If you look at some of the new Dremel tools we’ve been talking about, you’ll notice a trend.
Their MM30 oscillating tool has a dockable blade-change wrench and the MM40 is tool-free. The 3000-series rotary tool has a collet wrench built into the nose cap, and the new 4200 heavy duty rotary tool doesn’t even need a collet wrench. Then of course are all of the new EZ-Change accessories Dremel has come out with.
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Tool-free, or at least quick-change is the way things are going. The downside is that EZ-Change accessories sometimes cost a little bit more than standard ones, but there are substantial savings when it comes to time, effort, and convenience of blade and accessory changes.
The EZ Drum sanding band and mandrel doesn’t require you to tighten a screw just right to lock a sanding drum in place. You simply attach it to your rotary tool, pull on the drum, slide a sanding sleeve on, push the drum back in place, and you’re good to go. Not only is it tool-free*, it’s quick, and easy to use.
By tool-free, I mean that you don’t have to loosen or tighten any screws to change sanding drums. You still need to use a collet wrench to insert the accessory into your rotary tool, unless of course you own one of the super-sweet 4200’s.
If you use rotary tool sanding drums once or twice a year, then you probably won’t want to spend the $7-$7.50 for the EZ Drum starter pack. But if this is something you use frequently, then you will definitely want to consider the EZ Drum as an upgrade to your screw-tightened sanding mandrel.
My only disappointment is that, in the nearly two years that this has been on the market, Dremel has yet to come out with a smaller version that fits their smaller diameter sanding drums. Come to think of it, I’ve also been wishing for some finer-grit abrasive sleeves. “Coarse” and “fine” don’t do it for me anymore – I want some “ultra-fine” sanding sleeves.
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These drum sanders have 1/8″ shanks and work with 1/2″ diameter sanding sleeves.
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Thank you to Dremel for providing the review samples unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for editorial and comparison purposes.
Stan
I actually own this tool and not only is/was this made in Taiwan, this item works fairly well. However being this is plastic, this IS malleable so caution should be used.
From what I remember, this is actually slightly cheaper than the Phillips or slotted screw variation of this tool.
I bought mine in 2013, so I am not sure if any changes have been made to this product though.
Stuart
The Dremel 407 is typically $4. Most Dremel rotary tools come with a sanding mandrel, and the sanding/grinding kit ($10 via Amazon) is an inexpensive way to get an extra one.
Both sanding mandrels have plastic/rubbery cylinders. When squished down, it’s the outwards tension that keep sanding sleeves in place.
jeff
http://www.mcmaster.com/#sanding-sleeves/=s73b66
has up to 320 grit for less than 4$ for 25 for the 1/2 x 1/2 size.
jeff
also mcmaster has a tool free version for less than 3$:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#46715a51/=s73crw
i havnt used it though.
Joe M
You forgot about the Dremel 4486 Chuck has been out in one form or another for a good 30 years. No wrench required, it just replaces the Collet/Nut system with a keyless chuck. Usually around $20. And I happen to feel it works better than the gimmicky 4200 quick-change mechanism. Since it’s finger tightened, not spring tightened. Springs can wear out, sometimes very quickly if you have the slightest problem. A 4000 with a Chuck is far superior to a 4200, in my opinion.
I, Too, would like Dremel to come out with the smaller EZ-Drum. They have no plans for one, apparently. (I asked them a while back.) I’m honestly surprised it has taken this long for you to review this product. Though, I suspect it’s because you don’t get a lot of time to really get much use out of this kind of thing. I have that problem. I have one of these EZ-Drum mandrels, and I use other Accessories far more than sanding drums.
Stuart
I reviewed the sanding mandrel a while ago for Make. Used it the other day and enough time has passed that I figured it was time to revisit my feelings about the mandrel here.
While the chuck is useful for some things, a collet is really the better way to securely grip bits and accessories for higher precision work.
Joe M
Oh, I know. I just mean that it’s part of that “Tool-Free” design thing. It’s just been around longer, that’s all.
Stuart
You would be surprised how many people don’t know that the a collet is going to be better than a chuck for precision work.
This was something I learned a long time ago, but I don’t make any assumptions as to who also knows this or not.
Some flex shaft can be paired with handpieces that have higher precision 3-jaw chucks, but Dremel’s chuck isn’t quite at that level.
fred
Maybe a tutorial on precision drilling/ machining is needed ?
While its a bit off-topic – most of us in the building trades don’t often think about high precision chucks or machining. As an example, I never had need for investing in a Jig Boring machine. Even a high precision chuck on a drill press for a cabinet shop – might well be overkill – but big shops have been going over more-and-more to CNC – so who knows.
I used to have an interest in a pipe/metal fabrication shop where this was more of an issue. I was happy that our ( somewhat vintage ) machinery was still be performing accurately – since I heard some talk that QA issues have recently cropped up with jaw alignment, runout etc. on chucks from such venerable names as Jacobs, Albrecht and maybe others.
Hang Fire
I wonder if one could create a smaller diameter EZ-Change drum with a little wood-lathe like action on the large one. Is there enough meat left to work with?
Stuart
I don’t think there is enough thickness to do that. Additionally, the rubber doesn’t seem anywhere near as hard enough that it could be easily machined.
joe
I believe there are a lot of ways to make such an item, it just takes the idea to a guy who can produce it and advertising. One idea that I can think of is using a slotted drum with fins in the slots. When the drum spins, the fins push out there by holding the sanding paper in place.
One of an air impact gun that I own works this way. There is a slotted drum in the middle with carbon fiber fins. When the drum spins, the fins push out due to centrifugal force. Though in the air inpact gun the fins are compressing the air, in a drum fro the dremel the energy force of the fins can be used to hold the sand paper…since It spins at high RPM’s should have a good grip.
Nathan
I wonder if dremel is feeling a pinch from some aftermarket makers.
I find most of the stuff I get for my dremel (now 20 years old) I am getting from other vendors and brands. Wonder if a patent ran out or something