Dremel recently came out with their first-ever 18V/20V Max cordless power tool, a cordless Ultra-Saw.
Over at LinkedIn, Dremel’s new Global Brand President said something that had me keeping an active eye out for more new developments. They said:
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10 years from now…you are going to want to have Dremel on your resume…
We are building a truly unique digital future for a fun, differentiated and creative hard-lines brand. We are looking for talented folks that are willing to roll-up their sleeves and help lead one of our coolest projects and biggest bets.
So, I’ve been searching and… there’s a new… universal cleaning kit with drill adapter.
Before you wrinkle your face at the idea, consider that Dremel came out with a cordless cleaning and scrubbing tool, the Versa, 3 years ago. You can get the cordless Versa for $40 via Amazon at the time of this posting.
3 years of Dremel Versa sales have paved the way for this new set of Dremel cordless drill-compatible cleaning accessories.
While this couldn’t possibly be what Dremel is talking about when they hint about “one of their coolest projects and biggest bets,” this is still an interesting product release.
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The cleaning brushes and scrubbing pads are compatible with the Dremel Versa tool. The difference here is that you get a 1/4″ hex shank drill (and cordless screwdriver) adapter, plus an assortment of Versa accessories..
This allows you to use ALL Versa-compatible accessories with a cordless drill/driver.
It’s unclear as to whether the Dremel Versa drill adapters will be available separately.
To start off, you get a detail brush, PC370-2, for cleaning in tight spaces, and also a 4″ extender.
The Dremel PC364-1 is a bristle brush for general cleaning tasks.
The kit comes with a hook and loop backing pad, and PC367-3 kitchen scour pads.
Lastly, you get a kitchen brush, PC372-1, for cleaning tall glasses, tumblers, and maybe even bottles.
Dremel Universal Cleaning Kit Contents
- Kitchen Brush (PC372-1) – $13 at Amazon
- Bristle Brush (PC364-1) – $10 at Amazon
- Detail Brush (PC370-2) – $13 at Amazon
- 4″ Extender
- Kitchen Scour Pads (PC367-3) – $10 at Amazon
- Backing Pad
- 1/4″Hex/M10 Adapter
- Quick Start Guide
Price: $25
Buy Now via Amazon
Compare: Drill Brush
Compare: Mothers PowerCone
Discussion
This is by no means a new innovation – the idea of cordless drill-powered cleaning brushes and scrubbing pads has been around for a while.
But, it’s interesting.
If the 1/4″ hex to M10 adapter were available separately, you’d be able to put together your own cleaning kit with Dremel Versa-compatible accessories. But then again, why would Dremel sell just the adapter when they can get you to buy a starter kit for $25?
All of the accessories here seem useful, although I’d be more personally interested there was a less expensive set that left out the bottle brush.
Now… any thoughts as to what Dremel’s coolest and biggest bet project might be? Could it be the Dremel-branded CNC router or milling machine we’ve been waiting for?
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Aaron
In my head Dremel occupies similar brand space to Kreg or sort of where Porter Cable was 20 years ago in terms of clever solutions. CNC would be a good fit for the market I want them to be in…
Not excited about gimmicky homeowner solutions. Didn’t Ryobi recently go really hard into the power scrubber space with an entire spread of products that clobber this?
JoeM
Funny, you want them to expand into CNC, I want them to return to their roots and stick to things like the Rotary Tools, the Moto-Saw (The Scroll Saw/Coping Saw hybrid), and MAYBE a kit that enables different sized CNC Router systems to be made from their Rotary Tools. People already home-make them from the Dremel Rotary Tools, I want to see them produce a component-based setup that does what these home-brewed CNC machines have been doing all along, just, with Dremel components.
