Dremel has come out with a new 4V Max cordless screwdriver, called the Dremel Go. It features a built-in battery pack that recharges via USB, 360 RPM motor, and overdrive control to avoid stripping screws or splitting material.
The new Dremel Go cordless screwdriver also features a push and go control, where a simple push of the tool turns it on.
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There’s a direction selection switch, and also an electronic clutch at the rear of the tool that provides the overdrive control functionality.
There’s also a built-in battery fuel gauge.
Update: This does look to be a Dremel-branded version of the Bosch Go cordless screwdriver that I wrote about 6+ months ago! (Thanks Doresoom and John for the reminders!)
Dremel says that the Go features 360 RPM of torque for driving screws 2x faster than similar competitive products in the market.
I assume they mean 360 RPM of speed.
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For comparison, the Skil iXO ($25 via Amazon) is rated at 200 RPM.
As for the torque spec, I’d guess 30-40 in-lbs, which seems to be the norm for 3.6V or 4V Max cordless screwdrivers.
Update: Dremel has confirmed that the Go can deliver 44 in-lbs of torque (nice!).
Here, it’s shown attaching something to knockdown furniture, which my Ikea familiarity suggests is a Galant drawer unit or file cabinet.
Cordless screwdrivers typically don’t have clutches, and can easily over-drive fasteners into particle board construction. It’ll be interesting to see if the Dremel and it’s overdrive protection can change that.
Here, the Dremel Go is shown being used to drive wood screws for the installation of an outdoors shelf bracket.
Installing or adjusting cabinet hinges? That’s something I typically do with a manual driver, due to the ease of screwing things up (literally) with a power driver. The Go might just fit the task.
Outlet and switch covers? That’s something a lot of readers mentioned liking small cordless screwdrivers for.
Working on an RC car? That probably makes for a better staged photo op than real-life. Just sayin’.
The kit comes with the Dremel Go screwdriver, USB wall charger, charging cable, removable hand strap, and a selection of (8) 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits.
It’s implicit that the Dremel Go is compatible with other industry-standard 1″ insert bits.
Price: $40
ETA: October 2018
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First Thoughts
I loved my Dremel driver, a 7.2V cordless screwdriver that I bought back in 2008. I bought it with a Dremel Stylus, another tool I really liked. They came with a charging dock, and excellent screwdriver bits that I still use.
So why did it take Dremel so long to come out with another cordless screwdriver?
To be frank, I’m a little hesitant. Part of me wonders if the Dremel Go screwdriver looks a little gimmicky, but the other part of me is saying “but if it wasn’t, the target audience would be a lot smaller, and they wouldn’t even bother.”
Tools like this are sometimes as much about selling to retailers as they are about selling to end users.
It has some nice features – USB charging, a sleek design, and attention-grabbing features, such as the “push and go” alternative to a traditional trigger switch, and the higher speed motor.
I really like Dewalt’s 8V Max gyroscopic screwdriver, and the smaller inline ones as well. I’ve used them quite a bit, and dig out my test sample when assembling Ikea furniture or similar stuff with my preschool-aged son.
I think the Go might be a winner.
The torque rating isn’t specified (yet?), but I imagine it’s sufficient for smaller fastener applications such as the ones depicted in the product photos. I wouldn’t drive large or long wood screws without pre-drilling, but that’ll be true with anything smaller than a full-size drill or driver.
I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on one.
Hilton
This would be useful in my industry (IT related) as we’re constantly pulling apart hardware and building cabinets etc.
Being USB, the charger is easily exchanged for one on hand that is local friendly.
Doresoom
Hmmm, this looks almost identical to the Bosch GO screwdriver you wrote about earlier this year, but it wasn’t available here. Does that mean that Dremel will be carrying the release in NA instead? This also reminds me of the Wiha SpeedE, but that’s in a whole different price range.
Stuart
You’re absolutely right!
satch
My thoughts exactly. I was just looking at the Bosch version yesterday. It seems kind of neat but I am unsure of the push-to-start feature. The form factor is good for tighter access areas.
