Dremel has quietly launched 2 new 12V Max cordless rotary tools, 8240 and 8250.
The new Dremel cordless rotary tools follow a series of new tool and accessory launches by Ryobi, which is quickly becoming a major competitor in this space.
Dremel has previously launched the 8260, and new flagship model with a brushless motor and Bluetooth connectivity, and the 7350, a no-frills USB-rechargeable model.
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Dremel 8240 Cordless Rotary Tool
The Dremel 8240, which Amazon states is the new model version of the older 8220, launched at the $99.99 price point.
It features an EZ Twist nose cap, 5,000 to 35,000 RPM variable speed motor, and an LED battery charge indicator.
Dremel says the 8240 features high versatility, high power, and is the tool to do it all.
Compared to the 8220, the new 8240 “features improved design and extended soft grip for more control and comfort,” as well as “enhanced electronics for optimal power, performance, and efficiency, and also improved ventilation to reduce heat during use.”
The kit, 8240-5, comes with a charger, 2.0Ah battery, tool bag, and a 5pc accessory set to start off with.
Price: $100
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Dremel 8250 Cordless Rotary Tool
The Dremel 8250 looks similar to the 8240, but sports slightly different ergonomics and additional features. The 8250 kit was launched at $149.99 pricing.
This model features a brushless motor, variable speed dial from 5,000 to 30,000 RPM, and a reinforced digital display that indicates speed, battery life, and warning lights that activate when the tool encounters overload or excessive temperature conditions.
The 8250 is also more ergonomically shaped and with a textured rubber soft grip. Dremel says it features low noise and vibration.
The 8250-5 kit comes with a 3.0Ah battery, charger, carrying bag, and 5pc EZ-Lock cutting wheel accessory set.
Price: $150
Dremel 8240 vs. 8250 Cordless Rotary Tools
The main difference between the 8240 and 8250 tools, aside from the hand grip, lower max speed for the 8250, and indicator LEDs, is that the 8250 has a brushless motor and the 8240 a brushed motor.
Dremel says that the 8250 delivers more power, runtime, and more speed than the 8240, although it should be noted that the 8240 has a higher max operating speed. Perhaps Dremel is referring to application speed.
Both tools appear to be similar, with the 8240 weighing a little more, at 23.3 oz vs. 20.5 oz for the 8250.
The charging time is said to be 65 minutes for the 2Ah battery, and 95 minutes for the 3Ah battery.
It looks like the 8250 is based on Dremel’s also-recent 8260 cordless rotary tool, but without the Bluetooth and app connectivity.
The 8260 kit is currently $169 at Home Depot.
Dremel 12V Max Compatibility Notice
Dremel says:
No, the 8250 is not compatible with Dremel 12V battery pack model numbers 875, 880, B812 & B814 which are intended for use with the Dremel 8220. The B816 12V battery pack is intended for use with the 8250 and not compatible with the Dremel 8220.
Basically, the 8240, 8250, and 8260 form a brand new Dremel 12V Max cordless power tool system that is not compatible with their older tools or batteries.
Don’t Forget About Ryobi
The competition between Dremel and Ryobi has been heating up, giving hobbyists, DIYers, crafters, and even pros more cordless rotary options than ever before.
Here are the latest from Ryobi:
blocky
This new battery form-factor looks like it would be natively interchangeable with the Bosch 12v packs.
Stuart
Yes, but it’s not guaranteed. Dremel’s recent 20V Max line is semi-compatible with Bosch, but only with like-capacity compact batteries. Most Bosch batteries did not work.
Dremel understandably doesn’t talk about Bosch compatibility, and so we have to wait until someone with both tools tries things out.
MoogleMan3
If the 8250 works with bosch batteries I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
Jared
Battery incompatibility is nuts. Am I understanding correctly that Dremel is finally using Bosch batteries – but that they don’t say this specifically and some sizes might not fit?
If so, that’s a step forward. Could be better, but still – an improvement.
Dremel’s cordless system never seemed very appealing. Yet if I could use my 12v Bosch packs, I would at least consider the tools.
blocky
I have the Dremel 8220. The chargers are interchangeable, and I popped the base-plate off one of my many Bosch 2.0ah packs in order to use it in the Dremel, without any issue.
