Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station Reviews

• Lots of slop makes it impossible to make accurate cuts.

  
  By A2CM0Y2I3G39TC on 2006-06-07
  I purchased the 220-01 Workstation planning to use it as a drill press. After taking it out of the box, and assembling it per the instructions, I realized that it is horribly flexible, making it impossible to drill holes with ANY accuracy. I'm not that picky either -- I know that a $50 drill press/attachment will have its limitations, but even with the 1/8th inch drill bit, attempting to make a hole is impossible.
  
  Trying to make a hole yields a disfigured slot. The tool holder will flex in one direction when you push down, and flex in the other direction when you pull back up. You end up with a disfigued slot that is of no use. It ruined a piece I was trying to work on.
  
  The dremel tool itself is held tight ... It's the flimsy plastic tool holder that seems to have a lot of slop internally.
  
  To make matters worse, the clamp that will let you rotate the tool holder 90 degrees (to use the dremel as a stationary sander, etc.) never locks tight, so if you aren't careful, the tool holder itself can rotate counter-clockwise.
  
  This "workstation" is a waste of money if you plan to use it as a drill press, or want any sort of accuracy at all.
  
  

• An excellent accessory

  
  By A1IUTYIY6PW8DU on 2006-11-04
  This is an excellent accessory for the already-versatile rotary tool. The trick to its use is to recognize the inherent limitation of all rotary tools.
  
  They are high-speed, low-torque tools. The work is done in the same way that a dentist's drill works: Very light pressure lets the bit in effect shave away the material. As the manual says, you need to adjust the tool so the bit is very close to the workpiece, then slowly lower the bit into it.
  
  This means you can't use the Dremel drill press the same way you would use a full-size drill press, where you can bear down on the lever and force the bit to dig into the work. If you try to use it that way, you'll get the "slop" that some other reviewers mention.
  
  When it's used correctly-- and the manual makes it very clear how to do so-- this is a very good accessory to have.
  
  

• One of the better "work stations" I've seen.

  
  By AEOYPCD52ZM8J on 2007-01-10
  Dremels' work station for their rotary tool is a great little station. You are able to bolt it onto your workbench if you prefer. Some folks don't think you need to but I like to work with different jigs and such and need a very stable base, so I bolt mine. And along that line of thinking is the fact that you can tilt the tool anywhere from 15° to 90° which will help you when you want to turn it into a sanding and polishing tool for more intricate work.
  It has a great little tool "caddy" which they like to call the "Crows nest" that you can store some of your more favorite bits. Or the way I use it is to place the bits and collets I'm going to use for whatever project that I'm working on at the time because I put all my bits and things up when done and cover the station to prevent dust build up.
  The telescoping tool stand holds the tool when you are using the FlexShaft(tm). The base of the station has both metric and standard symbols as does the depth gauge.
  All in all it's a great station for the rotary tool. But, the one little drawback that I've found in my working with it is that with other stations like this one, the others usually have a strap to clamp the upper portion of the tool securely to the tool stand. I find this helpful when drilling fine holes into decorative stones that I tumble and polish. Without that strap, using the the fine diamond drill bits will sometimes try to "travel" across the stone which will cause scratch marks. But, the great feel that the handle gives you allows me to prevent that by very delicately bringing the bit down to the stone in minute strokes until the bit has the hole started and then it's drilling as usual when using a fine diamond drill bit. That's why I give this station a 4 out of 5. Really I'd like to give it a 4½ stars but that's not one of the choices! Also the great deal I got buying this tool through Amazon.com beats all other sites and stores. So guys, show the wife the tool, what can be done with it and the low price, and you'll be getting yours in the mail soon!
  
  

• Another Good Dremel accessory

  
  By A3DQKEWI824OI8 on 2007-01-23
  This press is great for all those little odd jobs. As a hobbyist, I use this item often. The slop others mentioned in other reviews can easily be removed by adjusting the 4 set screws to snug things up and tightening the other nuts and bolts in the assembly. Any press will flex if its forced beyond its intended limits. When used as intended. This press does everything it claims and more. The fact it can be adjusted to work as a bench grinder only adds to it value. When combined with a cross-slide mini vise. It will also work as a mini bridgeport for light machining. I would have given it a 5 star rating. But because I had to take the whole thing apart and reassemble it the way it should have been done at the factory. I gave it a 4. All in all, its still a great addition for anyone that owns a Dremel.
  
  

• It works for me!

  
  By A1ZE6DKZAKXY7R on 2006-10-13
  This tool works quite well for me as a light duty drill press in my activities as a silversmith. While I rarely drill through any thing much heavier than 24 gage [B&S] sterling silver with a bit any larger than 1/16", it works fine if you don't "hog it" and allow the bit to do the work. I have also used a #61 bit with equal success while drilling starter holes for pierced work, usually within close quarters where accuracy is important. In either case, ONE DOES HAVE TO FEED SLOWLY in order to avoid deflection in the bit itself. I have occassionaly used it for light duty grinding [of stones] although that is the usual domain of my Foredom flexible shaft tool.
  
