Dremel has launched Blueprint, a new line of cordless power tools aimed at DIYers.
Dremel Blueprint is centered around being easy to use, and seeks to help DIYers do more with fewer tools.
The brand shared information ahead of time, and also supplied test samples at my request.
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I was initially extremely excited about Dremel Blueprint, thanks to the new 3-in-1 Multi-Drill.
I bought a Dremel cordless screwdriver and Stylus rotary tool years ago, about the same time I started ToolGuyd, and have fond memories of how good those tools were.
The Dremel Blueprint Multi-Drill is a 12V cordless screwdriver with 1/4″ hex chuck, adjustable torque clutch, variable speed trigger, and reverse switch.
It also has a built-in edge-finding stud finder. There’s also a basic two-way bubble level with integrated laser that can be stored within the bottom of the handle, close to the studfinder.
This isn’t quite the same as I was hoping for, but it’s an interesting design that DIYers might love.
The Dremel Multi-Drill (model DD12V-S1) ships with a selection of 9 screwdriver bits and 3 drill bits, and of course a removable battery and charger.
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- Max torque: 175 in-lbs
- Speed: 0-800 RPM
- Weighs 3.85 lbs
- Brushless motor
It’s a one-stop-shop type of tool for beginner DIYers.
Price: $100
There’s also the Dremel Blueprint portable saw station, CS12V-S1C, which ships with a cordless circular saw and work support and guiding accessories.
It’s designed for cross-cuts, miter cuts, and bevel cuts of thinner wood materials, with up to 1″ depth of cut at 90°.
The saw has an onboard laser that can be activated should you need it.
Initial news stories about the Dremel Blueprint tools describe the saw as being “less terrifying” than a miter saw. While that’s a matter of opinion, I think the Blueprint cutting station comes together nicely to create a handy and portable solution.
I think it’s pretty well thought out, and there’s the potential for expansion. Maybe a rotary tool base will come next.
Price: $150
There are signs that more tools are coming. One of Dremel’s product images show a cordless rotary tool that launched earlier, and also a 12V cordless oscillating multi-tool that I don’t recall ever seeing before.
Discussion
These tools are definitely not for me. I think that a lot of work went into designing these tools, and there are strong indicators that Dremel hyper-focused on suiting the needs and wants of beginners.
I begged Dremel to come out with something new – see Dremel is Due for Something New – and I want to respect the efforts they made to do that.
Both of the new tools – the MultiDrill and circular saw with portable cutting station – hold beginner DIYers’ hands a little, which is what a lot of first-time users want.
I am not disappointed with the designs, but I must admit I am disappointed that these tools are not for me.
There are compromises. For example, if you need different drill bit sizes, you’ll have to find hex-shank bits. Is 175 in-lbs enough to pre-drill into wood studs for hanging shelves?
Trying these out – it’s a lot like sitting down a salad when I really want a steak burrito.
Dremel is innovating, and that’s a great thing.
There is a magazine article about the new tools, saying that they turn users into “DIY pros.” They then go on to describe the tools as being “safer tools that can do more.”
One of the designers describes the Dremel Blueprint saw as being suited for “doing IKEA hacks,” as well as “trim and decorating, taking furniture and putting accent details around it.”
According to the article, which I’m not linking to because I feel most of what they say is ridiculous, Dremel’s goal is “to have a platform of somewhere around six to eight core products that can do hundreds of different DIY projects.”
There have been a lot of beginner DIY cordless power tools over the years. While I find the MultiDrill especially to be unappealing in the context of my needs and wants, past, present, and future, Dremel could have done worse.
That I don’t see the appeal for me doesn’t mean I don’t see the appeal for others. I think there will be folks eager for the one-stop-shop approach.
On the other hand, one can buy other tools for less. For example, Walmart has a cordless drill at a good value – see Walmart has a Hyper Tough Multi-Head Drill Driver for $35 – and you should be able to get a decent stud funder and a level if not a laser level for the same $100 as the MultiDrill.
Part of my criticism towards the MultiDrill is that it’s not expandable. Let’s say you need a cordless drill with a true drill chuck, a center-finding stud finder, or a more sophisticated level. Well, there’s overlap but not quite in a complementary way.
You can get a Rockwell BladeRunner for less than $150 at Amazon, although it’s not cordless.
Looking past this, I am quite pleased at the level of innovation. Everything with both tools comes together elegantly and thoughtfully. It’s well-done. That I disagree with Dremel’s vision doesn’t mean these aren’t good tools – this is the part that’s so difficult to navigate.
They sought to make tools that are easier to use. Cut out the marketing fluff, and that’s what it comes down to, and I think they did a great job at this.
Rather than beginners having to navigate a plethora of options in multiple categories, including tools more suited towards the needs and wants of pros or other demanding users, Dremel holds their hands a bit and still delivers on functionality and quality.
These tools aren’t for me, but I’m excited to see what comes next.
The mini circular saw is pretty exciting, and it reminds me of the Bosch 12V cordless saw I had to order from overseas to get my hands on. And yes, it also has a brushless motor.
If you don’t want the cutting station, you can buy the saw kit by itself.
Price: $120 for the kit
I like this approach better. If you want just the saw, you can get the saw. If you want the cutting station, with its clamps, tracks, and guides, it’s $30 more for the package.
So while the drill/driver is not at all what I had really hoped for, I feel better about the saw, and overall pretty good about the Dremel Blueprint cordless power tool system concept.
