Dremel 3956-02 MultiPro Super 1.15 Amp 5,000 to 35,000 RPM Variable Speed Rotary Tool with 77 Accessories Reviews

• My Flexible friend !

  
  By AZ0KP0WVK33JP on 2002-10-08
  Before I bought the corded Dremel Multi I used to use hand tools. The results were good but took time to produce. I then saw an advert on the television for the Dremel. I then went to a tool shop to see it and it's rivals. The only other competitor was the Black and Decker corded Wizard. The wizard lost out to the Dremel due to it's narrower range of operating speeds and it's greater size. The Dremel also had a far greater range of accessories to supplement it's use.

  >I really appreciate the way that the Dremel can do what it does so quickly so well. It can carve letters, polish to a very high standard and grind metal as well as the capability to engrave metals as well. The fact that it does not take up a lot of room, especially when you consider the wide range of capabilities it has.

  >To turn the Dremel on you slide the switch to one of the numbers on the scale, the further along you go the faster the shaft rotates. You set the speed according to the one recommended in the instruction manual which has pictures to guide you as well. You then apply the tool to the surface you are working on and gently do the polishing etc., but not too hard as it can damage the tool.

  >I had my Dremel fitted with a optional chuck which makes bit changes faster and more convenient than the standard collet bits. You just loosen the chuck, put a bit in, re-tighten the chuck and select the right speed and you are ready to go. It also has a decent grip for easy and comfortable holding. It is quite simply a joy to use for craft. Special shafts can be fitted to the end as well, so there is little that has been missed out.

  > The flexible shaft lets me work in places where the tool can't be inserted especially some places in my jeep! It's also easier to hold the flexible shaft when working on small workpieces like fishing lures etc.
  
  

• The Speed is the Key

  
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2003-08-19
  This is a fantastic tool for a home owner or craft enthusiast. The range of small tasks that you can achieve with the Multipro is unbelievable and easy, even for an untrained person.

  This kit includes a flexi-shaft, which helps you get into corners by extending the accessory bit using a long flexible shaft. You can buy the shaft separately if you already own the tool, but it's cheaper to get it with the kit if you're buying for the first time. The carrying case is attractive, and fits everything with room to spare.

  Some of the things you can do with your Dremel tool include drilling holes to hang pictures, putting lot numbers on your house, engraving your initials on items you don't want stolen, sharpening scissors and lawn mower blades, cleaning jewellery or golf clubs, giving sticking doors and windows a quick repair, cleaning silverware or brass or even mag rims, installing your car stereo and adding auto accessories to dress your car, trimming nails that are sticking up, regrooving damaged screw heads, sanding in hard to reach places, and so on.

  It is however a small tool, so you shouldn't expect it to sand a dining table like a belt sander, or cut out a large wood pattern like a scroll saw.

  You need a tiny spanner to change accessories, but it's included in the kit, along with different mandrels to hold the bits securely. There is a wide range of accessories available for even more tasks, and a great additional purchase is the tile cutting attachment, which allows you to do bathroom tile repairs with a lot less mess and guess work.

  The secret to the Dremel is the speed, with a range of varying speeds up to 35,000 rpm, which you control yourself. The instruction booklet is very detailed, and gives you lots of tips. Dremel also has an amazing website, with step by step how-to guides.

  Every home should have a Dremel Multipro
  
  

• Warning!

  
  By A2OKMACOXV7GN1 on 2003-01-28
  This rating is about honesty. I haven't tried this tool yet. I got really mad when I realised that out of the 77 advertised accessories 46 are little round pieces of sanding papers. Contrary to what is advertised there are no carving, engraving or routing possible because there are no such accessories. You now have to go and buy those.
  
