Detroit Tools

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

I recently had the job of repairing a vintage case, a job I wish I had a quality rotary tool. After a bit of a search , I found  a ' Detroit' rotary tool. I couldn't find any reviews, here in Oz. They have all  the bits 'n' bobs as you would expect.  Are they any good &  who makes them ?  

My first impression is that they are American made, are they?  

 https://www.totaltools.com.au/123239-detroit-130w-217pc-rotary-tool-kit-dmg130?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhK3H6_fV8QIViQ4rCh0Q_gVJEAQYECABEgIrtPD_BwE 

Thanks for your help  

HS

[tsunkasapa]

The website looks a lot like our Harbor Freight. HF carries what I call 30/5 tools. If they last the first 30 minutes, they MAY last for 5 years. But I was unable to find any other listing for the brand.

[Klara]

My money is on "Made in China" as for nearly everything. Which needn't mean it's bad. I have had a cheap Dremel knockoff for 10 years and whenever I need it it does the job.

Actually, my main problem is the lack of instruction. I have no idea which bit to use for what job...

 

[sbrownn]

7 hours ago, Handstitched said:

G'Day,

I recently had the job of repairing a vintage case, a job I wish I had a quality rotary tool. After a bit of a search , I found  a ' Detroit' rotary tool. I couldn't find any reviews, here in Oz. They have all  the bits 'n' bobs as you would expect.  Are they any good &  who makes them ?  

My first impression is that they are American made, are they?  

 https://www.totaltools.com.au/123239-detroit-130w-217pc-rotary-tool-kit-dmg130?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhK3H6_fV8QIViQ4rCh0Q_gVJEAQYECABEgIrtPD_BwE 

Thanks for your help  

HS

I have one and it works fine but it is noisier and vibrates more than my Dremel.  Given the choice, I don't use it.

[Rahere]

3 hours ago, sbrownn said:

I have one and it works fine but it is noisier and vibrates more than my Dremel.  Given the choice, I don't use it.

Likely why they include the flex extension. Set it up to flail water for three hours, if it survives you'll know the bearings are OK. From the vibration, one wonders. 

[Spyros]

Υeah it's probably about as Chinese as Milwaukee tools, you can't make all that in the west and sell it for 49 australian dollars.

But it's not about where it's made, it's about how it's made.    Go to Kevin lee or Kemovan in China and they will make you some high quality tools (and charge you accordingly).

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, Rahere said:

Likely why they include the flex extension. Set it up to flail water for three hours, if it survives you'll know the bearings are OK. From the vibration, one wonders. 

I have a similar one from a brand called "OZITO", which is short for "Aussie tools".  The brand started its life as tools made in Australia for the Australian market, then eventually got sold, and they kept the brand name but it's now all cheap tools made in China and imported to Australia, and you can only find them in a big box store.  They are pretty much the cheapest electric tools you can buy in Australia.  But, they are honest about it, in fact it's the only tools I've seen that have a big red tab hanging from the cable that says "FOR DIY USE ONLY".  They're just not built for tradespeople throwing them around and stepping on them in job sites.

But you know what? if you use them with care every now and then in a normal workshop environment they get the job done and they last forever and a day.  I have OZITO angle grinder , jig saw, heat gun, leaf blower, belt sander, and this little rotary tool that I use for burnishing leather and widening holes, and they've all been working perfectly fine for years and years. 

I don't see any reason to buy expensive tools for light jobs.  The tools that I use heavily every day is a different story.

[Handstitched]

G'day and thank you for your replies. 

8 hours ago, sbrownn said:

I have one and it works fine but it is noisier and vibrates more than my Dremel.

Does it say anywhere , on the tool,  packaging or storage box where its made?  I can hazard a guess. 

@Spyros I still have a few ' GMC' tools , (that are no longer made),  drill, jig saw,  bench sander and a compressor , and ,  touchwood, they still work fine . 

Its seems that we can't get away from ' Made in China' . 

I might have to take a bit of gamble. It doesn't seem to matter what brand I go for, it will still be ' Made in China'. 

3 hours ago, Spyros said:

I don't see any reason to buy expensive tools for light jobs

I agree. This will only be used for the occasional restore job, cleaning/polishing, removing rust on small components etc. 

Thank you once again for your help  

HS

[dikman]

It would be made in China. I bought a Detroit bench grinder from them, which is made in China. Total Tools, in my experience have been great to deal with. The kit you show looks pretty good for the money, it's got lots of bits with it. I have two Ozitos, which work fine, although the handpiece on the flexible extension gets hot fairly quickly. I recently bought a Dremel 4000 at a good price from Cash Converters, mainly because the flexible shaft and handpiece are heavier duty than the "clones". I also have a Dremel battery operated unit which works fine but battery tools are only good for quick jobs.

You could try and find a used Dremel on Gumtree, Cash Converters (search their website to save running around), or any pawn shops in your area. Avoid the Dremel 3000 as they have had a high failure rate due to the design of the wiring connections inside.

Oh, and the good thing about the Ozito is they have a 3 year warranty and Bunnings generally don't hassle over warranty issues.

[jimi]

There is one the same, yellow and called rockwell?? I do not think it is made in the USA. https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/rockwell-shopseries-rockwell-shopseries-rotary-tool-130-watt/344538.html