Dremel has recalibrated and is headed in a new direction. They’re seeking to address the specific needs of beginner DIYers. With that in mind, do you think they’ve done a good job with that here?
I’ve got samples of both tools – thank you Dremel! I have more testing to do – let me know if you have any questions.
Reflector
I think those are Bosch-Dremels, the battery pack looks to be the same as that one Dremel 12V rotary tool that interchanges with Bosch. That makes me curious as to if Bosch will update the 12V circ saw to make it have a brushless motor and bring it to the US proper (also ordered mine overseas a long time ago…)
TonyT
If I can get that saw to take Bosch 12V batteries, I’ll be very tempted at Father’s Day.
LE
The latest 12v Dremel that has been out is able to take the bosch 12v batteries. I know I’ve seen people say the older versions weren’t compatible without trimming something off. I’d wager that all these new 12v Dremel tools will have interchangeable batteries with the Bosch line. I don’t really understand why they were the same but slightly different apparently to begin with. I can confirm the 20v dremel batteries are 100% bosch 2ah 18v batteries with a different logo, and my Dremel Ultra Saw takes my 2ah and 4ah Bosch batteries perfectly (if I had bigger batteries I’d try them but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work)
JR Ramos
I think we need to recategorize these as Home-Hobby-Craft tools…not DIY. I realize that these days “DIY” has come to mean and include a lot of piddly things that didn’t use to be thought of in that context, but this is a real stretch calling these gizmos DIY tools.
That said, they’re…..interesting. Hopefully they aren’t so janky as to be throwaway little-used tools. The saw station would be neat to see in person although the photos make it look…less than desirable maybe. If it’s worth a hoot and not bearing big flaws, it will probably be a big hit. I can’t think of anything else out there in the price range or with the capabilities this looks to have other than mini table saws/chop saws and such from HF and random imports.
The stud-level-drill could be just the ticket for a lot of home users that don’t do much else than hang things on walls and maybe do a little screwing or assembly although that handle frame might limit it at times. Unique combination of features for sure.
I mean it was a big stretch when Dremel started advertising the tile and grout attachments for such mini motors and that was thirty years ago, so I suppose their idea about DIY has always blurred the line between hobby and “real work”, so to speak. But as “tool users” maybe we should reconsider what we label DIY and where we use that term.
ChipBoundary
We as tool users don’t label anything, it is what it is regardless of what we think. DIY is anything you do yourself instead of having a professional do it, that’s it. There is magical meaning or value to the phrase.
JR Ramos
“We” as the industry used to. There was a time where “home and hobby” was an actual product category in many vendor catalogs/lines…not sure that was every big in ad copy and such but those of us purchasing or otherwise behind the scenes saw it for quite awhile. “DIY” did start out referring mostly to things like carpentry, plumbing, and auto mechanic work….not hanging pictures or doing crafts and such or anything you feel like doing “yourself.” Those lines blurred but I just think that it’s a bit much these days. Black & Decker and Ryobi were sort of the kings of this move toward home and hobby but they were both solidly offering DIY tools as well (speaking mostly power tools here, not hand tools). Dremel was always hobby – always – until they began to accessorize and try to show more uses for their rotary tools. Dremel these days is a whole lot different company, which owes in large part to foreign import competition that ramped up in the late 90s and now their brand is a harder sell to most consumers…so they branched out into many other categories to try to stay profitable and relevant. Doesn’t make them “DIY” items.
So yeah, no “magic” but there were indeed some more concrete definitions and assignments to that DIY term for quite a long time. No need to blur it so much and change things, imho. Sign of the times maybe with far fewer people in the trades and attempting these things at home beyond minor things.
Stuart
It seems that you wouldn’t classify these as DIY tools because they aren’t a great fit for say building a shed. However, the scope of “DIY” has expanded in recent years.
In a modern sense, I would classify these as DIY tools, or maybe “home DIY.”
SoxFan96
I wouldn’t classify these tool as “DIY” in the traditional sense of “building a shed for your property” DIY. That type of DIY is for much more serious ambitious DIYers, and requires a bigger investment in tools to be successful with it.
I would call it “Home Maintenance/Repair DIY”. Based on what I’ve read, these tools seem a great first core power tool set for first-time homeowners or apartment dwellers.
You’re going to have a hard time finding a carpenter to come out to repair a patch of drywall or repair some baseboard trim your dog gnawed off. These tools allow you “do it yourself” with those repairs.
While they might not be labeled as such or blatantly communicated, it is clear from the pictures that the batteries have the same form factor and tab as the Bosch 12 batteries. Put the Bosch 12V, 6Ah pack in these tools and they’ll run all day.
This product line launch has the potential to be a home run for Dremel if they stick to it and keep bringing out innovative solutions.
JR Ramos
Yes. Much the same as a “rip” cut doesn’t mean what it used to for many people…for cutting anyway, but it does mean a lot when shopping for a blade.
Not to be rude or point fingers anywhere but I see this as the dumbing down of what used to be pretty basic well understood knowledge. As I said, maybe a sign of the times.
MM
“Home DIY” sounds like the tool version of the “Crossover” vehicle that can’t decide if it’s a car or an SUV.
JR Ramos
So few true SUV’s these days…especially those nice mid-sized ones.
