A new Dremel rotary tool kit recently popped on Amazon, and I can’t believe how low the price is.
Back in May, Dremel announced new rotary tools and told me that they would be “phasing out the 3000 model over the coming months and now offering the 3100.”
Well, it looks like the 3000 series rotary tool is back, or maybe this is a last hoorah. The Dremel 3000 rotary tool launched 13 years ago and is one of the most compact and affordable tools they make.
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The set shown above is the Dremel 3000-N/39, and is priced at $32.52, which seems like a great price for a starter kit.
Even though you don’t get a case or any attachments, which you might not want or need anyway, the under-$33 price surprised me.
There’s another set, 3000-2/25-P, which Amazon has priced at $46.62.
Lowe’s has it listed for $49.99. I find it interesting that Lowe’s felt compelled to say “charger not included” in the product title, despite the 3000 series rotary tool having a cord for AC power.
Should You Buy Either?
With rotary tool kits, I’d say that there are typically two approaches most beginners will take – buy the set with the largest assortment of attachments and accessories as you can afford, or buy the bare minimum based on your immediate needs.
Both of the sets above are somewhat minimal. $50 for a Dremel set isn’t unprecedented, but I don’t think I’ve seen the 3000 rotary tool for less than that.
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I went the “buy the largest set I could afford” route years ago, and there are a few accessories I still haven’t used.
The lowest-priced deals I ever reported on was this 2 attachment and 28 accessory kit, which was $45 in 2018 and at least one other time before that. That’s a little better than the current price for the 2 attachment and 25 accessory set, but keep in mind that 6 years have passed since then.
There are 2 Dremel 3100 kits, both priced at $59.99 right now at Amazon. Shown here is the slightly better-equipped model, with 2 attachments and a bunch of accessories – mainly basic cutting wheels.
For just under $33, I think the 3000 series starter kit is a better deal.
Some of the accessories are duplicated, but I think the starter selection looks good, especially for the money.
I think this is a very good deal. At this price, I’m debating whether I need a spare 3000 series tool while I can still get one.
Both of the 3000 kits are “temporarily out of stock” on Amazon. There’s no context as to why they’re launching now, or why the backorder prices are so low, but it seemed noteworthy.
Keep in mind that Amazon charges for backorders when they ship.
JoeM
I’m a little uneasy about the all-black editions with no vents. Even with serviceable motor brushes, that is a recipe for attachment failure. Especially when the Dremel Torque Illusion kicks in. When newer users get impatient with Dremel brand tools, and forget they can do a lot more with a gentle touch, than by forcing the tool. It can overheat really fast, and then a perfectly good Dremel tool is wasted.
Add to that, the grey bodies are usually just dimensionally wider, with compatibility with that EZ Wrench nose cap. Don’t see it fitting well on the black bodies, no matter how useful it might be.
The Noble 3000 will be missed, but it was always a great tool. If I hadn’t gone for its big brother the 4000, I would’ve bought the 3000 at some point as well. I’ve augmented my list of Dremel tools a couple times now, and as much of a shame as the 3000 being phased out might be? The prices on the 4300 still make it worth the jump for those I know seriously need a Dremel Rotary in their lives.
Ovan
What do you think? At this point in life, it should be carbon-free and more ergonomic.
fred
At $33.52 I guess it was very appealing because it sold out. A Dremel is one of those tools that spans tasks from hobby to light-duty homeowner and even some professional use. Our installed would carry a Dremel kit in their trucks for what they’d call fine-tuning and touch-up tasks. If you don’t have one – the $33.52 in today’s market is almost a no-brainer. My first one – a model 280 cost me $43.95 – and that was probably 40+ years ago. I bought a 395 kit in 2001 for $59,95 and keep it at our summer place. Both have come in handy – but for my hobby work at a bench – I prefer the added versatility provided by a flex-shaft – using a 2-motor/2 handpiece Foredom setup. Highly recommended – not as a starting point – but more if you find you need to move beyond the capabilities of your Dremel or another handheld rotary tool.
Stuart
It was backordered from the start, presumably as they await initial inventory. It might have sold out, or preorder/backorders were pulled.