Dremel Versus Foredom Review
Which one should you buy, what are the differences and similarities between these power tools, and who uses them?
I use a Dremel these days after years of struggling with the Foredom SR motor and flex shaft I had bought. I found the Foredom, personally difficult to handle. So much so that I needed two hands to hold the hand-piece and had to clamp anything I was working on down to my work bench. This broke a few pieces.
My Experience with Foredom
The Foredom hand-piece was jumpy. If I held it loosely in my hand it would vibrate so hard it would bounce on my palm. In several years of use I had done the following: replaced the shaft four times, replaced the hand-piece three times, and replaced the motor brushes twice. Nothing seemed to change the way it worked; nothing was wrong with the parts I was replacing. Yet I was hoping that the changes would help.
In the end, I drove it over to Rio Grande, where I bought it. They gave it a clean bill of health and mailed it to Foredom for me just to be sure. Foredom also gave it a clean bill of health and did not seem to notice the vibration. My only conclusion is that my hands, so weakened from over a decade of tendonitis, could not handle such a robust tool.
My Experience with Dremel
My first test for the Dremel was to see if it jumped around on my hand. I held it loosely and it barely even vibrated there. The hand piece and the flex shaft seem lighter than the Foredom’s. I’ve used it for several years now and have not had to replace any parts. While I do still need to maintain my hands with their tendinitis, carving is not so painful now.
What Others Say
My experience is not everyone’s experience. I reached out to a few artisans who use one or the other or both and asked them for their stories.
Skye from Jewelry by Skye
uses a Series SR by Foredom and has several Dremel units. She had the following to say:
I have used both and like the Foredom better because the handle is light weight and smaller which makes lengthy work easier with small hands. It has some great attachments which really makes my job easier! My next buy will be the quick changer!
My Dremel is now used to trim the dog’s toenails and trip the goats horn spurs off! So, both are in use. But, the Dremel contour sander is the best, I use it in woodworking all the time!
Tom from Beach Walker Boxes
uses a big Foredom LX motor with a 44T flexible hand tool. It fits many collets and tips. He finds that it does not overheat even when ran for long periods, and he finds that getting it wet helps in that area as it needs to be kept cool when working with glass. He also uses a Dremel 4000 on woodwork but has to limit his time using it as it gets overheated and burns the wood; it just isn’t meant for long periods of hard work on glass.
I use Dremel for wood, Foredom for glass, since the Foredom can get wet. Dremel is irritating because it gets so hot so fast- I only use it because I don’t have a better option for working on small wood pieces. I have nothing at all bad to say about Foredom- it’s the perfect tool for fine work on cast glass.
Annie from AKAannie
had this to say about both:
I can’t live without my Foredom!!! Used Dremel for years (and still do for household things), but it can’t compare. My Foredom has spoiled me.
I currently use the Foredom TX300 and I love it. I got the quick change hand piece too (so nice). I have several dremels that I also like (the newest is pretty nice), but they work best for me for things around the house. I guess the biggest thing I’ve noticed is the power seems substantially better and the throttle control is far superior. The Foredom has a really nice feel when you push the pedal and can be controlled so easily from slow to fast. When I use the Dremels I don’t feel that same level of power and control.
Frederick from A Blind Cat
has used Dremel exclusively since the 1990’s and has not seen any reason to replace it with anything else since it is still running so well:
It’s a model 395. Yes, it is still the same one. It keeps going. I use it for many things. Sharpening my crafting blades, reshaping worn out blades or box cutters.
I don’t make any products that I sell, with it, as yet, but it does aid me when I make, create or modify an item, that will help me make something. An example, in cutting a very thick tube, that I use to roll my vinyl with. I wanted to get it done quickly, & stay as close to the margins as I could. I knew I was going to use the Dremel for that.
I refill my own toner, sometimes, you have to drill in to the side of the cartridge. I have one of their attachments, which allow me to bring the Dremel down, to the surface. Like a drill press.
I made a fabric clamp, using the Dremel to cut the ends off & size the wooden clamp.
In the End, Consider Pricing
In conclusion I would like to say that both are excellent tools, it seems that it comes down to personal preference and physical capabilities. Price should also be a consideration. You can buy a full Dremel kit that works like a horse for under $150. Some Dremel units are pricier. Foredom’s can range from $300 and on up to $1200.
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