Minnreefer

I have two Dremel standard multi speed plug in type tools that don't work. I have replaced the brushes, but no luck. Dremel says that the maximum out of pocket is $32.00 each, but they are hardly work that new. Has anyone sent them in, and if so, what did they charge you?

Thanks

Jon

DavidAgar

My Feedback: (108)

I would watch the ads for the the big box home improvement stores, they have Dremel tools with a load of things with it for about $40.00. You also might check Sears as they have a Craftsman brand tool. Good Luck, Dave

PS. I looked one up on Lowes web site. $44.00

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

I've fixed all of mine from excessive play in the shaft to faulty switches. These are two of the problems I have encountered that either make them not run or run poorly. Besides a good cleaning,
Do the shafts have excessive play side-side? If so you can "fix" this by taking the case apart, locating the front and rear bearings(they are covered by a rubber boot. Remove the boot and wrap a few turns of masking tape around the bearing, replace the boot and reassemble. This will take up the slop created by the case wearing out where the bearing fit in.
Check the switch. Sometimes the contacts can be cleaned , other times it's the soldering tabs that come loose from the assembly. Mark, un-solder the wires and check with a meter. Sometimes simply re-soldering will tighten them up and give you some more mileage without having to buy a new switch. On one unit I just put a simple on-off switch in the case in place of the variable speed switch.

STUKA BARRY

Dremels are disposable, when on the blink, throw them out and purchase new ones. Dremels are too cheap to waste time and $$ on, get a new one.

bolar

My Feedback: (5)

A couple of years ago my Craftsman/Dremel died. I was laid off at the time and picked up a cheap-o knock-off from Menards for around $20. The flex shaft and other accessories fit and it works great! It doesn't have the RPM's of the Dremel, but it grinds balsa well enough for me. When this one dies maybe I'll get the latest and greatest Dremel, but it looks like it may be awhile.

Minnreefer

Well I took apart my two Dremel's today (bored) and called them, $18.00 for a new switch, but she was really trying to talk me into sending it in. I am just cheap, but I hate throwing out something that should be easily fixable.

I will let you know what I do.

Thanks

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

I'll gladly take all the ones going to the dump !

crazy nick

My Feedback: (29)

In 1998 I was in search of a dremel. I don't remember where, but I bought a variable speed black and decker rotary tool. Well it was $20 more than a dremel, however it can spin very slow or at ridiculous rpms. I literally use it no less than once a week. It worked today the same as the day I bought it. By far the best tool I ever bought.
My friend went through 2 or 3 dremels and bought his first 1 a week or 2 after I bought mine. Just an fyi if you end up looking for new.

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

Ditto on the B&D. I have an old (late 80's early 90's) B&D bench mounted rotary tool and it too runs like the day I bought it. The Dremel of the last 15 years has slipped in quality.

Minnreefer

I would agree that the Dremel has slipped in quality, I think I still have one from 20+ years ago and it is the only one still running. I just looked at the black and Decker, they look affordable, and I may try that. I think I will try the switch on one of the two, but I am not going to send it in. I originally asked hoping someone would say "I sent it in, they fixed it and only charged me for the shipping"

Jon

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

Try your LHS, Home Stores. Sears for the oem switch as they do carry some parts.

AmishWarlord

My Feedback: (5)

I was going threw an $85 Dremel a year.

Then one year I bought a Cheap $25 Black and Decker.

That was 3 years ago and it still works great today!

I really like it.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9140146

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

And I didnt think I would learn anything in this thread. I'll take a look at the B&D rotary. The dremel is the most used tool in my shop at home and at work. I get about 2 years out them before repairs.
Edwin

AmishWarlord

My Feedback: (5)

Edwin they do last longer if you run them at the lowest speed possible for the project your doing.

I'll admit that I ran the Mototools and everything else back then "Wide ***** Open" when I was younger.

Now that I'm older and wiser I take it easy with my tools and they now tend to do a better job and last longer.

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

I may be older but non the wiser .
Edwin

cutaway

Consider a tool/die maker's die grinder. The motors are much beefier, and bearings much better. They're built to last in industrial conditions. For hobby use they'd last forever.

They come with 1/8" chucks like the Dremel does.

I have a couple of them and a standard Dremel. I use both about equally.

STUKA BARRY

If I would've known somebody wanted them, I would have kept them. Next time I'll know. The one I have is still working, but when it brakes, you can have it, not worth my while to repair them.

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

Has anyone tried the Harbor Freight version?

flyinwalenda

My Feedback: (5)

I've read the HF ones are OK as long as you don't want to cut/shape any metal. They just don't have the torque.

aspeed

The brushes went on my Dremel, then the bearings were real loose and it was soon skipping like it needed brushes again. I got a Makita with a 1/4 holder and made a collet for 1/8" tools.I use it on hot rod stuff and house repairs too. It is 25 years old or so. Princess Auto (like Harbour Freight) had one on sale for $11 with a variable speed. I use it a lot at lower speeds usually, for about 5 years now and am happy with it. Parts are more for Dremels than they are worth. They are probably outsourced to China now anyway so you may as well get the cheapy ones.

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

I have heard that Dremel rotary tools are now made in Mexico, although mine is mysteriously lacking any indication of where it was made. I think the accessories are still made in the U.S.

*JCB*

My Feedback: (9)

I sent in a Dremel a few years back as the battery wouldn't hold a charge. They didn't charge me anything and were very quick & courteous about the service. They even sent me a grinding bit for free!! Good company