Dremel 400 Series XPR Rotary Tool

Awesome Tool + Awesome Price

When friends heard that I purchased a Dremel, the most common response was, “I didn’t know you did crafts.” Well, for the most part, my friends are correct – I do not do crafts. I purchased the Dremel 400 XPR Rotary Tool because of the product’s claims that it is capable of more projects than you can possibly think of! The kit I purchased for $79.95, is the 400-3/41H 400 Series XPR Rotary Tool Kit. This kit comes with the Dremel Rotary Tool, a hard plastic case that holds the tool, accessory cases (with accessories) that snap to the top of the case, and labeled areas in the case for the numerous parts and accessories that are available for this versatile tool.

With my new Dremel in hand, I removed rust from the rain gutter above my deck, polished the calcium deposits from my bathtub faucet, created a better fit for my deadbolt, and cleaned years of use and abuse from my outdoor grill. Each project was completed with ease and a sense of satisfaction that I had wisely invested in a tool that is limited only by my imagination.

Specifications

• Cord is 6 feet long
• Replaceable Brushes
• Speed is Variable, offering 5000 to 35,000 rpm
• Weighs in at 18.8 oz, just over a pound

Included Accessories Highlights

• Circle Cutter
• Grinding Stone
  
• Lawn and Garden Tool
• Polishing Compound
  
• Sharpener
• 191 High Speed Cutter
• Plus More

Pros: Dremel 400 XPR Rotary Tool

• Reasonable Price
• Versatility
• Available Accessories
• Size and Weight
• It is fun to use!
  

Cons: Dremel 400 XPR Rotary Tool

• This is a corded model, so it is not able to go “everywhere”
• The learning curve is a bit steep, so be prepared to make mistakes. To avoid making mistakes, try out your moves on scrap material first.
  

The Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level is a nifty little gadget for some home projects. Simple to use, this laser level uses battery powered suction to keep it from falling off of your flat walls. If you have textured walls, the Ryobi AIRgrip does come with pins that can be used to secure it to most surfaces. In our home test, we used the laser level to attempt to hang a 4′ x 4′ bathroom mirror, mount a corner shelf, and to hang some newly framed family photos.

This suctioned powered laser level boasts that it provides a visible light for up to 30 feet. The 360-degree rotating head offers users multiple angle capabilities, and a unique rotating laser head rotates 90 degrees for vertical and horizontal applications.

Hanging the large bathroom mirror was a breeze with the Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level. With fresh batteries, the Ryobi remained firmly suctioned to the flat surface of the bathroom wall. The level was easy to read and the laser was simple to see. All we needed to do was measure and mark where we wanted the mirror to hang. Having the laser as a guide made this task much easier than we anticipated.

Following the success of the mirror, we decided to test the angular claims that the Ryobi makes by mounting a medium sized corner shelf in the living room. While the level and the laser were able to provide a perfect 90 degree angle, the battery powered suction failed to work on our lightly textured walls. This task ended up requiring two people. We placed the laser level on the corner shelf and while one of us held the shelf in place, the other marked the mounting points using the laser as a guide. While not the ideal situation, the shelf was mounted nicely after a few attempts. We could have opted to use the pins to mount the laser level to the wall, but decided that we did not want to have unnecessary holes if at all possible.

Hanging the family photos using the Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level proved to be quite the project, as the textured wall surface again prevented the suction function from working. Following multiple attempts, we decided to use the pins to secure the Ryobi to the wall. This would have worked just fine had we wanted to hang the photos in a straight line; however we opted for the stair step look, so the laser level had to be moved and re-pinned several times, leaving small, but visible holes in our wall.

Overall, the Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level is a cool gadget if you are soley working on flat surfaces or if holes in your walls do not bother you. The AIRgrip Laser Level comes with a padded case, 4 mounting pins, and a velcro strap to secure the laser level to objects. You may also use a tripod with this product. The Ryobi AIRgrip Laser Level can be found for less than $40 at many locations.

The Delta SS250 Type 1 Scroll Saw is one of Delta’s lower end scroll saws, however, it offers excellent value for your money. The hobbyist, beginner, or established woodworker not requiring a ‘production-style’ machine will enjoy the features of this small saw.

Some exceptional features are the Delta SS250 needs only minor assembly, and has the added safety feature of the ON/OFF switch assembly that allows you to place a special padlock that can be inserted to prevent the machine being switched on or used when you are not around. At eReplacementParts.com we applaud this awesome safety device! It’s great if you have curious young ones that sometimes sneak into the shop on occasion. Some users do report that the air nozzle set up is hard to position.

The Delta SS250 performed well with a wide variety of thickness cuts. Its maximum cut capacity is 2″ high, which is pretty much standard for machines of this size. One must remember that the throat size (16″ on the SS250) is something to consider if you plan to scroll saw larger pieces.

