Hey everyone! I'm new to wood carving and have some basic tools from an old project, but now I want to invest in a rotary tool. My budget is tight, so I'm looking for something under $50 that works well for wood carving. I know I'll eventually upgrade, but I need something decent to start with. Any recommendations? Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
If you’re looking for something even cheaper, check out the Ryobi RRT200. It’s around $60 on Amazon, and I’ve read that some people actually prefer it over the Dremel. Just a note, though, rotary tools aren’t the best for heavy wood removal, but they're great for shaping and detailing.
After going through a couple of Dremels, I decided to try the Tacklife RTSL50AC and it’s been solid! It’s held up for about 5 years of heavy use, and I got it for around $20 when I bought it. I've also seen Wen tools get pretty decent reviews. Just make sure to avoid super cheap sanding drum options, as they usually fall apart quickly!
I’ve heard good things about Wen rotary tools for beginners, but if you can, I’d definitely recommend saving up for a Dremel 4000. They often come with basic accessories that can save you some cash in the long run. Just a heads up, you might end up with a few bits you won’t need for wood carving, but it's worth it for the quality!
Be careful, though! My last Dremel 4000 didn't last long at all. Seemed reliable until it literally went up in smoke after only a year! I had an older model that lasted over 20 years, so I've been disappointed with the newer ones.