Dremel Stylus...yea or nay?

[tim slocum]

My good ole' Dremel model 275 went kaput a while back and I need a replacement. I've been looking over the Dremel Stylus as a possibility,what do you guys/gal think? Have any of you used one? It sounds good on paper,lipo docking station,cordless,fits nice in the hand.etc. Comments?

[DanL]

My most used tool. Great for plastc, wood, lighter work.
It has a great range of speed, including low speeds good for drilling plastic.
Small and can be braced or placed during cutting more easily than the other dremels.
Not as fast as the bigger ones, but they are all too fast for most of what I do.
Not as powerful as the biggies, but I consider that safer, and it has plenty of power for what I do.
Very convenient, but I put on a dremel 3-jaw adjustable chuck and can now slip in any size drill or tool instantly.
Has never run out of juice, and I use it heavily.
One problem - after a while, the three contacts in the base weren't connecting, and I had to clean out the base. It collects dust and debris. But even after cleaning, charging contact was erratic. Looking closely, one of the spring contacts was eroded. I cleaned and buffed it, but I still have to jiggle the tool in the base to get the charge light to come on.
Even with that problem, I think its a great tool for $65.

[Frank Hurd]

Second DanL's comments. I like it for it's light weight, however I do keep a regular, corded 400 for heavier use. But it's go anywhere capability sure is nice.
It depends on what you are going to use it for as to whether I would recommend it as your only Dremel.
Frank

[tim slocum]

Well I got one today from Wm.I just read most of instructions. The toughest thing I'll ask of it is to cut 1/8th in. stainless steel prop shafts, do you think it can do it?

[waboats]

Well I got one today from Wm.I just read most of instructions. The toughest thing I'll ask of it is to cut 1/8th in. stainless steel prop shafts, do you think it can do it?

It can but take it slow, with no excess pressure applied.. More important to make sure you have the right cutting disks..

Try here for better quality and longer lasting Bits..

http://www.duragrit.com/

[pops52]

I purchased one about a month ago and find that i like it too. Even being left handed the thing felt pretty natual. I like the slower speed and less power. Much more suitable for the stuff I butcher. :)

[tim slocum]

waboats, after schattering a few stardard cutting wheels, I picked up some fiberglass reinforced ones.Thanks for the link.

Pops52, Im a lefty also.

[green-boat]

Tim,

Is that Model 275 one of those with ball bearings and a cord?

If so and you still have it, I'd be interested in it. I'm looking for a dead Dremel brand, Corded, ball bearing tool.

[SD rc boater]

My Dremels are by far my most used tools ever. I wore out the battery powered one, but the corded one still works great after 12 years. :)

[tim slocum]

Greenboat, Im seriously thinking of sending it to the company and seeing if they will fix it. I think the problem is in the on/off switch. I used it about 6or7 times before it just wouldnt turn on. I jiggled the on/off switch for a minute and got a few sporatic rpm's.

[green-boat]

No problem.

[seaphoto]

I like it a lot - the slower speed and enhanced control make it a handy alternative to my corded Dremel. One thing I would change is to swap the posistions of the chuck lock and power keys - I don't know how many times I have hit the power button intending to change a tool. The unit fits nicely in my hand, and I've had no problems with the charger. Having had one of the older rechargeable units, I like the ability to simply put the tool back on the charger without having to remove the battery pack.

It's a tool worth buying.

Kurt

[tim slocum]

Arrrgh, I noticed that when I put mine on the base, the green light will come on if I wiggle the tool. Sometimes the green light flickers when I wiggle the unit.

[DanL]

Yeah, Tim, I have the same problem. I have to jiggle it every time to get the charger contacts "made". I've cleaned them, buffed them , etc - both on the base and on the tool, and still can't get the green light unless I play around with the position of the unit in the base.
I wonder if Dremel has a fix or whether it's covered in the warranty.

[tim slocum]

I'm going to call them, I'll let you know.

[Captain Bill]

Tim I also have the same problem with the stylus. I have to wiggle it so it can charge. There must be some kind of manufacturing defect. I wonder how many other people are having the same problem. Other than that it's a great tool.

[rlboats2003]

Was in WM picking up some vitiamans and went back to the tools and picked up a Stylus. Haven't had a chance to try it yet or try the charger but will over the weekend. This looks really easy to handle and light weight will be for the final assy area of the shop. Will give it a try this weekend.

Thanks for the product review.
Rich

[DanL]

TIM - Did you contact Dremel about the charger contacts yet? Mine are getting really touchy now. Doesn't seem to simply be the contacts. Something internal maybe?

[tim slocum]

DanL,Captain Bill, I contacted Dremels customer service dept a few days ago and was told to return it to where I bought it.When I asked if there was a fix I could do at home, she said "No". When I asked if this was a widespread problem, she said,"I don't know."That's it....thats all I got,bring it back and get a new one.Do I want to do that if theres a chance the next one will be bad also?I've worked in customer service and you know when theres a problem that generates more calls than normal. I got on the www and started looking for reviews of the Stylus and found that other people are having this same problem.Also, some are complaining of the battery heating up or going out completely.I also found alot of really good reviews.It seems the concensus is that its a great tool with a badly designed connection between the tool and it's base. Im not sure what Im going to do.I think if you put some weight on the tool while its on the base (ziplock bag with BB's?)it will make consistant contact with it and charge correctly. I havent tried this yet and not sure if it will work. Or you could take your chances and exchange it for a new one.Question,if you keep getting bad ones, how many new ones is the store going to give you?

[pops52]

A little jiggle when placing the tool in the base is not too much to overcome. At least we have a light to know when we have made contact. That's more than the Mrs. conveys. :)

[DanL]

Returned mine to the large home improvemnt store where I bought it. Didn't have the receipt, but they looked up all my past purchases on their computer and found it. Gave me a brand new one.
I was amazed to see that they know everything I ever bought there by either credit card or chkng acct number. Big brother IS watching...

Pops...remember, lights out - big brother is watching....

[tim slocum]

DanL, please let me know how the new one works out. Pops52, a giggle will get a flicker, to make solid contact you would have to stand there and hold the tool in the base. I would probably get tired of doing this after....say...a couple of hours. On a brighter note, I used the tool for the first time and loved it. It sure made trimming the dogs nails a whole lot easier.I especially like the ability to vary the speed.