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A Dremel is a great tool for doing many of the tasks for Arts, Crafts, and DIY work. But there are many different Dremel and rotary tool models to choose from, and it can be hard to choose the right one for your use. In this article, I will guide you through the maze of rotary tools so you can know which rotary tool is the best for you.
In general, the best Dremel for Arts, Crafts, And DIY work is the Dremel 4000 with the flex shaft attachment. The Dremel 4000 is powerful enough to handle most tasks, and the flex shaft makes the tool easier to use for longer periods and is great for detailing. The Dremel 4000 can be used with most Dremel attachments.
Arts, craft, and DIY work is very diverse. We want our tool to be versatile and to be able to do a wide range of tasks.
The Dremel 4000 is not the be-all-end-all of rotary tools for arts, crafts, and DIY. There are so many different models that might suit your needs better, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the different Dremel models.
What Qualities Are We Looking For?
The Pros – The pros are the main strengths of the rotary tool. What makes it unique, and why should this model be considered for purchase.
The Cons – The cons are the things we do not like about the tool, the main flaws of the tool. Take this into consideration when choosing the right tool for you.
Uses – Most models of rotary tools have very similar uses. But they will be slightly different depending on the size and power of the tool.
Size – Sizes will range from small to medium to large. Small rotary tools are very light and can be used for prolonged periods of time without wrist strain, the larger ones will be heavy on your wrists if used for longer intervals, medium is somewhere in between. The smaller tools are often better for doing details, because of the ease of maneuvering.
RPMs – RPM is short for “rounds per minute”. RPM shows the rate the spindle and bit of the tool rotates. A higher rpm is more efficient when doing certain tasks.
Power Usage ( AMPs) – AMPs indicate how much power the tool can make use of at any given time without overheating. For the battery-powered Dremel, we measure the power usage in volts.
Corded Or Cordless – Corded Dremels are generally preferred. But cordless battery-powered Dremels are sometimes good if you do not want to be limited to locations with a socket.
Attachments – Some Dremels can use attachments, some can not. It all depends on how the tip of the tool is threaded. Being able to use attachments is a huge advantage.
Attachment Compatibility Chart
The Best Dremel And Rotary Tools For DIY, Crafts And Arts
Dremel Stylo+ – The Ultimate Lightweight
Check The Stylo+ Price On Amazon Here!
The Dremel Stylo+ is branded as being the main arts, crafts, and DIY model by the Dremel company itself. The Stylo+ is small, lightweight, and can comfortably be used for prolonged periods of time. The relatively small size of the Stylo+ makes it a great tool for doing detailed work that requires high precision.
While being one of the most comfortable corded Dremel models to use, it has its limitations. The small size of the motor means that the tool is not that powerful and should only be used for tasks that are not too hard on the motor, like cutting softer materials, sanding, engraving, and similar tasks.
The motor will actually shut off the power to the tool if it feels too much resistance. This is a good quality for the longevity of the tool and prevents damage to the motor.
The Stylo+ has a max RPM of 22000 RPMs. This is the lowest max RPM of the models on this list. While personally using the Stylo+, I have never needed a higher RPM.
The Stylo+ can make use of 0.5 amps at any given time.
The Stylo+ can not make use of the many different Dremel attachments
I would recommend the Dremel Stylo+ if you need it for doing some light cutting, sanding, engraving, and similar tasks.
I would not recommend the Dremel Stylo+ if you need it to cut metal sheets or other heavier jobs like wood carving larger projects.
Pros Stylo+
- Small/Light
- Good For Detailing
- Cheaper Than Most Models
- Good Traveling
- Produces Less Sound
- Comes With Quick Change Chuck
Cons Stylo+
- Less Power
- Cannot be used With Attachments
- Cannot be used for heavy tasks
A Guide To The Many Different Dremel Attachments: Click Here!
Dremel 4000 With The Flex Shaft – Best Choice For Most
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The Dremel 4000 is one of the main flagship models of rotary tools made by the Dremel Brand. With the Dremel 4000, you get great value for your money. The tool can be used for both heavy and light tasks, it can use all Dremel attachments and is also a good tool for detailing when having the flex shaft attached.
The Dremel 3000 in itself is heavy and large. When using it for any art, DIY, or crafting tasks that requires precision and detail, we should use the flex shaft. This is a small and light extendable shaft for the Dremel tool that gives you the ability to use the powerful motor without having to hold its weight.
The flex shaft is recommended to use for all the heavier Dremel models.
Dremel 4000 has a max RPM of 35000, which is high. This makes the tool more suitable and efficient for some tasks like cutting metal, cutting glass, engraving, and more.
Now, I may be a little biased for the Dremel 4000 because it is the Dremel tool I use 90% of the time. But I really like this model, and I mainly use it for cutting a wide variety of materials and larger woodcarving projects.
If you choose to get the Dremel 4000, you will most likely love the power and versatility it provides.
Pros: Dremel 4000
- Powerful
- Higher RPMs
- Good Value
- Can be used with attachments
- Can do most tasks
Cons: Dremel 4000
- Most expensive on this list
- Heavy To Use Without Flex Shaft
Dremel 3000 – The cheaper alternative
Check The Dremel 3000 Price On Amazon!
The Dremel 3000 is also one of the main flagship rotary tools made by the Dremel Brand. The Dremel 3000 is very similar in use to the Dremel 4000. It is a powerful tool that can do most tasks arts, crafts, and DIY makers could ask of it.
The Dremel 3000 is the cheaper alternative to the Dremel 4000, but it is also a fair bit weaker.
Other than that, the Dremel 3000 and 4000 are very similar tools in practice.
The Dremel 3000 in itself is heavy and large. When using it for any art, DIY, or crafting tasks that requires precision and detail, we should use the flex shaft. This is a small and light extendable shaft for the Dremel tool that gives you the ability to use the powerful motor without having to hold its weight.
The Dremel 3000 can be used with most of the Dremel Attachments.
The Dremel 3000 can be used for anything a rotary tool is meant to be used for, especially within arts, crafts, and DIY.
Dremel 3000 has a max RPM of 35000, which is high. This makes the tool more suitable and efficient for some tasks like cutting metal, cutting glass, engraving, and more.
If you choose to buy the Dremel 3000, you will probably like the cheaper price while still having a fair amount of power and versatility.
Pros: Dremel 3000
- Cheap alternative to Dremel 4000
- Powerful Motor
- Versatile
- Can use attachments
- High MAX RPM 35000
Cons: Dremel 3000
- Shaft Lock Button Wears Down Quicker
- Heavy (Use Flex Shaft)
- Little less powerfull than Dremel 4000
Dremel 8220 – Cordless Power
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Dremel 8220 is the most powerful cordless rotary tool made by the Dremel brand. The tool uses a rechargeable and removable battery to power the motor. In use, the battery-powered Dremel 8220 is just as powerful as the Dremel 3000 and 4000.
The main advantage of using a battery-powered Dremel is that you do not have to rely on a power outlet to provide the power and you will be able to use this tool anywhere you want.
Heck, if you want to go out and do some crafting on the top of the mountain, you can with this tool.
The downside of the Dremel being battery powered is of course that you have to recharge the battery, and sometimes it might run out of battery.
The Dremel 8220 is a heavy tool, and if you are going to use it for detailed work, precision work, or over longer periods of time I highly recommend using it with the flex shaft.
The max RPM of the Dremel 8220 is 35000, just like the Dremel 4000. So it is especially good for tasks that are easier to do with a high rpm like cutting metal and glass.
The Dremel 8220 can be used with most Dremel attachments.
I can highly recommend getting the Dremel 8220 if you are going to use it in shorter intervals or in places where a power outlet is not available.
If you are going to use the Dremel for longer periods of time for Arts, Crafts, and DIY. I would not recommend getting the 8220 as your main tool, because of the limitations of the battery time.
Pros Dremel 8220
- Cordless
- Can be used anywhere (even in the woods)
- Powerful
- Can be used with most attachments
- High Max RPM 35000
- Can get spare batteries
- Versatile
- Good for shorter use intervals
Cons Dremel 8220
- Can run out of battery
- Needs Charging
- Heavy (use flexshaft)
- Bad for prolonged use
Dremel Lite 7760 – Cordless, Compact, Useful
Check The Dremel Lite 7760 Price On Amazon!