MM
I can see why Dremel isn’t advertising cross compatibility if some Bosch batteries work and some don’t. It’s easier to be quiet about it than it is to try and explain which batteries work and which don’t and deal with the resulting confusion.
But that said, it’s puzzling why they didn’t make the Dremel tools compatible with all of the Bosch batteries, at which point they could advertise cross-compatibility, and that would be a win for everybody. If I, as a customer, owned Bosch tools and I learned that I could use my existing batteries in Dremel tools I’d be more likely to buy Dremel. And vice-versa: if I bought the Dremel tool first and found that its batteries could be used in Bosch tools then I’d be more likely to buy into Bosch.
Garybogden
Bosch owns Dremel! And yes, they are compatible.
lethalwp
the old dremels were compatible with bosch-green 12V batteries.
With this new versions (i bought the 8260), they are finally compatible with the bosch (professional) blue 12V batteries!
(at the end, they are the same battery, but the connecting plastic head is different… Fake market segmentation 🙁 )
Stuart
Bosch Green, their DIY line, is not available in the USA. 99.9% of the time I reference Bosch, I’m talking about their Bosch Blue/Pro product line, as that’s all we have available here.
MoogleMan3
In regards to using Bosch’s batteries on the 8260, from a Q&A on home depot’s site:
“Can you use Bosch 12v batteries on the Dremel 8260 tool? The battery looks identical in the photo and I believe Bosch owns the Dremel brand.
A: The Dremel 8260 is compatible with Bosch BAT414, BAT415 and GBA12V30 batteries as indicated on the battery/charger compatibility chart included with the tools, but these tools are not part of the Bosch professional system. We recommend using Dremel batteries and chargers only for your Dremel tools. For further assistance, please contact us at 1-800-4-DREMEL (1-800-437-3635), Monday-Friday, 8A-5P CST.”
So probably on the 8250 as well?
Nils
Man. I wish Dremel or someone else would improve the quality of their cordless offerings. When you hold their tools they just feel cheap compared to dewalt/Milwaukee/makita.
Last time I used one of their easy change tools the method was a poorly fitting thread on pseudo wrench that otherwise functioned as the nose of the head. I assume these are the same.
Motors have always felt kind of buzzy and precarious. The blow molded tool case is cheap as hell for something that is used frequently in a precision environment/up close.
Lyle
I ordered the Bosch Dremel-like tool from Amazon.de and I love it. Works with pretty much all Dremel accessories that I tried.
JoeM
Yeah, I’m just more motivated to get myself, and my niece, the 8260. Plus extra batteries out the wazoo. Instead of scaling down the battery, like the 8100 8V did for the 8200 12V, they just made two scaled down tools from the full 8260 using the same batteries.
They’re really not different enough to really warrant all that much fanfare, and I think that may have been the goal. A slap in the face to Ryobi, who genuinely made theirs different than a Dremel. This says “We’re Dremel, and we can be as insane as we want, we’ll still be Dremel when it comes to Rotary Tools.” Still drives me to the 8260. Brushless, and with Bluetooth features, using the top-end control style onboard the way the 8200/8220 do.
Ryobi is not going to beat out Dremel or Proxxon. I just wish Dremel wasn’t trolling so low below their standards here. Ryobi has its own niche, and reason for being. Tool users can’t really go wrong with these three companies in the Rotary Tool market.
Jim Felt
Is Foredom somehow lost here? Or is the tethered/connected but tiny tool piece not normally an advantage for most Toolguyd folks? Personally I’ve had cordless Dremel tools for maybe 20 years and always thought the bodies are kinda clunky. My Milwaukee and Bosch 12v is no better.
Am I missing something?
MM
I like Foredom units and handpieces. But I think they are not very well known to DIYers and are more of a professional tool. The only people I’ve met who knew about them were either jewelers or gunsmiths. I’m also a big fan of the next step up, the Suhner Rotofera. That is a flex shaft tool with an honest 1.3 Hp constant duty rated motor with a 7-speed mechanical gearbox. Those are popular in industry and have a very wide range of attachments. The gearbox is a noteworthy feature over electronic variable speed control in that the low gears have very high torque. And if that’s not enough there’s the 4.3 Hp Rotar model.