The Dremel Workstation (AKA the Drill Press that doubles as a tall hanging bar for using the Flex Shaft) has a really simple Attachment Nut for the majority of Dremel Rotary Tools. Pop that off the pole, put in some electronics to operate the press handle with a chain gear, then offer a bunch of different sized I-Beams for the sole purpose of setting up the supports for the size of machine you want. Then just some cables from the controller head, and a CNC/Bluetooth/WiFi control center at the corner, maybe with a USB stick/cable connection? Bam. Dremel conquers the Home CNC market, by lowering the price of entry to under $800. And to really kick things into high gear? Make it come with an exclusive step-UP Quick Chuck that handles 1/8″-1/2″ Shaft Diameters for Bits. Then, no matter what model of Dremel Rotary Tool you sacrifice to the machine, all you have to do is set the motor running to the right speed for the material, hit “Go” and off it goes, totally automated. If it calls for a change in bit, it can “Ding” your computer or Cell Phone to do the switch, and will wait until you hit “Go” again to continue working.
Sure, it’s not as efficient as some of the tiny CNC machines you see coming to market, but it WOULD emphasize the dominance of Dremel again.
Jim Felt
So did you apply for the job this post referenced?
Sure sounds like you’re way more on top of their actual market repositioning needs then the buzz words dejour spouting of that poor corporate fellow.
JoeM
Sadly, Jim… My Resume shows no credentials they want… And also, that I’m Canadian… Proud enough that I refuse to go south of the Border ever again…
(Though that may be because the LAST time I went was through Scouting, and the Scout I was twinned with was basically… y’know… My TWIN… So it got kinda creepy when his Mom broke into tears when I had to go, and it was like they wanted to keep me… Or perhaps because the time before that was to Disney World Orlando, and I made the mistake of going on the “It’s a Small World” Ride sitting next to my Grandmother… Both of us came out of it shaking with trauma… her a Holocaust Survivor, Me an 8 or 9 year old child with a pension for fixing things, and they frown on you jumping out of the boat in an attempt to go fix the SEVERELY Damaged Dolls that have cracks leading to Hell Itself from the tops of their heads, down to their toes, with their Jaws barely holding on… I have STILL been known to randomly wake up screaming “BIG WORLD!!! NEED BIG WORLD!!!!”)
The reality is, everything I want for Dremel to be, would burn Bosch to the ground. Let me correct that. It would burn Bosch USA To the Ground. The UK would be much better with my thinking, and SIGNIFICANTLY better off on what they had in the North American Market. But sadly, I don’t qualify for the job, and I am NOT a people person… I would be charged with assault the first HOUR I was there, while I had the VP of Marketing in a choke hold until he signed a legal document undoing his misdeeds over the past 30-ish years of destroying Dremel.
Ben
AVE? Is that you?
Jim Felt
Okay. Okay. Ah?
How about comedy writing? Maybe for Stephen Colbert? Bill Maher?
;-)~
JoeM
I’m flattered, both of you. Really. I already do some writing on the side, we’re just trying to wrangle some financial backing to get it produced.
I don’t “Sit Still” easily. I fall asleep in my chair from time to time, but I don’t idle well. My brain is always trying to solve problems. Not puzzles, problems.
But thank you both for the encouragement!
Doc John
Jim- i agree with your insights- seems like commenters have some valid insights into the Dremel market space.
William Adams
The Dremel CNC thing was rather short-lived since:
– folks usually used no-name knock-off rotary power tools instead to save money — folks willing to spend money usually got a Proxon
– they were really loud and under-powered
– a Makita RT0701 is a much better choice for a spindle
They do have a 3D printer:
https://toolguyd.com/dremel-digilab-3d45-3d-printer-first-impressions/
which they seem to still be selling, but I think shifting to CNC would be a hard sell since it comes with a greater support burden and would require that they develop a spindle.
Stuart
They have several 3D printers and also a laser cutter.
https://toolguyd.com/dremel-laser-cutter-digilab/
William Adams
Yeah, a lasercutter shouldn’t increase the support burden too much, and it’s at a price point where I doubt they are selling too many.