The Dremel Lite 7760 is a tool that is made with the DIYer and crafter in mind. It is a cordless rotary tool that uses a rechargeable but not removable battery to give power to the motor. The Lite model can do some of the heavier tasks but is mainly meant to be used for lighter tasks like engraving, sanding, polishing, and cutting softer materials.
The main advantage of this tool is that it is medium-sized and small enough to use comfortably for longer periods of time without a flex shaft.
The fact that it is battery-powered also means that you can bring it anywhere you want, even deep into the woods, and do your crafting there.
The Dremel Lite 7760 is also cheaper, usually almost half the price of its bigger brother, the cordless Dremel 8220.
The main downside is that it might run out of battery, and that sucks if you want to use it for longer periods of time. I would say if you have crafting sessions longer than 45 minutes, you should get a corded tool.
The recharge time for the Dremel Lite from 0% to 100% is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The max RPM of the tool is 25000. This is more than enough for most tools.
Get this tool if you need a Dremel to use in shorter intervals, you mainly need it for light tasks, and you do not depend on a power cord and socket.
The Dremel Lite can only be used with a select amount of attachments, here is an attachment compatibility chart for reference.
Pros: Dremel Lite 7760
- Cheap alternative to Dremel 4000
- Powerful Motor
- Versatile
- Can use attachments
- High MAX RPM 35000
Cons: Dremel Lite 7760
- Shaft Lock Button Wears Down Quicker
- Heavy to use without flex shaft
Wen 23114 Rotary Tool – The Cheapest Option
Check The Wen 23114 Price On Amazon!
The wen rotary tools can be a good alternative if you are not willing to take on the sometimes steep price point of a Dremel rotary tool. But as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for”.
I need to mention, that I do not own this specific rotary tool or any wen rotary tools. But I have a dirt-cheap rotary tool in my shop that I have used since the beginning of my arts, crafts, and DIY days. And I suspect that most of these cheap rotary tools are built very similarly.
I quickly transitioned to a Dremel after using the cheap rotary tool for a while.
The main advantage of a wen rotary tool is that it is cheaper. Usually 1/3 the price of comparable Dremel models.
The tool comes with many of its own attachments like cutting guides, flex shaft, spark shield, and more. It is also compatible with the attachments made by the Demel brand in most cases.
The max RPM of this tool is 35000 RPMs. This makes it good for tasks that are easier when using a high RPM, like cutting metal and glass.
This is a larger tool. If used over long periods of time, it is highly recommended to be used with the flex shaft that is included in the package.
Now, here is my honest personal opinion on buying a cheap tool like this for crafting, DIY, and arts:
If you have the budget, get a Dremel. A Dremel 4000 would be the best choice.
If a Dremel is not within our budget, but you need a rotary tool, the wen rotary tool can still be a good buy. It might also be able to do all the tasks you want it to do. You just have to put up with some more annoyances along the way.
Generally, there are more problems with these kinds of cheap tools, and they are also less efficient and might cause you some headaches.
But costing 1/3 of a Dremel. It can still be worth trying.
Pros: Wen 23114
- Cheap alternative to most rotary tools
- Can use Dremel attachments
- Versatile
- High MAX RPM 35000
- Great for getting started
Cons: Wen 23114
- Lesser Quality
- Heavy to use without flex shaft
- More Annoying Problems
Conclusion
Arts, Crafts, and DIY are all wide categories that require very different tools for different tasks. When engraving glass for example you might not need the most powerful Dremel and would rather focus on how easy it is to control and make detailed lines.
If you are a woodcarver, you might want more power to help the bit/burr remove a lot of wood quickly.
I usually recommend two Dremel models to most people:
If you need a great all-around and versatile rotary tool with a lot of power, get the Dremel 4000 with the flex shaft attachment. This can do most of the tasks you want and can always get different attachments for different purposes later.
If need to be very detailed in your work and it requires little power, then get a Dremel stylo+. This is by far the most comfortable Dremel model to use over long periods of time. But it is a bummer that you can’t use most of the attachments with this tool.
