Did a bit of talking around and I am told the Chinese Dremel clone has been available  for around Rs 1500 - 2000 for a while now .
I was told it is available in Chennai Broadway area , plan to look around a bit in a day or two and get myself one .

Sai

SAi,
I paid around 950 for a 200W chinese clone of a dremel with a flexible cable and all. in the same broadway area. Ask in at least 4 shops before buying. because some shops quote double the price for the same item of course the cost depends on how elaborate the set is.
Avijit

Thanks Mr Sai, and Avijit. Last evening  I myself bought a 160Watts Chinese clone 'Mitsui' grinder with 33 attachments, flexi shaft and hanging stand. It cost me 1200 in Bangalore .. well the quality is not as top notch as original Dremel 300 my friend has (needs brush tuning as the shaft sticks at one point very slightly ). But I guess its still fine for occasional use. But otherwise all the drill collets are centered and there was no wobbling on both maon drill and flexi shaft when I put a 1 mm drill bit.

Do we get extra collet for these drills ? Since even my 12 PCB driller collet fits this grinder, I assume these collets are standard ones. 

Has any one cut Depron with a spinning 1 mm drill bit ? I mean put the insertion at one place and very slowly move the bit lateral.

 

What is a dremel ? Why do RC folks need it (and discuss it) from time time to time ?

What is available locally, including clones ? 

What are some common and not-so-common uses of this thingy ?

[Note]  The split and merge did not work as I had expected.  This post was supposed to be the top one in this thread !

Dremel was a small company (now acquired by Bosch ) which invented a handy rotarary tool, size of a hand blender, which brought a revolution in home improvement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dremel

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=4000

Accompanied with proper attachments (basic action, support, routing) it can perform unlimited job:

1. Drilling
2. Grinding
3. Cutting
4. polishing
5. Engraving
6. Carving
7. Rubbing
8. Cleaning/Brushing
9. Sanding
10. You name it!

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/Attachments.aspx

Having listed the various job it does, there's not much need to explain how much it could help any scratch builder and even ARF 'Assemblers'. Cutting balsa, carving the aero foil, polishing the balsa surface to mirror finish is much easier for people with lesser patience and low quotient in fine arts.

I recently saw its clone in HC, much competitively priced and with a more convenient flexi shaft:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9393&Product_Name=160W_Dremel_Style_hand-tool_w/_33pc_set_230V

In India, it is marketed by Bosch themselves and another brand (much costlier) and have recently seen them in Star Market, Bangalore. Dremel 300 + 37 attachment was for 3700 and another kit with 55 attachment and flexible shaft (the best part of Dremel I liked) for Rs 5600 (also priced at 7700, but discounted).

I bought almost the Rs 5600 combo Chinese equivalent for Rs 1200 locally (would attach pic later today). You can find the local tool and machinery market  of your city. When they are available in Bangalore/Chennai, same should be in other major towns/city.


-Ujjwal

Guys ,
I have no clue what so ever never ever used it  so absolutely zero knowledge on this  but have always heard a lot of praise  for this tool ORIGINAL or CLONE :
It appears from the replies of Doc Basu and Ujjwal  and looking at the HK version it is obvious that there is a big variants in the clones themselves , which makes my job  even more confusing : so more Important  in understanding this tool is to know what are attachments to look for that are important to us  as aero modelers.
Hence a few questions :
1) Ujjwal mentions  33 attachments what are they and which are the ones important to us and  what is the use of the  flexi shaft
2) Doc you specially told not to go in for the chordless type and buy only the one with the chord WHY ? this is important  as we might be swayed by the fancy of having a chordless version
3) I am sure even without going to the market that there might be one with 200 attachments  to confuse the hell out of the buyer, so once again  what is important to us my guess , cutting wheel ,  grinding shapes , drill etc .

SO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE USED THESE CLONES PITCH IN TO MAKE A GUIDE LIST FOR US THE WOULD BE BUYERS TO LOOK FOR SO THAT WE DON'T  BUY THE WRONG ONE.

SAI

Hi,
I am using Dremel tool for the last 6 years. i purchased 36 Pc's set from Okhla Industrial Area Delhi for Rs. 1200/-. at the time of purchase i was not into aero modeling, but used that tool in my Electronics. I use to Cut PCB's (CCB), cutting thin ply board and acrylic sheets to make boxes for my projects. drilling holes in PCB's, making holes in Boxes. making different shapes of PCB's like round, tree shape etc.  i have flexi shaft as well but never used as i found uncomfortable in using that. Flexi shaft is useful when u r doing precision work like wood carving or buffing/polishing a metallic surface.  As far as using the tool in aero modeling......... NEVER USED. as i never built balsa kits. i use ARF thermocol planes only or depron models to max. and these tools are very heavy for such kits. ITS like using a SWORD to cut butter.....
Recently i purchased cordless motorized screwdriver for Rs. 1200/- in Mumbai. and is now an important and useful tool in my tool box. very handy and it save lot of time.