JoeM
They have resurrected old tools, with more modern designs before. The MS-20 MotoSaw was one of the original tools designed by Dremel. It was originally a motorized Coping Saw, for doing things like crown moulding, dovetails, and generally very simple little scroll-saw like details. The MODERN MS-20 is… Well it still has some flaws, they didn’t design its stability or strength well, and the arm and foot design needs SERIOUS reinforcing… But they did finally admit that it makes a better scroll saw than handheld coping saw. The kit now comes with a portable worktable for it to lock into. And… Yeah… I agree THAT needs work as well.
But… It’s in the stable of tools they make… If they can… Pull their craniums from the dark places they are currently lodged in… A beefed up MotoSaw would definitely be on my list of upgrade tools. And it would show hope for a Home-Use/Hobbyist CNC system to be made. IF they can wrap their minds around an EXPANDABLE system that only locks into the Dremel Attachment Collar.
fred
Also seems like sort of a cross between stuff used by auto detailers and “as seen on TV” homeowner products. In our metal fabrication business we did use lots of the non-woven discs (aka Scotchbrite) and other 3M Roloc products for cleaning and polishing:
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/Scotch-Brite-Roloc-Bristle-Disc/?N=5002385+3293223502&rt=rud
JoeM
The funny thing is… The Versa IS better built than the “As Seen on TV” style gimmick tools. It genuinely DOES do a good job of scrubbing things… The current downsides to the base kit are simple:
Due to the exposed Charging port, it isn’t 100% Waterproof. If they fixed that, maybe swapped it out for a 12 Volt Max Dremel battery? Then it would, indeed be a good initial buy.
But… As much as I love Dremel as a Brand… These attachments seen above? They should have been thought of, designed, and included in the initial release. Also? 3 Packs of a single type of pad for $20 CAD? Is stupid, and a total ripoff. The little round “Scrubber” attachment those pads latch to? Standard Hook-and-Loop design… Technically you can stick Sandpaper, Scotch Bright Prep Pads (Cut to shape of course), or ACTUAL scour pads and sponges onto this sucker quite easily. In fact, they’d be cheaper than buying Dremel’s consumable pads, which don’t really have much in the way of lasting power.
What I WILL say is that there’s a few tricks to using the Versa… The Motor may not be one of their best, but it is definitely one of their more durable. You can actually slow it down a little bit, to the speed the pad or attachment works BEST at, by pushing down harder. It’s very subtle, but the HEAVY Scour pad scrubs more at slower speed, than at full speed. And you just have to lean on the device a tiny bit to slow it down to exactly that speed, it won’t actually mind much.
I use mine most for my Stock Pot. It’s too big for the sink alone, so scrubbing it with the Versa makes more sense to get it truly clean. Regular spongy cleaner? Light touch. Corners? At an edge. Had the corner brush been available in the kit at launch, THAT would be preferable. But even ignoring that you can use these attachments in a Drill with the adapter (I think that is really only good for taking it outside the comfort zone… Scrubbing off Brake Dust as pictured… I don’t think the main handheld can do that as easily as the detailed corner brush could.)
I was raised using a Dremel Tool… My Mother still has her 395 from before I was born, and several years ago, I took it, and put all her attachments and bits out of the impossible-to-close original Dremel box it came in, and put them in a cheap 18″ Toolbox from Canadian Tire, so she would have easier access to it, and less trouble closing it when done. She STILL hasn’t touched it since before I was 12… She’s weird… I get my weird from her… I know IN MY BONES what is, or is not, good for Dremel… The direction Bosch USA is pushing them makes me really angry. It insults everything and everyone attached to Dremel.
fred
Dremel tools have been the entry point for hobbyists and homeowners for decades into the world of power tools for model making, jewelry, grinding and polishing etc. My entry came with a Dremel 280 (single speed) and I soon added a #219 speed control. It served me well for years until I decided to try my hand at power carving and making Duck Decoys. At that point I found that the Dremel (I had upgraded to a 395 and flexible shaft) were not up to my needs. I ended up with 2 Foredom motors, shafts and several different handpieces – way more costly than any Dremel set up – but also more convenient and capable in use (for me anyway.) All of this is not to knock the Dremel for what it is.
