Dremel - Cord or Cordless

[stoc445]

Have some Farkle projects coming up and my original Dremel chuck gave out, flings the bits all over the place. Can't find a replacement chuck for this model so I'm forced to buy a new one. Now the question, Cord or Cordless. The one I seen comes with a single battery, does anyone know if this is a smart charger? I don't use it all that much so it will sit in the charger for long periods of the time. Also, is the weight of the cordless an issue?

TIA,
Denny

[Sink]

My question would be if the cordless has the power of the corded one..... I'm sticking with the corded variety myself.

[UNTMatt]

Personally, on tools I don't use all the time or one's that will always be used within easy access to an outlet, I get corded. I know that my dremel or any of my other power tools will work when I need them. Also batteries have a life span and I hate replacing batteries, have trouble fiding replacement batteries, or not be able to find replacement batteries when the time comes.

The only cordless tool I keep on hand is an 18v Ridgid drill and I have two batteries with that bad boy.

[Tom B.]

My question would be if the cordless has the power of the corded one..... I'm sticking with the corded variety myself.

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Unbelievable!:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

A cord over BACON power? Sink! What's with that?

:crackup :crackup :crackup

[Imrubicon]

I have a cordless one (gift) and whil\e it works well I still would have bought a cordless as the life time of battery is going down after 2 years and the cordless would work till the end .

[sirepair]

GO FOR THE CORDED ONE! I personally HATE :mad: cordless tools. The batteries are always dead, the power is not there. And replacement batteries (if available) often cost MORE than the tool!

It's just more of our "disposable" society!

The only cordless tool I own is a 6-8 year old DeWalt 14v cordless drill. Good thing it came with 2 batteries! One on the drill, one in the charger. Drill 4 or 5 holes in some thin aluminum and swap batteries!

My 25 year old "Skil" corded drill still works like a charm!! And I have 300' of extension cord to take it anywhere on my property!

...stepping down from soapbox now!:soapbox

[Tom B.]

I was helping a friend screw sheeting (I have no ideal why the owner didn't want it nailed?) to the roof of a garage. I was using my old and battered 12v DeWalt drill/driver and he and old B-D corded drill. Now my friend gave me heck all afternoon about having to run for a new battery every hour. I didn't mind since I could get a drink, pee or rest for a few each hour. Now who ever had framed the garage did not have it very on square:roll: so all of the last sheets had to be custom cut one @ a time. Using a corded circular saw, my friend unplugs his drill and promptly drops the extension cord off the roof! Down ho goes after it. Back up and he cuts a sheet, unplugs the saw to plug his drill in again and oops, there goes the extension cord again! He solved that by fixing the cord around a nail but then, the next time he needed to swap tools his fix didn't hold and much to my delight :crackup there goes that damn cord, right off the roof again! I can't tell you how many times he did that but it was well worth waving my battery powered tool in his face each time he had to go down that ladder to fetch the extension cord!!!

In defense of corded tools: longevity!!! I have a 40-50 year old powermate drill that will outdrill almost anything made today and just as old Montgomery Ward Circular saw that I'd still be using today if I could still find blades for it! If i'm @ home out come the corded stuff. If out in the boonies, the batteries are best! I have a corded Dremel myself!
Seriously, battery or corded, each has it's place! It a personal thing don't cha know!

[Viggo]

All my tools are corded with the exception of my screwdriver/drill. To me, only tools used all the time should be cordless because of battery issues. I only use my dremel a couple times a year so keeping it unused on a charger would just not make sense.

[Sink]

I have the big set of Rigid cordless tools and I love them for what they are. I got a lifetime warrenty on the entire set, including the batteries! 18v hammer drill/driver, recip saw, circular saw, flashlight and impact driver.. with dual 15 minute charger. It really comes in handy around the acreage when I don't want to run a cord. Downside is power... You can't beat corded tools for the POWER... OOO OOO OOOO OOOOO

[George]

Denny, I have some old Dremel parts laying around. What busted on your's?

[Texas]

I have both the Dremel 7.2V Cordless (The Stylus $80), and a B&D corded ($25). There is no comparison which one is better. It is hands down the B&D. Now the Dremel's ability to get into tight places with no cord is awesome, and for polishing is....ok. However it just does not have any power, and it gets very hot and looses that power after just a few minutes. The B&D has the amps to do just about anything and it does not get hot. Also, it is a lot cheaper. If I had to do it over again I would have never purchased the Dremel.

I hope that helps,

Texas

[UNTMatt]

I have the big set of Rigid cordless tools and I love them for what they are. I got a lifetime warrenty on the entire set, including the batteries! 18v hammer drill/driver, recip saw, circular saw, flashlight and impact driver.. with dual 15 minute charger. It really comes in handy around the acreage when I don't want to run a cord. Downside is power... You can't beat corded tools for the POWER... OOO OOO OOOO OOOOO

I love my Ridgid cordless drill. Thing can take my hand off if I'm not careful. I didn't know cordless drills could have that much power. :eek: Came with two batteries as well.

The only cordless tool I own is a 6-8 year old DeWalt 14v cordless drill. Good thing it came with 2 batteries! One on the drill, one in the charger. Drill 4 or 5 holes in some thin aluminum and swap batteries!

You need new batteries. If it's been that way since it was new, it's time to upgrade your cordless drill. Depending on type of battery usually they will only take a decent charge 500 - 1000 cycles.


