Multi-tool (Dremel / Proxxon?) Advice Needed...

[TimDanaher]

Anyone got experience with multi-tools? I've always thought one would be handy for certain jobs that I need to do on the bike (chopping off bar ends, reaming out brake clamps, cutting seat shims for my zarking integrated seatpost, etc.)

I was looking at a Dremel 8000: http://www.amazon.co...J41Q,B0012RW648

But then someone mentioned Proxxon: they make two models in my price range, the FBS 240/E: http://www.amazon.co...98117629&sr=1-2

and the IB/E: http://www.amazon.co...98117680&sr=1-5

All come with cases and accessories. The Dremel is cordless and widely available, does 5-35,000 RPM, the Proxxons have captive mains cables, do 5-20,000 RPM and are only available from specialist dealers.

Anyone got any experience with any of these? Anyone know if Dremel bits can be used for Proxxon multi-tools?

TIA,

 

[longers]

The first Proxxon you link to has a keyless chuck which means you should be able to fit anything in there upto the maximum shaft diameter of 3.2mm which covers most if not all multi tool bits. No trouble with putting any brand/make of attachments in there that I can foresee. If getting replacement sanding attachments for the bobbins or cutting discs for the mandrels to replace them as they wear out you may have to buy the bobbins and mandrels with the attachments to suit. Or not, don't know about that.

The second one won't accept a keyless chuck and you'll have to swap collets as and when required. I prefer not to have to do this.

Personally I'd go for a non battery machine as all my cordless stuff seems to be flat when I want to use it. You might be more organised than me.

 

[longers]

If going for a Dremel I'd maybe look at somewhere like this for just the bare bones tool and buy the accessories to suit.

60 piece accessory kits are made up of half a dozen of this and half a dozen of that and all tend to be stuff you'll never use. In my experience anyway.

 

[mark barker]

As said above, avoid the cordless ones unless you absolutely have to have cordless for your particular needs.

 

[TimDanaher]

Cheers, both...

Agree that keyless chuck is a must: odd that the IB/E doesn't have one. The Dremels have one you can fit as an add-on.

Now, all this talk of bobbins and mandrels is making me go a bit cross-eyed. The collet is the jaw piece that clamps the bit, no? And is then tightened by the chuck?

Could either of you tell me what attachments I should be looking at if I want to cut through alloy bars, carbon tubing and ream out the ends of the handlebars and an alloy brake clamp? (I need to get a TT brake lever to fit onto normal road bars...)

 

[mark barker]

Yeah, the collet is the jaw bit, and they often come with different internal dimensions depending on the tool you're fitting. There is a collar that fits over this and that tightens the jaws in the same way as a chuck on a standard drill.

I'd be tempted to use a hacksaw for the cutting of the bars. Theres a cylindrical grinder that would work well for the bar ends, and theres a conical shaped one too if you want to taper the finish.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Buy a Dremel, that's because my Carbon Giant TCR riding Freewheeling buddy Nick is the regional Sales manager!

 

[longers]

Now, all this talk of bobbins and mandrels is making me go a bit cross-eyed.

That'll because I've probably picked up the wrong words for them somewhere down the line!

Possibly from these and the like. Dremel call them sanding drums, most other folk probably will too. They're cheap and we find them useful.

Mandrels or what I call them are for fitting these. They do metal cutting versions, I've not used those or cut much metal but the ones linked to have been good for general cutting off.

I'm keeping out of this now as metal cutting with them isn't my thing. These high speed cutters are good for plastic though.

Other suppliers are available, I just found them to be friendly and helpful.

 

[TimDanaher]

OK, thanks both.

, Basically, for the cutting, I need a little steel circular saw attachment, I suppose... those sanding cylinders look as though they'll do the job...

 

[Gareth]

I own and use 3 engravers, mainly for model sculpting and glass engraving; 2 different styles of Dremel cordless engravers, and a mains operated Ryobi Rotary tool station. Each has it's own merits for certain functions.

The pistol Grip Cordless Dremel. I like this for sculpting, but I don't get on with this for engraving. However, Lois does and she produces higher quality craft than I do:

My other cordless Dremel: I like this one, and Lois hates it. This is the one I use around the workshop; mainly because I don't have to run an extension cable out for it, and I get around 100-120 minutes of work off a single battery recharge.

My Ryobi rotary tool station. This is mains powered, cost me £24.99 for the 216 piece kit and I love it, this is the one I use for glass engraving, and other general work when I can sit down comfortably and do craft work for pleasure.

All of the above engravers are colleted, and so will take all of the tools and tips with the four most common shaft sizes. As for the quality and durability of the tips, I find there is nothing to choose between the cheapest to the most expensive brands; especially if you go for the diamond tipped tools. Another tip I can give you is to shorten the shafts on the bits, this reduces the leverage you impart upon the engraver's bearings, and so the engraver will have a longer working life span. .... I've killed the bearings in two engravers, and since shortening the shafts three years ago I have not experienced a problem.

Roliston and other cheap bit sets from the Variety stores: Wilkinson, Roys, QD, etc are just as good as the Main tool brands. But the cheap sets from Lidl outshine them all, and often the whole set is only the price of just one genuine Dremel bit.

For general purpose, and accurate metal cutting, the fibreglass discs are fantastic (I have cut a hardened steel padlock shackle in seconds using one ...... probably not the best thing to post on a cycling forum )


The Lidl's set which I bought for £5.99 last springtime, with two packets of Roliston diamond tips; £5.99 for the larger 20 piece set, and £3.99 for the smaller 10 piece set:

 

[longers]

Good idea about shortening the shafts, ta.

How well do your cordless ones keep their charge between uses Gareth? They might be more useful than I thought they were.

 

[Gareth]

My two cordless Dremels have Lithium Ion batteries, which store the charge exceptional well for long unused periods. However, I did experience a little trouble this winter as my workshop is unheated, and notoriously cold. When it was minus 2 C inside the workshop recently, none of my cordless tools worked on that day.

 

[TimDanaher]

Phew, thanks Gareth... lot to take in there....!!! I actually have a complete toolset that I got from Lidl (about €20), but I couldn't even figure out how to change the bits, and the discs just crumbled in my fingers....

 

[Gareth]

I've just seen this special on the Aldi web site, and I don't think that the occosional user will go far wrong for the price.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_17618.htm

 

[longers]

Wow, you get a lot for your money with that. We've used a few of the Aldi power tools and they're cheap and cheerful but good value for money. The hot glue gun wasn't up to much though.