In a similar vein – decoy-making introduced me to pyrography. I had been familiar with using inexpensive Wall-Lenk wood burning tools in Boy Scouting. This was adequate for what it was used for – but when I realized that there were more capable alternatives – I looked around and settled on the Canadian-Made Razertip system. I am very happy with it
JoeM
Actually that’s NOT a knock against Dremel. Dremel tried to do a Foredom-level rotary system a while back, the 9000 I believe it’s called. Much pricier, but I assure you, it is no insult to any Dremel user that you went to Foredom. Foredom is better at power carving, and sustained use, and Proxxon is better at handling pressure… Dremel tends to be for very delicate, very patient carving. There are some burrs for carving that reverse that equation, where the high-speed of Dremel finally becomes a reality for carvers… but those burrs are extremely limited in style, and sometimes prohibitively expensive.
Honestly? The Razertip is one I haven’t tried. I’m not… That much… Into Pyrography… I often say “I’m good, not God.” The reality is, I am good at a great many things, but how many things can I find time for in a life that hasn’t even hit 40 yet?
JoeM
I’m an early adopter of the Versa. I like it. But, I will also admit that Dremel was stupid not to create and include this kit in the initial launch of the tool. I desperately want this.
So, I’m Sold!… (*Looks For It Online In Canada*)… Eventually… When Dremel USA AKA Bosch USA, AKA The Idiots In Their Logistics Department… Remember where Canada is… Because apparently they can’t see this Canada place from their HQ in RACINE, WISCONSIN… Oh, I’m sorry, The Palm of the Mitt that is Michigan, and Lake Michigan itself are APPARENTLY too sufficiently blinding to get products across the border…
…Idea… Load the trucks with product… Drive North until you hit the Mountees guarding the border… Open a Depot JUST on the other side of that spot… Voila! Logistics problem solved! Alternately… Get a Cargo Plane… Load it with Product… Fly EAST until you land in Toronto, approximately 4 hour flight… Buy one of the MANY Empty Warehouses in Toronto, Load Trucks IN CANADA to unload straight from the Airport to the Warehouse… Repeat every 8 hours as needed… Let the Canadians handle Canadian Logistics, since Dremel AKA Bosch USA AKA US Logistics at the company, can’t seem to do it themselves.
Shane
I like the Versa, I’m a recent adopter and thus far have only shined boots with mine! I have a hex adapter pad holder from a headlight restore kit to use for a drill. The versa is a good fit for the hand and isn’t awkward like a drill and seems to turn faster.
On another note, I’m curious to know more about the Worx MakerX. I think it has a useful group of accessories but I wonder about the quality. The only Worx I own are boots I bought from Red Wing. They are still going after 4 years
Dave P
Gimmick.
If I need a Roloc, I’ll buy a Roloc.
Other pieces are a total gimmick.
Nate B
At this point the only thing the word “Dremel” does for me is set off my spell-check when I’m trying to refer to a generic rotary tool.
Forgive me for being less than breathless in anticipation of this imminent exciting release, but I think we all know how their 3d printer revolutionized the market.
And, um, have they done anything else in the last 20 years?
JoeM
In the last 20 years? Nothing revolutionary… Which is what I like about the traditional Dremel tools. They’re just high quality heritage-class tools. That’s what EVERY Dremel user likes about them.
The SawMax/UltraSaw are stupid. As is the MultiMax, the Trio, and their 3D Printer and Laser Cutter family. Bosch is pushing them in directions that DREMEL shouldn’t go. They should be Bosch tools, and let North America choose whether they want those things or not. It won’t hurt or hinder Bosch in every other avenue they serve, so there’s no point in forcing Dremel to make their mistakes.
Dremel HAS gone bad directions in the past 20 years. The Dremel 4200? SUPPOSEDLY the answer to using/losing wrenches with your rotary tool? Yeah… Huge bust… They “upgraded” the 4000 motor, but couldn’t fit enough ventilation in the available grip area, so they kept blowing up. And the springs they used to hold the new collet system? Lasted 6 months to a year at most. When asked “How does this solve the problem every OTHER Dremel user has with their already-perfect Dremel Rotary System?” they never had an answer. Their answer to replacing a $1 part, was a $150 rotary tool.
Dremel, as it was originally brought to market, BEFORE Bosch bought them, was extremely niche, and revolutionized an entire precision industry. Then Bosch bought it, and mistakes kept getting made. I’m a Dremel-Raised user, and I FULLY admit that they’ve often betrayed my trust and investment in them.
Hence why I keep to their ORIGINAL products. I don’t stray from those, and I have no problems since doing so.
Robm
I’m really hoping that since Dremel is a Bosch subsidary, the folks at bosch don’t ruin dremel. I’ve always had great luck with Dremel, just had my 18-19 year old single speed dremel burn up on me back in December. I also have a cordless 12v unit I got as a gift that I really love. As far as the cleaning solutions, I have a cheapo B&D drill and a bunch of brush and cleaning pad attachments I made for Penny’s on the dollar. So far it’s been a great little set up. If/ when this drill burns up I’ll get a 2 speed drill.
JoeM
You are too late. Bosch USA has pretty well violated Dremel in all its integrity, and led it down a really stupid path. I do often dream of a day when someone buys Dremel back from Bosch, undoes all the damage, and restores Dremel to the niche-market name-recognition company they were before Bosch.
Robm
Well to be fair I think of bosch as a gimmicky tool maker anyway, but I really do like my dremel. That said once I’m done moving, I’ll be setting up my old fordom Jewelers rotary tool. Along with many other old school tools I’ve collected over the years.
JoeM
Truth is harder to swallow on this one. Bosch is actually one of the best engineered tool makers on the market, and by FAR a superior Blade maker.
What that AREN’T is as extensively interested in the major markets in North America. Where Construction and Trades rule the markets. In Europe and Scandinavia, Woodworking and Craftsmanship are the major constructions in the market. In the EU, Bosch and Makita are slid next to eachother in any given city or community, the same way DeWALT and Milwaukee are next to eachother on the Job Site here in North America.
For Renovations and Hobbyist/Craftsman style economics, DeWALT and Milwaukee are overkill. They can do it easily, and efficiently. But Bosch and Makita HAVE BEEN doing it significantly longer.
Dremel USA AKA Bosch USA have a severely perverse twist on what Dremel is supposed to be doing in North America. Bosch GERMANY, The Home Base, figured out Dremel a LONG time ago. The USA branch is a bunch of half-witted marketing execs, who have never picked up a Craft or Trade IN THEIR LIVES. And when they DO bring out a product for that niche? They bring in someone they sponsored to say “This is the Best!”
I Love Dremel, but HATE Bosch USA. Things like the Bosch Go! Screwdriver, and the new model for Dremel? yeah… Never should have left Bosch USA. That stupid Flashlight, the MultiMax, SawMax/UltraSaw, and the Now-Discontinued (Rightfully) Trio? All Bosch. Never should have been Dremel to start with. And the 3D Printers and Laser Cutter? Yeah, they break every rule that 3D Printing specialists, and Laser Cutting experts, say to do. 3D Printers should NEVER have the source spool enclosed in the same compartment as the print head… It should ALWAYS be either in a cartridge, separate from the heat, or on the outside. Dremel’s 3D Printers are EXCLUSIVELY used with the spool hanging ON THE INSIDE OF THE CASING, WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. This results in more mistakes and deformations in the prints, and further cleanup needing to be done afterwards. And their Laser Cutter? Every laser cutter is supposed to have dedicated ventilation AWAY from the user, because the woods that are compatible with Laser Cutters often contain Formaldehyde in the glues and preservatives used to hold it together. Burn that with a LASER? You get toxic fumes. The DigiLab Laser Cutter that Bosch BOUGHT OUT to put in the Dremel line? All it has is a general fan that blows out. No channel or vent pipe to send it out the window like it’s supposed to be. This was a DEEPLY Poor Decision by Bosch USA, because these AWFUL products carry the DREMEL name. At least Bosch in the EU sell the DigiLab Laser Cutter under THAT NAME, the name of the company they bought out. Dremel doesn’t take the hit there.
