Dremel introduced their newish 4000 series rotary tool back in October 2009, and their 3000-model tools July 2011. As you might guess, the higher-numbered tool is a more powerful and premium model. Even so, the smaller 3000 tool sports one highly desirably feature the 4000 tool lacks – an EZ Twist nose cap collet design. Until now.
Over at a local big-box store, I caught glimpse of new model-4000 product packaging that shows off the new EZ Twist feature. It doesn’t look like anything else has been changed.
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What’s so great about the EZ Twist collet-lock design? Essentially, Dremel built a collet wrench into the threaded nose cap found at the front of rotary tools. This is the piece you remove when attaching certain rotary tool guides and accessories.
While the EZ Twist built-in collet wrench design is not revolutionary, it does come in handy, especially for users like me that habitually misplace the small flat collet wrench that comes with each tool.
Dremel 3000 kits via Amazon
Dremel 4000 kits via Amazon
It probably won’t be long until the upgraded models reach all distributors’ warehouses. For the time being, there’s no way to tell which version you’ll receive if you purchase a kit online.
There’s also no word as to whether Dremel will send out retrofit kits to users who previously purchased 4000-series tool kits. This should be as simple as sending out collars upon request.
Fred says
I hadn’t seen this feature before and I thought you were referring to the “EZ Lock” mandrel that twists many different wheels without having to remove it from the collet. Although the kit isn’t that expensive, having it in the box instead of an addon caught my eye.
This EZ Twist feature is probably also very nice but isn’t worth upgrading or paying extra to get it. I was always taught to tape your chuck key to the plug end of your tool so it definitely has no juice when you’re making adjustments. I can see someone with a cutting wheel or engraving bit hurting themselves something bad with this.
Stuart says
The EZ Twist feature was introduced on the 3000 tool, but now appears to have become a standard feature.
The collet wrench also has a screwdriver, but with the EZ Lock mandrels, users are using it less and less for accessory adjustments. Taping it to the plug wouldn’t have been an option before EZ Lock.
Eventually, perhaps Dremel will make the collet wrench/screwdriver completely redundant.
Patsy Philliops says
My cutting wheel flies off the mandrel. I think I am putting it on directly. I push down the bit, put on wheel, twist 90 degrees and let it snap back. Is there a speed that is best? I am cutting 19 gauge 1/2 hardware cloth.
Stuart says
Have you tried to contact Dremel? It’s possible that, if you’re doing everything right, the mandrel could be defective.