Rotary tool

[Phantasman]

I have been looking to get one for the various jobs around the house. Finally found this one on EBay for $27 and free shipping:

WEN 2305 Rotary Tool Kit Review |

I am on a fixed income so needed something that would perform as well as a Dremel but fit my budget. Has anyone tried this brand? Wen seems to make a lot of industrial tools.

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Have not tried that tool but I have a WEN 10" buffer/waxer. It has performed well. They've been around for some time as a company.

 

[Pointman]

I've not tried it.

I know this is probably too rich for you right now, but I bought a rechargeable 12 volt, refurbished Dremel on the CPO outlet sight. I think it was around $65 while it is normally $99. It is portable and holds a charge well. Kind of feels like the difference between using wired and wireless headphones.




Stay away from the Harbor Freight brand rotary tool. I bought the cordless one I think for $29 and the speed selector went out on it 2 days after I got it. So it would only run extremely fast and dangerous.

 

[Phantasman]

Thanks for the input guys. Like anything from a new (to me) manufacturer, I'll just have to wait and see. Most customer reviews were good, and then you have the 10% who hated it and end up calling it a "cheap piece if Chinese junk". I have a monocular and a short wave radio from China and they have held up great and do what I expect. But I have had some stuff that was inferior as well.

 

[lastleg]

The rechargeable Dremel is slightly less than worthless. Runs down too fast.

 

[Higgy]

I use Dremels, but I am developing a strange affection for Harbor Freight tools. They are cheap. These tools - on the whole - seem to meet my quality standards, given the workout that I put them through. I've had an HF abrasive chop saw for 25 years and its outlasted a lot of other tools I have had that were made by Milwaukee and Porter Cable. I think I paid $39 for it. I still use it a few times a week! I also have an HF 4x6 bandsaw that is about 30 years old and it still runs very well and still cuts a straight line.

Bottom Line: The Wen is Chinese. The HF is Chinese. HF will replace defective stuff no questions asked. Will the vendor for your Wen do the same?

 

[Dr. Syn]

I just looked on WEN's site, if you can get the tool for $27.00, that's less then Wen sells their reconditioned one for.
Reconditioned Rotary Tool Kit with Flex Shaft-Item: R2305

If you are a little electronics handy, and you don't need the tool for hard use, hit up the local Goodwill stores and such for those cordless animal nail trimmers.

I have a similar Dremel like the Wen you are looking at, and a pair of those doggie trimmers. They both have similar chucks to what the Dremel uses so all the bits fit. After the batteries died in them I removed them and installed a plug to use one of my lithium packs (I fly electric R/C airplanes) to power em up.
You could easily buy or build a new rechargeable pack for them.

They work great for sanding, buffing, even light cutting.

 

[joncutt87]

Check out the flex shaft grinding tool from harbor freight sku# 40432

 

[lastleg]

Usually the dremels stop because the two brushes wear out. They are easily replaceable but
hard to find, Lowe's sells them online but not in stores. Of course they would rather you buy
a new unit.