Comparison Dremel 8220-1/5 vs Dremel 8100-1/15

The speed of rotation of the working nozzle provided by the tool. Some models have a fixed rotation speed, others allow you to adjust it within a certain range (see "Number of speeds").

For different types of tools and types of work, different values of this parameter will be optimal; therefore, it is worth choosing taking into account the tasks that are planned to be solved using the tool (it is best to consult with special sources). We note only a couple of general patterns. So, for engraving on relatively soft and pliable materials (wood, glass, soft metals), high speed is not required, but for hard and difficult to process (steel, precious stones), a high-speed tool is better suited. But when drilling, note that for the same power consumption (see above), more revolutions, usually, means lower torque values. That is, here “high-speed” tools are better suited just for soft materials, and low-speed tools are better suited for hard and heavy materials.

The diameter of the collet provided in the design of the rotary engraver (see "Device").

A collet is a specific type of fastening: a split sleeve, the “petals” of which can be compressed and unclenched by twisting / unscrewing the clamp. For a number of technical reasons, this mount is considered optimal for engravers. In order to properly install the working nozzle in such a tool, it is necessary that it fits the diameter of the collet (to be more precise, the mounting size of the nozzle should not exceed this diameter).

Note that there are several standard collet sizes. The most popular is 3.2 mm, but there are other options. And some engravers can be equipped with several mounts of different sizes.

- Reverse. Possibility to change the direction of rotation of the working nozzle of the tool. The use of reverse depends on the type of tool and the type of work for which it is used. For example, when drilling, this function can be useful for releasing a jammed drill. And in screwdrivers (see "Interchangeable heads") a change in the direction of rotation is almost mandatory - otherwise it would be impossible to switch the tool from twisting to loosening and vice versa.

- Speed controller. The ability to smoothly change the speed of movement of the working nozzle (frequency of rotation or vibration). The adjustment itself is used to adjust the tool for different types of materials and work - for different cases, the speed is different. But smooth tuning is good because it allows you to set the required speed as accurately as possible - there are no strictly fixed adjustments in such models, and the operator can choose any option from minimum to maximum. True, a certain skill is required for the effective use of such a tool, but this problem can hardly be called serious even for beginners.

- Maintain momentum. A function that allows you to maintain a constant speed of rotation of the nozzle, regardless of the load on it. Without special adjustment, at a constant engine power, the rotational speed inevitably drops with increasing load and increases with...a decrease. And the revs control system monitors the resistance on the nozzle and, if necessary, changes the power in such a way that the rotation speed remains constant. This has a positive effect both on the quality of work and on the service life of the nozzles and the entire tool.

- Soft start. The moment of starting is one of the most difficult in the operation of any electric motor. When the power is connected directly, in the first moments after the start, a high power flows through the windings, which leads to voltage surges in the network; in addition, the beginning of the movement occurs very abruptly, and this is fraught with jerks of the instrument, with the risk of releasing it from the hands with corresponding unpleasant consequences. The soft start function reduces the described troubles, if not to zero, then to a minimum: special circuits limit the starting power and ensure a soft and safe start of movement.

- Brushless motor. The presence of a brushless (brushless) motor in an electric tool. Such motors are noticeably superior to traditional collector motors in terms of efficiency, which makes it possible to significantly reduce energy consumption without sacrificing power; this is especially important for cordless tools (see "Power Source"), where this feature is predominantly found. In addition, brushless motors are less noisy and generate virtually no sparks during operation, making them ideal for working in high fire hazard environments. Their main disadvantages are traditional - the complexity of the design and high price.

— Backlight. The tool has its own lamp to illuminate the place of work. This feature is especially useful when working in low light conditions or in hard-to-reach areas that are otherwise difficult to illuminate. Note that in this case, it is the embedded system that is meant; some models may be equipped with portable lights as separate units, but such lights do not count as lights.

- Display. Own display in the design of the multifunctional tool is designed to visualize customizable parameters, display the battery charge level and display all sorts of related information. The specific implementation of the screen depends on the level of functionality of a specific instrument model.