The only corded drill I want is a ½" hammer drill. As for the rest of the tools, batteries are for the birds. Although that Paslode cordless nail gun (http://www.paslode-cordless.com/) is pretty cool...but then you don't have the excuse of needing a big monster air compressor. :D

[George]

I've gone thru some batteries on my Craftsman 19.2VDC set, also had to replace the sawz-all. But overall it's been a great set. The little 5" skil saw works wonders for it's size, the drill/driver is my third hand.

But, I also carry a real Skil saw and a 1/2 Craftsman power drill. Ya never have enuff POWA!

[fastflyer20]

I use Dremel and B&D rotary tools at home and work.
Corded is the only way to go to extract usable power out of that little motor, not to mention dead batteries.

I have had both apart to fix
Dremels can be fixed, but not worth it
B&D can't

Summary:
B&D make twice the power
B&D egronomics are better.
B&D are 1/2 to 1/4 the cost
Throw it away if you ever wear it out

Case closed...

[Don-STOC237]

Another nice think about the cord-type Dremel is the ability to use the extension wand if you're doing bench work. The lower weight makes it a lot easier to control and use for extended periods of time.

[John Anthony]

I have both. It's nice to grab the cordless if I have a small, lightweight job. Otherwise, I'll take the extra power I get with the corded.

John

[DAS]

Batteries get old too fast for me but I do like my cordless 18 volt craftsman drill. It's the only battery powered tool I have. If I have a heavy duty job I get out my Hilty Kwik Driller and it's power and speed will usually more than make up for the time lost messing with the extension cord.

I like my corded variable speed dremel and have used it alot over the 9 years I've had it. Can't say I've ever needed it to be cordless but maybe I'd find more things to do with it if it were.

[Sink]

Sorry about the thread hijack here....

If you like the cordless drills... try a cordless impact! you can drive 3 inch wood screws so fast you will think it's corded and magic! Just a note... it will also drive the phillips bit to the bone through you thumbnail quicker than you can say OUCH! DAMHIKT.....

I also have a 1/4 and 3/8 adaptor for the impact and I use it on the bike sometimes. Makes really quick work of removing bolts! Taking the air cleaner base off on an ST1300 is quick and easy. (Some have had a very hard time removing the screws). This tool is one of the best additions to your collection!

[Tom B.]

Sorry about the thread hijack here....

If you like the cordless drills... try a cordless impact! you can drive 3 inch wood screws so fast you will think it's corded and magic! Just a note... it will also drive the phillips bit to the bone through you thumbnail quicker than you can say OUCH! DAMHIKT.....

Through your thumbnail? Thinking to self (Bet it won't go through one of his toe nails!:wink: ) That hadda HUUUURRRTTTTT! Slammed my dang thumb in the car door the day before Christmas. Lost the nail and it's just now beginning to look normal again! Know your pain!!! Symathy your way cometh!

By the way, what brand? I'd like to get one! Uh...not a thumb or nail or toenail but a cordless impact driver.:roll:

Back to the regularly programed thread!

[stoc445]

Wow, lots of opinions round here! George, thanks for the parts offer, but I want to get a new one. Mine has like 3 speeds and the housing is cracked but it still worked, up till the chuck gave out on me. I've been wanting a variable speed for a while now. Seems like I'm looking for one with a cord!

Thanks all.

[Sink]

Through your thumbnail? Thinking to self (Bet it won't go through one of his toe nails!:wink: ) That hadda HUUUURRRTTTTT! Slammed my dang thumb in the car door the day before Christmas. Lost the nail and it's just now beginning to look normal again! Know your pain!!! Symathy your way cometh!

By the way, what brand? I'd like to get one! Uh...not a thumb or nail or toenail but a cordless impact driver.:roll:

Back to the regularly programed thread!

Actually, it didn't hurt as bad as my back was hurting at the time. I was walking over to the stairs with blood dripping everywhere thinking, hmmm.... this isn't so bad! I have chronic back and nerve problems.... meds must do that to my toenails...

My impact is a Rigid. I bought the big set, and had a coupon for "free" lifetime warranty and a free impact driver. 18v. I LOVE that thing! I don't use my drill/driver much anymore, unless I need something a little more delicate.

[Tom B.]

Thanks for the info Sink! Unbelievably kind of you!!!:hat1:

[number9]

I had a cordless dremel once, actually I still have it up in the attic. Since owning that tool I flat refuse to have a power tool without a cord on it. My electric is always on and I am never more than 50ft from a socket.

[BigBadblue]

I had a cordless dremel once, actually I still have it up in the attic. Since owning that tool I flat refuse to have a power tool without a cord on it. My electric is always on and I am never more than 50ft from a socket.


++1
About 7 or 8 years ago I bought an 18v DeWalt 1/2" cordless drill at work when they first came out, all my co-workers tried it really liked it so over the next couple years I bought over a half dozen more for everyone. While the DeWalt tools themselves are very nice, their batteries and chargers are junk. The batteries and chargers have a short service life (mostly <2years) and are very expensive to replace. My old 9.6v Makita batteries last well over over 5 years and I have never had a problem with the chargers. I buy corded tools unless I absolutely have to have cordless. Corded (110vac) tools cost less to buy and maintain and usually have more power to boot as well as a longer service life..

[wcleland]

I own both and don't like the cordless, not as much power.

[Sink]

In case you didn't catch it, my Rigid tools came with a LIFETIME warranty, INCLUDING BATTERIES!