Rotary tools are used for variety of work such as carving, precise cutting, polishing, grinding, or even sharpening. Along with the right accessories, this tool is a must-have for any engineer or hobbyist. So check out this list of 10 best rotary tools for engineers and let us know your favourite rotary tool in the comments section below:
10. Makita 3706(90$)
Pro
- 5 Amp Motor, provides decent power.
- 32,000 RPM.
- Tool-less depth adjustment allows you to set the desired cutting depth quickly.
Con
- No handle for grip.
- Guard is not placed properly and has to be removed for some operations
- Expensive for only the tool and no kit.
You can get one here
9. Kawasaki 840589 190-Piece Rotary Tool Kit(40$)
Pro
- 30,000 Max RPM at no load.
- 190 Piece tool kit provided.
- Variable Speed.
Con
- Chuck stop button which holds the chuck stop pin is made from plastic, this may be the reason behind some durability issues with this tool.
You can get one here
8. Milwaukee 2460-21 M12(117.44$)
Pro
- 30,000+ Max RPM at no load.
- Grinder style exhaust ports and protected front bearing are claimed by the manufacturer to increase durability X10 times.
- Can be used with accessories of other brands, for e.g. Dremel.
Con
- Some units were reported with a loose tool shaft bearing , causing the tool to vibrate at medium-top speed settings.
You can get one here
7. Bosch Bare-Tool MXH180BL(229$)
Pro
- Reinforced metal housing for the gears, manufacturer claims this provides optimal force transmission and low vibration( very few complaints are known in this regard)
- Slow start-up feature is available.
Con
- Comes with really few accessories for the price.
- Comparatively heavy.
You can get one here
6. RotoZip SS560VSC-50 (90$)
Pro
- 6A Powerful motor which can deliver RPM’s greater than 30,000 at no load.
- Comes with ZipMate for right angle attachment, Shield for cutting guard, different type of cutting wheels, collet, and a storage bag.
Con
- Lock nut for flush cutting attachment is not easy to loosen.
- Instruction manual not very clear.
You can get one here
5. Hitachi GP10DL Cordless(70$)
Pro
- Weights 1.06 pounds which is comparatively lighter than other models on the list.
- Comes with a lifetime lithium-ion tool warranty and a 2-year lithium-ion battery warranty.
- Max 35,000 RPM.
Con
- A wobbly chuck is reported by some users.
- Users are not happy with the power output available when used as a screwdriver.
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4. DEWALT DW660 (52$)
Pro
- 5 Amp motor provides good power for most operations.
- Bits from other brands can be installed.
Con
- Bit changing system is not very affable.
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3. WEN 2307(17$)
Pro
- Variable speed dial. upto 30,000RPM.
- 100 piece accessory kit.
- Very good value for money.
Con
- Manufacturing quality is known to be inconsistent, some consumers have reported with loose parts and lack of durability.
You can get one here
2. Black & Decker RTX-B(30$)
Pro
- Consistent manufacturing quality.
- A universal collet system.
- Flip-lock spindle system is known to be exclusive for B&D and allows for easy accessory changes,
Con
- Only three speed systems 10,000/ 20,000/ 30,000 RPM.
- Very few accessories offered in the deal, have to be bought separately.
- If smaller Dremel bits are required to be used than the chuck present has to be replaced by a keyless one.
You can get one here
1. Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit – Corded(80$)
Pro
- Variable speed from 5000 to 35000 RPM.
- Includes 30 Dremel accessories and 2 Dremel attachments.
- Integrated nose cap wrench allows for fast accessory changes.
- High reliability and durability.
Con
- The set does not contain different type of collets required.
- Some users have reported it to be rather loud when operating at high speeds.
You can get one here