I’m looking at getting a hand rotary tool wondered which brand I should go with.

My theory is this. Craftsmen outsourcers their rotary tool production to dremel, which is why Craftsmen and dremels look alike. However the question now falls onto quality, did dremel use the same quality parts in the Craftsmen tools, or did they undercut them and use a lower grade part? Such as ball bearings or the spindle motor.

I did use some creative spelling in the pole, so I apologize for that and I can’t figure out how to correct it.

Dermal = Dremel

I have both brands of tools in corded and cordless versions. Over the years I have used them to port cylinder heads to model work. I've never had a problem with any of them. If you want them to last, go with the ball bearing versions.

I've got one of the Dremel 400 XPR tools and it's by far the nicest Rotary tool I've owned to date.

i use a craftsman rotozip copy works great and for the price it was the way to go for me

at like $6 for the air rotary tool at HF when they go on sale, I can break a lot of them before they equal the price of a Craftsman or Dremel.

Then again my 'lost production' is measured in how much more beer I have time to drink, not dollars.

I've had problems with two dremels and the variable speed control on them. I currently have a Black & Decker and it is holding up so far. One of the Dremels lasted about 5 years, the other less than a year.

Well, I purchased a "LAMINATE ROUTER" that was IDENTICAL to the one sold by
Harbor Freight...

one warning:: do **NOT** use a variable speed controller with this item!

Apparently the air flow is barely adequate when running at the full speed, and so when I slowed it down to about 3/4 speed, it overheated, and literally melted the wires inside the armature coils. Not sure if the terminology is correct as pertains to AC motors, but I think you know what I am referring to.
The coils melted down, smoked up my garage, and finally tripped the breaker. Talk about a bad scare. I was on the other side of the garage looking for scrap wood pieces and had my back turned until i heard it buzzing and whining, as it burned up...

I did, however, purchase a Black & Decker version of the Rotozip that was being sold at Walmart, and am thrilled with it. I use a router variable speed control, and it maintains plenty of air flow even at lower RPMS, although it does tend to bog down easily at low RPMs. The permanent handle also makes it difficult to mount it, but i am working on locating a solution for that. I have it rigged temporarily right now, but it has too much flex, since it is mounted by only one clamp, not two.

Eddie

I have a Craftsman and a cordless Dremel. Both are great for their intended purpose. The Craftsman is nine years old and the Dremel is three years of light to average use. I've no problems with either one so far. Also, they has been no problems with the speed controls, battery(lithium-Ion), or charging system.
Bill C

I have this Enco Model #801-1665 and it works great. Been using it for years.
I have a Foredom too, but prefer the Enco.
Regards, Ray

I too have had the problem with Dremel controls shorting out. I switched to Craftsman. Prolem solved.