need recommendations on rotary tool for working on my airgun

[DBOdude]

looking at a few brands , dremel , black & decker , craftsman ..... i don't wanna drop over 40 bucks on it , but i want something fairly decent that will hold up . what's your thoughts or recommendations on what i should consider ? also , are the "free" bits , wheels , drums etc. usually decent or usable ? or should i just buy what i need separately ?

i want to be able to cut slots in 1/16 inch wall aluminum tubing so it needs to be strong enough for that ...

thanks .

[breakfastchef]

Most brand name rotary tools are probably fine to use. I like variable speed models, but that may not be possible at your price point. I would recommend a brand that is supported with additional attachments so the tool can help you perform other tasks (i.e. flexible shaft, routing, grout removal, drill press, etc.). Bits are expensive so buy what you need, though having a kit with some starter bits is always a bonus.

[Tater]

Don't make the mistake I did and buy a Harbor Freight, get a Dremel.
There may be some that have had good luck with the HF ones, but not me.

[SteHughes90]

Spend wise and spend once... The dremel brand are superb. I have two

[donn]

There are several ways to go for rotary tools.  Here's a list of the ones I have, so far:

A 50" flex shaft with a 3/8" chuck on the business end.  It can be chucked into a variety of power tools, like a bench grinder with a chuck, a die grinder, a drill press or an electric drill in a vise.

A standard Dremel, corded.

A hanging Dremel with flex shaft...about 30 years old...still running original brushes.

A 5-speed B&D, corded, and about 10 years old.

A Foredom.  The Rolls Royce of rotary tools.

I use them all, regularly.  Each serves a fairly specialized purpose.  The Foredom excels at high speed anything work, while the big flex shaft with chuck is for HD hogging a bit more precisely than the die grinder.

I also have a couple of air-powered rotary tools.  If you have air, they are another option.

[WyoMan]

I have a cordless...its a little under powered but I use it 95% of the time because its convenient 

[brz-ryder †]

Don't make the mistake I did and buy a Harbor Freight, get a Dremel.
There may be some that have had good luck with the HF ones, but not me.

there is one HF to buy http://www.harborfreight.com/flexible-shaft-grinder-and-carver-40432.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link i have one of these and works great got a new hand piece for Xmas that will take 1/4 bits the foot control is a big plus

Jim

[Tater]

there is one HF to buy http://www.harborfreight.com/flexible-shaft-grinder-and-carver-40432.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link i have one of these and works great got a new hand piece for Xmas that will take 1/4 bits the foot control is a big plus

Jim

That is WAY nicer then the one I got. Mine was a cheap hand-held corded, no power at all.
That one in your link looks nice.

[rangerfredbob]

Harbor freight's cheapie small one is not worth it most of the time (they used to be a little better made and only $6... it's just a little DC motor ran off of a wall wart), the 120V corded ones ought to be better... Craftsman brand is made by Dremel with a different sticker...

Can't really go wrong with Dremel/Craftsman, and if you can afford it get variable speed, I rarely have mine set above half way...

The bits are all the same, most big name brand components are fairly universal, and the bits that come with the kits are just fine