Dremel 400 2/51 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit With 51 Accessories

Editorial Review
Dremel calls this "the future of rotary tools." Scoff if you want to, but they're right. This overhaul of the standard rotary tool incorporated changes Dremel users asked for, along with new accessories and a smartly redesigned storage case with mini-cases. We're glad to see Dremel designers separated the power switch from the speed control, something we'd certainly wished for in the past, letting you set the perfect speed for your project and not disturb it at shutoff. Its slick, gently curved new shape-—a far cry from the slightly clunky Dremel you're used to—-just feels good in your hand. Even the case is a new generation, with a molded place for everything (including that hard-to-store flex shaft). The small accessories all fit into mini-cases, which in turn snap into the main case. Bravo! And unlike kit cases in Dremel's past, there's even room for expansion: two bays for more accessory kits. We like the garden tool blade and the circle cutter particularly; you can save a bundle sharpening your own lawnmower blade, and the circle cutter is one of those little gadgets you'll find yourself using again and again. Another plus to this new Dremel is the super-cool attachments available separately, including a 2-1/4-inch wide planer and something Dremel calls the MultiSaw—a combination jig, recip and scroll saw in one. The only downside to this new Dremel is…figuring out what to do with your old one. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste
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Customer Reviews

it could have been so much nicer...

2008-08-19
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.

2007-11-23
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!

2007-08-24
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!

2007-06-29
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!

2006-02-16
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!

Poorly made, overheats

2005-12-10
Dremel calls this "the future of rotary tools." Scoff if you want to, but they're right. This overhaul of the standard rotary tool incorporated changes Dremel users asked for, along with new accessories and a smartly redesigned storage case with mini-cases. We're glad to see Dremel designers separated the power switch from the speed control, something we'd certainly wished for in the past, letting you set the perfect speed for your project and not disturb it at shutoff. Its slick, gently curved new shape-—a far cry from the slightly clunky Dremel you're used to—-just feels good in your hand. Even the case is a new generation, with a molded place for everything (including that hard-to-store flex shaft). The small accessories all fit into mini-cases, which in turn snap into the main case. Bravo! And unlike kit cases in Dremel's past, there's even room for expansion: two bays for more accessory kits. We like the garden tool blade and the circle cutter particularly; you can save a bundle sharpening your own lawnmower blade, and the circle cutter is one of those little gadgets you'll find yourself using again and again. Another plus to this new Dremel is the super-cool attachments available separately, including a 2-1/4-inch wide planer and something Dremel calls the MultiSaw—a combination jig, recip and scroll saw in one. The only downside to this new Dremel is…figuring out what to do with your old one. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Not even close to an "old" Dremel

2005-11-30
My 3981-01 got stolen a few days ago, and I picked this up as a replacement since the box makes it sound like the next best thing since sliced bread.

This Dremel is far shy of the quality of my old one -- it's definitely cheap plastic, with even cheaper button & dial materials. While the additional RPMs are all well and good, I highly doubt it will last long in regular use. Looks like it's off to RotoZip for me!

Redesigned to a Piece of Crap

2005-10-02
I fully agree with above reviewers. I bought one of these and right away suspected that it wouldn't last. I was right. After 2 or 3 uses the on/off switch would not slide to the "on" position any more. The earlier model Dremels were much better. Avoid this 400 series, the less expensive 300 series is much better.

Poorly design tool

2005-05-19
The tool heats up very quickly during short use. Air vent placement might account for some of the heat, older model have it on top not on the side. When holding this XPR model my hands sometimes block the vents. Have to hold down shaft lock bottom really hard to remove collet nut, the shaft keeps slipping. Took the tool apart and found that the shaft lock pin is a lot smaller than the opening on the shaft. Just does not feel like a sturdy well made tool the first time I held it. Very disappointed with this tool.

Disappointment

2005-03-14
I have used the Dremel MultiPro for a LONG time. However, the XPR is a major disappointment. The only reason I purchased it was for the proprietary planer attachment that only works with this model. Before I did the planing work, I intended to cut some aluminum stock with a heavy cutoff blade. 1 inch in on a 2 inch cut the motor burned up and it died. Brand new pile of garbage. I've used my multipro to do this exact same job multiple times as well as much heavier gauge metals such as steel. This pile of garbage is going back and I'll find another way of doing my planing work.