Accessories

it could have been so much nicer...
The tool does have a lot of uses and is definitely versatile. But, what other people have remarked holds very true:
- a first time owner would have probably liked to have some instructions explaining what everything in the kit does and how it is used. Having to search online to figure out which one is supposed to be the #401 mandrel is lame;
- the tool feels in your hand as if Dremel outsourced the design and manufacturing to Fisher-Price;
- overheating seems to be a problem - a short session sharpening my lawnmower blade made the motor scary-hot (it hasn't burned out yet, but it feels like it's heading in the general direction)
- some attachments are supposed to be limited up to a certain rpm - but in this latest and greatest version of its mainstay tool, Dremel marks the speed selector from 0 to 10. Hard to know what number is supposed to be 15k rpm, the max speed advised by some attachments.

I fell into the trap of "newer must be better", even though the 300 series felt so much better in my hand when I visited the home improvement store...

Decent tool for its use.
I bought this dremel for small project work in wood, plastic, and aluminum. I've also used it for a little tile cutting. It's worked well without issue. I don't understand all of the negative reviews I've seen here.

The case and included pieces are varied and useful.

Dremel's best tool in a great case!
This is an excellent little kit. I've replaced my older multitool and toolbox and I'm quite happy. The XPR has a much smoother drive and the change to an on/off switch plus the speed control is extremely welcome. The toolbox is also very well designed with space made for each of the attachments. The top of the toolbox has room for two accessory kits to snap into (included.)

So poorly made it's dangerous!
From day one I had a problem tightening the collet. No matter how hard I held down the shaft lock button, I would feel it tighten and then click and spin past the tight position - just going around and around and never truly tightening. Numerous times the metal bit flew right out while the tool was running. Once it flew out with such velocity I never saw the bit again (couldn't find it). Finally the metal teeth of the collet broke off and the thing is now unuseable. I also had the same problem as another reviewer where the switch gummed up and could not be slid from off to on without the help of a screwdriver or such. And there was no documentation describing what the different bits are for - pretty stupid.

Buy the 6/90 instead!
I am a novice with all things dremel (had only heard of them 2 weeks before my purchase). I had one particular project in mind and was very wary of spending 75 bucks for one reason but thought that I will probably come up with a multitude of reasons over the next 5 years (hopefully it lasts that long). With that said, it has worked very well. It does get very hot after 10 minutes but I use that as an excuse to take a break (and write a review). I would actually recommend buying the 400-6/90 instead of this especially for only 30 dollars more. The individual accessories are very expensive to buy so buying the 6/90 (which comes with the planar and the jigsaw) would be a great deal better. It is very lightweight so I suppose it could feel like a toy. However, it is adept at doing what I wanted it to do. Now hopefully, I will be able to find more than 3 ways to use this thing. Dremel should commission someone to write a book about the various uses of this. I would have appreciated that more than anything else.

Don't forget the protective eyewear!