Sandeep

I regular use I see is to grind off a bit of the motor shaft to make a small flat area, so that grub screws can bite into the shafts.  This is particularly important for 3D flying of helis, where there is a deliberate attempt to maximize the main blade RPMs.

http://cgi.ebay.in/German-Mini-Grinder-Drill-Kit-228-pcs_W0QQitemZ110103901598QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_203?hash=item19a2b4359e

Follow this link, it seems interesting.

Cheers!

VC

Technically, what we are discussing is high speed rotary tools. Yes Dremel is one of the best ones available, and it did rule the roost for a long time.
About three years back when I had contacted Bosch I was told that this (Dremel) range was not launched in India. However there were/are many shops who sold/sell them including in Chennai.
Now I would suggest invest in a good tool and it would last you a long time.
Do not go for cordless type or if you do get few additional battery packs. I have the cordless one the battery always goes down when you want the tool most (Murphy's law).
Pretty useful and handy tool, the best Ilike is chopping of thick piano wires with a cuttoff wheel
The USP of the tool is the multitude of attachments available but then you should use correct attachment with correct speed on right material.

Ujjwal,
To answer your query on cutting depron with a drill bit yes you can do it but will not get neat results. You actually need to use a diagonal cutter (looks like a drill bit but the cutting flutes are different), but my guess is that if used on depron it would melt the material rather than cut.       

These are high speed low torque rotary tools. The RPM can go above 20,000. The battery powered and cordless ones simply don't have the kind of rpm required.
The problem with direct dremel imports from the US is that while stepping down the voltage from 220 to 110 volts, the speed controller often does not work properly. maybe someone who understands the electronics can clarify.
so if you want an original dremel, go for one from europe which is rated for 240 volts.
While i use a cheap chinese clone of the dremel i have got quite a few Dremel original bits and they are great.
The flexible shaft is very useful.
The cut off disc and the sanding drum are also useful.
When used on plastics, sometimes the heat generated is so much that the platic melts.
I would strongly suggest that you download and read the user manual from the dremel website.
On thing i can assure you is if you do some amount of building esspecially with wood, you will wonder how you managed without owning one all these days.
avijit

Also watch your fingers. If the tool easily cuts wood or metal so is your finger.

I used dremel to cut spring valves for pulsejets. I am always very cautious while using this tool. Be very cautious especially with high speed tools.

@flyingboxcar. thanks for the tip. I researched for the bit and there are indeed 'Cutting Bits' used to cut ceramic tiles) but the minimum size in 1/8" and they might well be suited for Depron. Well I got my 'Bow' for my hot wire welded today. Hope to build it soon. With my 1 Watt Laser on the way, I exited to see is that lil chap can cut something or not! Even if I get a cutting speed of 1-3 seconds, a CNC is a possibility.

@Avijit, the 220V Bosch imported Dremel is all over the stores which have a home improvement section - Star Bazaar, Spar and most of the hard-core tool/machinary shops. The Dremel 300 rotary + 30 Accessory Cost Rs 3300 and the one with Flexi shaft and 55 item kit costs arounf 5400. Nothing beats Dremel quality.

I have been using a Dremel tool for more than 20 years. I use it in many tasks and it is a wonderful tool.It is so versatile a tool that it is hard to tell what you can do with it but it is easy to tell what you can not do with it. I used it in many different chores and in one case it saved a grand old woman from a major surgery and possible amputation of a leg. Despite of its versatility I never found its necessity in RC Modelling and I love building planes from kits and scratch.

What exactly did you do? 

Hi.. where can I get the original Dremel 300 with 30 acces in Mumbai Any specific shop or retailer

Thanks.

Have seen it at Home Town (could try at other pantaloon retail outlets like ezone, big bazaar etc) and Star Bazaar (TATA). Not to mention bosch dealer at SP rd. These are at bangalore, these chains should be present there as well.

Thanks for the inputs...

Anyone from Mumbai where can i find it in Mumbai somewhere close to Worli or in Andheri ?? Any help would be appreciated 

Check out Lohar Chawl which is the hardware/tools market, in South Mumbai, near Crawford Market.

I was in Lohar Chawl Yesterday, and i see one good shop who selld Origianl Dremel Tools and Accessories. i didnt check the shop no. but the location is very simple. After Entering the the Market immediate take a left turn, you will see footpath market who are selling Christmas items. keep going straight on your right side footpath. after walking around 400 mtr you will see a big shop with glass showcase having only dremel tools and accessories.
Another is the Nirmal Life style in Mulund - Shoprite hyper. Go to tool and hardware section and there you will see a big Grey colored briefcase with dremel clone tools box.

I thought he was looking for the Real McCoy and not clones.

If original is required, then Lohar Chawl is the best place.. i will be going again on Friday. will check the price of dremel 300.
Saurabh : if you can provide me with your mobile no. will call you from there itself and will let you know the address of that shop.

Sandeep

Thanks a lot guys... Thanks for all your help... My Number is : 9004548889 You may reach me anytime. I would surely appreciate if you can let me know the shop number and price.

Thanks a ton

Cheers

Guys, if a dremel is essentially a rotary tool, can we get the abrasive bits separately and fix it with an ordinary 15mm electric drill?

Pankaj

Yes you can. The only difference is that dremel and equivalents can spin at higher RPMs. You could use same bits in a drill for all applications that don't need a high speed.