- Connecting a vacuum cleaner. Possibility of connecting the vacuum cleaner directly to the tool. For this, a special pipe is usually used, one end of which is led to the place of processing, and the actual hose from the vacuum cleaner is connected to the other. Thanks to this, the work becomes much “cleaner”; True, the vacuum cleaner is far from always 100% able to remove sawdust and other waste, but in any case, it at least simplifies subsequent cleaning. The hose nozzle is usually made removable - this allows you to reduce the overall dimensions of the tool in cases where the vacuum cleaner is not needed or is not within reach. Note that before buying a model with this function, you should pay attention to its compatibility with the specific vacuum cleaner that you plan to use.

— Keyless replacement of nozzles. The presence of a clamping tool in the design that allows you to replace working nozzles without using a key. There are many varieties of such clamps, differing in the procedure for use, but they all have one thing in common: the work with the mount is carried out by hand, without the use of keys or other additional devices.

The total number of working attachments supplied with the tool.

The abundance of attachments allows the machine to be used with various materials and for various types of work. At the same time, this parameter significantly affects the cost. Therefore, when choosing, you need to proceed from how important a variety of possibilities is for you - so as not to overpay for extra nozzles that turned out to be useless in fact.

Note that this item is indicated only for engravers (see "Device") - for models of other types, specific types of nozzles are given in the corresponding item (see below).

Nominal voltage of the battery supplied with the appropriately powered tool (see above).

This parameter is usually selected by the manufacturer in such a way as to optimally match the specifications of a particular model. Therefore, in fact, it is more of a reference than really meaningful. However, in some cases, voltage information can be useful — for example, if you are looking for a spare battery or want to replace a failed battery.

The capacity of the battery that the tool with the corresponding type of power is equipped with (see above).

Capacity is essentially the amount of energy a battery can store. The more powerful the device, the more energy it needs to work and the higher the battery capacity should be so that it does not have to be charged too often. At the same time, capacious batteries have a large weight and dimensions, which significantly affects the convenience of work. Therefore, the power of the battery tool is relatively low — otherwise, too bulky batteries would have to be used.

To some extent, this parameter also determines the time that the tool is able to work without recharging. However, taking into account the fact that different models can noticeably differ in power consumption, it makes sense to compare with each other by battery properties only tools with very similar specifications — and even then very approximately.

Note that the same tool can work with batteries of different capacities — it is enough that they are compatible in terms of connectors and operating voltage. However, if you are looking for a spare battery or a replacement for a failed battery, it is best to choose a variant of the same capacity as the original one.

The time to fully charge the battery that the tool is equipped with from a standard charger (when using other batteries or a “non-original” charger, this time may vary both in one direction and in the other).

For battery tools in general, see "Power source". And charging time data gives you an idea of how you'll need to organize your workflow and how long breaks you'll need to charge your batteries. The specific duration of the process will depend both on the capacity of the battery (all else being equal, a more capacious model takes longer to charge), and on the technologies used by the manufacturer to increase charging efficiency.

Also note that the specific meaning of this parameter also depends on the number of batteries in the kit. Recall that there are often several of them at once (see "Batteries in set"), and while one battery is working, the rest can be charged. This allows you to reduce interruptions to a minimum, and even completely do without them. But if there is only one battery, charging breaks will inevitably be required in full. This is especially true for tools with a built-in power source (in models with replaceable batteries, the situation can be corrected by purchasing additional batteries).

An indicator that signals the battery level in the corresponding tool (see "Power supply").

The device and capabilities of such a pointer can be different - from an LED "light" that gives the simplest signals by changing colour and / or blinking frequency, to detailed data on the instrument's own display. However, anyway, the charge level indicator makes it easier to monitor the state of the battery and reduces the likelihood of being with an “empty” battery at the wrong time.

The presence of an additional handle in the design or delivery set of the tool (it can be either built-in or removable).

This handle makes it easier to hold the tool with two hands, which is important when processing hard materials that require significant effort — or in delicate work, where precision and maximum control are important. Note that, as a standard, it is done based on right-handed users, however, many tools allow you to change the location of the handle, for the convenience of "left-handed" work.