  

• A nice tool but not for the professional

  
  By A3DRLXYQ8MBYYE on 2004-04-15
  I have used Dremel's rotary tools for many years now. The tool itself along with it's separate accesories are easy to find in most any hardware, hobby or home improvement store. Combined with the advertising and (as mentioned) deceiving accesory packages, it is an attractive option to other tools on the market. However, the Dremel is NOT the best rotary tool on the market, by a long shot! I finally got fed up with the finicky speed control and very poor bearing/spindle tolerance and looked for other options. They claim the speed control has been improved so perhaps it is better now but I am not interested in wasting my time with Dremel any longer. I have found Proxxon tools offer a similar price point with German manufacturing standards that far exceed the Dremel. Smooth, quiet, powerful. A maximum of .001" runout on most of their rotary tools. Far better than Dremel. The Dremel flex shaft is another story. I used it once and almost threw it out the window. Not for the precision minded to say the least. IMHO look at Proxxon or Foredom tools if you are serious about rotary tools. If you like to tinker once in a while then maybe the Dremel is for you.
  
  

• You have to get a Dremel!!

  
  By A1BXG0K7UD9CTD on 2004-02-22
  The Dremel Tool is by far and away one the most versatile tools anyone can own. The question isn't what can you do with it? Rather what can't you do with it? Cut, Polish, Grind, Route, Scrape, Shape and Engrave it does it all and quite well. The tool allows you to get into very small places where in the pre-dremel days was the realm for only very small hand tools. If you work with models you probably already have one. If you don't I can't understand what you are waiting for..?

  The key to the Dremels versatility is the variety of attachments and the myriad of bits available for it. Attachments include: flexible shaft, right angle attachment, Router attachment, Drill press, Mini-Saw, Dremel light and more... Bit's are way to numerous to mention but include tile & drywall cutting bits, grinding wheels, cut-off disks, engravers, grout removal and the list go's on and on.

  Personally I have used this tool on many occasions. I have cut drywall for electrical outlets, sharpened my chainsaw blades even de-gummed a generator carburetor; it's so useful and easy to set up. It's the kind of tool you often don't know when you are going to need it. A problem just presents itself and you think for a solution.......BETTER GET THE DREMEL!!!

  Drawbacks?? Only two that I can think of. First, the bits can be expensive over time but you don't have to buy them all just get what you need. Second, the cases that come with these kits stink!! They are made from cheap plastic and don't last. The tool however is very well made and even accepts replaceable brushes. I guess they just want to keep the cost down so they include these really cheesy cases.

  When you purchase the Dremel make sure you get the flexible shaft and the right angle attachment. Both of these are very useful and can be found in the many kits available with the tool. Most kits include a variety of starter bits and disks so you should be ok unless you are purchasing for a specific task.

  So I can't say enough about the Dremel. When nothing else will suffice and you are lucky enough to have one available, then you will understand... This is one very cool tool.
  
  

• A Dremel Tool Can Solve Almost Any Problem
  By A2JV8PH4NGQPJ6 on 2004-09-15
  Dremel Tools have been available in single and multiple speed models with assorted accessories for years, but this Super Kit has everything you need. Dr. Buck, a dentist, was visiting one day and "Precious" kept yipping and barking while we were talking. As he bent down to pet her, she uncharacteristically bared her teeth and growled at him. He told me she had a cavity in her front incisor and how he could fix the problem if I had a Dremel Tool and some Temparin Filling Material. He sedated Precious and selected a small grinding tip to remove the decay from her tooth. He filled the hole with Temparin and used a felt polishing tip to smooth the surface.
  
  
• Simpliy the Best
  By A1BD2ZZZ7ZBG03 on 2002-11-09
  This tool is by far the best rotary tool out on the market today.The question isnt what does it do, the question is what doesn't it do. I haven't found 1 thing that this tool can't accomplish.Anything from polishing metal to doing intricate detail work in wood,especially with the flex shaft.I have gotten in to places you wouldn't believe with the flex shaft.So if your thinking about getting a rotary tool and your not sure what to get, get the best and that would be this tool.
  
  
• Accessories a disappointment
  By on 2004-03-18
  While the tool itself is satisfactory, I'm very disappointed in the limited types of accessories that came with it. I had thought that the package would be a bargain with its 77 accessories, and that I'd have what I need for my simple projects, yet I now have to buy several more accessories at great expense to me because most of the accessories are similar sanding items.