Specifications

When a Circular Saw won’t cut it, there is the Milwaukee 6507 Sawzall.   With various speeds, this saw will cut through just about anything you put in the way.  It’s great for cutting in between joists, eaves, corners, nails, metal, concrete, and wood.  Sawzall blades are available for just about anything that you want to cut.

Milwaukee is known for their powerful, high-quality tools, and the 6507 Sawzall is no exception. With this model, you can pivot the blade to cut at different angles.  The blades are easy to change, and you can remove the power cord [48-76-4008] for storage or easy replacement.  The Milwaukee 6507 Sawzall is versatile, comfortable and powerful.

Probably the most common problem with this saw occurs when the blade clamp [42-68-0073] or the screw [06-75-2402] that holds the blade clamp breaks.

Here is a picture of the blade clamp and the screw:

This is usually due to heavy use over a long period of time. The good news is that these are both cheap parts, and they are easy to replace.

Many of our customers like the size of this saw.  At about 16” you can reach those harder to reach areas, and get the job done.  This saw can handle a good workload, but according to some customers, overheating can happen on larger jobs.  If your Milwaukee 6507 Sawzall overheats, just give it a few minutes to cool down.  Overall, this does not seem to be a big problem – just a small issue on large continuous jobs.

A high end product with a low end price, we think the Ridgid TS3650 contractor table saw is a great value, and both woodworking professionals and enthusiasts seem to agree. This saw is on par with many of the significantly more expensive contractor’s saws, and many claim the only way to move up from the Ridgid is by switching to a massive (and costly) cabinet saw.

It has a solid 1-1/2 horsepower TEFC Motor [TH1009] that keeps dust and debris out of the motor. This motor isn’t as powerful as what you’d find on a cabinet saw, but it keeps up with the more expensive contractor’s saws. The rip fence [TH1019] is accurate, and it repeats cuts remarkably well for a stock fence – this accounts for a lot of the value of this saw, and it’s a big reason for it being so highly recommended by so many.

The saw cuts dadoes with excellent precision, although the shape of the arbor on older models doesn’t allow it to handle stacked dado blades. Newer models of the saw have fixed this problem by replacing that arbor, and the new arbor is both available and interchangeable with the older models.

Ridgid’s Herc-U-Lift mobile base comes standard with every TS3650. The base’s adjustable height, solid thick steel construction, mobility, and small footprint make this saw easily to move and work with in both workshops and job sites.

Great design, solid construction and a low price make this table saw one of the best purchases any woodworker can make, and, as always, Ridgid TS3650 parts are available here at eReplacementparts.

The Makita LS1013 has been a favorite for both professionals and the determined do-it-yourself crowd. Owners of this sliding compound miter saw have commented about how the LS1013’s 13 amp motor operates with a solid, smooth power. It easily cuts though many different types of wood, giving it a reputation for versatility.

The 70 toothed blade [A-93550] can cut up to 45 degrees (left) and 52 degrees (right) at 3,700 RPM.

Thanks to its soft-start motor, one doesn’t need to use sandpaper to finish the cut surface. As with many power tools, there are some things to watch with the Makita LS1013. Some have mentioned how the auxiliary fence [150710-0] needs to be flipped away during bevel cutting, which can be dangerous. Remember to move the fence out to avoid possible injury.

Keep in mind that over time and/or constant wear, a problem with the electric brake of the LS1013 could develop. You may see the blade run for several seconds after letting up on the switch. This can usually be solved for under $7.00 by replacing the carbon brushes (CB-154).

The Makita LS1013 is still one of the most purchased saws in the tool market. Other companies have miter saws that cost much less, but the LS1013 is a work horse that is well worth the cost. This compound miter saw is fairly compact at about 25” x 30”, and it weighs under 50 lbs. The carbide-tipped 10” blade cuts effectively, and the adjustable pivoting fence helps out with those bigger projects. Accessories consist of an extension wing, vertical vise, and a triangular rule. The dust bag effectively keeps your workplace clean by catching substantially more debris than most competing models.

According to the Woodworkers Journal (June, 2008), the Makita LS1013 unit is not far behind the performance of Germany’s Festool Kapex. The Makita unit can run as high as $800 to purchase—About $1,000 less than the Kapex. Like all smart investments, take care of it and it will take care of you for many years to come.

The Porter Cable 352VS Belt Sander has a powerful 8-amp variable speed motor with a variable belt speed of 850 to 1300 surface feet per minute. This is a very popular model because it is sturdy, reliable and comfortable. The 352VS uses 3”x21” belts, and any brand of belt seems to fit well.

The platen and drums on this sander don’t stick out past the edge of the belt, so you can sand up to the right edge of your workpiece. This leaves very little extra work to be done with a detail sander or sanding block, and it makes this sander very easy to work with.

