Dremel or cheaper alternative?

engstrom0304 · 22 Aug 2015 at 16:40

Hey guys,
Planning a custom case build that will need a little cutting - 1mm steel. Should I buy Dremel only or are other alternative brands ok?

pastymuncher · 22 Aug 2015 at 17:21

As long as it's a decent brand it should last a good while. I have a Ryobi multi tool set and that has lasted me over 5 years so far. Dremel attachments fit it too.

ExRayTed · 22 Aug 2015 at 17:38

Another vote for Ryobi here - good bit of kit

dandos23 · 22 Aug 2015 at 20:15

I cant comment on the Ryobi one, but I did have a cheap brand multi tool and after using it a few times the shaft became loose. It was impossible to do any fine detail work with it after that. I have had my Dremel for about 5 years now and it is still just as accurate as the first time I used it.

darael · 22 Aug 2015 at 20:48

I once had a Dremel for about 5 years, then one day it decided to literally pop with a mighty blue flash.

freddie64 · 23 Aug 2015 at 08:23

Have used a Dremel on aluminium before and it was great, but how would it be with steel?

Understand that it's only 1mm, but it is a lot harder metal.

Jumper118 · 23 Aug 2015 at 11:44

I have a dremel ( I'll look what model it is) and its OK on steel but you need to get a lot of cutting discs and don't get a battery one

Brian18741 · 23 Aug 2015 at 11:47

Depending on the cuts, a simple hack saw may be faster.