Dremel has come out with their most powerful rotary tool to date, the 4200. Also described as the most versatile and advanced addition to the Dremel lineup, the 4200 features a new EZ-change tool-free collet lock, improved ventilation, and a new collet design.
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The 4200 delivers variable speed 5,000-35,000 RPMs, and electronic feedback maintains the set speed even under heavy loads. It will launch with one kit configuration, 4200-6/40, that includes 6 attachments and 40 accessories.
EZ Change Tool-Free Collet Lock
Dremel designed the 4200 with a new EZ Change tool-free collet lock that allows for quick and easy bit and accessory changes. This also means that the 4200 requires new collets that are not compatible with other current or past rotary tools.
As pointed out by Kyle in the comments, it appears that the collet can be locked and unlocked with the slide of a switch at the front of the tool. Dremel recently released a new EZ Twist collet tool in their 3000 and now 4000 series rotary tools, but the EZ Change design looks far quicker and easier to use.
Our feeling is that the new collet design also allows for better bit, bur, and accessory gripping and heavier-duty usage, but we haven’t yet heard official word from Dremel about all of the benefits of the new design.
The 4200-6/40 kit also comes with a drive coupling adapter that makes the 4200’s new collet design compatible with Dremel’s 225 flex-shaft, 575 right angle tool, and 670 minisaw attachments.
We’re excited about the new Dremel and will try our best to get our hands on one to test out. For what it’s worth, Dremel representatives seem quite excited about the new model as well, and not just in the way product managers typically are. This is the most advanced and most powerful rotary tool they’ve designed to date, and everyone we’ve spoken to seems quite proud of the 4200 and its performance.
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MSRP for the 4200-6/40 kit is $129, and it is available via Amazon and home improvement centers.
Kyle
I think the picture make it pretty clear why there is a new collet design. It’s so that tool changes only require a slide of that new switch up near the nose. In other words – no holding the shaft with a lock button and wrenching the collet open and closed.
Stuart
That definitely looks to be the case, and would certainly explain the length of the new collets.
Ken
I have 3 generations of Dremels, what torques me off about them is the tool-mount accessories all have different mounts. I’m not talking about the collet, but things like the router base adapter.
It looks like this one has yet another.
I’ve sworn off buying any more unless I can find one that matches at least one of my current tools.
glenn
the plastic tool mount piece actually looks like the one on my 8200, and all those accessories look the same as the ones i have.
Joe
Could you do a review on the best Dremel accessories? I’ve been wondering if I should replace some of my worn out grinder bits with the Dremel brand name or some of the “off-brand” stuff on Amazon (specifically for sharpening my lawn mower blade).
coal
Im sorry i bought the 4200 as we have spent days trying to get the Flex shaft to fit on the unit, It did not come with an adapter as it states nor any directions on how to fit it on the 4200. Youtube has very little on the 4200 because its new and I think they blew it as the second kit we bought did not have the adapter in it either.
Stick with the old, tried and true.
As of now we dont have the flex shaft working.
Stuart
The kits do come with an adapter, and page 15 of the user manual shows you how to attach it to the tool. If you can’t find your manual, here’s the PDF.
If your kit did not come with the adapter parts shown, contact Dremel customer service, who I am sure will help you out.
Not included is the collet and collet nut needed for use with the flex-shaft. New 4200 owners that don’t have another Dremel tool they can borrow these parts from should contact Dremel customer service as well.
Luis
Anyone know where I can find those new collets?
Dave L
Folks, take a look at the rotary tools Proxxon makes-seriously heavy duty.
disappointed
extremely disappointed in my dremel 4200. Not one of the cutting projects Ive attempted has worked!! Today was the straw that broke the camels back when I tried to make a circular cut using the circular attachment. I was trying to make a 3/4″ cut in a piece of 3/4″ plywood, followed the directions to exactly and got about 1/2″ into the circle when the bit broke. This is only one of the many failed performances. So bummed, wanted a Dremel for years 🙁
KAC
Completely agree!!!! Exact thing happened to me with 3/4″ attempted cut! None of the cutting bits have worked well….and I’ve tried just about every material except metal. Today I’ve spent over 2 hrs trying to attach my 670 mini saw. Finally realized directions were on pg 15, 670 number only mentioned somewhere once in middle of directions. No good….can’t figure out how to get the extension screw on cap to come down, so threads aren’t revealed. Not sure what to call that piece since I can’t find any info on it whatsoever
Sean
I remember having some serious trouble with that stupid mini-saw as well. Actually, I think I gave up and threw it in the case with the rest of the (mostly) worthless attachments.
hobbyman
I just bought the Dremel 4200, xtra bit kit & the Dremel Flex shaft 225. I use it to carve wood and Springerle Cookie molds. I can see myself venturing out to glass soon. I am extremely happy. I went from a Black n Decker to Dremel. So far so good knocks on wood. I really am loving my new hobby carving wood. It is very easy to put both together. I hang up my Dremel when I use the Flex shaft 225. I feel like a professional using bigboy tools 😉 Happy Customer from the Bay Area
Keith Stuart
The cutting bit has broken off inside the collet and so far I can find no way to remove it nor can I get any info online. This is the second one since Jan. 2015 I have had to replace, the first one just stopped working after the second use. This one is now unusable and it was the first use since i picked it up. Not happy with this new product so far.