  I have a Delta drill press for woodworking. Each machine fills its own niche and does a good job in their respective roles. Just don't confuse their roles. I would recommend the Dremel for its intended design purpose. It would work great in most any reasonable hobby use such as model aircraft and/or model railroad construction, both of which I have enjoyed.
  
  And, I am a retired mechanical and structural engineer that is pretty picky about his tools.
  
  
• Workstation 220 01 Manual
  By ALSNF0P1EBZ9U on 2006-12-09
  Providing low torque/high speed features of the Dremel rotary tool are understood and applied to intended jobs, Slop and Runout will not be problems and this Attachment will enhance operations as claimed.
  
  However, the Owner's Manual is poorly edited and somewhat presumptuous. Topics covered are poorly sequenced.
  
  No mention is made of initial (and unexpected) tight fit of Drill Press Assembly onto the Main Tube.
  
  Procedure and eventual method of securing Dremel's recommended models in the Tool Holder and its integrated Nut are cursorily mentioned and out of sequence.
  
  Instructions for locking the telescoping Tube in the Main Tube specifies reversed CW & CCW actions !!!
  
  Notations and `bubbles' in sketches are not clearest and are inaccurate.
  
  Manual mentions four micro-adjust screws and Allen wrench, yet my Unit (bought from Amazon) has four mini slotted screws, obliging me to contact Dremel directly for an explanation for the difference.
  
  While some may consider the above to be inconsequential, the newcomer who buys this Attachment (with its manual) may have some unnecessary concerns.
  
  
  
• WOW
  By on 2006-04-30
  Dremel does it again and this time it's
  a mini drill press. I'm a hobbyist and love the dremel line
  of products, but it's hard making a perfectly strait cut with them... Untill now!
  
  
• Junk.......
  By A3N1FBJP6O175C on 2006-12-21
  My unit is Model 220 and from the pictures I don't expect the 220-1 to be any better.
  This tool is absolutely useless for any kind or precision drilling.
  Why, because the handle moves the Dremmel drill not only down but from side to side as well, due to the sloppy tolerances in the plastic castings. The downward motion is anything but smooth because of the cheap design substitute for a rack and pinion.
  Dremel should be ashamed of themselves for putting this on the marked.
  
  
• Junk
  By A3UM23CL8SDCAB on 2006-07-03
  Also found that this press is poor quality.
  Dremel will send adaptor for there 212 drill press free of charge allowing my xpr to work with 212 style.
  
  
• Extremely handy helper
  By A1E05H9YX9XQ3A on 2006-11-10
  This accessory has made my Dremel use so much more easy. The Dremel itself is fantastic, but I have several different types and a couple of the flexishaft accessories. This aid does all it claims to do. I leave my Dremel in it and just clamp it to my work bench when I want to use it. In fact the Workstation is so sturdy that I do what they say not to and leave one in the mount and one hanging with the flexishaft attached. This setup sure beats fishing through all my cases and attaching various parts. Well worth the money.
  
  
• Dremel Workstation
  By A3HVL2ZWIME22V on 2006-08-03
  Dremel Workstation
  I have tried this unit in several different situtations and have found, if you let the tool do the work, it performs like a pure winner. Working as a drill press....like I said before, let the tool do the work and do not force the piece and it works as it is supposed to.
  As a stationary buffer/grinder....works wonders on brass and other "light" metels.
  If you are carefull it will also work as a light duth router.....just in reverse as to what you are used to.
  All in all I would recomend this product to anyone in the market for a good light duty press/grinder.
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A21GGS3QP8ZK15 on 2007-01-09
  This press works very nicely.. The high-speed rotary of the dremel virtually eliminates bit travel caused by the motor of a "regular" drill in a "regular" drill press.. ..resulting in perfect holes.
  
  
• Excellent Dremel work station
  By AB0EOS7EFHEXJ on 2007-09-07
  I use my Dremel mainly to drill holes in glass. With the work station I can make consistently even holes. It also keeps all my bits and burs in order.
  
  
• Waste of money
  By AUK149BGSCG4F on 2007-07-10
  For the price, I don't spected a super precision tool, but actually the play can make the holes be 2 or 3 mm away from the desired point, making this tool unusable. May be replacing some parts with hand-made ones make this tool useful.
  
  
• 220-01 Dremel Work Station -you get what you pay for
  By A20JXKKW3EOY9O on 2007-12-08
  I examined this product carefully at the store and found it to be poorly made. Its plastic construction results in a great deal of wobble and play. In my opinion it is not adequate for precision work. I researched alternatives and found a 3rd party precision drill press which is machined out of aluminum (The Drill Press Plus). Although it is more expensive, it is far more suitable for precision work.
  
  
• not a real tool
  By AMSOZAZ2X0454 on 2007-03-30
  I bought this hoping to use it as a portable drill press. I wasn't expecting much for $50. The build instructions were incomplete and inaccurate. Once built it was not very sturdy, it can not be used to properly drill even a single hole accurately. This isn't a tool, it's a toy.
  