I dunno…it’s weird, but people seem to almost feel offended or something by classifying a tool as “hobby and craft”…? I mean really, DIY used to mean something else without grouping in hobby stuff, which also tended to mean it’s own thing. Why dumb it down and group it together? Sounding pedantic now…sorry. I wonder if this change was driven by inexperienced users/influencers or if it was spurred by inexperienced marketers (the latter of which has actually changed quite a lot over the last 15 years or better…..).
CMF
I agree with Stuart.
I would say that DIY has expanded or evolved, but it is still DIY, which can also include home / hobby craft.
Back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, there were a couple of PBS shows like like Yankee workshop, and a some magazines catering to the DIY’er. Today, there are multiple TV networks dedicated to DIY, plus so many YouTube, and so many other web based videos or articles, all on DIY.
I would say DIY has remained the same over the past 50+ years, just that there are so many that do so. You could divide it down to beginner, intermediate, and advanced DIY’ers… but all are DIY’ers.
But I would also say that these have always existed. As a kid in the 60’s, like everyone, you start as a beginner. You learn from more experienced DIY’ers or your own trial and errors, and then as you know more, your level of capability becomes more of an intermediate. Then you help others who are just beginning. This was back then and is the same today.
This Dremel set of tools is meant more for those that are beginner or even intermediate. I would say anyone who does not want to have dedicated workshop, but just the need to do the occasional job, these tools can fit that niche for some of these people.
Stuart
These are specifically aimed at DIYers, rather than hobbyists. Hobby projects have no need for stud finders or laser levels that stick to the wall with poster putty.
I think that the MultiDrill could be a popular housewarming gift if it drops to around $79 on Prime Day or Black Friday.
LGonToolGuy'd
“Crafting” but (not only) for dudes. 😅
Jared
I think I understand where JR Ramos is coming from with this one.
It might be marketed as a “DIY” line, but that seems to imply something a bit more serious that what Dremel released. I’m poo-pooing the tools, but they’re clearly intended to be light-duty and unintimidating.
E.g. how far would you get doing household DIY work with a saw that has 1″ depth of cut? You ought to be able to hang shelves with 175 in-lbs no problem, but you can’t drive a 2.5″ deck screw.
Maybe I’m out of sync with the “DIY” product category and it really is meant for light duty stuff – but I would expect that label to apply most Ryobi 18v tools (non HPT stuff basically), which are certainly a step up in power and performance from this.
Jared
I meant to say “I’m NOT poo-pooing the tools”. Oops.
928'er
I’ve got a little Nextec saw with a 3.5 inch blade that looks very similar to the Dremel model. I find it to be, surprisingly, useful. It’s a real shame Sears killed off the Nextec line.
Wayne R.
There are a lot of “photographers” out there whose images never break out of a cyber limbo.
I see this kit as primarily for those who create images or other stuff who want to put their products on walls, moving from craft into DIY. The very first image that flashed in my mind with this was making custom frames and getting them hung well.
That little saw & cutting table seem ideal for creating picture frames.
Danny
Stuart, I disagree with you about the stud finder feature. I look at this set of tools as something that a hobby crafter would use, and you have a lot of people that make knickknacks and signs to go on their walls and things of that nature. Having a stud finder and the right size drillbits to put in anchors and screws Would be something these people would really need.
Bonnie
These seem fairly well-suited to crafters and model makers. A little more Proxxon than Craftsman.
Frank D
So, we can’t get Bosch to bring more 12v tools to NA … but they’ll change the color scheme up and sell them as Dremel? I don’t blame them, as Dremel is popular with crafting, … just would have been nice to have this and a few other things from their catalog in blue for the past few years.
John
To me that saw seems like it would be way more useful if it could cut a 2×4. I think that some people would definitely like a less intimidating (and cheaper) tool for the occasional project. But I can’t see what you’d be cutting that is less than 1″, sheet goods won’t fit on that little table and anything else is too thick.
Bonnie
Seems tailor made for trim work.
CMF
Exactly, and trim work is not hobby craft, or even beginner.
James
I have the Bosch GSR12V-300HX and received the Multi-Drill in the mail today. The Multi-Drill has a couple of clear upgrades: brighter LED, bit holder is push to insert, and a C-shape design. But in some ways it’s clearly not an upgrade: it’s about 1/2 a pound heavier, roughly 1 inch longer and 1 inch taller, has 1 speed not 2, and less torque. Hex bits also have a little more wobble than the GSR12V, but it’s hard to find tools that grip them as well as I would like. The stud detector and laser level are also a bit gimicky IMHO. The laser level bothers me less because you can remove it and I’ve already got some ideas for some more useful 3D printed tools I could replace it with. But the stud detector is not removable and I just can’t imagine using it when I have nicer stud detectors. I thought Bosch/Dremel would probably reuse the motor from the GSR12V but it seems to be a different beast – more speed than speed 1 on the GSR12V but less than speed 2.
I was also a little surprised the Multi-Drill was made in China. The GSR12V was made in Malaysia and a lot of Dremel tools are made in Mexico – I was expecting to see it come from one of those countries.
I think I’ll keep the Multi-Drill but I’m lukewarm on it so far.
I also ordered the Blueprint Compact Saw but unless there’s some shortcoming that’s not obvious this looks like a huge upgrade relative to the Bosch GKS 12V-26: brushless, higher RPM, more substantial foot, and blade left design. I do wish it could cut a 2×4 in one pass but for small portable cuts, I can see this being my go-to saw. The fact that it’s setup to ride on the rails in the kit also means I should be able to come up with some interesting custom jigs. I’m pretty excited about that.