  Also, the included polishing pads are not thick enough to cover the sharp metal point on the end of the attachment piece, so my projects get scratched from the protruding point! I'm very disappointed and discouraged about this tool package.
  
  

• Extremely useful
  By A2IO1ESNSIAXG3 on 2004-12-02
  The good:
  
  I use this thing constantly, primarily for intricate sanding and woodcarving applications which are its greatest strengths. I have made hardware (e.g., pommel, handle, cross-guard) for several knives and swords using the Dremel for milling, sanding, and cutting. It's great for milling out scabbards, decorative art carving, and even fine engraving. It is accurate, reliable, and easy to use. The flexshaft is fantastic as long as you don't bow it too much. It tends to bind if you do.
  
  The variable speeds are essential for the work I have performed on a huge variety of metals, woods, tiles, and drywall. It shifts smoothly and reliably between speeds with plenty of power and torque to drive the various accessories needed for each of these applications. The quick change clamp lets me switch between cutters, sanders, engravers, and so on with ease. Every time I think I've discovered all possible uses for this fantastic tool something else comes up.
  
  The bad:
  
  Some of the attachments are relatively useless. The mini router, drill press, and circular saw don't work all that well, especially on hardwoods. I own three other routers, a full-size drill press, and lots of other cutting tools so it's not a big deal to me but if you need to rely on these features you'll undoubtedly be disappointed.
  
  There are only two grits of sanding wheels that I have found (60 and 120). I really wish that finer wheels were available, at least 220. They don't last all that long and are reasonably expensive but are the only thing that can be used in certain applications.
  
  The ugly:
  
  Who designed the carrying case? It's cheap plastic, poorly constructed, and inefficiently laid-out. I dumped mine and built a nice wooden box to replace it. Guess I can't argue too hard against an excuse for building another woodworking project but they'd frankly be better off having no case than the one they provide.
  
  
  
• Dremel 3956-02 Variable Speed MultiPro Super Kit
  By A24OUN5GBAHG2B on 2005-10-28
  First of all I admit that this tool was my first excursion into the power carving tool arena. My kit came in rapid fashion and I opened it with great excitement. Since it was my first power carving tool I decided to break from my normal way of doing things and read the instructions. To my surprise I found the directions somewhat lacking. There was no clear cut, pardon the pun, information on installing and using the flexible extension. This was a disapointment since it was one of the features that I was drawn to. After a period trial and error the extention problem was solved. Next came the variable speed issue. In looking at the Dremel catalog I could see that a less expensive model could be purchased without the variable speed option. However a variable speed foot controled "add on" could be purchased as an addition. The disapointment in my model came with the realization that the variable speed feature was not foot controled but by a manual switch located on the unit itself. Without the foot control, you are constantly fumbling with the manual switch and maintaining contact with your project. A foot control on the more exensive model that I purchased would have been not only expected but desireable. The case which houses the unit is not only cumbursome to open and close (being plastic) but the aformentioned flexible unit in the lid case does not fit properly. Not fitting creates a sitiuation that once you do open the unit, the flex unit constantly drops down and out of place, very annoying. The limited carving bits provided, in my estimation, do not last very long even when working with a soft wood such as pine. It does take a certain amount of time to "get the feel" of a tool such as this. Knowing how much pressure to apply to a piece of wood only comes with practice on several types of wood. This is not the end all be all tool I imagined it would be however given the modest price and newly gained working knowledge of the capabilities of this Dremel model it is somewhat adequate. Only time will tell if it will stand up to the rigors of work in my shop.
  
  
• Great for my jewelry making.
  By A3I9VFAPSVOVIO on 2005-08-27
  I bought the Dremel 3956-02 variable speed after using a two-speed cordless mini for several years. This model is a great improvement with the variable speeds and increased power. It is used primarily for lapidary work and silver polishing, and it does a great job for me. I was a bit concerned about giving up the cordless feature on the mini, but working at a bench, the cord has been no problem. I highly recommend the variable speed Dremel 3956-02 for jewelry hobbyists.
  
