Best Rotary Tools in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 2, 2024
If for the job you've got at hand using an angle grinder isn't possible and a hand file is simply not enough, what you need is a ...Read more
PROS

The EZ-Twist nose cap makes switching bits as easy as it can possibly get. The powerful motor, on the other hand, makes it simple to use the tool for polishing, cutting, and other tasks that require higher RPM rates.

CONS

The users manual is not very informative.

OUR VERDICT

The Dremel Lite 7760 is the perfect pick for those looking for a powerful rotary device. The tool will allow you to polish, cut, grind, and even drill most of the materials without breaking a sweat. What makes this particular model special, though is its rechargeable battery that improves its portability.

detailed parameters
Type

Cordless

Power

3.6 V rechargeable battery

Speed

8000 - 25000 RPM

Attachments

15 accessories, 2 x carving/engraving (194, 7103), 2 x grinding/sharpening (932, 85422), 7 x cleaning/polishing (428, 404, 414, 421, 401), 4 x sanding (407,408,432))

Accessories

4 adjustable speeds, EZ-Twist Nose cap, USB charging cable, Battery indicator

Weight

0,270 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The special motor construction and smart arrangement of vents on the body of the device guarantee efficient cooling. The tool won't get too hot during operation even if used for a long time without breaks.

CONS

No anti-slip coating on the body of the device.

OUR VERDICT

Along with the rotary tool, the kit includes 243 accessories which will allow you to work comfortably on most materials, be it glass, plastic, stone, or even precious metals.

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Power

135 W

Speed

10000 - 32000 RPM

Attachments

243 attachments total (Grinding belts, Cutters, Drill bits, Sanding paper, Cut off wheels, Polishing wheels, Grinding pins etc)

Accessories

Variable speed control, Compatible with Dremel rotary tool accessories, Accessory case included

Weight

0.7 kg

Warranty

2 years (product registration required)

PROS

The heart of the instrument is an improved and upgraded electric engine from Mabuchi that not only brings high rotational speeds to the table but also ensures that the appliance will have a long service life.

CONS

The drill attachment is not very practical since it takes a while to drill through harder types of wood.

OUR VERDICT

This Utool cordless rotary model allows even inexperienced users to use it with ease, thanks to simple controls and a durable build. The adjustable speeds and overload protection also help in terms of security. Combined with a whole bunch of various bits, this kit will come in handy regardless if you are a professional or not.

detailed parameters
Type

Cordless

Power

3.6 V rechargeable battery

Speed

5000 - 15000 RPM

Attachments

40 accessories, 1 x nylon bristle brush, 6 x grinding bits, 6 x diamond bit, 3 x collets, 16 x sanding bands, 2 x felt wheel, 1 x reamer bit, 2 x mandrels, 1 x sand drum, 1 x cut wheel, 1 x drill bit

Accessories

3 adjustable speeds, Overload protection, Accessory case and USB charging cable included

Weight

0.234 kg

Warranty

1 year (excluding the accessories)

PROS

The cutting guide helps you make openings of any depth without using any extra measuring devices.

CONS

Some users have complained about this tool being too noisy.

OUR VERDICT

If you plan to work with a rotary multi-tool for a while with no pauses, we recommend you to use this model. It comes with a flexible drive, so your hands won't get tired during use. 

detailed parameters
Type

Corded

Power

135 W

Speed

10000 - 32000 RPM

Attachments

80 accessories (Sanding Discs, Cut-off Wheels, Sanding Bands, Grinding Stones, Drill Bits, Collets, Mandrels etc), 3 attachments (cutting guide, auxiliary handle, flexible driver)

Accessories

Variable speed control, integrated hang hook, soft grip, Compatible with Dremel rotary tool accessories, Accessory Case included

Weight

0.7 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The tool features a built-in battery allowing its comfortable use in places with no access to a power socket. The full recharge of the tools takes only 1-2 hours, so you can recharged it during your lunch break.

CONS

No RPM adjustment option.