Now just a bit of ranting about Bosch/Dremel. I wish Bosch would do two things with Dremel. First, I would like them to make two models of upgraded rotary tools.
First one similar to the Proxxon mains voltage models with aluminium gearboxes and real DC motors with full wave rectificstion speed control. The sound diifference is huge compared to universal motors.
Second, and maybe debateable to some, a new cordless, brushless model to replace the much missed Stylus. It was an ergonomic way to incorporate a pistol grip onto the tool for comfort and stability in more time consuming tasks.
I would base it off their current 10.8/12 volt brushless platform. Reconfigure the body to mimic the Stylus with switch on the side as opposed to a trigger group and include the variable speed dial on the back of the body. With no need for the clutch and chuck it could be made nearly as light as the Stylus. And the basic platform is already in place along with the battery ecosystem. Just me wish listing I guess.
Also, with the Skil name out of their stable, I wonder if Bosch would be wise to bring over their ‘green’ line of tools to the States? Even if you made them grey and blue and sold them under the Dremel name? That’s what they were obviuosly doing with some of the Skil products. The IXO and other screwdrivers were obviuosly cross branded products and it looks like this new one is too.
I also saw another YouTube video from Russia titled something like ‘use Bosch batteries in Dremel’. The guy took bog standard Bosch green 10.8v batts and plugged them to a cordless Dremel rotary with no mods. So obviuosly Bosch is already blurring the lines between their flagship marquee and the Dremel brand. Good or bad? I don’t really know.
satch
Egsds! Sorry the long winded post. Stuart, just delete all the wishlist stuff if you’d like. That’s what happens when you are daydreaming.
I would however like your opinion as to whether Bosch is or is not more tightly integrating the consumer lines of tools between the two brands and whether they should bring over the majority of the green line. Even if it is rebadged to Dremel.
Stuart
I can’t say whether they will, could, or should bring the green tools here.
Where would they sell them?
Remember, brands sell to retailers. Dremel will have an easier time selling this tool to Lowes, and maybe also Home Depot, under their branding, than Bosch.
For DIYer tools, I don’t think Home Depot or Lowes has the floor capacity, which would greatly reduce the volume that Bosch could bring here. Lower volumes means higher costs, per-tool and in the form of support.
satch
Your take sounds pretty reasonable to me.
“Where would they sell them?”
Walmart, Ace Hardware, Amazon, etc. Mass retailers. Just like SBDC does with their Black & Decker line for the most part.
With the selling of Skil, they have zero footprint in American mass retail(not counting the home stores) as far as I can tell. Of course we know how odd Bosch’s marketing can be at times.
One of the things I was never quite sure of is whether Bosch was selling Skil made home owner tools under their green line or Bosch green tools under the Skil brand. It is obvious some were cross pollinated like the IXO and Skil 360/Bosch PSR Select. But who made them? I wonder if it was Chervon? I am not sure but if so, then this could put some of Bosch’s green tools in limbo unless the contracts remain in place. Just thinking out loud there.
John S
Is this not just a rebranded clone of the Bosch Go Cordless Screwdriver?
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-go-cordless-screwdriver/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I’m not a fan of “push” to activate particularly on the small fasteners this is supposed to be used for. Ordinarily for me I’m already “pushing” to reach a recess with a small fastener and it ends out being an act of frustration that it activates before fully seated into the position or before I’m ready for it to actually start turning. It looks like there is also a speed selector on the back of the Bosch and this one?
Stuart
Yep – it looks like that’s exactly what this is.
Push-to-activate can work well. The Ridgid palm impact driver has such a mechanism, and it’s intuitive and effective.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/ridgid-12v-palm-impact-driver/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Framer joe
Completely different…the Ridgid you insert a nail on to a magnet and push forward…this is more difficult holding a small screw onto a bit while applying forward pressure…
Tim E.
The Ridgid linked isn’t a nailer, it’s an impact screwdriver. Have to say though, I don’t care for the full palm fit of it. Maybe I’m prewired to think screwdrivers should be long and thin instead of stubby and bulbous…
Stuart
It’s not completely different, it’s exactly the same. You place the screw where you want it, press the bit into the recess, apply pressure, and the tool does its thing.