There’s less info about the third new tool in the Blurprint lineup, the Project Multi-Tool. This looks like an adaptation of the Bosch GOP12V-28N but using Dremel blades instead of Starlock. I really hope it will also support standard interface blades without an adapter..
Bosch stopped selling 12v tools in US stores about a year ago. I really like that they seem to be spinning off that line of tools to Dremel. Maybe that lineup will be more successful in the DIY/hobby space.
Mike
Thank you for the nice write up. Would you be kind enough to confirm wherher or not the Bosch 12V batteries work with the Dremel tools. Thanks.
James
I’ve used 2ah and 3ah Bosch and Dremel branded 12v batteries interchangeably for about two years with a wide collection of Bosch 12v tools and a Dremel 8260. The Bosch 6ah battery will not work with the Dremel 8260 because the kickstand gets in the way. I have never tried removing the kickstand. It also isn’t practical to use the 6ah battery with the Multi-Drill because it would prevent you from setting it on its bottom, which is one of the nice things about the c-shape design. The chargers for both batteries also look identical and I’ve only ever used my Bosch 12v charger to charge Dremel 12v batteries.
I’ve used the same batteries with the Multi-Drill and Saw Station for a shorter period of time but have had no issues so far. The 8260 uses the same battery as the 8250 and 8240 (now being featured as part of the blueprint line) and would expect they would also work.
Older cordless Dremel rotary tools used a battery that looked similar but was not compatible with the 8240/8250/8260 (according to the Dremel website).
eddiesky
As a kid or teen, this as a set would have been cat’s meow, back in the day. I had the dremel scroll saw, with dremel flex-shaft and bits…as well as corded dremel and power/speed control box…still do! But as a fort builder and maker of things to my hotwheels and army men, I doubt these would have been safe to use (the saw that is).
Still, this could just be that waste-of-money project tools that someone might need without a shop…for making frames or shelves… if they had an 18g nailer, this set would be great for doing LVP installs or reno for a townhome or other DIY.
JR Ramos
That scroll saw was amazingly popular and we sold many hundreds of those. Only the most serious folks would buy the big Delta model and their smaller ones weren’t as good as what the Dremel offered. Stayed that way until DeWalt brought out theirs.
Mopar
I could see that saw being useful to the TikTok DIY crowd for a lot of projects, and also for trim work, and laminate flooring.
When I was back and forth between 2 homes almost 300 miles apart I considered buying the Bladerunner just to leave at the secondary home so I wouldn’t have to transport real table/miter saws for every little thing. Ultimately I snagged a “blemished” Ryobi flooring saw from DTO for like $70. That thing actually worked out surprisingly well, especially since I already kept a few other Ryobi 18v tools there. Can’t say that I’ve used it since, but I definitely got my $70 worth. I can imagine we’ll be seeing the new Dremel saw starring in a lot of DIY influencer videos pretty soon.
William
With any tool targeted to entry level/beginner/DIY one has to wonder if cheap, low quality tools hurt the pursuits of the end user. To foster DIY, I think having a fully capable drill would be important. If your drill struggles to run a 2″ screw or drill a hole, that would likely be a turn off from DIY as a whole.
I think it would be like introducing someone to graphic design and giving them an old, slow computer. Yes, maybe it will eventually do the job but it was so painful to do it it turns people away. Vs giving them a good, entry level computer that will do what you need it to do.
MM
I agree. I can see the need for entry-level or basic tools for hobbyists or beginners. That makes total sense. But what doesn’t make sense is buying into dead-end ecosystems, or buying tools which are so limited they can’t do basic tasks. Sure, not everybody needs the latest-and-greatest top end model, but I’d consider a basic drill-driver with a chuck to be probably the most important DIY tool to get. With that you can drill holes, drive screws, use hole saws, use drum and flap sanders, mix paint & other materials, use polishing attachments, power brushes for cleaning, and many more things.
I feel that a lot of “beginner” oriented tools mean well but often times end up being gimmicky crap that manage to be awkward or difficult to use. I’d much rather steer a beginner towards basic tools from one of the big names rather than buying these.
Like eddiesky wrote above, I’d have loved this as a kid or a teen. The low price would be appealing, and I was naive enough to see the gimmicks as features. Back then I had some Minicraft tools, and some quasi-official attachments for them which turned the basic rotary tool (dremel-like) into various other things, like a mini-router, drill press, lathe, and so on. As a kid my head was swimming with the possibilities of what I could do with those tools. In reality, the basic Minicraft tools were good, albeit model-sized, while the attachments were 90% gimmick and were more frustrating to use than they were worth.
Jared
I can see this being intentionally limited, intended for users intimidated by larger, more powerful tools.
My 70 year old mom for example, wouldn’t pick up even a 6.25″ cordless circular saw. She’d probably find even my weakest 18v drill, that tops out at a wimpy 350 in/lbs, heavy and harsh on her wrists if it binds.
Same idea for my kid. He’s 9 and has used my cordless tools a time or two – but I might not hover so close if he was wielding a 175 in/lb drill as I do when he picks up the 350 in/lb one.
If these Dremel tools are compatible with Bosch batteries – that might solve the concern about a dead ecosystem too. Dremel could be an entry brand into the Bosch 12v line, with users adopting Bosch tools as their skills grow.
MM
I think you’re right that Dremel is, in part at least, targeting a market which might be intimidated by or simply doesn’t want or need large tools. But they can still keep their tools small and beginner-friendly without compromising their functionality too much. Simply adding a chuck to the drill would be a massive improvement.