OUR VERDICT

Lightweight and compact, this rotary drill grinder set will be good for people engaged in woodworking. While operating at a rather low RPM rate, the tool can polish all types of wood with high precision and create etchings in the majority of delicate materials.

detailed parameters
Type

Cordless

Power

3.6 V rechargeable battery

Speed

10000 RPM

Attachments

60 accessories (Grinding Stones, Metal Engraving Bits, Connective Posts, Wire Wheels, Brass Collets, Buffing Wheels, Drill Bits, Cut-Off Wheels, Sanding Drums etc)

Accessories

Accessory Case, Wall battery charger

Weight

0.4 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

Everything You Need in a Rotary Appliance

The Dremel Lite 7760 is a somewhat lightweight appliance with a total weight of 270 grams. But being lightweight is not the thing that makes it appealing, the thing that does is hidden within its housing.

Firstly, the electric motor of the rotary tool is capable of reaching 25,000 RPM in just a few seconds, which enables it to perform various tasks with ease to match. Conversely, the lowest speed at which the tool operates is capped at 8,000 RPM and that should be enough for more mundane tasks like cutting, cleaning, polishing and sharpening. For your convenience, the appliance features 4 adjustable speeds so you can pick the one you need at a whim.

Since this is a cordless tool, it is only natural that it has a built-in battery. To be more precise, it features a 3.6 V Li-Ion rechargeable battery that can be charged via a USB connection or directly from a power socket in case you have a USB to AC adapter. The kit also includes a USB charging cable and a plug, while the charging process itself will take around 2.5 hours.

Wrapping things up, this package from Dremel will be an ideal option for users working with rotary tools on daily basis and for people that use them occasionally. The adjustable speeds, overall ease of use, and packaging that includes every bit imaginable make it an excellent kit for the money.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £65.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07VJ33V3N

243 Attachments: The Benefits

Working on tasking projects may take hours upon hours and not every tool would be able to endure such loads. Which is why if you need to keep your tasks going no matter what, it's best to turn towards the VonHaus 15/06 rotary tool that will withstand heavy use and let you work on your projects as long as you need.

What discerns this rotary tool compared with many others is a motor construction containing vents that keep it from overheating by letting cool air in. Thanks to this, the VonHaus 15/06 can work at its maximum load for many hours, allowing you to cut, buff, polish, and drill without wasting your time. While boasting such excellent performance, some consumers find it a bit frustrating that this tool doesn't have an anti-slip coating and that it weighs less than a kilo, making such tasks as processing rough materials, like stone and hardwood, tiresome. On the positive side, there are very few other rotary tools out there that come with such a number of additional attachments and accessories in the kit. In total, along with the tool, you get 243 accessories - from drill bits to grinding pins - making it one of the most multi-functional models of rotary tools. The best thing is, the VonHaus 15/065 is compatible with a majority of Dremel rotary accessories as well, so you will have more options if you find out that the kit doesn't contain some bits you need.

So choose the VonHaus 15/065 if you tend to work on time-consuming projects most of the time that require a versatile set of tools. This set is a real find for any skilled worker who seeks multi-tasking and functionality in a single device.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £24.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00XWBB77E

Light but Tough

The Utool CRT01-02-2 is yet another cordless rotary appliance that is designed to be convenient, easily accessible at any given moment, and to generally simplify the tasks at hand.

The CRT01-02-2 is, perhaps, one of the lightest rotary tools on our list and it’s not surprising since the total weight of the appliance with a battery attached barely reaches the mark of 250 g. Despite this, the appliance has a fairly powerful engine that can jump from 5,000 all the way up to 15,000 RPM in mere seconds. To help you in adjusting the speed, the tool has 3 adjustable speeds. And on top of it all, we have a simple, yet highly reliable 3.6 V Li-Ion battery that can provide users with up to 4-5 hours of runtime, depending on the workload.

But let’s put the main unit aside for a moment, and take a look at the whole package. Alongside the charging cable, we also have an accessory case that features 40 different attachments for pretty much any job imaginable. Just to name a few, the kit has several grinding bits, sanding bands, cut and drill bits.

In the end, the CRT01-02-2 will be a good option if you need a reliable rotary tool that works without any power cords, holds the charge for several hours and simply gets the job done. Sanding, polishing and even cutting, you name it - and this tool will do it.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B08J7FMSJ3

Affordable Rotary Multi Tool

Purchasing a multifunction tool such as the TACKLIFE RTD35ACL is a practical solution. Coming with 80 additional accessories, this rotary tool can save you lots of hassle.

The set includes a number of sanding discs, grinding stones, drill bits of different sizes, and a special accessory case so you can use it straight out of the box. And if there aren't enough bits, the TACKLIFE RTD35ACL is compatible with Dremel accessories, which provides more options and versatility of use. In addition to the accessory kit, you get 3 additional attachments - a cutting guide, a flexible driver, and an auxiliary handle. The cutting guide will help you make cuts and openings of any depth without using measuring devices, which may come in handy when, for example, drilling holes in certain materials or doing etchings. Meanwhile, the flexible drive removes the need to hold the tool in hands, simplifying its use significantly.

The TACKLIFE RTD35ACL runs in the range of 10,000-32,000 RPM and has a variable speed control allowing you to choose the exact speed you need. On the downside, the tool does tend to get quite loud in operation when the applied load gets higher.

Overall, despite the fact that the TACKLIFE RTD35ACL rotary tool isn't as quiet as some other models, a plethora of accessories, precisely adjustable RPM rate, and a handy flexible drive make up for this shortcoming, making it suitable for many different projects around the house. It's a good choice for those working on construction sites where the noise level isn't that crucial and won't cause inconvenience.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £35.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01N34GP13

Cordless Performance

While using corded tools in a workshop is fine, it's not always possible to do so on sites with no power supply. For these particular use cases, it's best to use a cordless rotary tool. And the Bond Hardware 71008B is the one we can wholeheartedly recommend.

This compact device works at a stable speed of 10,000 RPM. This means that it's perfect for processing wood and delicate materials like glass but it may struggle to buff and cut through metallic objects. Still, if you apply some pressure, you should be able to get the job done.

The Bond Hardware 71008B comes with 60 accessories and can be used for a great variety of tasks including engraving, drilling, buffing, cutting, grinding, etc. All you need is to pick the right attachment. The best selling point of this tool is that it recharges in less than 2 hours so that you can operate it without taking too long of a break from work. Another advantage is the tool's lightweight design, making it a mere 0.4 kg, which shows and proves that using it is going to be a piece of cake.

To sum things up, the Bond Hardware 71008B might look like a budget-friendly tool, but the only thing that is budget about this thing is the price tag. Everything else is of relatively high quality starting from the body materials and finishing with the bits the tool comes equipped with.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01NCNU79G

What Is a Rotary Tool?

Probably, each of us has ever used a drill or angle grinder for perforating or buffing wood, concrete, or metal. But, what to do when a project is small and requires a tool more precise than a grinder or drill? In this case, a rotary tool is the best. Drilling holes up to 1 mm, polishing tiny pieces, engraving, and carving wood, glass, or plastic, that's what rotary tools can do perfectly.

Rotary tools often referred to as Dremel tools, are similar to engravers and feature cylindrical bodies with an electric motor inside. The motor is able to deliver high speeds for accurate materials processing. Dremel tools are usually used by workers that engrave, grind, polish or cut various ware and may also prove useful for jewellers. On top of that, the rotary appliance allows for switching bits, which enables sanding softer materials or cutting harder ones. Generally, Dremel tools are irreplaceable for fiddly jobs where bulkier appliances would be too awkward to use.

If you deal with engraving only, consider our review on engravers that features vibrating and rotary models. If you are more into polishing and grinding, choose one of the die grinders driven by electric power or compressed air.

What Features to Compare

Type

There are two types of rotary tools: electric and pneumatic. Electric models further fall into corded and cordless tools, providing users with options to choose from. If you normally work in your workshop and don't often transport tools with you, it'd be best to opt for a corded rotary tool that would provide you with a sufficient amount of power to grind and cut through a variety of materials. On the other hand, if you often work on construction sites devoid of electricity, you'll be better off with a cordless tool. Most cordless rotary tools come with fairly capacious batteries providing enough time for performing a series of jobs. As for pneumatic tools, they are irreplaceable for large-scale projects that are typical of workshops. But you should keep in mind that they are rather heavy and noisy in operation which makes their application in households awkward and not always possible.