No magnets, no nails.
salmon
I have the Bosch GO screwdriver. It has plenty of torque for a handheld screwdriver. It’ll even drive wood screws in a pinch. What’s annoying is the push to activate and the fact that it is only a single speed. This makes it worthless for more delicate screws.
So you have a screwdriver that can’t handle the heaviest work and is too crude for delicate work.
There’s so much potential in the form factor, power, and convenience of USB charging. If only they could incorporate something like the gyro mechanism on the ES120-type screwdrivers.
Hilton
Thanks, I was about to get a couple of the Bosch GOs for work but I’ll hold off until something with variable speed comes along.
salmon
Don’t get me wrong, you can find a special application that it would excel at. Maybe something like wallplate screws? I could see a sparky carrying this as a daily driver.
It’s just not a good generalist.
Framer joe
I prefer the DeWalt version with gyro… motion….much easier for delicate work
JoeM
Seems like some sort of weird April Fool’s Joke. A Dremel Screwdriver (Years after discontinuing the Stylus one.) AND a Stanley 3D Printer?
These aren’t tools that make sense for these brands, and I wouldn’t trust them, personally. Bosch has already dropped enough crap tools on Dremel, I think I’ll pass on their re-branded screwdriver. Why not just sell the BOSCH one in North America? Why do they have to make Dremel service their products? Sheesh.
And a STANLEY 3D Printer? The hell? Neither Dremel, NOR Stanley should be getting into home fabrication stuff. There’s such a thing as over-reaching in the market.
satch
Joe, while I agree that Bosch has not done Dremel a great service, I would not be surprised to see more of this. I addressed this in my earlier posts here. With the selling of the Skil brand to Chervon, how does Bosch get tools back into the home owners segment in the U.S?
Easy, through Dremel. And I am not sure that is a good thing. Maybe, maybe not. And btw, the Stylus was a rotary tool. And I wish they would make an updated one again.
Many of the Skil/Dremel/Bosch green tools were likely sourced from the same sub-contractor. Was it Chervon? I don’t know but if so, what does it do to Bosch’s consumer line of tools?
An easy way to integrate back into the mass retail American market is through Dremel with its very distinctive brand colour scheme and built in distribution. When people walk by a display they know immediately if they are looking at Dremel tools. It is about the only brand where you see identical grade tools selling at both Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon, or Rocklers. Kind of an oddity that.
JoeM
I’m well aware of this trend, satch. It just… bothers me, know what I mean? I LOVE Dremel. Their signature Rotary and MotoSaw tools are the best I’ve ever used! Not to mention their VersaTip and Engravers. I’m more than a little devoted to Dremel, just as much as I am to DeWALT. But Bosch has been overreaching using Dremel. Ever since the SawMax, MultiMax, and UltraSaw, they’ve been overreaching. These are Bosch Tools!
My PERSONAL opinion on Bosch (No getting mad at me, please) is that they make some of the best BLADES on the market. Jigsaw, Circular, Reciprocating, Oscillating… If it’s sharp and goes on a machine, they’re some of the best out there. They’re a REALLY good company for precision manufacturing. And they’ve passed some of those precision blades down to Dremel since buying them up. There is no question that Bosch is one of the GOOD companies out there.
My problem is when they give up trying to be Bosch, and start trying to make their adopted children take all the risk for products they should be releasing themselves. They wonder why things like the Stylus and the Stylus Screwdriver weren’t as popular? Or the Dremel Sharpening Station? These discontinued lines didn’t really belong under Dremel. Bosch should have taken those risks, instead Dremel took the hit, and their reputation worsened. Dremel, a brand that brought the world one of the quintessential tools of nearly every craftsman’s beloved tools they own, only gets a handful of innovations along their own lines anymore. The rest? Bosch dumping their quirky versions of their own tools down to them, making Dremel all Gimmick tools. It’s not right! Bosch should take the risk themselves. They’re one of the best known brands in the world for their precision manufacturing, the likelihood that these tools will succeed under the Bosch brand is sky high!