As much as I like to call out gimmicks, I think that bindup protection is one of the most important innovations in power tool technology in years, and I’d rather manufacturers add that to their tools rather than going the underpowered route when safety is a primary concern.
Valid point about the batteries–I must admit I have no idea if those are compatible with Bosch or not.
Alexk
+1 about bindup protection. My M18 fuel drill and impact, at least two generations old and not as powerful as new models bound up in me. First time using the impact, I had no idea it was so powerful and when it locked up, I thought I tore my elbow. I learnt to protect myself after that. Drilling a 3/4” hole for wiring while up a ladder and wanting three point contact to stand and hold myself, left me open to the battery swinging around and clocking me in the jaw. Saw stars, but didn’t get hurt. I mostly use 12v so I don’t see getting the 18v with anti bind, but if I used 18v more regularly, I’d get it.
Aram
I also agree — I recently saw a YouTube blacksmith (I forgot the name) talking about various hammers and he made the point that an experienced user can manage to do something decent with almost anything that can bash metal, but a newbie will gain a lot more from using something made by someone who understands the craft, because it’ll be more enjoyable and easier to use, so they’ll be more likely to keep at it.
…of course, at the same time, it’s hard to drop serious money on something you’re not sure you’ll actually enjoy.
I suppose it could be a case for classes, borrowing, or other ways to get your hands on something really nice, without having to spend large bucks on a hunk of metal you’ll never use again.
John
I watched the 22-second video in the Amazon listing for the saw station. A lot of background music, and quick video cuts. I would say close to zero useful info about the product’s capabilities. Yes, there will be lots of video reviews out soon enough, but Dremel needs to do better.
Alexk
Looking up the portable saw station on Dremel’s website, it says that it comes with a 2×4 adapter to cut thicker material. It also says it is good for trim, flooring and similar uses. What piqued my interest was the part where they say it’s good for making picture frames. Not sure that it will be super accurate, but it seems like it could be useful. Would like to see it in person.
MM
They must expect you to flip the 2×4 over and cut it in two passes because that little saw only has a 1 inch depth of cut.
Alexk
Just watched the video and the 2×4 jig would be so slow if you had to make more than a cut here and there. The angle guide seems like it might be a bit flimsy. It looks like it might swivel on a single point, but I’m not sure.
I love the idea of this. It would be nice to have something like this for a shooting board.
Jared
You can get 1/4″ hex to 3/8″ drill chucks – seems like a miss for Dremel not to offer that under their own branding if there’s no standard-chucked drill in the lineup. You can pick that up on Amazon for a few bucks, but I don’t think these tools are marketed to users who can be expected to just know that.
Of course, maybe Dremel didn’t because the bits people will use with this 175 in/lb tool will be small. A small bit in a chuck that extends out from the tool… probably a recipe for some broken bits.
Nate
“Fewer tools that do more things” is just an updated phrasing for “motors are expensive”, which is the same sort of scarcity mindset that brought us the Shopsmith and other abominations. Wrap as many gizmos around a single motor as possible.
While there’s some cleverness involved in maximizing function this way, it ultimately makes for a worse tool, jack-of-several-trades, master of none.
For that $100 that gets the Dremel drill+studfinder, I could get a Ryobi PCL201K1 drill/driver kit (including battery) for $50, get a decent Zircon or Franklin studfinder for $20, add a kit of real bits like the A98401 for $10, and have $20 left for a laser level if for some reason I want that. Every part of this is superior to the Dremel — the drill is significantly more powerful and has a real chuck. There’s like 4x more bits including large spades in case you need to bore a joist or something, and you can use generic bits. And most importantly (to me), the studfinder isn’t clinging to my knuckles when I don’t need it. Those wraparound drills are a special kind of awkward.
That said, I am intrigued by the cutting station. Designing that along with the saw to fold together and store together, is super nice. I rarely use my circular saw because its bulky shape means it doesn’t fit in the drawer with the other tools, and it needs a lot of setup to keep from covering the room in sawdust. (My recip is more compact and doesn’t throw dust a quarter mile, so it tends to be my go-to, but it’s harder to make a straight cut.) That looks like a genuine improvement, especially because the saw can be removed and used separately when needed. It’s still a weaksauce saw with a tiny battery and blade, but the concept is at least moving in the right direction.
Rob
My dad had a shopsmith in the basement.
It was great for what he wanted to do
Mike
The saw station will be great for people who live in apartments: it’s enough to do the kinds of projects that come up.
I’m less convinced about the drill. I think it’ll find buyers, but it wouldn’t be something I’d gift unless I was also giving the saw station and knew the person didn’t have lots of space.
potato
I feel as a teen, I would’ve loved the saw station. I still think the saw station is pretty cool, Ive seen bigger diy panel saw builds and a larger version would actually be appealing to me today, even while owning a table saw.
ToolFan101
I agree. For me this is Dremel actually going back to its initial roots out of rotary tools with the successful Moto saw. That thing was a beast for me at 14 years old. I still remember it fondly. You couldn’t buy a tool like it at the time that didn’t run you $500+. This saw station seems inline with that. A teen looking to do crafts projects or create smaller miniatures. There isn’t a lot out there today that was designed for 1″ material (likely cause pros would scoff at it) and the only other innovative table setup right now is the brand that sells the carton cutting machine (Can’t recall name).
