a whole lotta stuff, mostly drilling, but a lot of sanding plastic and wood as well and a bit of chopping and hacking at lead. The only thing i bought for mine was a couple of 1mm drill bits for pinning. The crappy discs and sanding blocks do wear out very fast though... still as i noted above, i am looking to buying a real dremel shortly because this thing only has one speed, and it's not ideal for switching between different materials.

Hands, knees, toes, whatever. It can get uncomfortable but it works. As I said before... I'm a cheap bastard - I'm sure there are vices you can buy.

Agreed. My uncle was building a house boat in his back yard last year and earlier this year, and he bought a cheap GMC sander. The motor kept burning out, and he would just take it back to bunnings every week and get a replacement. Did this about 8 times he told me. You would think the he would buy a quality one for a bit extra money... he can afford to build a housboat in his back yard (it was massive too)

Zord, I picked up a hobby vice from bunnings a few weeks ago for about $10 or so... it is small enough to attach to a table and has a socket joint thingy so you can attach it to the table and then reposition the vice to any angle you want.

It cam in a yellow box and was in the tool section near the dremels. it is well worth it. I have been using a GW jewellers saw and it works weel but you get very sore fingers holding onto metal minis with one hand and swaing with the other. Hence the vice.

I intend to use some soft wood or thick foam rubber to hold the model in the vice so as not to squash the details while I work on it.

btw.. thanks for the timely thread... I've asked "santa" for a rotary tool for xmas and having seen all the various brands and prices I was wonderign the very same thing you were.

I think I've come to the conclusion that the dremel is the way to go for the longer term. now i just have to see if "santa" agrees

There's a dremel kit that comes with the extension thingy for about $140 (saves about $20) ... my bunnings doesn't have it though (it looks like they're maybe phasing it out... that or bunnings haven't caught up ... my bunnings has the dremels way up high on a shelf where you can't even check em out without getting a staff member with a stepladder)

some shop