TonyT
The Suhner Rotofera is a gigantic step up in price/
MM
Yeah, those are costly! I understand why they are not well known outside of industrial users. The Foredom tools aren’t anywhere near that expensive.
Jim Felt
Thanks. I’ve seen these occasionally in certain environments but never remembered the brand. And I agree on most uses they are beyond our conversations.
Like Stuart says below while the Foredom price point is several times and with these ten times a Dremel. That’s mostly a leap too far here.
But it’s interesting to know.
Stuart
I really like Foredom, but flex-shaft tools are a much more serious investment. A basic Foredom starter package exceeds $300.
Foredom doesn’t really belong in this conversion though. With a Foredom, you bring the work to the tool. With cordless rotary tools, you can bring the tools to the work.
Dremel also has a simple learning curve. With Foredom, users have to make several decisions, such as in handpiece selection, before their first project or task.
MM
I agree with you that a flex-shaft is a fundamentally different tool from a cordless rotary tool like these Dremels. But I think the distinction isn’t all that important when most of the work these tools do can easily be be “brought to the tool”. Before I discovered die grinders I used Dremels and Minicraft DC powered rotary tools. Sometimes I’d use one for an automotive application. In that case a cordless tool would have been great–I remember the hassle of dragging out an extension cord to run old school Dremels. The Minicrafts could run straight off a car battery and had more power than Dremel, but they had the silly design decision of a very short cord so you still had to fool around with extensions unless you were working within two feet of the battery. But 95% of the time I use a tool like that it’s for working on something fairly small that’s easy to bring to wherever the tool is. In my opinion being cordless isn’t much of an advantage for a high-speed rotary tool; so unless you, the buyer, have very specific requirements a flex-shaft tool is probably worth considering, especially with Ryobi offering a couple different models. Of course the Foredom may well be outside someone’s budget but I don’t think it’s so out of line they are to be excluded.
JoeM
Foredom is not lost in my mind, if that helps, Jim. They aren’t battery operated, nor are they in the same category of rotary tools as these hand-held releases. The Ryobi models are, though. So, the direct comparisons for them are at the forefront of the brain for this.
I have yet to see Proxxon with a comparable Cordless Micromot Rotary Tool, but I’ve been busy lately, and very tired, the Pandemic has ruined my perception of time, so I don’t know how long things have been out, or how long ago they were, or even what time it usually is. This doesn’t seem relevant, but it means I haven’t had the chance to check every single company I like’s offerings, due to a loss of time, and sleep. So, much like Proxxon, Foredom doesn’t get checked as often as I used to. But I do have an undeniable love of their products. Lee Valley sold (potentially still sells?) two sets of Foredom rotary accessories that my Mother nearly wept over when I bought them for Mother’s Day somewhere around 15 years ago. Ceramic Finishing Wheels, and Cotton Polishing Wheels, each in their own self-standing sets.
As to Foredom… I genuinely want one… Or potentially 5, depending on the chance of affording them. Not only could I rig up carving and detailing setups with ease, I could do what everyone says not to do, and actually get the dead skin off my feet, without considering the price of a nail salon. My Dremel 4000, and 8200, are both compatible with things like the 90 degree attachment, or the flex shaft, and especially the EZ Lock mandrels. It smells a bit like someone is cooking bacon, but I do end up with smooth heels, and less pain walking.
I bet you probably didn’t need to know that part, but it does illustrate that Foredom is not lost in the shuffle here. I do, very much, think of Foredom tools along side Dremel and Proxxon, as brands I’m loyal to. Not so much Ryobi, but that’s truly only because I already have Dremel and DeWALT tools… there’s nothing they can’t do for me, that Ryobi could do better for me. In this conversation about the value, or competition, of these newly-released Dremel rotary tools, they are obviously in direct competition with the Ryobi releases, and not the raw power that comes out of the Foredom systems. There most certainly is a Dremel that went up against the Foredom market, the model 9000 Rotary Flex Shaft system, but even that I would prefer a Foredom over the 9000. In fact, the 9000’s major tagline for sales was “100% compatible with Foredom hand pieces.” Foredom has a safe perch on top of the rotary tool market, able to do things that the rest just can’t do, due to power output. And the companies like Dremel, or Proxxon, appear to be just fine with letting Foredom have that spot, feeling no overt pressure to beat them, or match them.