Brad
I used a magnet to get the broken peace out. But should be easier than what it is.
Sean
There is a way to change the collet although probably not an extremely obvious way. If you could remove the collet, you could remove the broken shank.
Hunter
I have the same problem. The collet though no matter how hard I push the releases still too tightly grips the broken bit down in the dremel. I’ve had this problem for a while now, am trying to get it out after setting it down for a while. I have also disassembled the entire machine but the collet appears to be interference fit with no reasonable way of disassembly. For the most part this frustration has just taught me dremels are sad excuses for tools. For your money it is more worth while to invest in tools designed to do a job, instead of an overpriced POS!!!
James
How did you ever get it out?
PJ
I’m having the same trouble, but shank stuck down in the collet. Can’t rip the bigger out!
Darrell
I also had the broken bit issue and after much thought I sokved the problem. I disassembled the 4200 and took out the shaft. I placed it into the my freezer and left it over night. My thought was that the metal would contract enough for me to tap it out. The next morning I gave it four taps and the broken bit just dropped out. I would recommending warming and freezing several times if it doesn’t work the first time.
Klukky
I love this tool, have had no problems with it and used it for everything, u need to let it work itself if u put your own pressure on it u can burn down whatever u are useing or it will snap, it’s all about grip and how you roll with it, let the tool do the work not you. Works wonders in my personal opinion. (Used for glass, tile, wood, even cutting my swing set apart, from bolts being cut to refab to fit my screw drivers in, makeing new fixtures in the wall for t.v. and lights and switches, to trimming down small branches on trees.) Needless to say use the right bit for the job, also let the 4200 do the work not u, don’t get impatient and press or u break stuff. Love this tool and everything about it. Hope this helps some people out.
Chris
Just snapped off the bit in my 4200 and was looking for ideas on how to get the stuck piece I ut, apparently I’m screwed for the night, that ks Dremel….
Darrell
I solved the problem of how to get a broken bit out. You first need to disassemble your 4200 and remove the shaft that holds the collet, warm it up and then place it in your freezer. This causes the metal to contract as it cools and with a few taps the broken shank will either drop out or come out enough to grasp. If it doesn’t work the first time then repeat.
Martin
How do you remove the shaft that holds the collet? I have a similar problem – broken bit in collet.
Creig
I just had the same problem with my 4200. Tool sheared off leaving the shaft stuck in the collet. So I came here to learn how to remove the shaft stuck in the collet. I had the same question. How do you remove the shaft? What I learned after taking the case apart is the shaft includes the whole center motor assembly. A bit scary to take it all apart. But the alternative choice was to pitch the whole tool in the trash. So I got the whole center rotating part (called “shaft” above) out. Didn’t bother with the freezer. The trick is with being able to pull the collet release further back when it is out of the tool. Held it nose down and tapped the tip with a hammer. Shared off tool shaft fell out.
Here are the things to be careful of when taking the tool apart: You have to remove the motor brushes to reassemble the tool. These are the circular caps on each side of the tool. Under each cap is a spring holding the motor brushes. Keep track of position and orientation so you can put them back exactly as removed. On each end there is a rubber bushing that surrounds the bearings. Keep track of them. There is a plate at the end of the tool where the collet is located. Watch the orientation so that the two halves of the housing fit each side correctly. When removing and replacing the motor section, keep the outer electronics plugged in so nothing gets lost. It will have to move far enough to pull the center out. But keep it as close as possible to the original location.
Good Luck!
Chris Barth
The key to a Dremel tool is light pressure and correct speed for the bit being used. I’ve recently started buying cheap 1/8″ Tungsten carbide burrs/bits from Ebay. I have one single cut bit that I actually sharpen my mower blades with. Much better than the stone bit that Dremel recommends, no heat and much faster, same bit has done many blades with no wear. Just wear safety glasses and gloves/long sleeves, it makes tiny metal needles that will screw you up !
Randy W
Just picked p second Dremel.. a new 4200. Have not even used it once….. getting used to the new collett and the attachments, somehow cross threaded the soft plastic of the sharpening adapter. Tried gently backing it off and it’s stuck. Now cannot get it off and the screw cap on the outside of the collett just spins on its own. So calling Dremel Australia in the morning to see if they can assist. Less than amused at present.
Nettie
Can smaller diameter bits be used in the 4200? If so how do you change the collet size? I work in a dental office and have access to all different kinds of burs and wheels but I can’t figure out how to change out the collet. They sell them in different sizes.
Stuart
Yes.
Here’s the user manual: https://www.dremel.com/documents/20812/137350/NEW+2610029872_03-13_4200.pdf
Collet capacities: 1/32″, 1/16″, 3/32″, 1/8″
Page 9 shows how collets are changed out. The process is very different than with Dremel’s other multi-tools, and something I’ve not yet done in person. You also need 4200-specific collets.