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The Dremel rotary tool idea was great to begin with, but now, they’ve revved up the basic rotary tool and added some exclusive attachments that make the XPR series one of the coolest tools we get to try. This one’s got all the bells and whistles of previous models and tackles the same tasks: you can carve, grind, polish, trim, sand, cut a wide range of material, shape, sharpen, clean, remove grout, smooth, drill, rout, sculpt, engrave, strip finishes. Similarly, it has Dremel’s huge array of accessory possibilities and the variable speed (from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm), but it has almost twice the amperage of its predecessors for plenty of power. In addition, the speed selector switch is separate from the power switch, allowing you to leave the tool at a certain speed setting for next time. Its design is a bit of departure, and that’s a matter of user preference, but after some getting-used to, we like it. The primary reason you’d step up to this model from another rotary, though, is the plethora of great attachments made only for the XPR that emulate shop full of tools. Hands down, our favorite is the MultiSaw. Just attach it and your rotary tool becomes a mini reciprocating saw, making straight and curved cuts in a variety of materials. Using standard jigsaw blades, you can cut soft and hard wood, ply, metal, PVC, plastic and more. Next, there’s the planer head that turns your Dremel into a portable planer. It’s designed for two types of planing – straight and at 45 degrees, with a width capacity of 2-1/8 inches, perfect for a warped or sticking door. Though we didn’t try any shaping or carving with it, we think it would do a great job of it, too. There’s also a flex light exclusive to this series that dovetails easily into a groove on the rear of the tool. It’s powered by lithium ion batteries (included) and does a fantastic job illuminating detailed work pieces. As with all the other Dremel rotaries, you can attach the flex shaft for super-fine detail work as well as reaching into places practically no tool has gone before. The circle cutter’s easy to use, too, and works like a charm, giving you perfect circular cutouts every time. And everything has its place in the well-designed storage case, making the whole shebang perfectly portable. If you’re a rotary tool fan, you’ll love the XPR. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste |
