Cordless rotary tool review | For wood carving, engraving & polishing

Common Dremel tool attachments and their uses

1. Cutting Guide. Offers depth adjustment flexibility, to accurately control your cuts according to how you have set the tool.
2. Collets or a keyless chuck. For easier and quicker accessory changes without the need of a small wrench, opt for a keyless chuck change.
3. Flex shaft attachment. Provides a lightweight fingertip control for engraving, polishing, sanding, and wood carving on a heavier higher amp rated engraver.
4. Handle with detailer grip. Some tools provide enhanced grip for better comfort and better control for optimum precision and results.
5. Blade shield. Enhances protection from sparks and debris during polishing, sanding, and cutting.  

Corded vs. Cordless Dremel engraver?

Dremel corded engravers are perfect for DIY’er that want a cheaper price tag or for heavy-duty long time frame tasks since the tool won’t run out of battery. They are also great for frequent use and uninterrupted work time with continuous power. On the downside, usage is limited by the length of the cord.

A cordless Dremel tool, on the other hand, has better mobility since you can use it anywhere, even if there’s no power outlet around. The weight is also still; light, making it the best Dremel for wood carving and other tasks where precision is demanded.

But for heavy tasks that require longer work time, this may not be the right tool as battery life diminishes over time, and will require occasional charging.

Why does Dremel make the best engraver tools?

Dremel makes the most popular engraving tools for many, making them famous for producing the best engraver kits to work with at a price that’s good for professionals as well as DIY’ers and hobbyists.

Dremel extensively lets you customize your tool for a huge variety of engraving jobs from woodworking and metalwork to also a range of artwork. By using either a carbide point or a diamond point for heavy-duty and hard surfaces.

I would say Dremel makes the best engraver tool for artists and woodworkers and should be the only choice.

For the best wood carving engraver, the Dremel 4300 includes a plunge router attachment! For larger wood carving jobs get a dedicated plunge router like whats here.

Alternative rotary tool brands

There are also other alternative brands aside from Dremel. Many DIY’ers are waiting for a DeWalt rotary tool to make the mark, however, you could consider other brands when looking for an engraver tool.

Cheaper DIY brands like Tacklife or Black and Decker can be considered as a tool to let you engrave with also some precision and style. These brands also take the same carbide bits made from tungsten and are open to taking a wide range of cutting and polishing attachments as well. 

WEN could be considered if you’re looking for the cheapest corded engraver; it is an economical option that still provides steady power for continuous and uninterrupted work. 

Remember that most DIY brands are still equipped with an ergonomically-designed grip for fine detailing work, but don’t fully compare to a Dremel. 

Choosing the best rotary tool

The Dremel 8220 2/28 with the included flex shaft attachment works great for typical use in precision work. You can even sharpen mower blades, assist with regrouting tiles in your bathroom, and cutting holes in solid drywalls.

Its variable speed that can pack up to as much as 35,000 rpm which is outstanding for a Dremel cordless tool, and on par with some of the best-corded options.

 The Dremel 8220 2/28 rotary tool is equipped with an accurate battery indicator to track battery life. Without compromising precision expect a soft grip for a firm comfortable hold. Being lightweight at only 1.25 pounds it is handy to carry around the tool and allows me to work long hours without finger or hand fatigue.

Best cordless DIY Dremel rotary tool

The Dremel 8050-N/18 micro rotary tool works great for the tightest of spaces. Its ergonomic design lets you handle detailed work with total ease. Compact power is provided by an 8-volt Lithium-ion battery that provides a decent and long run time.

Battery charging is made easier by a docking station that continuously charges the tool, and makes it ready to use at any time within a moment’s notice. Its size, power, and ergonomic design make a perfect combination for DIY projects and various light-duty work.

It’s the best Dremel tool that you can rely on for smaller projects.

Most affordable cordless rotary tool

The Ryobi One+ has enough power without breaking the bank. It comes with a 36-inch shaft pen for intricate work that demands high precision. It also comes with an 18-volt battery that provides long run time on just a single charge, making it an ideal tool for uninterrupted work.

The 36-piece included accessory bundle offers the user plenty of grinding, sanding, and engraving options out of the box, but I still recommend looking into some of the kits I recommend on this site to go with it.

