Customer Reviews

Dremel 335-01 Plunge Router Attachment

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Dremel has really upgraded with this new plunge router attachment for the rotary tool. It fits all the usual corded tools and even the new Li-Ion cordless!
Great new features like: Plunge capability, clear base, bigger base, rotary tool mounting is very sturdy and rigid, depth stop, big edge guide that goes all the way to the bit.
The locking handle takes a little getting used to. Because it locks with one handle and plasic was used for the base there is a little flex back after locking. Plastic for the base to be clear is a benefit, but the plastic for the top plate was probably to save cost so they could price it closer to what the old router was. Anyway, when I really want to be accurate with my depth, I make sure to measure the distance from the bottom of the base to the bit with a metal scale. That way I know the depth is what I want. If it was all metal I'd give it a 5, but then the cost would probably keep me from buying it. It's great for the small router jobs I do(signs, door striker plate installation etc.) and I would recommend it!

Fine tool for "small delicate projects" mainly because the wing nuts used to tighten the guide bar (for straight and circular routing) are made of plastic with a metal screw. It is impossible to tighten them enough to keep the tool working straight. On a solid wood project the tool jumped around because of the way it loosely sits in the plastic base. Because of the vibration the screws that are meant to retain the depth of cut unscrew them selves, changing your settings unless you really lock them in place. Yes; for small delicate projects, but be ready for a lot of troubleshooting and make sure you practice on some scrap so you totally know what you are getting yourself into :)

I almost didn't buy this thing because of Frederick Jurewicz's review saying you have to completely remove the Dremel each time you need to change a bit. But I did end up buying it and now I don't know what that guy was talking about. You can easily remove and replace bits on the tool without having to detach everything.

Making a plunge cut is chancy without a base of this nature. A Dremel tool is a petite router great for delecate operations. The base on this attachment is as large as one used in 1/4hp routers, negating an asset.

The attachment points of the router to the base are close together near the bottom end of the router. It is easy to wiggle the tool even when screws are firmly tightened.

This is a useful concept; it can do what it is supposed to do, but is less than ideal.

This is a great product for small applications. I am using it to route guitar cavities. Pickups, neck pocket, control cavity, etc. I can see what I am doing and can go slowly. Yes it takes more time than a huge router, but this works for me. It fits my dremel perfectly and you can see and have access to change the bit. I read another review that said you needed to remove the dremel to change the bit. That doesn't apply and is not correct unless the person had a mis match with the dremel. It specifies which dremels fit this rig. Be sure yours is on the list.
I love this thing. If you are doing small jobs try it. This is also the best price I found including ebay.

I really loved this product and used it for almost a year with my Dremel... I got a little over confident of it's abilities and used it for a routing project that should have used a "real" router... the based developed a stress crack and caused the dremel to wobble while cutting... I counsidered this a user error... but I think if I would have stuck to my smaller projects with this tool I would still have it... I know own the updated version... I would recomend this to anyone who is using it for "hobby" purposes...

Do not waste your money on this poorly made plunge router base. I found that the cheap plastic construction allowed the Dremel to wobble thus making accurate cuts, especially straight lines very dificult. When lowering the Dremel using the plunge feature, one side or the other will stick and cause the whole assembly to bind. I threw this base in the trash and bought Stewmac's metal router base that has an air blower accessary which is a great system. You can make clear plastic special purpose bases and attach them easily to the Stewmac. I build guitars so accuracy is important.

The Dremel plunge router base is a great accessory, but you have to recognize its limitations and live within them.

Rotary tools work at high speeds, but they produce low torque. This means they just won't chew through lots of hard materials very well-- or at all. The trick is to let the bit shave away the wood. This means routing in a series of passes, not all at once. When you use it this way, this plunge router base is a real winner. You can do decorative work with a Dremel freehand, but this base is the only way to achieve consistent depth in straight lines. With a little practice-- and some good luck-- it's even possible to "write" cursively with it on wood.

A real issue is the price of the bits. Dremel brand bits are very high quality, but they're also pricey. Brand X bits are cheaper, but they tend to wear out more quickly. Of course, this is an issue with all Dremel tools and accessories, not just this plunge base, but it is something to think about.

So, as is the case with all tools, you have to understand and live within its limitations. I'm very happy I bought this accessory, and I'd gladly do so again.

I do a lot of solid guitar body work and this attachment works very well for the tremelo cavities. Sturdy enough for my application but a little too much play between the two vertical posts and their sleeves for real detailed work, but that's probably not what this was designed to do. I am very pleased with the performance here.

This is a great idea - take an inexpensive, high speed motor and make a mini plunge router out of it. Unfortunately, like every other Dremel accessory I own, they had to build it cheap. You won't really be able to use it for plunge cuts, because the depth stop is totally useless. There is so much play in it (because of plastic nuts and sloppy tolerances) that it is absolutely impossible to repeat a depth. It is also designed so that it is nearly impossible to change or adjust a bit without removing the rotary tool from the router base. Still, once you give up on using the depth stop or depth gauge, you can freehand some nice work as long as you remember to REALLY tighten the bit in the chuck and FIRMLY preset the depth manually. The Dremel router bits cut very nicely but apparently generate loads of downforce that will suck the bit into progressively deeper cuts if the chuck is not tightened to near the breaking point. Oh, and if you use the handles to drive the router, you will push the bit deeper into the work, so you have to guide it by holding the base. Too bad Dremel has such a low opinion of their ideas or of our spending habits. I would happily pay up to $100 for a router base like this if it were built with care and of quality materials. The way this one is built, I feel ripped off at $30.