The main feature of this tool is that it’s a cordless rotary tool with the same power as the higher-end, mains-powered versions. That alone will justify the price for some people. You can smoothly adjust the speed from 5000 to 35,000 rpm (remember though that you shouldn’t exceed the rated speed of the accessories you’re using). This oomph comes from the 12 V motor, and makes a big difference if you’re working with harder materials, and this is the first cordless rotary tool for which metalwork is really an option. Others we’ve tried are so slow as to be frustrating.
It’s not just about raw power, though. There are plenty of touches that make this a nice tool to use. The rubberised surround makes it comfortable to use, and the light attachment makes it easy to see what you’re working on. Users of rotary tools will be familiar with the rounded square collet that you need to unscrew to change tools. Usually you get a spanner to undo the collet and… well, if you’re anything like us, those spanners have a habit of disappearing. With the 8220, there’s a collar that unscrews from behind the collet and performs the job of this spanner – no frustrating searches between tool changes!
Accessorise
The five accessories that came with our kit show off the potential of the tool. You get: a line and circle cutter, a tile cutter (like a sort of a very basic router), a detailer’s grip, a shaping platform, and a transparent guard. Of these, the detailer’s grip and transparent guard are probably of most use to makers. The grip helps you hold the tool steady for fine work (though if this is how you want to use your rotary tool the majority of the time, you may be better suited to using either a lighter tool or a flex shaft), while the transparent guard makes high-speed grinding a little safer.
Alongside these, you get a range of the usual rotary tool bits for sanding, cutting, grinding, and polishing. The Dremel accessories are noticeably higher quality than the cheap ones available from a wide range of other manufacturers. This makes them nicer to use as you spend more time doing what you want, rather than replacing worn-out tools.
You also get two of the SpeedClic cut-off wheels. These are 38 mm abrasive cutting wheels with a novel attachment mechanism where you push and twist them into place, rather than using a screw. They’re much quicker to use, and we’ve found them a bit less prone to shattering as there’s a little bit of give in the mounting, should you put pressure on the side of the disc. These aren’t cheap, but they are quicker and easier to use than traditional wheels. Whether they’re worth it depends on where you come down on the price vs convenience debate.
These accessories and attachments are all solid and well-made. If you’re new to rotary tools, it may be a good investment to get your toolkit fully stocked, but for many people, it’ll make more sense to start with a minimal kit and build up the pieces as and when you need them.
This is the best rotary tool we’ve used due to the power, portability, and build quality, but that comes with a price. Whether or not it’s worth it will depend on your use-cases. If you don’t need to work with harder materials, you may find that the premium price for a powerful tool isn’t worth it, or if you’re only an occasional user, the price for going battery-powered may be hard to justify. However, if, like us, you’re regular rotary tool users, even with the premium price, this is an attractive tool.
VERDICT
A powerful, well-thought-out powerful tool
9/10