  
• Great for the price, but...
  By ABZBQYBMNBDXA on 2007-06-26
  For what this cost it is a good value, but it definitely is not a precision drill press. It is great if you already have a Dremel rotary tool and only occasionally need to use an impromptu drill/routing stand, but if your needs are more precise or more frequent, then spend the extra $$$ and get a real press. Also, if you are left-handed the rightside lever is rather inconvenient.
  
  
• cool
  By AEVSX0JKT2FJ9 on 2007-03-24
  It is not easy to build because the instructions aren't well detailed.
  But, once built, it is great. your dremel become a professional drill station. A very good product, and not expensive at all for the quality!
  
  
• Totally awesome
  By A2YYWKWLQ8326V on 2007-04-10
  Love it, not sure what I did without it all my life. Not only drill press but can set for routering (with the Dremel "baby" router bits) and drum sand!!! Now if I can only get my potatoe peeler on there!
  
  
• Very Good Product
  By A32JO8Z7LV3M39 on 2007-03-08
  Smooth operation and just the right amount of throw. Flexible to accomodate several different tools.
  
  
• Does not work with right angle attachment 575
  By AA0N2Z76C7URO on 2007-09-07
  Bought this to do simple plastics cutting. But the design of dremel stand does not works with its own accessory, the right angle attachment. There is no way to attach the right angle attachment 575D on. So my plan for cutting a material clamp to a vice cannot be done.
  
  
  
  
• Perfect!
  By ADB57JO7NRMTH on 2007-01-18
  My husband was thrilled to receive this as a Christmas present. The drill press is very durable and is a great addition to his workshop. It was a much needed accessory for his dremel.
  
  
• My bicolage
  By A19HHDPZ2NNOM8 on 2008-01-23
  It is the most valuable piece of Dremel arsenal. Flexible,very easy use and solid and confiable construction.Is a top tool.
  
  
• Everthing was as described and on time.
  By A1TD10OQA3YQSY on 2008-01-17
  I bought this product for someone for Christmas and ordered the item a little late but this product was still on time to make it before Christmas. The tool was as described. I would definitely order from them again.
  
  
• Just what I was looking for
  By A6WG2S1K379K7 on 2008-03-06
  This is a very good product as long as you don't need it for heavy duty applications. It is very sturdy and stable. I am using it for constructing radio control airplanes, and the type of sanding I sometimes do could not be done without it! I am very pleased with it. As far as the deisgn, there was some confusion as to the installtion of the bolt that holds the main shaft in place. There was no hole or indentation in the shaft that made it obvious how the bolt goes in. It appears the bolt just tightens against any spot on the shaft, which then seems like it would loosen over time. But, overall it it is great product and just what I was looking for. Now I am thinking of buying the Dremel vice grip!
  
  
• Lapidary work
  By A2W993CCUPXOCB on 2008-03-29
  Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station
  
  I've had my Workstation for about a week and it has done everything I hoped it would. I've drilled holes in my stones, standed metal findings, polished metal and spot-polished stones. It's very important to go slowly while drilling but I did not find any 'sloppiness' others have mentioned. For the price - it is a very good tool!
  
  
• Well worth the cost
  By AG5FMAOXUJ52X on 2008-04-30
  After using this 'drill press'/work-station for a little while now, I agree with the higher ratings. I've used it as a drill press, a cut-off tool and a mini-stationary grinder/polisher. If you want a ultra precision drill press, spend 2-4 hundred dollars more or better!
  The first thing I did was chuck up a straight 1/8 inch rod and check the squareness to the table with a precision square (use any thing you know is square). With a little creative shimming of the main shaft to the table, check side-to-side and front-to-back. I had to use .oo3" metal shims on one side to get it square.
  To drill decent holes, it helps to clamp the workpiece to the table first, if possible. Use an 1/8" center drill to start a hole, then the drill size needed. The German-made #4486 Dremel Chuck is a FANTASTIC accessory allowing quick chucking of the some of the smallest drills up to 1/8" and I highly recommend buying it (I don't take mine off). Common sense dictates that drilling most anything with this workstation needs to be delicate and not 'hogged' out!
  I also would give this Work Station a 4-and-a-half star rating based on the price and versatility.
  
  
• Dynamite mini drill press
  By A24EV6ZVJZOV7G on 2008-05-02
  Only have used it a few times for small projects but incredibly useful tool. Now the only question, what is the longevity.
  
  
• Dremel for PCB
  By AOQYNZ6RM87YT on 2008-05-04
  I purchased this drill stand to use with my Dremel MultiPro 395 to drill holes in home-brewed printed circuit boards. Rigidity is important in this application as the carbide drill bits are very brittle and any lateral movement will drilling will cause them to shatter plus hole placement is critical. I found this drill press combination to be fully up to the task.
  
  
• dremel
  By A1FCMWIRX04X5B on 2008-05-14
  It does much of what I want it to do, problem is it is only good for very light work or as a holder for the dremel for some jobs. Many of the parts are plastic and it moves around when the product is in use, any preasure placed on the tool and it distorts from center. I have got good use out of it anyway but it wont take the place of a drill press. If it was made of all metal it would be a sweet tool with few flaws.
  
  

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