dremel 4000 vs 3000

Dremel 4000 vs. Dremel 3000 Rotary Toolkit – Which One Should You Go with?

dremel 4000 vs 3000

Dremel 4000 vs. Dremel 3000

If you’re into DIY projects, you already know by now that rotary tools are the key for successful projects. And if rotary tools are no news to you, Dremel 4000 and 3000 do ring a bell too.

What is a rotary tool anyway?

The more you know about rotary tools, the easier is going to be for you to understand the similarities and differences between the two.

Small, yet strong, a rotary tool is motorized and handheld machine that you can use for various craft projects. It typically comes with an impressive variety of attachments, which go for specific jobs.

Polishing, cutting, carving, engraving and etching are only some of the things you’re going to be able to do with a rotary tool. You can use on for working on various materials and objects, which gives you plenty of flexibility and control.

Here is some basic info on rotary tools:

  • The cutting attachments can be used on fiberglass, wood and plastic
  • You may employ the metal cutting attachment for cutting baseboards, crown molding and more
  • You may attach carbide bits for engraving or etching on metal
  • You can also use the polishing attachments for buffing faucets, doorknobs or even jewelry (if you have the skills for it)

What’s to say about Dremel 3000 and 4000 at a glance?

Dremel 3000 and 4000 may be some of the most popular choices out there when it comes to rotary tools and many hobbyists, DIYers and even professionals rely on them for their craft projects.

Even though they do look pretty similar and are helpful for similar projects, they’re quite different in terms of performance. The number and type of accessories and attachments are also pretty different so going through the details is going to clear out the things for you.

Come to think of it, you’re going to end up with a great kit, no matter which kit you go with in the end. However, you should do due diligence so you don’t take a stab in the dark when shopping!

Why go with Dremel 3000?

Dremel 3000 makes a good impression with its ergonomic design. The grip is soft and the machine is rather lightweight, which explains the easy use. You can use it for the intricate carvings or cuts in difficult to reach areas. It’s a wise option for anyone with a weak grip, arthritis or rather small hands.

Dremel 3000 comes with a 1.2-amp motor which allows easy control for more accuracy. The speed is variable, ranging between 5000rpm to 32000rpm. You may adjust the speed of the machine for matching it to the material you’re working on. Thanks to this feature, you’re not going to burn out the machine or damage the material of your project either.

You may use several accessories so Dremel 3000 is good for various projects. From removing rust with a grinding tool, to cutting through dry wall, Dremel 3000 is ready to take all sorts of projects.

The EZ Twist Nose cap wrench allows for easy and fast change of the attachments, so you may work easier on each project

The tool comes with replaceable motor brushes, so you may be able to use it for a long time. It works nice and smooth and doesn’t sit on the loud side either.

On top of everything else, it comes in a tough carrying case that maintains the accessories well organized and protected against the elements.

Here are the good things when using a Dremel 3000:

  • It has a soft grip, for better and more comfortable control
  • It present middle ground speed, for more accuracy on the projects
  • It’s compatible with many attachments.
  • It comes in a solid carrying case

Is Dremel 4000 better?

Dremel 4000 doesn’t disappoint with its 360-degree ergonomic design. The rubberized grip and the design allow easy handling from every angle, without injuring yourself.

It comes with an electronic feedback and that’s because of the well-placed circuitry which announces you when you’re using too much speed or pressure. The risk for damaging your projects is a lot lower thanks to this feature.

The tool also comes with a separate on/off speed dial for adjusting the speed. Not only that you may always keep an eye on the speed, but you can also use a separate on/off dial to control it as well. The dial is well placed and it doesn’t affect your grip. Adjusting the speed is easy to do too.

The list of good things continues with its compatibility with all Dremel accessories. No matter which accessory or attachment you choose to use on a project, Dremel 4000 is going to be able to work it.

Dremel 4000 comes with a 1.6-amp motor and the speed may range from 5000rpm to 35000rpm.

Not only that the motor is stronger, but you can also adjust the power and speed, depending on the project you’re working on.

The 4000 also comes with the detailer’s grip and here are the benefits when using one:

  • The motor is stronger and faster
  • You may get better consistency even when the levels set on high
  • It comes with speed dial features that ease up the use
  • It’s compatible with all Dremel accessories and attachments
  • It has a good and comfortable grip
  • It comes with electronic feedback

Are the motors similar?