So, yeah… Foredom is here in spirit, just, Foredom speaks for itself. It need not apply here, it’s beneath them to even line their cheapest, lowest end, model up against any of the mentioned models here.
I like to quote a pleasant little band from Canada here, The Barenaked Ladies, with their song “If I Had a Million Dollars”… Except I change the lyric a little for modern accuracy.
“If I Had A Million Dollars (If I had a Million Dollars)
I’d be in Debt! (Really? Ouch.)”
ToolGuyDan
Before you break out the Dremel, consider a PediEgg. Or, if you’re ready for a serious reset, something called “Baby Foot foot peel”; check out the customer images on Amazon, and be prepared to be thoroughly grossed out by what comes off your feet.
For ongoing maintenance, a good pumice stone (bonus points if its the “on-a-stick” variety for easier use) can last for years and will make it so you only have to break out the “big guns” when things have gotten beyond your ability to control. Think of it like your car: you *could* rebuild the engine every 40,000 miles, but isn’t it easier to just change the oil every when the light comes on?
Frank D
If it works with Bosch 12v batteries, without cap gimmick, I might get one; since Bosch refuses to bring their 12v model over … and sometimes you just need to tweak something in a confined space … without wanting to drag a full corded version out.
JoeM
In that same vein… Why wouldn’t you just buy the Dremel batteries? Every time I read a Dremel article about the Cordless batteries, everyone is up in arms over them not being Bosch batteries… I wish someone would explain this phenomena to me.
Is it price? Is it availability? Is it superstition held by Bosch users? I really wish someone would explain this obsession with Bosch compatibility to me. I know Dremel is a Bosch family company right now… but what is wrong with Dremel batteries? I’ve had my 1.3Ah 12 Volt Dremel batteries for my 8200 for an entire Decade now… They haven’t lost their usefulness, and I have tons of activities yet to do, without any loss in time or effort due to errors or defects in the batteries…. so… Honestly… Can someone please tell me what the big deal is with insisting Dremel use Bosch batteries on the Rotary Tools? Did someone slip me a roofie, or flash me with a neurolizer from MIB, blanking out the huge life-changing revelation I should have memory of to explain this?
Stuart
Two cordless power tool systems that work with one type of battery and charger is better than if they require two separate types of batteries and chargers.
JoeM
That’s it? So it’s not as big a deal as it sounds on these posts, it’s simply Bosch Users wanting to use the same battery system for both brands?
I thought it was something more serious, coming from how irritated everyone seems to be over the issue! It’s just Bosch users with this issue… That I understand a bit better… I understand the frustrations Bosch has created in recent years… and by Recent, I mean “Since they bought Dremel” really.
Thanks Stuart. Now I get it. I thought I was totally losing my mind on this! I totally understand what these frustrations are! If I had Bosch tools, I’d be pretty angry too!
@Frank D, Man, I’m sorry I derailed your comment for something so simple… I do feel for you on this one. I only have Dremel rotary tools, so I’ve never encountered the Bosch problem with the batteries. When I couldn’t find the batteries for the 8200 in-store? I reached out to the Wisconsin office, and bought direct. The kit box for the 8200 has a spot to hold a second battery, and I didn’t have one when I purchased it. I bought the single battery kit, as it was the model I wanted, but on sale like crazy, and the 2-battery kit was nowhere to be found. Literally the only difference between the two kits was one battery or two. I bought the single, then bought the second battery straight from the company direct. Considering how easy I’ve had it, I’m sorry I questioned what you Bosch owners were going through. Bosch keeps screwing up minor, common sense things, and I’m totally there with you, and all your fellow Bosch users on that kickback.
Geez… I feel like such an idiot… I’m usually so quick to see where Bosch screws up Dremel, too!
Have a great day, okay Frank? Take care, and be safe out there!