Most powerful corded rotary tool

The Dremel 4000-2/30 is enticingly packaged with 100 pieces of genuine Dremel accessories, plus 3 other attachments. It is a perfect all-around tool for all different engraving, cutting, and sanding tasks. It comes with a flex shaft for a comfortable grip and has enhanced control during grinding and cutting with variable speed. 

Comparing Dremel 3000 vs 4000, the latter is better with more power at 1.6 amps, compared to 1.2amp for the 3000 model. On the other hand, the Dremel 4000 vs 4300, the former has plenty of attachments to the chuck design with a Flexi-shaft for more accurate work compared to 4300.

But the 4300 includes a small plunge router base for a different type of carving depending what your after it might be best to see if you can buy the plunge router attachment separately with the 4000.

There is a higher price tag if you opt for the Flexi-shaft over the plunge router base but as long as I have the power that I need to cut through hard surfaces, and perform multiple tasks while still having a pen-like light handle it’s worth it.

The best DIY corded rotary tool

The Black & Decker RTX-B 3-Speed Rotary Tool has a built-in safety feature that prevents the switch from being engaged during use. The rubberized textured ergonomically-designed grip promotes better control and firm hold for higher accuracy when working on delicate projects.

The ‘flip and lock’ switch provides stability during the changing of accessories. The kit includes 63-pieces in a bundle and is already good enough for its price with sufficient power that can handle multiple projects smoothly.

Lowest cost corded rotary tool

The WEN 23114 variable speed rotary tool is a tool that also gets jobs done, even on a tight budget. The 1.4-amp motor easily handles basic tasks like polishing and engraving without a snag. But even the toughest jobs can be done with its optimum torque.

A lot can be done with this tool with the included 100 pieces of accessories, you can also extend your vision with the LED light attachment.

Checklist before buying a rotary engraver tool 

Check the durability.

Of course, you’d like an engraver tool to stick around with you for many years, without having to get a replacement for your future projects ahead. So, make sure to consider durability when shopping for one.

When it comes to durability, go for the tested and trusted brands such as Dremel, which has already etched its name in the industry. 

Research the brand.

Different brands have different qualities and performance. So, choose the ones that can truly give you the power that you need for multiple projects. Dremel is a premium brand when it comes to rotary tools.

But there are also other brands like WEN, TACKLIFE, and Black + Decker with a high-performance output.

Think about the price.

Some rotary tools are expensive, but they also have more power, durability, more attachments, and accessories, and are equipped with better features well-suited for the toughest engraving jobs around.

But if you are tight on budget, there are more affordable alternatives that can still get things done without emptying your pocket.

If you’re planning on light work for this tool, you don’t have to spend much on an expensive product. There are tools designed for light work, at a lesser cost on your part, but might not be cheaper in the long run.

Tips for using a Dremel tool

Dos

• Clean the tool regularly to ensure it is always in top shape.
• Use a woodworking apron when working on woodturning and woodworking jobs for added protection and to stay clean.
• Maintain at least a 3-inch distance from the rotating metal drill bit.
• Engravers can be fitted with a chuck attachment that enables its use with standard metal drill bits.
• Extend the tool life by proper handling, and not overworking a low amp tool.
• To keep your Dremel in top shape at all times, clean the tool regularly, after use.
• Make sure to return everything to the box, especially the accessories so you don’t lose them.
• Store it in a cool safe place away from children.
• If there is no storage case bundled in your purchase, buy one for better safekeeping.

Don’ts

• Don’t grind the side part of the cutoff wheel.
• Don’t attempt to use damaged accessories.
• Don’t wear gloves while using a drill press as glove materials may get wrapped in the Dremel drill bit leading to a possible hand injury.
• Avoid using the tool near flammable materials.
• Don’t forget to wear safety glasses even if you have eyeglasses.
• Avoid flying fragments getting in your face, depending on the task a lightweight face shield might be better.

Comparison of cordless Dremel and rotary tools

Comparison of corded Dremel and rotary tools

Conclusion

The Dremel 8220 review showed that this cordless rotary tool is a beast. It has the power to handle a wide variety of light to heavy tasks at hand, and on par with some corded brands.

It’s lightweight at only 1.25lbs. making it perfect for long working hours, and for projects that demand high accuracy. This is the best cordless Dremel tool to carry around and have in your workshop for various jobs located in different areas.

For high demanding consistent work, I would go for the most high-performance craft corded tool like the Dremel 4000. It works great for various DIY work as well, and it lives up to the demands of different projects.