  
• A must have tool
  By A1AKKYXG0Y0ULL on 2004-07-05
  I disagree with the negative reviews. A dremel is not a benchgrinter or an orbital polisher, etc, etc. It IS 3 pounds of power concentrated into a 2 oz bucket. If you use it for what it's meant for, it's great. In the fashion of any MultiTool, like a leatherman, it has multiple funtions in ONE tool. While a dedicated tool might do a better job in certain circumstances, it can only perform ONE funtion.
  
  
• A Jekyl and Hyde tool, depending on its application
  By A3NXS23AEHLY1Y on 2004-12-28
  In a nutshell: This is a Jekyl and Hyde tool
  
  Jekyl:
  The best tool on the market for lite work (lite meaning not putting a lot of torque & pressure & strain against a bit/accessory being spun by the tool).
  
  Hyde:
  The biggest waste of money for any type of heavy duty work. Will overheat, burn out and break on you. Mine did in less than a week. I went online and read numerous other reviews with the same symptoms, going back several years (of course I didn't read the reviews before I bought, thank you Mr. Murphy :) If I had only kept using it for pansy work everything would still be ok. lol
  
  
  
  
• Works well for some things, doesn't do everything they say
  By A1KYCVTTU5G0EN on 2004-06-22
  My wife bought one of these for me as a gift. I had mentioned a couple of times it might be nice to have one... I don't know what came over me. The tool works great for details and doesn't work for much else. I have used it for a number of projects where I needed to file or grind something small... screws in a part that were 1/64th of an inch too long kind of thing. It works great for that, I don't have to apply much preassure to the item being ground. I tried using it to polish a pot (it's in the list of projects to do with your dremel) ahhhh... don't bother, threw polish compound everywhere because of the speed of the tool. Works far faster with a rag by hand. Or better yet... a big buffing wheel on a bench grinder. Works well for engraving too. Haven't tried it for much else. I think my wife will end up using it more for crafts than I will for the kind of stuff I do.
  
  
• VERY VERSITILE....
  By APGN8QGF0P5QR on 2004-12-30
  I recieved this tool as a christmas gift in 2003. I make decorative boxes of all types and thought it would be handy for sanding tight radius, especially inside the box cavity. It does this duty extremely well, I am able to effectively remove all saw marks in those real tight area's and achieve a nicer finished product. What did surprise me was how many other task's I can use this little powerhouse for. I find myself using it for carving contours on the outside of the boxes a lot, with the variable speed you can maintain control easily, following the grain pattern, no matter how wild it may be. Then using one of the fine pointed stones, I can undercut the contour and polish it out, leaving a real head scratcher of a detail not usually found in decorative boxes. I use it to end cut drawer handles that are too small to chop with a saw, and to trim "keys" on mitered corners. Every time I am trying to think of a way to accomplish some wild (dumb?) way to accomplish something with wood I end up reaching for the dremel. With the flexi shaft, vari speed and "pencil" end it is so easy to control, that you can let your imagination get the best of you and still accomplish the finish you are looking for. Every one know's the common capabilities of this little tool, cutting, carving, sanding, grinding, etc, etc, but there are more.
  I have had and used this tool for a year now and have had zero problems with it. I too wish I could find some finer sanding tubes, up to 220 would be nice, but I have made some using a worn out tube, 220 paper and super glue. Not a glamorous looking device but it works. When using the stones to polish wood they do clog up, just touch them to a rubber sanding wheel cleaner and they clean right up. I made blocks to hold all the differant attachments, and the case sits in one of the bins under my worktable. I am very happy with this tool and would recommend it to anyone for light, tight work.
  
  
• not worth it
  By A21ESPAF4RUNEC on 2004-05-28
  the dremmel gets very very hot, very very quickly
  I am actualy afraid of melting the thing. A minute of use and you realy want to put on a pair of gloves. It never got hot enough to burn me, but was too hot to justify not using gloves. And by using gloves you just end up blocking more of the airflow (lovely how the vents get covered by your hand) thus getting the thing ever hotter. The accessory kit is very deceiving - most of what you get are cheap cutting wheels (not the good reinforced ones - not 1 of those) and sanding drums - each counting as its own "piece".

