The Warm Canuck
Chumono
If you could only buy one tool, what would it be? A Dremel or cordless Die Grinder?
One tool, Dremel or Die Grinder?
- Thread starter The Warm Canuck
- Start date
n8
Chumono
lol
I got away with my Dremel until I needed to do some actual carving. Prefer corded and I use both fairly often.
The Warm Canuck
Chumono
n8
Chumono
Sorry... edited my post. I had a Dremel for other projects that was very handy when I started carving up trees. But I very quickly needed more power and bigger bits.
Don't skimp on the safety gear!
Mike Westervelt
Chumono
Corded die grinder unless you have tiny trees in which case you don't need power tools.
RJG2
Omono
Depends on how big your carving jobs are really. If you're starting smallish, go for the Dremel with something like a nibbler bit.
bonsainibbler.co.uk
Other answer:
Nibbler R-maxi – Store – Bonsai Nibblers
Nibbler R-maxi The three tungsten carbide cutting tips in this Nibbler are indexable and replaceable. When the edges are blunt you simply unscrew the tips and turn them to a fresh edge. The tips are normally used in the metal-cutting industry to cut stainless steel so they will last a very, very...
Other answer:
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
Die grinder with variable speed switch.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
I have not tried the nibbler type bits in the dremel type rotary tool. With normal dremel bits it takes forever to carve more than a tiny bit of wood so the choice really comes down to what sized trees you intend to work on and how much wood you're likely to be carving out.
So far I've killed 3 rotary tools so I'd get a die grinder to carve out more wood when I need to.
So far I've killed 3 rotary tools so I'd get a die grinder to carve out more wood when I need to.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I'm with size matters.
I also believe using less precise tools lead to a more natural look, like hands and time.
Sorce
I also believe using less precise tools lead to a more natural look, like hands and time.
Sorce
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
Thought it was only me, Ive killed a few, but have one bugger thats been through the wars, took the same treatment as the others but soldiers on. I think there were a few flawed or dodgy batches.
The Warm Canuck
Chumono
Thank you everyone for your input. I'm going to keep my eye on this one:
pandacular
Masterpiece
I also have a pretty similar question, but still can’t make a decision. To phrase the original question a different way, for those who have used both, what are the advantages of one another?
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
Simply put you can remove more wood, faster, with the die grinder and appropriate bits. If you're carving big trees a dremel would take forever. If you have REALLY big trees you might start with an Arbortech mini grinder for shaping
( https://www.amazon.com/ARBORTECH-Gr...769&keywords=arbortech&qid=1700667262&sr=8-18)
then move to the die grinder.
If you need bigger than that, your probably chainsaw carving little bears in stumps.
AshleyMammal
Mame
I've killed two cordless rotaries (one cheap home-brand, one Dremel), they just burn out, overheat and drain the batteries after 2 minutes of use.
My corded Dremel on the other hand does great. My advice would be, whatever you choose, choose corded!
My corded Dremel on the other hand does great. My advice would be, whatever you choose, choose corded!
The Warm Canuck
Chumono
So I settled on the two rotary tools that I didn't realize could be used, that I already had in my possession. A Rotozip and a mini router.
I'm using both with the Kutzall large and small, round rotary bits:
The large for removing a large amount of stock and the smaller for finer work:
Soon I'll probably buy one of the tapered ones to get into smaller areas:
I can't see why I would need anything other than this.
Moral of the story, is Dremmels and die grinders are not the only tools that can be used.
I think there's much more value in buying a mini variable speed router, with 1/8 and 1/4" coullets. Plenty horsepower and the variable speed covers detailed work right up to large stock removal. If your working on massive trees than maybe a die grinder is necessary but i don't know anything about that.
I'm using both with the Kutzall large and small, round rotary bits:
The large for removing a large amount of stock and the smaller for finer work:
Soon I'll probably buy one of the tapered ones to get into smaller areas:
I can't see why I would need anything other than this.
Moral of the story, is Dremmels and die grinders are not the only tools that can be used.
I think there's much more value in buying a mini variable speed router, with 1/8 and 1/4" coullets. Plenty horsepower and the variable speed covers detailed work right up to large stock removal. If your working on massive trees than maybe a die grinder is necessary but i don't know anything about that.
Last edited:
pandacular
Masterpiece
I saw several concerns about the relative safety of the two tools while searching online—namely that the Dremel is much safer, as a result of its lower torque and power. I would not consider myself proficient with power tools, and frankly I could stand to be more careful, so recognizing that, I think a Dremel might be a good choice for me until I get a good feel for it.
It also seems that the Dremel is more suited for fine detail work. I may use hand carving tools to do rough work then the Dremel for detail work.
It also seems that the Dremel is more suited for fine detail work. I may use hand carving tools to do rough work then the Dremel for detail work.
The Warm Canuck
Chumono
Yes, rotary tools can be extremely dangerous. I'm a wood worker so I take my tool proficiency for granted.
A Dremel does seem like the better tool for you.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I have both and I have used both on my trees.
Ill corroborate the comments that the die grinder is only really good for larger trees/projects where the dremel will take literally forever while the dremel works better for smaller trees/projects.
I also use the dremel to grind down my dogs nails instead of using a clipper. Works great for that too
Ill corroborate the comments that the die grinder is only really good for larger trees/projects where the dremel will take literally forever while the dremel works better for smaller trees/projects.
I also use the dremel to grind down my dogs nails instead of using a clipper. Works great for that too
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I bought the Arbortech two years ago. Some day I'll get it out of the box. Life was not normal for that period but it is returning to normal enough.
ABCarve
Masterpiece
No one has mentioned a flexible shaft tool. In my opinion it’s the best of both worlds. It has the power and torque to run a nibbler and a small hand piece to allow for the smallest detail work.