Performance

Now, speaking of tech specs, the major criteria to check on when selecting a rotary tool are the motor capacity and torque. The motor capacity is the number that will tell you how long you can run the tool without any damage. The speed will show you what types of jobs can be done with the tool. While the rule the higher the better is applicable here, it's recommended to go for a rotary tool with variable speed control so that you could easily change it while engraving, cutting or grinding, for example. Another option to look for is a chuck speed adjustment which allows processing such fine and delicate materials as glass and precise metals. But if you mostly work with hardwood and metal, the numbers you should be checking on are potential RPM rates.

Convenience Features

No matter whether you're buying a gas chainsaw or such a simple instrument like a rotary tool, it should pose no inconvenience or discomfort during use. With that in mind, make sure to check the weight of the tool. You want it to be lightweight enough to not strain your arm yet heavy enough to withstand vibrations during operation. For additional convenience, many rotary tools come boxed with flexible shafts with which the tool can be suspended in a vertical position so that only the chuck would be manipulated. For hard-to-access areas, that's the only real option. One of the other things making the use of a rotary tool more convenient is the option to attach a foot pedal for additional speed control. Finally, you should check on the package to see what accessories come included with the purchase. Many of the kits pack quite a number of bits to spare you additional expenses.

FAQ:

Q: What are rotary tools used for?
A: Equipped with standard bits and accessories, rotary tools are capable of performing such operations as cutting using special wheels, shaping, hollowing and carving using cutter bits/points, engraving using engraving bits. These tools also can do grinding and sharpening using grinding stones, sanding using bands and drums, polishing and cleaning using polishing wheels, and drilling with drill bits. Dremel tools can be applied to a pretty wide range of materials like metal, wood, plastic, glass, stone, and even dog toenails. Dremel tools may come with carbide and steel bits for handling softer materials, whilst tungsten-carbide and diamond bits are good for harder materials. There are Dremel attachments, such as a router attachment that allows edging and routing wood and plastic.

Q: How to hold a Dremel tool?
A: There are at least 3 ways to hold your tool.

1. The way you hold a pen. The tool grip is at the base of the shaft.

2. The way you hold a knife. The grip is the middle of the shaft.

3. With both hands. Hold the tool along the length of the shaft.

Q: How to change bits and attachments?
A: To change a bit/attachment, you need to do the following.

1. Hold the spindle lock button.

2. Loosen the collet nut with the wrench.

3. Change the bit by removing the current bit, and inserting a mandrel/spindle of a new bit or the bit itself into the collet. A wheel usually comes with a mandrel you attach, while bits are permanently attached to spindles.

4. Tighten the collet nut with the wrench and make sure the bit doesn't wobble. Release the spindle lock.

5. If your Dremel has the EZ Twist™ mechanism, you can change the bit without a wrench, by simply loosening the collet and changing the bit.

Q: How can I repair my Dremel tool?
A: Before repair, make sure to check the following things.

1. The motor brushes aren’t worn out.
2. The power outlet or batteries are intact and functional.
3. The interior of the tool is free from debris and sawdust.
4. The tool is used according to it’s intended purpose (and is not overloaded).
5. Only properly sized accessories or attachments are used with the tool. 

Once you have checked those things, check if your model is still covered by its warranty. If it is, call Dremel and ask for service.

Surely, you can try to fix the problem yourself by following these steps.

1. Disconnect the tool from the power source.
2. Remove the plastic cap on the tool head.
3. Depending on the model you use, there will be screws securing the shaft. Remove these screws with an appropriate screwdriver.
4. Access the tool internals to address the issue.
5. If the tool shaft does not spin up, the most probable cause of the problem is that the coupling is worn down (the little ring between the shaft components). Always check this coupling for integrity.

Sources:

1. How to Use a Dremel Tool, wikiHow.

2. Kit Stansley Get the Most out of Your Rotary Tool With These Attachments, Lifehacker. August 22, 2014.

3. Die grinder, Wikipedia. February 14, 2017.

4. Rotary-Tool Basics, DIY Network.

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