  Its unwieldy, not comfortable, if you want to do anything you have to buy tons of expensive acessories. Also the thing screams it is so incredibly loud at higher settings. Everything about it is a hassle.
  
  

• Dremel, where have you been all my life?
  By AP9HA7KU2SP64 on 2006-11-04
  Great little tool that can save you time and aggravation on many little jobs/projects around the house. Easy to use but the only warning is to "GO SLOW", when cutting or grinding. For two reasons, 1) it will work faster than you expect, so you may overdo what ever you are attempting to accomplish. 2) if you put too much pressure on the work surface, you will wear out whatever attachment you are using, really fast. I went through a bunch, that I just have to toss now, as the abrasive surface is gone. I guess I am partially to blame for being overzealous, but I feel the quality/longevity of the individual grinders, cutters could be better.
  
  
• Top-Notch for plastic models
  By AIHFSHLV50NNM on 2003-06-10
  This little tool can do things that you can't possibly imagine. This tools is GREAT for models. You can add detail like you coudn't ever with your standard nail-clipper/hobby knife/ sanding paper. You can make planes appear as if they have been in every battle ever faught, you can add detail to anything else. This tool has one thing that is by far worth the price tag; (of course, this mainly applies if you are a plastic [or die-cast for that matter] modeler.) don't you hate trying to get those pieces out of the plastic sheet? use the cutting accesory (included) to just slice through the plastic holding to the sheet, then use and of the sanding drums (included) to sand it down flush with the rest of the piece.
  
  
• Very useful
  By A15PL6JL74CLVR on 2004-10-23
  I own both the model 335 and the cordless 770 type 1. The 770 gets more use than the 335 because its used everyday in a metal fabrication shop. I've used it 5 days a week for 18 months to grind down the blowout from around stainless steel studs after welding. It works great. Just like it was made for the job. Its being cordless is an advantage, as I do not have room to deal with a cord. I recently had to make a repair to the copper 'contact brush' on the switch because one of the contact points had worn down. Just added a little solder. Good as new.
  
  From the few times I've used the 335 at home, I've ran in to some of the same problems that others have described. One, is the tool is very loud at high speed. It also heats up very quickley, which can be uncomfortable. Also, the vents do get covered with your hand, which is why it heats up. Other than that, the tool is great. Its powerful motor can can cut through metal, wood, etc., provided you use the right cutting wheel. Also great for drilling, polishing, and grinding. I've used it for all those things. Just remember, the tool was designed as a lite weight, so if you need to make furniture, or drill through concrete, etc. you should use larger tools. If its used for what its designed for, it should work for you for years.
  
  
• Dremel 3956-02
  By ADQ0T89TVMRJU on 2003-03-01
  This is a nice unit especially since it has the extension handpiece. I use it in a dental lab.
  
  
• Great Tool & Value
  By A3UO6WS48RDOXE on 2005-01-18
  Wanted one of these since was a kid. Finally (at 40) bought one and cant figure how I used to do projects without one. Anyone considering the kit without the flex shaft should reconsider. The flex shaft makes this the most versatile tool I own.
  
  
• Must have for a DIY Diva
  By A36XDDL3SZ4K1J on 2003-08-14
  I have this model and my only regret is that I let it sit unopened in a box for so long after it was given to me!
  It's ingenious, even down to the box design becuase you can store your manuals IN the box in a special slot, so you can easily refer back to them, but they aren't floating around in the way.
  It's great, powerful, easy to handle, not intimidating, and simple to use. Plus it's so versatile it can replace several larger tools you might buy and only need to use for one project.
  
