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well constructed, easy to attach and operate, small size makes it ideal for many projects that would not be done without it
You can do VERY intricate designs. I love using this tool and the Dremel system. The MAJOR plus to this addition and tool is the smallness of the product. The second downfall is the limitation of router bits that you can use. Only 2 downfalls on this addon. I love this addition to the Dremel system. The depth is a little hard to control and make the small depth changes I do. Other routers cannot do the small bits that are available with the Dremel system.
Side to side motion is easy to control, and freehand routing is possibile with this base. It could also serve as a tool holder for other applications, e.g., grinding.I bought the plunge router base for inlay work. The depth stop has to be adjustable to within 1/64" or so, to leave the inlay a bit proud, so it can be smoothed flush with the workpiece. As a consequence, the plunge feature is useless for precise work. It is very precise and stable. This a major problem for inlay that is, for example, 1/32" thick. A ruined recess could mean a ruined workpiece.
Instead, I use a Veritas Router Plane (a hand tool). The depth adjustment requires fussy trial and error, and once set is still imprecise & unreliable. If precise depth adjustment is important to you, keep looking. People looking for a power tool for precise inlay work should consider the Stewart-MacDonald base. The base is made of plastic and is too flexible. It does turn the Dremel tool into a small lightweight router. I intended to use it to clean out the recess for the inlay.
Therefore, the depth stop cannot control the depth of cut. I cannot rely on this tool for inlay work. It costs twice as much, and is not a plunge base, but apparently it can be adjusted precisely. The Dremel 335-01 plunge router base does work as advertised, up to a point. It can be used for that purpose, but barely. Inlay is the last step before finishing, and there is a lot of time and money into the workpiece by that step.
Not the most sturdy construction, but good enough for the type of small things you do with a Dremel. The height adjustment is a little awkward. Fast Shipping. Easy to put the tool in the attachment, but not always easy to get the bits in and out while assembled depending on the orientation of the chuck when locked.
I resorted to repeatedly plunging the bit into the area I wanted to remove over and over but then ended up having to make the cut with a circular saw and knocking out the wood with an old screwdriver and hammer. I realize now that the Dremel just doesn't posess the power or size to make this a useful attachment option unless maybe you are working with balsa. This attachment is awkward at best - it is nearly impossible to tighten the collet with the standard mini-wrench for the tool and no amount of tightening seems able to keep the bits in place. Sadly, router isn't and may never be one of those functions. As difficult as it is to get tools and hardware over here, I try to make do with what I have or modifying tools to do multiple jobs. Purchased this for use while deployed to Afghanistan, hoping that it would make it so that my Dremel could do the job of a full-size router. My Dremel has come through for me performing many functions. I was attempting to notch a 2x4 for a project and nearly ended up cutting the board in half.
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