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"Suitable multi tool drill for miniatures." Topic


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Carta202205 May 2023 6:54 a.m. PST

Hi, I have been looking at Dremel and Proxxon multi tools for the purpose of drilling and filling away metal casting infills, particularly between reins on 18mm miniatures. I believe it is necessary to use a low speed, so I am looking for something with a speed controller. I liked the Proxxon micromot 60 but don't want to pay almost double the price of the price of the multi tool for the transformer with speed control. I was evening considering a Nail as in manicure drill, as it has 0-35,000 rpm. Any advise, other than use a manual hand drill! would be greatly appreciated. Lastly I am looking for USA models.

Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP05 May 2023 7:07 a.m. PST

Harbor Freight sells a moto-tool, for a very modest price. It is loud, though (save your hearing -- wear 30 dB ear plugs!), and the speed control is limited. Having said that, it will take all Dremel tool bits. It lacks the finesse of a Dremel, but it will get the job done.

I used a Ryobi moto-tool for 10+ years… Loved it! Then it broke, and HF was the least expensive option. The HF is not for delicate work, but it does wonders with a Cut-Off Wheel -- my favorite tool! I use it to remove material as it is faster than grinding/sanding. Takes some practice, though.

A power tool is most useful for grinding/sanding/polishing/cutting (Cut-Off Wheels are da' bomb, Baby!), rather than careful, articulate drilling/grinding/sanding. Power tools will remove material at a very high speed.

Using a Variac (variable AC transformers) to lower the AC Voltage from the wall, may/may not work to control the speed of the moto-tool! Back in the day, it was the only way to slow down non-synchronous AC motors; synchronous AC motors derived their speeds/RPM from the frequency of the AC voltage (50 or 60 Hertz, depending where you lived) -- mostly clocks.

Most modern speed controls rely upon inexpensive computer chips, rather than the old analog methods (expensive Variacs).

The moto-power tools have their place, and they are incredibly useful to a miniatures gamer, but be careful of your expectations. You may find they won't do what you want, and it may cost a few minis to learn that.

Buy a moto-tool if you have a need for speedily grinding metal/resin off. They are amazingly useful tools to a modeler, in general. Be aware that using them on plastic minis might lead to the plastic melting, and sagging, rather than simply taking it off, as desired. Cheers!

Carta202205 May 2023 7:58 a.m. PST

Hi Sgt Slag, thanks for your useful information.
Regards.
Alan.

79thPA Supporting Member of TMP05 May 2023 8:02 a.m. PST

Good info, sergeant.

jwebster Supporting Member of TMP05 May 2023 8:20 a.m. PST

Not sure why you want low speed. The cutting bits are designed for use at high revs – you shouldn't need to use any force. If you feel you can't control the drill, better off with hand tools. I have difficulty controlling the drill sometimes. I use dremel desk clamp either to hold the drill in place or the piece that attaches to the drill makes a nice handle to stabilize it

John

mjkerner05 May 2023 8:26 a.m. PST

Harbor Freight generally sells Chinese knock-offs. By my experience, nothing from there lasts any length of time. Do yourself a favor and get a Dremel. Mine has lasted decades, so far.

Martian Root Canal05 May 2023 10:43 a.m. PST

Second for Dremel. I have the standard rotary tool and the engraver. I use both for drilling, grinding and cutting miniatures/terrain.

Personal logo Mister Tibbles Supporting Member of TMP05 May 2023 11:25 a.m. PST

Dremel every day of the week. +1 Joe Jwebster.

Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP05 May 2023 11:57 a.m. PST

HF's Drill Master… $9.99 USD for an 80-piece set. It has a fixed speed of 16,000 RPM. Buy it for the bits, if nothing else. LOL! The Dremel will run you $54.99, off of Amazon.com.

This is the noisy beast I bought from HF, 8,000-35,000 RPM; $24.99 USD for the tool with a 30 piece kit. I dropped mine into a bucket filled with used motor oil, while it was still plugged in… It is still working, 5+ years later.

Ryobi makes a newer version, for $49.99, with 77 accessories, and a nice case.

Milwaukee makes one as well: $84.39 USD‌. Amazon has around a dozen models and makers to choose from -- search for "rotary tool".

My Ryobi saw very heavy use. My HF has seen far less use, but it serves me very well, as long as I have my ear plugs in place. LOL! Functionally, it is every bit as good as my Ryobi was, except my Ryobi had a greater range of RPM's.

Spend your money how you like. The Dremel brand bits will work in all of them. Cheers!

ZULUPAUL Supporting Member of TMP06 May 2023 2:36 a.m. PST

If you need speed control you can buy a "speed controller". I bought one years ago to use with my one speed tool.

Carta202207 May 2023 12:07 p.m. PST

Thanks to everyone who responded. I learned a bit.
Thanks
Alan.

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