  
• one star only because it works thats all i have good to say
  By on 2004-04-21
  (...)I have use ond one many times it can be use full for some tiny things but you are infinetly better of with a fordum or enven better a GERMAN MADE PROXON. NOT A DREMEL. first of all it dose not have sufficent cooling cababiltys so it can not be use continuesly with out it getting hot and meltting thew insulation on its windings shorting out and there fore no longer working. My father found this out with his first one wich he used to cut of his muffler. No wI now he should have cut in differently but sdtill I expect a tool that costs 74$ a fare amount compard to what you get. I think it shoukd be like my twelve inch compound dewalt miter saw wich with abrasive wheel is cabible of cutting TWO INCH THICK SOLID ROUND MILD STEEL BAR With out even whereing out its brushes. It also took fourty five minuts of continues use but it did beutifuly and still looks brand new. Yes I know that is a high expectation but it is cabable of runing continuesly for it has sufficentr cooling. Also if you compard size weigh cost and performance the 300$ miter saw to the 74$ dremel it wounld still trounce the dremel. also thir is still the ishue of use full nes if you want to cut somthing use a hacksaw or abrasive blade if you want to sand some thing use sandpaper by hand or a belt sander if you want a cut out tool get a cut out tool. a five in one tool is only a fith as good as a single purpose tool so for any worth doing get a better rotery tool or use a good single purpose tool. Also thir is a littel isue of torque the speed ajustment is not a good all metal transmition lie on cordless dewalt drills or even crapy brass and plastic like on cheap Ryobi drills but is electronic and decreses torque as well as speed so at a low speed like for snding you will burn the wood and at a high speed where you might maybe have enough torque it is to fast and burns the woood. Even a t full spe dose it have any notisable torque. also most the acsesorys that are included are chape litel things like sanding drums and use less abrasive discs.When sanding the sanding drums wich are even made oput of aluminum oxide wear out quikly. same a any grinding atachment. I am not twelve I am sixteen.
  
  
• I love my dremel
  By A2HH3ZO94B1IQX on 2005-05-19
  After more than 10 years of heavy use (maybe abuse) my Dremel 395
  finally died last night. I can't get a new one fast enough, but I thought I might take the chance get a newer model. Alot could have changed in ten years, but after reading the reviews of the newer 395D and 400 models it sounds they would never stand up to the way I use my Dremel. So I think I'll be getting another trusty 395.
  
  
• Very pleased
  By A2JTL1WA0R3J3V on 2006-07-24
  This is my first Dremel tool purchase. Up till now, I didn't feel the need to buy one. But after getting it, I have used it for a few tasks like sanding wood and cutting plastic, and sharpening my mower blade. I purchased the right angle attachment to this dremel and I find that is very usefull to have. I am very pleased with this purchase.
  
  
• Excellent tool
  By A163JHB8QDXA9N on 2006-01-24
  Excellent tool I found so far, but mainly just used it for sanding and cutting. Will cut plastic soon.
  
  Thought I ought to point out that the kit already comes with the Dremel chuck that others have mentioned as standard.
  
  Use common sense before using, for instance always use on a scrap piece of material before commencing work on anything vital and also read the manual!
  
  Overall, its likely to go beyond what I use it for, and even perhaps thought of using it for.
  
  
• Best tool I have had in last three years.
  By A348A81JWYF6JZ on 2005-10-27
  I bought this for my home-brew PCB (Printed Circuit Board) job although it was not designed for it mainly. It works so nice and I'm very happy I can work on double-sided PCB with fine lines. Even my wife likes it because I can point exactly without any cracks when I nail on the bathroom wall tile.
  This is an excellent piece of tool. It deserves more than it costs.
  
  
• More useful than I thought
  By A1WLGWFW10DN94 on 2006-02-28
  Despite the recommendations of friends, I put off buying this tool until I'd equipped an entire woodworking shop. Figured it might come in handy once in a while. I've used it every single day in the month I've had it. Sometimes speed and agility trump power.
  
  
• A great versatile tool that I had wanted for so long...
  By A24MQRW2OJW3V8 on 2006-07-17
  .. now I finally have it. Remember folks, speed and delicacy here is important, and not pressure. Give it enough time, and it will do most any job you want done around the house.
  
  
• high praise for dremel as usual
  By A23LXNNNPKWVB1 on 2006-02-25
  the dremel mototool has been the sine qua non for craftsmen, model makers, home repair, fine polishing, sanding, carving etc., etc. ad infinitum. this super kit is just the latest in the long line of dremel offerings all of which are well designed and strongly built. finally their customer service is rapid, reasonably priced, often free. what more could one ask of a hobby tool?
  
  

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