Dremel has come out with a new rotary tool that they describe as being designed with beginners in mind. The new Dremel Lite 7760 is compact and portable, featuring a built-in Li-ion battery that is recharged via USB.
The Dremel Lite has variable speed slide switch that also doubles as the on/off switch, and an EZ Twist nose cap for easier tool changes.
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Dremel’s advertising materials don’t yet specify the speed range, but there are 4 positions. This gives users more speed adjustment options than the Dremel MiniMite ($23 via Amazon) andMultiPro ($39 via Amazon), but less than the also-cordless Dremel Micro ($69 via Amazon).
- 8,000 to 25,000 RPM variable speed
- 4V Max Li-ion battery
- Fully recharges in 2 hrs 45 mins
The Dremel Lite cordless rotary tool kit, 7760- N/10A, comes with a small selection of sanding, grinding, and polishing accessories.
- Grinding stone (cone-shaped)
- 1/16″ engraving cutter
- Brush wheel (26284S)
- Sanding drum and sleeve
- Polishing wheel mandrel
- 2 polishing wheels
- 2 felt polishing wheels
- Polishing compound
- Accessory and collet wrench
- Plastic case
Dremel says the new Lite is:
The cordless all-around go-to solution for a wide range of light-duty repair, home improvement, and craft needs.
Price: $50
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Discussion
*Thumbs up* to the USB charging, the slide switch, and EZ Twist nose that doubles as a collet wrench.
*Thumbs down* to not having a separate on/off switch, and the very basic nature of the included accessory kit. An extra sanding sleeve and maybe a mandrel and cut-off wheels might be welcome. But, I can see why they included a focused selection of engraving and polishing accessories.
Overall, the Dremel Lite 7760 beginner’s cordless rotary tool looks like a reasonable little package. I can see it being appealing to users who might think they need or want a rotary tool, but whom aren’t ready to invest in a full Dremel corded or cordless tool kit.
Beginners who might want a broader accessory set might want to look at the Dremel 160pc all-purpose set (currently $24 at Amazon), but I would wonder about how the Dremel Lite would perform with some of those accessories. It is called the Dremel Lite, and so I would assume it’s not the ideal choice for heavier cutting, grinding, or sanding applications..
Dremel has been on a roll, developing consumer and beginner-friendly tools around the $40-$50 price point. Here are some of their most recent new corded and cordless power tools:
Dremel Stylo Mini Rotary Tool (corded)
Dremel GO Cordless Screwdriver
Dremel Versa Cordless Cleaning Tool
Can you use something like this? What do you think they’ll come out with next?
KenZ
Yeah that’s a decent price and I think the hobby folks will like it, as they’re not already invested in some sort of battery architecture. I’ll stick with my M12 one, but I totally get both the convenience, AND the advantage of the smaller, integrated size. The M12 rotary tool is… big. A bit too big for those with small hands.
As an aside, that old chuck design needs to die. The mini-drill chuck is so much better. Same for the EZ accessories; I’ll never use one of those original screw-tightened sanding drum or cut off wheel things ever again.
Stuart
What’s the big deal? Collets work great for a lot of things. If you want a drill chuck, it’s easy enough to attach,
Andrew LB`
Yep. Even though my Dremel has a chuck on it 99% of the time, every now and then i work on something where due to lack of room i have to use a collet. If you’ve ever had the chuck touch what you’re working on, you’ll know what im saying.
https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-4486-MultiPro-Keyless-Chuck/dp/B0000302ZV
Altan
I want a DeWALT 8V version of this which would work with their existing 8V batteries, I need it for engraving my name on my projects, or the size on the bits.
JoeM
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=69869&cat=1,180,42334,69869
This is what I use on my Gyro Screwdriver when I want to do some very delicate drilling, or precision cutting, using my Dremel Accessories. When I do, I just switch to in-line mode, rather than pistol-grip, and it achieves EXACTLY what you need, Altan.
Altan
Good idea, but this is a bit thick, how about this :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREND-SNAP-D-4-SNAPPY-1-8-DRILL-AND-ADAPTER-/173838042013?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10
I buy this Snappy drill bit collets and replace the drill bits with whatever I want, most of the Dremel bits are 3.2mm (1/8″) so this is the size for them, there is only one problem and that is the total length, Gyro Screwdriver is a bit long and this adapter/collet makes it even more longer. DeWALT should make it a bit shorter just in-line mode and just with 1/8″ collet, but until that time we can use Gyro screwdriver with these Snappy collets. But thanks for the advice, it did not come to my mind before.
JoeM
That seems like it works, but compared to those drill chucks, it seems long. But I do agree it would be a nice 8V Max Tool. A Stubby version if you will 😉 of the 8V Max screwdriver line. A Dremel or Fortran style collet/chuck at the end would be perfect. Both companies do that exceptionally well.