MM
Speaking of unusual DIY-marketed saws, check out the Bosch “AdvancedTableCut 52” . The world’s first mini-, table-, pull-pull, chainsaw.
I remember reading about the “nanoblade” mini-chainsaws years ago, but just discovered there is a table version. This is a seriously odd duck.
Jared
Wow! That’s different. It looks slow and limited compared to a jobsite table saw, but I can see the appeal.
Since the chain is moving down, it’s not going to spit a board back at you. Pulling a lever that pulls the saw removes any risk someone will push their fingers towards the blade.
I don’t know how that tool would be in-practice, but it’s a neat idea!
MM
That “push-pull” system where you pull the blade toward you to make the cut seems fairly common on European style jobsite saws. See the the Mafell Erika series for example, but this tiny little chainsaw version is more for hobby projects, I can’t imagine it being used on a jobsite.
It might be useful for making interior cuts in the middle of a workpiece though–let’s say you wanted to cut a square hole in the center of a board?
ToolFan101
I don’t know Stuart but I don’t think you got it right with this review because you generally do great reviews across a variety of industries, applications and user types.
The line I don’t get is “I am not disappointed with the designs, but I must admit I am disappointed that these tools are not for me.”
I think its certainly a known fact that the Dremel brand will always..always.. have very limited space in your toolshed. Unless you were hoping they would launch a $400 20V wormdrive saw and basically do what all the other brands are doing… I don’t see Dremel making anything outside of rotary tools that suits you. After all, you have hand tools that are twice as expensive as Dremel’s top of the line brushless rotary tool is. Were you expecting them to launch more of the same (recip saws, demo hammers, L-boxxes, table saws) or would you expect them to stay true to their demographic (new DIYers)? I know you generally tend to hate on Bosch products but wouldn’t the blue brand be suited to a professional over a DIY brand?
From my perspective, these 2 tools are instant hits. I plan to gift these to people who own less than 3 power tools (which I would assume still makes up the majority of young Americans) and friends who borrow my circ saw from time to time. The price points are extremely giftable, Dremel service is always a pleasure to work with, and to top it off – THESE ARE BRUSHLESS tools! Show me brushless tools in this price range for pros and maybe we can start comparing Dremel and DeWalt, instead of Dremel and Ryobi.
I can see these going viral with the content creating crowd, I can see these replacing miter saws in urban settings, and I can see these serving as Bosch’s entry pt into professional power tools with the 12V compatibility.
Having said that – I am going only off your review and the Dremel website. The saw station is something I actually want and I’m already $3,500 into power tools. Why? Because I don’t have a miter saw and I can see this coming in handy for most of the stuff I build (usually starting with less than 5ft of material and 3/4″-1″ thick). If its accurate (which the laser makes it seem like it would be) – this would be great for my molding repair project for next summer.
I think the commentators are also looking at these tools from the wrong lens – unless there was a snowball’s chance in h*ll that ya’ll were planning to “upgrade” your circular saws with a Dremel badged one… these aren’t for you! I mean there’s literally Gen Z females all over the Dremel page using these tools. That should be some sort of hint in an industry dominated by pictures of men in hard hats.
Stuart
If I recall correctly, my first or second-ever power tool was the Dremel 395 rotary tool. Fast forward a couple of years, I bought a combo with the Dremel 7.2V Driver and Stylus rotary tools:
I passed them along at some point because I wasn’t using them as much and had moved on to tools with replaceable batteries. The Dremel Moto-Saw came out in 2012 – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dremel-moto-saw/%3C/a%3E There was also the TRIO, the Saw-Max, Ultra-Saw, and a couple of others.
I was excited about the MultiDrill at first glance, but it’s not what I expected, and I feel a bit crushed that Dremel is never getting on the track I had hoped for. A few years ago, I believe it was at a Maker Faire, they hinted that more hobby tools could follow their 3D printers and new-at-the-time enclosed laser cutter. Dremel has since abandoned their entire maker digital fabrication business.
Tool brands have largely neglected hobby communities in recent years. I once complained to a Sears manager about this, at a NYC new tool preview showing, and even they expressed disappointed in Craftsman’s benchtop tool selection.
By itself, the saw is just another compact saw. With the cutting station, it has some versatility, but its applications seem very limited for anyone beyond beginners who don’t own any other tools or accessories.
What’s clear to me is that Dremel didn’t “phone it in.” There are signs of thoughtful and deliberate design decisions. I tried to focus on this as much as possible because I anticipated others having similar feelings about the MultiDrill.
You can get a cordless drill at IKEA (TRIXIG) or Walmart (Hyper Tough) for $35, a basic level for maybe $10 or less, and a stud finder for $10-$20. Spend the rest on safety gear – glasses or goggles at the least. An Empire 24″ poly level is $14 and has around the same effective working span as the included laser. If you want brushless, Skil’s 12V drill kit is $50.
My approach to hand-holding DIY would look very different from Dremel’s. I forced myself to look at the execution, and how well the concept follows their philosophy, and there’s a lot of positivity there.
This wasn’t a review – I need more time with both tools before I can comment on their performance.
My kids are about old enough to start working with power tools under supervision. The saw might be okay, but the MultiDrill is strictly a shelving-installation-type of tool. I’ll be looking for a smaller cordless drill, one that doesn’t have a built-in edge-type stud finder or slide-out laser-equipped bubble level.
MM
A laser is a convenience feature which may or may not be correctly aligned with the saw. It says nothing about accuracy.