And, as for colour scheme… Let me drop a little statistic on you… 75% of all males in the world have some sort of colour vision problem. 25% of THEM have a total blindness to one colour or another in the RGB mix, rendering them Colour BLIND. For all the effort these tool brands put into their personal colour scheme, and given the long established male majority in purchasing tools… One can easily say that, due to the biology of the major buying demographic, they are wasting their time on Colour Scheme, since such a large majority of that demographic are looking at the words printed on the label and box, not what colour the tool is. I know… I’m one of those 25% guys, and I’m blind to Blue (the rarest form of Colour Blind, at a whopping 5% of all Colour Blind individuals being Blue-Blind.) and I can attest that I personally look at shapes of logos, and the words IN THEM to know which is which. Yes, I can SEE Yellow and Red, but I’m still looking for that BLACK Logo with the word DeWALT embedded in it. Or I’m looking for the WHITE Box emblazoned with the name Dremel on it. When we’re talking the fact that there’s a 75% chance the colours of the tools can’t be seen properly by the demographic, the reality is that those colour schemes are for patent protection, far more than the demographic recognizing the tool they want.
As to the Stanley 3D Printer… Which I throw into something similar here… Both the Dremel AND the Stanley printers have the biggest flaw of all… Filament on the INSIDE of the casing. 3D printers in the Maker Space division warn this particular design flaw can result in a pre-melting of the filament before it reaches the nozzle. Hence why so many of these larger, industrial printers, have both simple, AND Complex forms of keeping the spool outside the housing to avoid this. The Makerbot Replicators do this, and many of the open-air 3D printers do this as well. Sometimes as simple as a hook/post on the side to hold the spool/s, sometimes with the intention of using entire racks of different colours or materials that just get run to the machine in question.
It’s a REALLY bad move to have the filament on the inside of the printer, and costs you more in the long run. The idea that they’re trying to put one in every home, like a microwave, completely ignores the fact that, by the time you’re used to printing things properly, you’re already more interested in having all your spools external, so there’s no messing around with reaching in the machine, or buying special containers. Plus it frees you up to have added a secondary nozzle to your machine, like so many models offer as expansion parts. An INTERNAL Spool doesn’t allow you to use multiple colours or materials. There’s Carbon Fiber and Electrically Conductive spools now. You can prototype far more complex things with these printers, and single-spool, internal-cartridge machines can’t handle that. They are totally obsolete in the 3D printing world, as of 2008, when Makerbot came out with their secondary nozzle add-on part.
So, both of these tools genuinely feel like an April Fool’s Day joke to me. I would have NO PROBLEM buying the Bosch Go screwdriver for several of my friends’ kids in Scouting. Because they would seriously benefit from a handy little pocketable screwdriver like that. But the DREMEL version? Why? A STANLEY 3D Printer, when I KNOW the Makerbot printers run circles around them, AND the Dremel ones? Again… WHY? I can only see it as some kind of hurtful JOKE.
Listen, I genuinely LOVE Tools, and using them. I just have a MAJOR problem with the way the Marketing Divisions of these grand, epic companies are dive-bombing the products into the ground the way they are. It’s bad for everyone involved, and it’s about time we spit in their faces for treating us like idiots the way they have been.
satch
Joe, good points all round and no getting mad here.
As a Bosch tool fanboy I completely agree with you regarding Dremel. Their legacy is rotary tools, scroll saws, jewelry, and hobby uses loke rc car modding. And now it seems every other month we see some ‘new’ tool model from Dremel that disappears at the drop of a hat. I don’t care for it either and agree that Dremel has gone from a distinctively niche company that both pros and hobbyists used alike to…something.
I definitely agree their catalogue is too large. And the loss of a good scroll saw was ridiculous. And honestly, all these oscillating tools and that weird sideways looking one, oi. Come on Bosch, pick up the quality control(check youtube for loads of complaints/repairs on the 3000/4000 series) and quit the carousel of introductions and discontinuances. It is beyond ridiculous keeping up with the supposedly newest models of rotary tools which are little more than rehashes of the same things.