I’m sorry if it seems like I’m ranting… I just… As much as I Love Dremel… I HATE what Bosch USA has done to it here. It’s seriously messed up!
Stuart
1) overuse of all-caps words can lead to diminishing return. Use sparingly for added emphasis.
2) you need to check your facts on some things; there are fume extraction accessories with the laser. With equipment like this, part of the responsibility for proper setup falls on the user.
3) personal attacks are uncalled for. You can criticize a company, or disagree with their direction, but comments such as “half-witted marketing execs” are a bit harsh.
4) keep in mind that the brand has access to data you will never by privy to. Also, Home Depot is their customer, you are the end user. The flashlight and other tools launched as Home Depot exclusives. How many do you think Dremel sold to Home Depot, with presumably every store in the country having a quarter pallet display during the holiday shopping season?
5) put yourself in their shoes. What would YOU have done differently?
You keep criticizing all the decisions these brands have made. Okay, so how would you have done things differently?
JoeM
Yeah, about that Caps thing… Is there a Bold or Italics code I can use instead? The Caps are annoying even me…
As to what I would do differently? That… Is a very very long post… Are you sure you would want me to write it? I’ve hinted that this brush kit (maybe minus the new Drill Adapter) should really have been part of the original kit, and I’ve said in the past that the Versa should have a plug/seal over the USB charger port it has, to protect it around water… But there’s a lot of things at Bosch USA that would be different if I had a say… But the lists of those changes would… Be a headache to anyone… Especially you… and I won’t do that unless explicitly asked by you. I already write a lot, and there’s already a wonder how you haven’t banned me from the site for doing so… I try to trim it down as much as I can… Including my own changes instead of just pointing out the flaws… Would probably double my output… If not careful…
Stuart
< em > < / em >
Without spaces that’s for italics.
< strong > < / strong >
Without spaces that’s for bold.
The text you want to style goes between the > and < brackets.
JoeM
YAY!!!Thank you Stuart! Now I can reformat my rantings so they’re significantly less annoying to read!
Dave the tool
TONS of competition for this brush set on Amazon and I recently purchased a set of Brushes, scour pads with drill adaptor and sponges for my son for around $25. The set includes 5 different brushes, multiple scour pad varieties and as mentioned a few different sponges. I wonder if Dremel throughly researched this set ahead of time as I see no advantage with the Dremel other than throwing perfectly good money out the window for way less product!
Dave the tool
Will also mention I purchased the Milwaukee M12 variable speed polisher and sander this holiday season and after purchasing some Non-Milwaukee accessories for this tool such as a collet and adaptor I am ready for any cleaning or polishing and aftermarket pads, sponges and sanding circles are cheap in price.
Bob
I have visions of Tim The Tool Man scrubbing his coffe mug in the sink with one of these. *Grunt* this clean good. *grunt* lots of scrubby power *grunt*
Dremel tools are a niche tool. I like the mini ball mill for engraving keys so I know what lock they go to. A lot of folks push them to do more than they are capable or are efficient at. I feel Dremel encourages that. But if you only want to own one power tool it is capable of alot of tasks in theory.
JoeM
For those of you wondering… Maybe looking at my posts like I’m crazy?
Yes, I have a vested interest in Dremel… I’m very emotionally attached to the company… My Father wasn’t the “Tool” person in our house, it has always been my Mother. When I picked up fixing and making things, it was after she had asked me to help her repair some of HER work. She’s the one who had a Dremel 395, and I pushed that thing to its limits for DECADES of my life… And it’s still alive!
The days/months that it took to buy MY Rotary Tools and Attachments? I was 30 already… I had failed to enter my chosen field… Dremel got me through some VERY dark times, just re-training myself to use the TOP LINE (at the time) power Dremels. So, take what I have responded with the appropriate amount of emotional bias. I hope I haven’t offended anyone.