MoogleMan3
Joe, normally it wouldn’t be much of an issue to add a battery platform for a specific tool, but the problem presents itself in two different ways:
1. A lot of us already have more than one battery system, so adding another is just another set of batteries to keep track of, another charger, etc.
2. Seeing as how bosch owns dremel, and how there’s no tool overlap (at least here in the united states) in regards to a rotary tool, you’d think they’d want to make it compatible with bosch’s 12v batteries for the sake of marketing alone. Bought a cordless dremel that works with bosch 12v batteries? Well now you have your foot in the door to bosch’s 12v tools as well.
All that said, it looks like 8260 and possibly 8250 work with bosch 12v batteries now, so I’ll probably grab one when it goes on sale.
Frank D
PS: All good. No offense taken. I just try to shop smart and these days try to avoid going down easily obsoleted battery corners. I have seen some of my favorite gadgets and a few tools become worthless, because the mfr abandoned the platform and / or changed battery types and connectors ( ridgid 24v, makita 18v stem pack, $$$$ drone, cordless vacs, … )
Frank D
I already have three cordless systems, and who knows how many batteries in all. My wife has had multiple dremel cordless units before with their proprietary batteries, that were quite short lived. I have half a dozen or more Bosch 12v batteries and every tool they sell here. With an exact battery match I don’t have to worry about possibly overpriced or abandoned Dremel batteries. My wife just bought new kits a few times and I “ hacked “ two different ones to get one to run on 4xAA.
Some of the brand gimmicks with changing orientation, changing polarity, different caps, … while it comes from the same company? Give me a break. Keep it simple. Let it be compatible. Enjoy more sales.
JoeM
That, I totally understand. Just… no one has, to my knowledge, ever expressed that frustration when talking about Dremel using Bosch batteries in the past. I’m not a Bosch user, and the only other battery platform I use is DeWALT. Even then, I only have two of their systems, but they’re DeWALT. I could build a single board, with all my chargers mounted to it, and it would fit in a toolbox. (Something I may do to a TSTAK some day, instead of a board, mounting directly inside the box, with a power strip cable coming out a side, kind of thing.)
I am genuinely sorry I didn’t see this particular issue before. Because I entirely agree with you on that frustration. So many people have left messages in articles just leaving it as “Is it compatible with a Bosch battery system or no?” and never said anything even remotely like “They keep discontinuing Dremel batteries!” or any of these other things you’ve said. So… I didn’t understand until now.
Battery Lifespan and Cross-Continuity! Not wanting another Charger! I’m there with you on that, 100%. I’m sorry I questioned it, and I truly do feel like an idiot. Because I have my own problems with Bosch, and how they keep having Dremel take their bad ideas, and try to market them to people as cheap cash-grabs. Dremel, as I grew up with them, were known for, and reliably supported by, their Rotary Tools… As I put it, they went from Black Workhorses, to Gray Bosch Knockoffs. Knocking off Oscillating Tools, Saws, all sorts of Bosch tools, and they only did their Dremel Rotary Tools properly… mostly… The ghost of the 4200 High-End-Dremel-For-Dummies tool still haunts my nightmares.
You’re right, and I support you on this. Bosch should make the latest generation of Dremel Cordless Rotary Tools 100% compatible with the equivalent Bosch system, so that finding, charging, and supporting the batteries is never a problem. I’m, personally, bound, bent, and determined to get the Dremel 8260, new charger or not… it’s still just a little one, so it won’t be too bad an inconvenience among my other Dremel and DeWALT chargers. But if I was a Bosch user? I’d be angry, yeah.
Oleg K
So… I opened the “new” 8240 and the battery is different, the electronics and the speed is the same as the 8220, no difference. The comfort level is about the same, they’re trying to switch to a new battery system to make older batteries obsolete. Too many gray market and aftermarket batteries are out there, cutting into their profits.
They basically made three versions of the same exact tool, I have no idea why they need both, the 8260 and the 8250. Who needs Bluetooth that only eats away at the battery? They should have removed the Bluetooth or given 8250 more speed, not make the 8240… Or kept batteries the same. I will get the brushless ryobi, mainly because their battery platform is unlikely to change and I’ll still be able to use my dremel attachments. F*ck Dremel!