One problem we’ve noticed with this sander is the dust collection assembly system [696167]. The dust bag tends to get clogged when it starts to fill up. An easy workaround for this is to empty the bag when it’s halfway full, and periodically use an air compressor to blow the residual dust out of the bag. This can be pretty inconvenient when you’re trying to finish a project, but overall we consider it a minor issue.

Lastly, this sander is very loud. We recommend ear plugs along with your safety glasses and dust mask if you’re going to be using it for an extended period of time.

One common question that we run into is if the motor can be purchased as an assembly. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the armature [A05378] and the field [876672] separately. Porter Cable does this to help on repair costs. The armature and the field are both expensive, and there is no reason to replace both if only one has gone bad.

The cordless DeWalt DW988, 18-v ½ inch hammer drill features a 3 speed, all metal transmission with a max power speed of 2000 RPM. A lot of our customers use this drill because it weighs less than 6 pounds, has great balance and the battery holds a good charge. With the power and performance behind this drill, you can finish any job.

The hammer drill feature is great when drilling holes for anchors in concrete walls, floors, and ceilings. This drill uses a 1/2″ keyless metal ratcheting chuck [330075-45] with jaws to prevent bits from slipping. After the bit is centered, the ratcheting mechanism locks it in place. This delivers great holding power without the usual two-hand twist. For our customers that are framers, the drill also has slip rings on the front that make it easier to drill in corners without grinding the chuck.

After years of use, these drills may start working only on one speed. With DW988 parts so readily available, it was surprisingly easy to replace the transmission [397892-05], and the drill works great at all speeds again.

More recently, DeWalt has replaced the DW988, with the DC988. Replacement parts are still available for both models.

From time to time we like to share with our readers the good and bad about specific power tools. Sometimes manufacturers get it completely right and sometimes manufacturers get it completely wrong. We feel that the DW705 is a great saw. Here is what we like about it:

The DeWalt DW705 Heavy-Duty 12” Compound Miter Saw is a power saw with precision cutting. At nearly $300 retail, it is a little more expensive than some other brands. We think it is well worth the extra cost – it’s an investment that will give you precise and consistent cuts for years. With a 15 Amp motor and 4000 RPM, you are sure to have the power you need.

The 12” blade (part# DW3123) gives you more versatility in cutting than the 10” blade. The cut capacity of the saw miters 48 degrees to the left and right with solid detents at 15, 22.5, 30, 45, and 0 degrees both directions. The detents make it very easy to cut quickly at commonly used angles. The secondary angle does not have detents, but we’ve found it to be easily adjustable. It bevels 48 degrees to the left and 3 degrees to the right.

The DW705 comes fully assembled right out of the box, and it includes a 12” diameter saw blade, a blade wrench in a wrench pocket, a side table extension kit and dust bag. The horizontal trigger caught us off guard at first, but after using it for a while, we found we preferred it to the vertical trigger.

Some find the DW705 heavy at 40 lbs, while others find it to be light for a miter saw. The addition of a workbench will certainly add to the weight and bulk when moving. This saw has an oversized “D” handle. For you lefties out there who find standard tool features limiting, it gives a big surface to hold onto, and you may find it more comfortable than the pistol grip.

The electric brake stops the blade the moment your finger leaves the trigger, so there is little wasted time getting the saw ready to go again. While there is a retractable blade safety cover to help prevent accidents, there is no extra safety button on the tool, so be careful when working with it.

The most common problem we’ve found is the electric brake. If you are having problems, the brushes (147097-05) or switch (391926-00) are cheap and easy to replace. If that doesn’t fix the problem, cleaning the commutator on the armature may help. The connection between the brushes and the commutator must be good for the brake to work.

Bearings and gears do wear out occasionally as well, so make sure you keep an eye on those to make sure your saw stays in top condition.

The DW705 a high-end tool that’s easy to use for the average DIYer while being tough enough for the contractor, and it has continually impressed us.

Just a quick update to let you know that Hitachi parts are now available on eReplacementparts.com. They are best known for their nail guns, compressors, and hammers. They have come out very aggressively with many new cordless tools as well. We are just adding the last few tools to our site, so you should be able to find parts for just about everything that they support. Of course, let us know if you have a tool that you cannot find on our website.

Our stock will not be very large to begin with, but it will grow with time. You can check what we have in our warehouse by looking at the parts listing for each individual tool. If a part is not in stock, we will be happy to special order it for you. That just means that it will take an extra 5-10 business days to reach us before we are able to ship it out to you.

We have also added many Hitachi accessories to our website that are available for purchase. We now carry Hitachi brand saw blades, batteries, grinding wheels, drill bits and many other items for your tools. If you want to know if an accessory fits a certain tool, just check the tool page directly, and it will show a list of what will fit.

We only sell genuine Hitachi parts that come directly from the manufacturer, so you don’t have to worry about the quality.