The downside, in my own personal experience being raised with Dremel tools… I have yet to meet a TRULY good high speed motor from any other company but Dremel. Dremel’s motors are unstoppable when at high speeds, and you need next to no pressure on the work surface to do the job. They’re high-speed, low torque motors, so the gentlest touch is needed. DeWALT does some fantastic polar opposite motors on this same scale… high-torque, low-speed. One of which is IN the Gyro. But most of the long-use Dremel bits require higher speeds than the Gyro can handle. I know, I’ve tried. The Gyro can’t handle what the 8200 or 4000 can.
The benefit of the two chucks from Lee Valley is… really it turns the Gyro into a light-duty drill, serving a very wide range of sizes, not just 1/8″ like a Dremel standard shaft. Plus, switching from drill to screwdriver becomes incredibly easy. I haven’t tested much with regards to using the Gyro to replace my Dremel tools… I have a slightly older 8200 (bought for my 30th birthday… 7 years on, still going strong… but it was bought barely 3 months before they announced the upgraded 8220 with the improved motor and batteries.) and you can probably guess that I also have the corded 4000. Similar deal, bought for my 30th birthday, no regrets. Considering I own those, PLUS the 290 Engraver… When I get serious about needing to engrave stuff on whatever work I’m doing… I’m turning a few inches to the right or left, and picking up my Dremel tools to do the work.
But for YOU, Altan? Since I just love our little chats here… I can honestly say, if the Gyro doesn’t work, then I believe the 681 or 682 inline screwdrivers of the DeWALT line probably could do the job until they figure out we’re right, and make a Stubby 8V Max (Maybe XR?? :D) Screwdriver that could do the job. Maybe push the RPMs over 1000 finally!
Altan
Snappy has different sizes of these drill bit collects even metric ones: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 7mm. The imperial sizes are 1/32″ to 3/8″ (17 different sizes).
https://www.snappytools.com/product-category/drill-bit-adapters
I agree these are a bit long, I know nothing is going to be like a stubby version of a DeWALT 8V Gyro with 1/8″ collet and I also agree speed is less in Gyro 8V screwdriver bit, actually very less which does not suit engraving and a rotary tool.
I don’t want to buy a rotary tool from another brand like Milwaukee, Bosch or Dremel. I don’t want to have hundreds of different batteries. Just recently I have come to a conclusion that I might go for some Festool tools like their cordless Jigsaws, Circular saw, Plunge saw, as well as their new cordless Oscillating machine if they come up also with a cordless Planer also.
I would think of DCF680, DCF681 or DCF682 if they make a Rotary tool also which works with these batteries. I don’t want to buy a tool that the batteries are going to be used just for that tool.
JoeM
I’ve been using Dremel Rotary Tools since I was a child…I’m deeply disappointed in this one. This marks something like the… third, maybe fourth? Internal battery tool they’ve made. Or, should I say, were handed by Bosch to try and market their failed designs. When it makes sense, like the Versa, that needs to be near water quite frequently, it truly does work. But the GO, the LITE, and the Micro 8060… this means this tool entirely lacks the User-Replaceable brushes, lack a battery indicator, and will cost you hundreds if and when that battery dies in approximately 3 years. Their Warranty is a standard 2 years. And in Canada? The ONE service centre in the country doesn’t take calls from individuals after 11 AM. You HAVE to go through a retail outlet to get a hold of them, and that incurs more fees.
Dremel tools with replaceable batteries have a significantly longer usable lifespan, without added cost. Even for a beginner, the size is worth the lack of hidden costs. I wouldn’t give this tool to someone I hated, let alone someone starting crafting. The Dremel move toward gimmicks is becoming disturbing. First the failed 4200 EZ Change monstrosity, which they claimed solved the “Need for a Wrench”… But left EVERYONE who owned a different model totally screwed for a wrench, and so didn’t address ANY such problem. Plus it required a totally different Collet system, required a HUGE adapter to use attachments, AND had a manufacturing defect in the… wait for it… EZ Change Chuck feature AT THE CENTER OF THE DESIGN… The Springs would fail, weaken, or otherwise not hold collets. Add to that… MAJOR Motor failures in 80% of them released the first year.
They then had to adopt the FAILED Bosch GO Screwdriver… And then the sealed casing Micro 8060, which couldn’t do ANYTHING other than what was in the box, and cast shadows on the work, because it put the light ENTIRELY around the Collet area, and lit forward only… which meant a WHEEL of any sort blocked your view. What gets used MOST on a Rotary Tool? WHEELS. Sanders, Barrels, Flap Wheels, Cutting Discs…
If you want to give people the gift of a Dremel Rotary Tool, get them something more like the 8100. It uses 8V Max Lithium Ion batteries. In fact, it’s nearly identical to this Dremel LITE here, except it has a range between 2500 and 20K RPM, on a sliding scale switch. OR the bigger brother, the 8220, 12V Max Lithium Ion tool. THAT one has a separate on-off switch, speed setting, and can hit 30K RPM, PLUS use every attachment Dremel has ever released, including MS400 MultiSaw, and PL400 Planer attachments, even though they’ve been discontinued. Also… You can get a model 8220 in a much bigger kit, with more consumables, for right around $80 CANADIAN.
