Do I need a rotary tool???
 

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first kit (Sig LT-40) I am renovating an empty room in my house to serve as a build shop and it's coming together and ready for action :) I was wondering how useful it would be to have a Dremel type rotary tool. The local Sears is having a 1/2 price sale on their Craftsman version. I have plenty power and hand tools and I've never felt the need to have such a thing before but maybe it's indispensable for RC model kits? Thanks for any input.

kelownafred

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

In a word, yes. The first time you need to make a hole in a cowl that isn't round, you'll want one. "Full size" power tools are of limited value when it comes to working on balsa. They are just too agressive and will tear things up. At half off, I'd definitely get one.

Kerry

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Should you have a rotary tool when building an airplane? IMHO that's a lot like asking if you should swim when you are in the water. I can't even begin to think what I would do without my rotary tools (I have 5).

Hope this helps

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Just last night I was using my Dremel with the barrel sander tool to hollow out the cheeks of my Fantasy. I needed to make room for the big ole .91 Saito and its mount. I kept thinking to myself, how else could I have done it, had I not had my Dremel? I'm sure there is a way, but I couldn't come up with one.

Five minutes of Dremel and the thing was done. It has become my favorite tool in the hanger.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

For what it's worth, most beginner's kits are designed so that you don't NEED a dremel tool, but if you stay in this hobby you will eventually kick yourself for not buying it when it was 1/2 price.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

I have a Craftsman rotary tool. Honestly I don't use it that much. But when I do, I'm glad I have it. I use mine to cut smooth openings in cowlings. You probably won't need it for your LT40. But at 1/2 off, it will be worth having around.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

At half off I'd buy 2 just to have a spare!

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Go for it, they are quite useful. I've got an old Dremel with noisy bearings. I cringe every time I use it, but it still works well. Perhaps I need to stop by Sears on the way home to see if they're on sale here too. One can never have too many planes, engines, flight packs, or power tools. :D

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Go ahead and buy it. After a few jobs using it you be glad that you'd made the purchase.


Cheers,

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

You can never have too many tools.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Hardly a day passes that I don't use my Dremel for some job that would be more difficult without it.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

You don't HAVE TO HAVE A DREMEL, but you will be doing things the long and hard way. I am very glad for my Dremel, it has come in handy so many times.

If you don't have the set of different size inserts, I suggest getting them. They will take from a 1/32" drill bit up to 1/8" drill bit, and, as you will find out, SOME of the accessories for a Dremel have a shaft size that is a little too small for the standard insert to work.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Hey thanks for all the advice and input guys! I went to Sears today to pick one up. Well turns out the one they have on sale is a cordless one. Now this would normally be a good thing as there's nothing more handy than a cordless power tool... but...the thing is big and heavy!! It's not much smaller than my 14.4V cordless drill (without the handle of course) I wonder how awkward it would be to wield such a hefty, bulky thing around a model. Maybe the smaller corded one would be a better choice. I'm getting one either way as too many of you recommend them not to but I wonder which would be better.

kelownafred

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Most likely you're going to be using it at your workbench, near power. I'd go corded because it's smaller, lighter, and you won't be in a situation where you need it and the battery's dead. I stopped by Sears on the way home, no 1/2 price ones here [:o]

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

Try Canadian Tire... they've got a 52 piece set on for $39.99 right now.

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

I saw that one CP140, I've got a silly thing against Mastercraft tools (probably unfounded) but I might pick it up and try it out. One thing about good old Canadian Tire is that they'll take anything back.;)

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

[link]http://dremel.com/html/home_fr.html[/link]

This is the Lithium cordless I have from Dremel. I LOVE this tool. It runs forever on a charge and has enough power to jump start a Mack truck. MORE POWER!!!!!!!!!

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

hi

I would suggest in investing in one. they are very useful in model building, you will be surprised how often you will use one. if you have a home depot they have a dremel win carrying case and lithium battery for around $70.00. a good investment

happy flying
pt19 flyer

RE: Do I need a rotary tool???
 

I know everyone builds ARF these days, but for real building, the 2 best power tools I own are the Dremel Moto Tool and the Dremel jig saw. I own 2 of the rotary tools. I keel a cut off wheel in 1 and a sanding drum in the other, a cordless.

You might want to pick up a couple of Roto-Zip bits. They work well in Dremels.