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Tool question: lightweight, small electric drill

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stubhead

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I vowed that I would never get robbed by "rechargeable battery" tools that will only allow you to recharge them up to whatever level they're currently at, either enslaving you to the charger or requiring frequent new batteries. But I need something in between my hand drills and my somewhat large and indelicate corded Bosch 3/8" drill. I'd like to find something in the Dremel size, in fact is a variable speed foot lever for a Dremel useful? I'm looking at things like pickguard fabrication etc., where a little too much power is way too much. There are things like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Decker-7-2V-Lithium-Drill-Driver-/111173024754?pt=Drills&hash=item19e26dbbf2

But the battery boondoogle awaits....
 
"Battery Memory" is largely a thing of the past, so you needn't worry about that. What you do need to worry about is how fast you can recharge, and that little B&D unit you linked to will probably take about 2.7 years to recharge due to the itsy-bitsy teeny-weenie wall-wart charger thingy. Maybe less, but don't hold your breath.

You want interchangeable batteries, so you can keep one charged and one on the drill motor. That B&D unit doesn't have that, so if the thing dies on you in the middle of an operation, you're stuck without a tool for 2.7 years.

Lithium Ion batteries don't have the "memory" issue NiCads had, and can deliver a ton of current in a hurry if called for, but they have a real steep knee on the discharge curve. It'll be fine and you're tooling along doing great things, then right in the middle of an operation the thing just dies. Fast. Acts like the motor failed or the switch broke or something. I mean, they give up RFN when they're done; no slowdown, no warning. Not necessarily the end of the world, but it can piss you off if you're in the middle of something.

I don't mean to discourage LiIon battery use - they're great. Best you can get, really. Just make sure you have a backup. And on the plus side, at $24, you could have two of those B&D drill motors, effectively accomplishing the same thing as having a backup battery. Plus, if they're both charged up, you can have different bits/grinders/etc. chucked into them so you just grab what you need at the moment instead of unchucking and rechucking a different bit/grinder/etc. every time you need something different.

As for the variable speed foot pedal for the Dremel, they work if you need them. I've not found a need for one, as I have a speed adjust right on the tool. Usually, you set it for what you're doing. You don't vary speed while your working.

What would be more useful for your Dremel if you don't have one is one of those flexible shafts...

r20006v15.jpg

It makes for a much smaller part in your hand, which is easier to control. The one end connects to your Dremel motor, and the other end has a typical Dremel chuck on it. Very handy.

 
FWIW, I built my Jazzmaster with that same Black & Decker and it was perfect.  The price is unbeatable and it did everything I asked with flying colors. 
 
Perry Combover said:
FWIW, I built my Jazzmaster with that same Black & Decker and it was perfect.  The price is unbeatable and it did everything I asked with flying colors.
Click to expand...

Yep, got the same one and I agree.  It did everything I needed it to do.
I do like the looks of that little Dremel flexible shaft.  I just looked at them on Fleabay and they are from $15 to $25.  Gotta get one...
:rock-on:
 
I can keep it charged - I do have the big gun for heavy work, I just need something light for the SOFT things - the hard part about making pickguards is the softness, IYKWIM.

ZOOM! - oops... :sad1:

HMMM, one of each? :headbang:
 
Cagey said:
What would be more useful for your Dremel if you don't have one is one of those flexible shafts...

r20006v15.jpg
Click to expand...
Black Dog said:
I do like the looks of that little Dremel flexible shaft.    Gotta get one...
Click to expand...

YEP  :icon_thumright:  very handy add-on for the Dremel.

Have used it lots .....
But a warning .... Don't get to carried away with it  :laughing7:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=22215.0
 
I'm pretty sure the worms are mandatory accessories....  :o I have had this old Dremel one-speed model 275 for like 15 years and I keep saying as soon as I burn it out I'll get a variable speed one, but it just won't die and since you can get new motor brushes for $5, hmmm. There are some rinky-dink Chinese "Moto-tool" variable speed foot controllers, with bad reviews - Dremel has discontinued their own foot control, obviously in the hopes of selling you a new moto-tool with integral speed control, but as is pointed out by the Foredom crowd - have you ever seen a dentist fiddling with a speed control on his tool? (The dentist's stuff - the real ones - are preferred by the heavy-duty pro gunsmith engravers/jewelry crowd.) Supposedly sewing-machine speed controls are the same, but you have to work out the compatibility wiring/jacks stuff. I'm awaiting some sewing-supply replies, for sure the flex-shaft is a-comin' soon. :hello2:
 
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