Accuracy is determined by the tolerances and the rigidity of the sliding mechanism. I can’t speak to the tolerances, put the parts sure look flimsy from the photos.
JR Ramos
I just want to point out a couple of things politely. First, “brushless” is not the be-all end-all of design and engineering. In fact these days it’s cheap enough to almost become the de facto standard for new tools, but it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily a tool that is better…or fit for purpose. Second, there is no way this will ever be a replacement for a miter saw, even small miter saws…I mean for hobby applications, maybe, but that comparison probably isn’t a smart one, imho. Third, I don’t think comparing hobby-craft tools like this to “tradesmen in hard hats” is the right comparison either. I mean these are absolutely nowhere near trade-worthy professional-use items….it would be fairer to compare them to actual DIY-use tools I guess. These are low power hobby use tools intended for light duty, low demand, less frequent use. They will certainly have and find their place, no doubt…we’ll see how successful they are in the market. But apples-to-oranges comparisons are…don’t make sense. And a Gen Z girl doing crafts or small projects probably isn’t going to care about the other tools anyway unless they get the bug and want to expand their journey/skills/creations.
Looking closer at the saw station, frankly it just seems really janky such that it probably isn’t very good for doing small trim and picture frames if accuracy or repeatability are important. Dunno. It reminds me of the clamshell briefcase 33 record players that Fisher Price put out in the 70s. Seems like it would be great for the typical 1/16 and 1/8 baltic birch plywoods that many crafters use, and looks capable enough for small dimensional lumber cuts. But the platform doesn’t appear to be particularly sturdy or stable without some help, and it’s hard to tell if the surface is decently flat enough across its dimensions. Maybe if it’s rigid enough it will provide good repeatable straight cuts as long as the user does their job right.
At this point there are actually a lot of cheap brands and “brands” of brushless power tools that are surprisingly able to compete with pro brands in terms of features and power output. Durability and repairability are another matter, as are some usability features and such, but it’s kind of amazing how much power you can get these days for cheap. But again, don’t give “brushless” more credence than it deserves…there’s a lot more that goes into a tool than just that.
MM
Excellent points all-round.
But I’ll be a bit more critical: If Dremel expects that people will be using this for things like that super-thin hobby plywood, or balsa or basswood like people use for building models I’d hope they’d provide a blade with a finer tooth count.
JR Ramos
Yes, but at least that’s still the standard size/arbor so someone can pick up a variety of other blades for cheap. I would imagine they stuck with the 20T so that as packaged it can deal with a 2×4 as advertised. They don’t give any real info on these two blades as far as grind or tooth angle but the “multi material” does list plastics and metal so it’s probably a negative hook which would be a good choice. Found the manual online and it looks like 10″ max capacity at 90…so that won’t work for the 12″ plywood tiles that seem to be so popular, but they can remove the saw and trim by hand (if that isn’t too terrifying).
Found this video where he unboxes and uses the drill and the saw station. Yeah…that saw station is a toy. From the slide rails to the attachment of those (molded plastic barbs/posts) to the inherent wiggle of both the rails as well as the saw on the rails, you can forget about accuracy and nice fitting miter joints (might be able to get some thin UMHW tape and improve that, though…if that isn’t too advanced or terrifying). The clamps are only in line with the tracks, too, which greatly limits the (small) sizes that can be cut. The saw itself looks like it has some merit. They could have made the station thing a lot better with just a little thought and probably at no extra or very little extra cost…but nope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZftD_jPFEE
Luke
I could see this taking off in a big way if Dremel can break outside of the hardware store market. Seeing an end cap display with both of these in the storage/home section of Target, for instance? Maybe with a video display showing someone using the stud finder, then immediately drilling a hole/driving a screw.
We all know we can get better individual tools for less, but this new line may offer a lot of functionality to a new market that’s seen social media “10 genius home hacks” videos….all without the decision paralysis of walking into Home Depot’s tool aisle.
Matt_T
“Is 175 in-lbs enough to pre-drill into wood studs for hanging shelves?”
One of the drills I use for mechanical rough-ins is a 160 inch pound Bosch ADS181 angle drill. It’ll run spade bits to 1″ and both regular and “big hawg” hole saws to 2-1/2″ no problem.
I’d say 175 inch pounds will be plenty for this drills target market.
Luke
Another thought – a huge, often overlooked concern for beginners [who might not have a dedicated tool-using space] is that while drilling holes and driving screws into walls is straightforward, using a saw is super scary.
1) I may only have a coffee table/end table/countertop. I don’t have sawhorses or space for them.
2) I don’t have clamps and I don’t know what I need.
3) I’m afraid to hold down the work with one hand and cut with the other.
4) I don’t know if I can cut straight.
The cutting station, even without considering the mini-saw, nicely addresses a bunch of these fears for beginners.
mark w
Very true. Even the images scream “my little construction playset for adults” to me but i’ve began to meet people uncomfortable with turning a screwdriver to address a home maintenance task, and for the person at the right point on the skill spectrum it feels like this can help get them the confidence for bigger projects.
mark w
It’s off topic Stuart, but I do find it sad to not be able to get a notification of any sort that someone has replied to a previous comment of mine still… I like to try to help people out with my comments sometimes and I have to remember that I said something in a post & circle back to see if someone had more questions. They probably don’t & I don’t make that many helpful comments, but just makes me feel I can’t participate as much. But if the goal is to keep the comments section from taking up too much memory /space & such or to smooth things in your backend I get it of course. Just makes me a little sad every time thinking someone might have asked me something and I’ll never loop back. I know it’s not in demand per our previous chat tho.
