It does seem like a router is more what I’m looking for, I’ve seen a couple of smaller ones, that I’m going to look into, they are more money of course, but in the end, you need the tool to be able do the job at hand. It’s too bad, I’ve read some pretty good reviews about the Dremel, but most do say it’s not well suited for heavy duty use. One guy said he did manage to cut 3/4" MDF with it, but it was pretty slow going and like you, said that a router is the better tool for the job. Thanks for the info.
@darkchylde13, …continuing on the construction techniques, a jigsaw has the benefit of generating less sawdust than using router-like bits since MDF dust is nasty (resins) and not something to breath. But unless the hole is big enough to enable using a circle-cutting jig (a bar tying the saw to the center of the circle with a pin), the cut can be sloppy.
A drill press with a arm-based circle cutter would do a neater job. I’d expect a traditional saw-circle cutter would dull too quickly in MDF. And you need a separate one for each size (not cheap and they’re single purpose).
Another production way to cut the circles with normal shop tools would be with templates (tempered hardboard) sized for the various holes (circles, ovals, whatever) you need. Mount the template on the MDF. Then use a router with a bushing sized to follow the template whilst also having the bit cut thru the MDF. Very clean cutouts, but again a dust generator, begging for a shop vac hookup on the router for dust control.
Doing routine cutting in MDF begs for some kind of shop dust control and proper dust masks. (Not the single rubber-band type.)
I have fond memories of Dermel rotary tools going back to the 70’s when my dad gave me my first one… soon followed by a Multi-function Dremel jig saw with built-in sanding disk and rotary tool cable power takeoff on the side.
I’ve found Dremel tools to be very handy - when matched properly to the right job. Over-match them and you regret it.
Trivia bit: isn’t Dremel (as with Skil) owned by Bosch Tools?
Just received mine last night and unboxed it. Turns out the RPMs mentioned were incorrect. The Dremel Trio I received only has 2k-10k, not 10k-20k as mentioned.
Other than that, everything is great with it.
it spins in a circle and cuts stuff along the way, what more could you ask?
Actually I used it the first night cutting aluminum and it cut it nicely but is a pain to make it move in the direction that you want it to since it always wants to take off in the direction of rotation, but it did the trick.