DRT
Hey JoeM,
everybody here loves tools It’s all friendly. So no problem hearing your love for a particular brand. Yellow, Red, Blue, whatever – everybody here loves tools, so no problem hearing about your love for a particular brand. Yes, I also had an ancient Dremel from the 70’s (I think it was a model 280 like fred had) and it was wonderful. Lasted for decades. An awesome tool. However, as you yourself know today’s product is … questionable. I have had multiple issues with modern Dremel’s. Honestly, I no longer follow the Dremel brand because of so many problems. It might be painful for you, but I suggest you investigate the Proxxon brand. They make wonderful rotary tools. Hopefully, Bosch and Dremel will come back to what they once were. In the meantime, you will have something to savor.
Best,
fred
Maybe it just a lament of old age or nostalgia for things past – as my age is at least double Joe M’s – but I’ve observed that many tool brands have reduced overall build quality (in my perception) since I started using tools in the late 1950’s. IMO this may have accelerated not just because of moves of production to China – and not every tool once made in the USA exhibited top-notch build quality. I think that the rise of consumerism has had something to do with it. While increasing consumer awareness would seemingly also increase a desire for high quality, it has also brought a drive for lower prices. The sometimes obsession with low prices and getting a bargain has helped fuel the rise of the big box store and more recently internet shopping. But the economies of buying and distribution scale given to us by retailers like Home Depot, Walmart and now Amazon – can go only so far. As these retailer’s tool buyers demand lower prices and higher profit margins from their suppliers – it is not surprising if a company like Bosch-Dremel seeks to do value-engineering and/or cheapening of their product line. Manufacturers and retailers may also have the perception that tool buyers are accepting of more frequent turnover in their tools – prioritizing have the latest and greatest new tools rather than ones that last for many years.
Finally – in a somewhat parallel example – I think that my current digital Canon camera is not close in build quality to my old Leica film cameras. But I suspect that if Canon or Leica were to attempt building a new digital camera to the standard of my old M3 or M4 – the price would be astronomical – and the market minuscule.
Stuart
It could be, but people vote with their wallets.
Someone was complaining to me about their washing machine. Okay. Would they be willing to spend 1.5X for a better-made machine? “Expletive no.”
Brands and retailers see what sells and what doesn’t.
Not too long ago, Sears had Gearwrench and I believe USA-made Craftsman Professional ratcheting wrenches on the shelf. The Gearwrench were often discounts. The Craftsman collected dust.
Sears eventually got rid of the Craftsman Professional brand and then moved most production of remaining tools to China.
We complained, but sales data is more convincing to corporate executives.
JoeM
Oh, I have Proxxon on my Radar, DRT… Make no mistake… I want one… It’s all just finding the model I want, and know about, somewhere in Canada.
The speed range of the Proxxon 12 Volt corded supply Rotary Tool fits in EXACTLY just below my two Dremel tools. That’s PERFECT for low-heat, high accuracy, material removal!
JoeM
UPDATE: I have found The Proxxon source I wanted, here in Canada!
http://www.nutmegwoodworking.ca/
And prices are Cheap! So, Yeah, I will happily be looking into some Proxxon gear, DRT! Though I was wrong about the speeds, they’re still worth it.
JML
I have a Dremel 398 (used to be their top of the line model) and a Dremel Stylus. Excellent products that disappeared from their lineup and really have never been replaced by the company with anything comparable. [sigh]
Nathan
to the build quality comment – not directed as this topic of dremel accessories.
I think one reason you see “quality” build diminish is computer aided design also. I mean for a whole number of reasons why use more material than is necessary. More and more things are optimized in design on computer before making the first prototype.
Now you use less screws because you design not to , and you can use thinner materials because golly gee it shouldn’t be dropped from that high . . . . . . .
Everything is optimized these days – so some degree.
Nathan
To the point of this thread – I liked the idea of the versa device but didn’t really want to buy into another battery setup.
So having these on a drill – in a quality product – I think I like that much better. Hell you could run these in an impact driver if you wanted to also. cause you know a bruch needs 120 ft lbs of torque to properly clean your sink.
(I mean why not?)