Stuart
The app that provided this functionality expanded to paid subscription options, and there were bugs that broke the entire site, even though I didn’t have those options activated or even patent functions that they depended on.
Every new “update” they’ve released has introduced new bugs. The plugin provides multiple services, and I have been replacing all of them in anticipation of disabling it entirely.
They’ve slowly been breaking legacy functions and introducing new bloat, and the legacy services that are still good have been put behind nickel and diming paywalls beyond what I’m already paying.
This isn’t an issue about site speed, page size, or similar, at least not in the same sense as why I close comments to a handful of Black Friday roundup content.
I looked into adding this feature back after the updates that broke the site were fixed. But then there were more issues, and just this week another new update created more. I’ve been moving away from the plugin package as fast as I can.
I’ve looked for alternatives, but haven’t found any that can integrate with the built-in commenting system.
mark w
Ah that’s unfortunate. Too many things like that these days. I really appreciate you explaining that!
JoeM
*Sigh* I genuinely wish Bosch would stop making Dremel into Toys. They have dropped a whole bunch of their best tools, where only one tiny flaw was needed to be fixed in order to make them world-class leading tools. But did they make those tiny improvements, and iterate them into the exemplars of how a tool company can adapt to the comments and needs of their install base? No. Instead they continued down this path of simplistic, weaker, “Please give our Brand a try? We promise you’ll want to upgrade!” tools.
Of this Blueprint series, the Rotary Tool appears to be the only real winner here. Why? It’s Dremel, with a removable Bosch battery. That, right there, is a winning combination. Bosch 12V Max batteries are abundantly available, so it’s easy to lock that in for long-term use.
What I truly wish is that they remembered some of their old, one-flaw-away-from-perfection tools.
-The 6500 Sharpening Station.
-The 1200 Dual-Heat Glue Gun.
-The MotoSaw MS-20.
Sorry for the rant, Stuart. Just… I’m heavily invested in Dremel, life-long investment in fact. Seeing them release… Toys… Does not fill me with confidence in who is managing the Brand. It makes me hold onto the tools I already have, and hope they don’t lose support because the company has developed some sort of ADHD.
JR Ramos
Is it for sure that they are Bosch batteries and not Dremel batteries? If memory serves the + and – were opposite each other so that the two brands’ packs couldn’t be used interchangeably.
I think Dremel has always been solidly in the hobby realm…quite often some toyish things. With their separate drive motors they never quite approached Foredom but they were still very good (heck, even Makita had some that were better quality). When they contracted and cheapened those up while introducing more less-worthy tools and attachments, I knew they’d really changed. I think they must have had a pretty tough row to hoe with all the imports and new competition. Having Bosch’s support and $$$ was probably the best thing to happen to them, but then, yeah, why do they keep dumbing down their brand image like they do…..I wish that could change, too. They have some good ideas but they just don’t seem to be interested in quality. In some ways they are starting to remind me of Fiskars, strange as that sounds.
JoeM
The new 8260 is absolutely a Bosch 12V Max 3Ah Bosch Battery. The older 8200 I have runs on a Dremel 12V Max 1.3Ah Battery. They are most certainly not cross-compatible with eachother. For whatever the reason is, the Bosch battery also doesn’t fit properly on the older 8200. It’s got a bit more heft at the bottom/flat rear of the battery, and it doesn’t click into the older socket properly due to that lip. The older Dremel battery also doesn’t fit into the newer Dremel, because the battery socket is designed to not only fit into the bottom of the tool, but they’ve extended much of the display and controls over the socket directly, and the Dremel battery doesn’t fit under this overhang.
It’s more than just a positive and negative being reversed issue, the Bosch Battery Dremel tools are designed with very different geometry, so they overhang the battery itself. It’s a clear sign they’re using the Bosch 12V Max 3Ah batteries. The socket on the old Dremel 12V Max tools just ends at the back of the tool, like a jigsaw puzzle piece that fits the battery. My 8200 is still a go-to tool for me, and I’m working my 8260 into the rotation (no pun intended) but I am very fond of the move to the more ubiquitous Bosch 12V Max batteries. That is one change that I am very happy for. They could slap a Dremel sticker on those Bosch batteries if they wanted to, just knowing they’re cross-compatible, and redesigned to fit the Bosch ones, makes it very handy.
And, yes. Dremel has always been a very niche market. Their dominance of the Rotary Tools, since they are the original company (Pre-Bosch-Takeover) that invented Rotary Tools as we know them today, was always genuinely geared toward Crafts and Craftsman markets. Hobbyist and Detail Worker trades specifically. But they were built with such a high standard, that the early days of home-made CNC machines were primarily built with either a full corded Router of the user’s choice, or a Dremel Rotary Tool. This was a real foundation for what would eventually become the Maker Movement, and the boom in 3D Printing. Though, I will admit that Dremel Never should have tried to enter the literal 3D Printing or Laser Cutting markets. They were always going to be outclassed in those arenas.
JR Ramos
That is excellent information and thank you for confirming!
IndianaJonesy (Matt J.)
The saw is a decent idea and I like the cordless, removable saw being used as an idea (not for me, but in theory). However, it feels pretty limited within the workstation vs. something like the Skil flooring saw that caters to similar uses.
Joaquin Chanyan
For those wondering if this is compatible with Bosch 6.0 ah battery, yes, they are.