Author Topic: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?  (Read 1906 times)

Offline Jamo

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Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« on: October 29, 2025, 05:35:49 PM »
I think I need one of these for my birthday, but have read some comments online that Dremels seem to wear out rather quickly. Anyone able to make a recommendation? Is battery powered better than a corded version?

Here is a photo from the TVAL collection as a thank you for reading


Cheers
James
Happy Modelling
James Fahey

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Offline gedmundson

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2025, 06:43:30 PM »
Hello James - I can certainly recommend the DSPIAE Oni Electric Sander ES-P since I use it for grinding and sanding with their various attachments & bits. This is powered by a re-chargeable battery and lasts a while. I use this device a lot as it is quite versatile. I typically drill holes using a pin vice or hole punch as the rotary action on any tool would mar the plastic in my opinion.

I find my cord-powered Dremel was way too powerful to use on plastic (and hasn't worn out in the 40 or more years I've owned it).

Good luck finding something for your birthday  ;)
Cheers,
Gary

Offline Jamo

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2025, 06:52:25 PM »
Thanks Gary, I'll check it out
Happy Modelling
James Fahey

Check out my massive photo collection here: https://jamesfahey.smugmug.com/

Offline richard.kiss

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2025, 09:22:06 PM »

Offline lcarroll

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2025, 11:43:58 PM »
Jamo,
    Like most of us I've had several Dremels on my bench over the years, both corded and rechargeable versions, and found them to be too large and heavy for modeling applications. I bought the DSPIAE ES-P rechargeable rotary tool five years ago and still  find it an excellent workbench tool. I somehow missed the oscillating sanding tool Gary has however if it's a ROTARY TOOL you are considering the ES-P is a quality item with one minor exception; I quickly discovered that the literally hundreds of accessories for the Dremel I've ferreted away over the years have a shaft too large for it. I have since purchased several cheap "knock off" versions on line that have larger chucks and find I use them even more then the Dremel which I reserve for course grinding only as the accessories available for the latter are limited. Bottom line, I'd recommend you pursue a far more affordable rotary version on line (I got mine thru Amazon) and FWIW I intend to pursue the oscillating DSPIAE one like Gary's after viewing it's review video.

https://www.google.com/search?
q=dspiae+mini+electric+sander+review&rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA1131CA1131&oq=DS&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggDECMYJzIGCAAQRRg7MgwIARBFGDkYsQMYgAQ

   As you can see these two products are for different functions. I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Lance

Offline ColonelKrypton

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2025, 12:10:14 AM »

      Dremel 2050-15 Stylo+

Uses a small plug in power supply and have far less torque than the larger rotary tools. Fits in my big hand like a large pen and that is how I hold it for fine work.

Collets are standard but will readily take a small three jaw chuck.  The cheap Asian 3 jaw chucks are just that, cheap.  Get a genuine Dremel 3 jaw chuck. I read somewhere that these are made in Germany and are made of steel; at least the ones I have bought recently are.  The inexpensive Asian variety are made of aluminum and fit and runout are not always that great.

Another option, sometimes less expensive but sometime more expensive are what are called "Nail Drills". Search Amazon for a selection.  Can be very inexpensive, sometimes quite expensive, sometimes corded, sometimes rechargeable. All, at least those I have looked at, have a 3/32 ( 2.35mm ) collet and use burrs having shanks of that size. This is a common size for jewellers tools and you can get very good quality burrs and drills having this size shank.

Foredom, and others, have a line of rotaty tools called Micro Motor tools

https://www.foredom.net/product-category/micromotors/micromotor-kits/

These are very similar in design to the above mentioned "Nail Drills" and are available in brushless and non-brushless styles. Being Foredom they are expensive.

I am going to have a look at the "Nail Drills" again and will likely get one to try, can't enough tools ;)

I do like my Dremel Stylo+ however, especially with the genuine Dremel three jaw chuck.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

cheers, Graham

Offline Jamo

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2025, 05:59:30 AM »
Thanks Lance & Graham, your comments are appreciated
Happy Modelling
James Fahey

Check out my massive photo collection here: https://jamesfahey.smugmug.com/

Offline PrzemoL

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Re: Can anyone recommend a powered rotary hand tool?
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2025, 11:54:27 PM »
Sorry for the late answer. But I would like to confirm what Gary and Richard Kiss wrote. I own the DSPIAE tool for half a year and use it regularly. The battery hold for long, charges quickly. And the tool is working perfectly.
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Ash nazg thrakatuluk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.