Which Dremel?

[davidinsarasota]

I am considering buying a corded Dremel. Price is not an issue, but power is, as in "most power" of course.

The new 4000 has 1.5amps plus some kind of electronic slight of hand that adjusts the rpms to increased load.

The 400XPR has a full 2amps (25% more than the 4000 by my reckoning), but they explode or something, which oddly does not bother me in the least, nor do I care that the 400's are discontinued since there are still plenty available.

I have handled both display models and form factor is fine on both, so I am trying to suss out if there is any reason to buy the seemingly less powerful 4000.

Am I missing something?

[Donsexton]

I think you already know what I will say go with the 4000XPR. I didn't know they are being phased out.That makes me want to go buy two or three just to have them. I think you have a big die grinder?

[MichelleOH]

I'm confused with the 4000 v. 400. Which one is being phased out?

[davidinsarasota]

The 400XPR is discontinued.

[carver33]

I've had the 400XPR for about a year now and use is fairly often with no problems yet.

[susieq]

David,
If price is not an issue, why are you looking at Dremel? Unless you are not sure if you will like power carving and just want to get your "feet wet" with that tool before you invest more...why not go ahead and buy a Foredom?

Not trying to talk you into anything, I have 3 Dremels in addition to the Foredom and the huge Dremel that is the same size/power as the Foredom, that isn't made anymore (all of which are in use regularly) and I really like my little Dremels a lot. They are a nice in between tool, the higher speed than a big Foredom, for finishing work but you can do some "hogging" with them when you put an agressive bit in like a mini monster carbide or a kutzal. But if you know you are going to like power carving, sooner or later you will want a flex tool with more power for heavy wood removal... hmm, now I've gone and done it...sorry, didn't mean to make your decision any tougher than it already is... Good luck with that process and let us know what you finally decide.

[davidinsarasota]

No problem Suzie. I'm not interested in power carving, but I am finding that my cheepo Harbor Freight rotary tools come in handy for some smoothing/shaping applications where my gouges can't reach, or more accurately, can reach but can't move.

I'm thinkin a Dremel will be a nice addition to the cheepo's when the load is too much for them. Nice to have multiple tools to cut down on the tedious bit changing.

[susieq]

Well, Dremels are not all that powerful if you need to really bear down on the hand piece for hogging... I let the rpms do the work on mine. 30,000 rpms does make up for the lower power somewhat... With the Foredom flex shaft unit, you can pretty much bear down as hard as you want without hurting it.
But, it sounds like you already know what you want. Happy carving.

[davidinsarasota]

Dang it Suzie, now you got me thinkin about Foredom.

[rickm]

i have had bad luck with dremels breaking i picked up a rotart tool from harbor which on sale for 19 bucks and works a lot better