Although I think the Stylo there is an extremely good tool, and is a nicely refreshing throw back to their best tools… For the most part, even Dremel has begun to go downhill on their “New” designs. A Laser Cutter without a proper vent (considered the FIRST commandment of Laser Cutting: Proper Venting.) and not one, but TWO 3D Printers with Filament spools in the same space as the printing area, enclosed with it… Yeah… 3D Printers first commandment again: Never have the filament spool in an enclosed, heated area with the extruder, as it pre-melts it, and results in uneven, and even malformed, prints. TWO Printers in, and they still have this problem… You could hang the spool on the outside, and pass it in through a vent hole, and get an improvement of at least 80%. One tiny change, and they’re still doing it wrong.
When they just did Rotary Tools, and the Moto-Saw… Dremel did everything right! Now their identity is so mixed up it is almost frightening to be a Dremel user. They’re grabbing at niches that they never should have entered, and yet… there they are, trying to serve their worst products to their most loyal customers. Irks me to no end to see a company I grew up with jump off the cliff like that.
Altan
Or a DeWALT Cordless 12V / 20V version of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdsu5_wCNWU
To be able to engrave name, date, size and other information on plastic surfaces, copper pipes, steel pipes, stainless steel and wood. I would use it to laser engrave my name on my tools and accessories and tool boxes, the content of the tool boxes on them, to laser engrave the installation date on copper pipes and other types of pipes, to type Gas / Hot water / Cold water / Rain water / Waste water / Heating on the pipes, the name of the plumber and some other data on pipes. You can laser engrave on spur switches to clarify if it is for fridge or freezer, oven, washing machine, dish washer and others.
There would be a lot of use for this tool, it should be just a bit smaller and lighter, the one in this video is a bit big, I have seen much smaller ones also, but cordless would be amazing.
Or this tool, they can make it a bit smaller just working with DeWALT batteries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F9-aU7g8Hs
I found another one which works with Bosch batteries, but it is too big, they should make it much smaller than that.
https://www.gobizkorea.com/user/goods/frontGoodsDetail.do?goods_no=GS2018082054402
Frank D
I can’t get excited about Dremel any more. Have had multiple cordless Dremels in the family, all developed battery issues, whether internal or external rather quickly (unlike most our powertools), rebuilt a couple batteries, meh …. but my $25 corded off-/no-brand grinder with 2ft flexi-shaft keeps on ticking. Just hang it on a hook or lay it on a pad, and detail what you want to detail … without worrying nor yelling at the battery situation that just made sure you can’t use the tool.
Diamond Dave
I have a regular corded Dremel that I haven’t used since I purchased my Milwaukee M12 rotary tool a couple of years ago. I love the M12 tool as it easily has plenty of power and also the ability of quickly switching the battery out for a fresh one in seconds if needed!
As far as cordless Dremels, I had a previous model years ago and I believe it was Dremels first into the cordless market but both the batteries went bad which may be partially my fault as sometimes I would go months without using it and it had ni-cads. When I tried to find replacement batteries for my cordless Dremel a few years ago I found out Dremel had discontinued the model and the newer (currrent) model’s batteries would not fit. As my experience expanded I found many more uses for a rotary tool and hated having to plug in my corded model whenever needed as I use a rotary tool more frequently now. I was excited to find the M12 Milwaukee rotary tool and very very pleased with the tool for the last 2-3 years!
The M12 is not a slim, small or even light weight tool so last year I purchased the Dremel MiniMite 4.8v for less than $20 on Amazon. Later I purchased an additional aftermarket battery for additional run time if needed. I like the mini mite for small tasks like quickly polishing my scratched plastic watch bevel or removing rust on bolts or other small areas with the smaller footprint and weight of the mini mite Dremel, KNOWING I have my M12 if needed. Also put the 4486 Dremel keyless chuck on the Mini Mite for quick accessory changes. Between these two tools I now have a happy combination that handles most of my Dremel related tasks with ease. The only thing I wish the mini mite had was a middle speed instead of the just high and low!
Additionally I really try to NEVER purchase any tool without a replaceable or removable battery because being a DIYer I rarely wear out a cordless tool and it disgusts me having to replace or discard a perfectly great working tool just because the battery went bad!
Joe Hanson
I will not buy anything without a user replaceable battery if I can avoid it which is why I would always avoid things like this and stick with a corded version unless I really need the convenience of cordless such as a drill or impact driver. Give me some tools that I can pop in 18650s like I would in a flashlight or a battery pack I can purchase and put in. I don’t use tools to pay my bills so my wants and needs are different. Because I’m more DIY and don’t use a lot of the same tools everyday, I don’t want to have to worry about batteries going bad and rather stick with a cord so I can buy a tool once and have it serve 20+ years whether I use it frequently or not.