That was the influence for my rant about a more semi-pro level of rotary tools. Bosch has the R&D chops to make it happen. Whether they get their marketers, staticticians, yada yada out of the way is another matter. Like you, I just don’t want Dremel’s rep damaged any further by being a dumping ground for marketing ideas.
I cannot speak to the 3D printer since I know virtually nothi g about their operation. And interesting information about the colourblind thing. I have only known a few people with it.
satch
Oh, and definitely agree about their saw blades. Use them a lot.
andy
I know there’s already too many battery systems, but I’d like to see an 8V max system with two 4.0 amp-hour 21700 cells. Skinny handle ergonomic form factor, plus you’d get 28 watt hours, 200 sustained and 400+ peak watts of power. All more than most 12V max systems. Milwaukee and Bosch can’t use bigger cells in their systems due to the form factor.
TonyT
For the price, the Go looks decent except the single speed. I’ve been investigating cordless screwdrivers for my own use (electrical, furniture assembly, etc), and this article gave me some leads. (BTW, at work I’ve designed out most of the screw terminal blocks; they’re either spring clamp, IDC, or standard cables).
My ideal cordless screw driver would have a clutch (mechanical or electronic), variable speed, small size, standard bits (4mm or 1/4″), standard removable battery, and reasonable price. In the past, I’ve been very disappointed with screw drivers with no clutch or single speed.
My current setup is the ES120 plus Bosch PS21. The ES120 is small, has 4 speeds (I think), stainless steel case, 4mm bits, torque control (4 settings or auto IIRC), USB charging, and the battery is probably replaceable if it dies. On the other hand, it’s very wimpy (definitely not a good choice for driving wood screws, or probably even furniture assembly), and it’s typical price (>$90) is way too high, but I’ve seen them at $50-$70. For my use it’s a better choice than the Dremel Go.
I’m interested in investigating more options, but so far nothing has caught my eye.
The Wiha SpeedE looks like a good match for me, except it’s basically unobtanium and ridiculously expensive (cheapest price I found was 260 Euros, and it looks like the bits / accessories are also very pricey).
The DeWalt DCF680 (especially) and Milwaukee M4 2101 are kind of interesting, but aren’t a compelling addition. They look almost as big as a pocket driver (PS21, M2401, etc – OK, they are about 1/2 the weight) and cost about the same, but have much less torque AND are basically the only tools in those “systems”.
kat
I don’t like it because they soldered the 18650 battery inside.
Instead of making it swappable.
So after a few uses after the battery dies, you need to throw it away and buy another one.
fc
Boy, it would be nice to have a built in ratchet too.
Jared
There’s a new version out – in both Bosch and Dremel trim.
I was walking through Walmart the other day and spotted the Dremel on clearance – and it is an updated version of the one posted here apparently. I brought it home to try out.
Lots of similarities: still 360rpm, charged by micro USB (com’on Dremel, USB – C is where it’s at these days), still got the push to go drive activation…
However, there are some interesting changes too! Now there’s a physical clutch at the drive-end of the tool (kind of like a drill clutch, but fewer settings). There is also a button to turn it on in addition to the push-to-go switch.
I didn’t have the old version to compare, but the button seems like a significant improvement. You have to push pretty firmly to activate the pressure switch – I imagine that would be awkward or could even damage some screws (say into plastic, for example).
One thing I’m not sold on is the single-speed. It’s a good compromise speed if you’re only going to have one, but awful fast for precision-work (you’re not going to work on your RC with this), slow for larger screws.
Still, it could be a handy tool. I’m going to give it a trial run in my main tool grab bag. I don’t keep any power tools in there, but I use it lots for electrical projects and it might be nice to have something to drive outlet screws in a hurry.
P.s., I know lots of people hate on tools with built-in batteries. I don’t particularly care, but I did notice it appears relatively straightforward to disassemble… I might take it apart just for fun to see what’s inside. Wouldn’t surprise me to see an 18650 in there.