|
well constructed, easy to attach and operate, small size makes it ideal for many projects that would not be done without it
You can do VERY intricate designs. The MAJOR plus to this addition and tool is the smallness of the product. Other routers cannot do the small bits that are available with the Dremel system. I love this addition to the Dremel system. I love using this tool and the Dremel system. The depth is a little hard to control and make the small depth changes I do. Only 2 downfalls on this addon. The second downfall is the limitation of router bits that you can use.
This a major problem for inlay that is, for example, 1/32" thick. It is very precise and stable. The depth stop has to be adjustable to within 1/64" or so, to leave the inlay a bit proud, so it can be smoothed flush with the workpiece. It costs twice as much, and is not a plunge base, but apparently it can be adjusted precisely. It could also serve as a tool holder for other applications, e.g., grinding.I bought the plunge router base for inlay work. The Dremel 335-01 plunge router base does work as advertised, up to a point. It does turn the Dremel tool into a small lightweight router. It can be used for that purpose, but barely.
As a consequence, the plunge feature is useless for precise work. People looking for a power tool for precise inlay work should consider the Stewart-MacDonald base. Inlay is the last step before finishing, and there is a lot of time and money into the workpiece by that step. If precise depth adjustment is important to you, keep looking. Instead, I use a Veritas Router Plane (a hand tool). The depth adjustment requires fussy trial and error, and once set is still imprecise & unreliable. A ruined recess could mean a ruined workpiece. Side to side motion is easy to control, and freehand routing is possibile with this base.
I cannot rely on this tool for inlay work. Therefore, the depth stop cannot control the depth of cut. I intended to use it to clean out the recess for the inlay. The base is made of plastic and is too flexible.
The height adjustment is a little awkward. Easy to put the tool in the attachment, but not always easy to get the bits in and out while assembled depending on the orientation of the chuck when locked. Fast Shipping. Not the most sturdy construction, but good enough for the type of small things you do with a Dremel.
I resorted to repeatedly plunging the bit into the area I wanted to remove over and over but then ended up having to make the cut with a circular saw and knocking out the wood with an old screwdriver and hammer. This attachment is awkward at best - it is nearly impossible to tighten the collet with the standard mini-wrench for the tool and no amount of tightening seems able to keep the bits in place. I was attempting to notch a 2x4 for a project and nearly ended up cutting the board in half. Purchased this for use while deployed to Afghanistan, hoping that it would make it so that my Dremel could do the job of a full-size router. I realize now that the Dremel just doesn't posess the power or size to make this a useful attachment option unless maybe you are working with balsa. My Dremel has come through for me performing many functions. As difficult as it is to get tools and hardware over here, I try to make do with what I have or modifying tools to do multiple jobs. Sadly, router isn't and may never be one of those functions.
|
