Rotary tools is what Dremel makes and now they are inching the bar higher with the release of their new High Performance 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool which comes with a bigger motor and over 30 accessories. The whole kit comes in a form fitting hard plastic storage case that keeps everything safe and organized when not in use. Outstanding performance and excellent quality are just some of the things we have come to expect from Dremel and this new Dremel High Performance Rotary Tool kit is no different.

As we began removing the Dremel tool from its packaging, we promptly noticed that the contents of the storage case were well protected. The designers at Dremel came up with a molded carrying case out of a hard plastic that has a designated spot for each item in the kit. They even added a small removable storage case that fits snugly within the carrying case to house all 30 accessories. Should you need more accessories, you might need to figure out a way to store them elsewhere since there is not much extra storage available.

So far, the High Performance 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool is one of the most powerful and versatile rotary tools that Dremel has produced. On the outside, the gray plastic body of the tool is almost entirely covered with black overmold rubber. With all that gripping surfaces, keeping a secure grip on the tool is easy and the extra rubber should help to reduce vibration. The on/off switch is strategically placed on top so that when you are holding the tool, you can easily turn it on and off with the flick of a finger. What we like the best is that the variable speed control is separate from the on/off switch button.

Adjusting the speed is a breeze; simply turn the speed wheel at the back of the tool to the indicated RPM and you are ready to go. The variable speeds can be adjusted anywhere from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm. One of the new features of the 4000 series tools is that there is an electronic feedback controller that helps maintain your specific rpm while the tool is in use; this means that when you are using the tool to its limits, it will not bog down, but will do its best to maintain a constant speed.  It is what is on the inside that makes this tool really shine; they made the motor larger and more powerful so you should be able to tackle almost any repair and hobby type work you can throw at it. For longevity the tool is designed so the motors brushes can be replaced. While we have never come up against this in our years of using rotary tools, there must be folks that wear the brushes out or they would not have included it in this model.

This kit comes with over 30 accessories for cutting, sanding, grinding, and polishing. Also included are two nifty attachments - one is a sanding/grinding guide and the other is a circle cutter/straight edge guide. The complete rundown of all the included accessories with the Dremel High Performance 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool is as follow:

• Circle Cutter/Straight Edge Guide

• Sanding/Grinding Guide

• High Speed Cutter (Item # 191)

• Mandrel (Item # 401)

• Mandrel w/ Screw (Item # 402)

• Coarse 1/2" Sanding Drum (Item # 407)

• (X2)1/2" 60 Grit Sanding Band (Item # 408)

• (X2) 3/4" Sanding Disc, 240 grit (Item # 413)

• (X3) 3/4" Sanding Disc, 180 grit (Item #  411)

• (X3) 3/4" Sanding Disc, 220 grit (Item # 412)

• (X2) 1/2" 120 Grit Sanding Band  (Item # 432)

• (X2) 1/2" 240 Grit Sanding Band (Item # 445)

• Felt Polishing Wheel (Item # 414)

• (X2) Heavy Duty Emery Cut-Off Wheel (Item # 420)

• Polishing Compound (Item # 421)

• (X2) 1-1/4" Fiberglass-Reinforced Cut-Off Wheel (Item # 426)

• Carbon Steel Brush (Item # 428)

• 1" Felt Polishing Wheel (Item # 429)

• Aluminum Oxide Grinding Stone (Item #  932)

• Aluminum Oxide Grinding Wheel (Item # 541)

• Multipurpose Cutting Bit (Item # 561)

• Silicon Carbide Grinding Stone (Item # 84922)

• Collet Wrench (Item # 90962)

With Dremel's design, we found changing the accessories to be a very simple task.  This is done by simply pressing and holding the shaft lock button and loosening the collet nut with the provided wrench. Next you just pull out the bit or accessories and insert a new one, tighten the collet nut again and you are ready to roll. The attachment for the guides is even easier to change - just remove the nose piece by turning it counter clockwise and install the guides by turning it the clockwise. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.   

Testing and Use

This is where the fun starts for us: tool testing. When we get such a versatile tool like the Dremel High Performance 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool, it is fun to see what we can do with it. The very first thing we had to try was the included circle cutter/straight edge guide. All too often we either have to trace something or even free hand a circle when cutting drywall for a recessed light fixture. No more reaching for a bowl to trace with this baby. The hole cutting guide is super easy to set up; just adjust the center sliding pivot point to the proper dimension for the size hole you want to cut, then turn the knob to lock it in place. Next you place the guide against the surface you want to cut the hole into, make sure to push the guide pin into the material so it stays in place, and then simply power on your tool and let you guide lead you on your cut. We got a perfectly round and perfectly sized circle on the first try.

The sanding/grinding guide was very helpful for holding the tool at either a 45 or 90 degree angle so that we could precisely sand the surface. This attachment helped us by putting a slight chamfer on the edge of a piece of wood.

Overall, after we used many of the different accessories that were included, we would have to say that this kit really has what most folks will need instead of packed full of throwaway items. Of course, if you should have a project that requires a different bit or accessories, most hobby, home center and hardware stores have Dremel accessories available. Like most power tools, there are some things that are learned by using it and understanding your work piece. For example; we found in some applications that the higher RPM's were very useful when used for grinding and sanding. We did notice that slower RPM settings are preferred on softer materials or when slower material removal is required. The one thing that stood out to us of all our tests was that we never ever experienced any problems with the motor bogging down.

Conclusion

After spending some quality time with the new Dremel High Performance 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool, it was easy to see why, on so many levels, these rotary tools are so great. With a great 5 year warranty, broad variety of accessories included, and a powerful motor, it is hard to find much that can be improved. But if we could improve something, we think a longer cord would be the first. Six feet does not allow for much reach and it is a hassle to have to grab an extension cord. For our performance rating we gave this tool a 9/10 since it really does do what it is designed to do. For our value rating we gave this tool a 9/10 because if you add up the individual cost of the accessories that are included if you purchased them separately, you might spend more than the whole tool set cost. If you are a serious hobby or do-it-yourself kind of person, then you owe it to yourself to have a good working Dremel in your tool arsenal.

About Dremel
Since inventing the high-speed rotary tool more than 75 years ago, Dremel has become the trusted name in high-speed rotary tool technology, providing creative solutions for hands-on professionals, homeowners, craftspeople and artists alike. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in Mount Prospect, Ill., Dremel continues to build upon this legacy with a full line of high-performance rotary tools, bench top products, specialty tools, accessories and attachments.