This may be one of the first thing to notice about the two and the motor of Dremel 4000 is definitely stronger than the 3000. Dremel comes with a 1.6-Amp motor, whereas the second one runs on a 1.2-amp motor.

Even though the two models present variable speed rotary tools, Dremel 4000 makes a better impression as it presents a higher top speed (up to 35,000RPM for the 4000 and 32,000RPM for the 3000).

We also need to highlight that the 4000 presents a separate speed dial and electronic speed control, whereas the 3000 doesn’t come with either of these features.

As both models come with the easy-to-use EZ Twist Nose Cap, changing the accessories is going to be a breeze for both models.

What are the main differences?

As the Dremel 4000 is the newer model, it does manage to overcome some of the flaws of the previous models.

Let’s go over the main differences between the two models:

  • The electronic feedback

Dremel 3000 may be the only rotary tool that doesn’t come with an electronic feedback control- not only the Dremel 4000 comes with it, but all the other rotary tools that came out after the 3000.

The electronic feedback is important as it shows you when you’re grinding too hard. If you’re using the wrong speed, this feature is also going to be helpful, allowing you to improve the craftsmanship. Thanks to this feature, you get better control over the rotary tool.

In the case of the 3000, you’re going to have to decide on your own about which pressure or speed you have to use. This can get really changing especially for a beginner and the risk (for instance) for buffing heir looms to end up in wearing out the pieces is pretty high.

  • The speed controls

Both models come with variable speed controls, but Dremel 4000 is taking the lead as it features a separate on/off speed dial. The ability to affect the speed, without compromising the power in any way, turns the model 4000 into a better option than the 3000.

The separate speed dial is letting you slow/speed up the tool mid cut, so that your projects gets a lot better. this is fundamental feature especially when dealing with sophisticated and intricate woodworking projects.

  • The options

Both models are going to come in various kit options so that you may match them to your specific needs.

They may differ when it comes to number of accessories and attachments and there are plenty of options for each model.

Dremel 4000 comes in 4 kit options (4000-2/304000-3/344000-4/34 and 4000-6/50), whereas the 3000 comes in only 3 options (3000-1/243000-1/25 and 3000-2/28).

Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • Dremel 4000-2/30 Rotary Tool kit

This kit comes with a low number of attachments and accessories and it does stand out with its low price (it’s actually the cheapest from the 4000 model). It contains 2 attachments and no less than 30 accessories. The 2 attachments are the sanding/grinding guides and the circle cutter/straight edge.

You do a nice variety of accessories as well:

  • 1 aluminum oxide grinding wheel, 1 silicon carbide grinding stone (for sharpening and grinding)
  • 1 carbon steel brush, 1 polishing compound (for cleaning and polishing) and 2 felt polishing wheels
  • 1 high-speed cutter (for craving and engraving)
  • 1 sanding drum, 8 sanding discs and 6 sanding bands
  • 4 cut-off wheels
  • 1 multi-purpose bit for cutting
  • 1 wrench and 2 miscellaneous mandrel

This rotary tool is versatile, but it’s not the best option for the carving and engraving applications. It’s a reliable option for the sanding and cutting applications, nevertheless.

  • Dremel 3000-1/24 Rotary tool kit

We chose to present you the cheapest model from the 3000 Dremel as well and this one good option for the beginners. It’s also a dependable choice for anyone using the rotary tool any now and then.

The tool kit includes 1 attachment, but it comes with 24 accessories. However, this is the lowest number of accessories that you may get for a 3000.

You get a sanding/grinding guide and several accessories:

  • 2 cut-off wheels for cutting
  • 1 high-speed cutter for engraving and carving applications
  • 2sanding drums and 7 sanding bands
  • 1 silicon carbide grinding stones and 2 aluminum oxide grinding stones
  • 1 carbon steel brush, 1 nylon bristle brush, 3 felt polishing wheels, 1 polishing compound for polishing and cleaning
  • 1 wrench, 1 dressing stone and 2 miscellaneous mandrel accessories

Even if this kit is rather basic, it’s still a reliable option for various craft and home improvements projects.

Let’s sum it all up with a list of similarities/differences

Let’s take a quick look at the list of similarities. It’s going to help you decide make the clearer image on the two:

  • The grip is comfortable
  • They’re both powered by electricity
  • They offer variable speed
  • They feature EZ twist nose cap
  • They come in hard case for protection

Let’s see what are the differences between the two:

  • The power of motor (Dremel 4000 comes with 1.6-amp motor)
  • The speed range
  • The number of accessories
  • The compatibility (only Dremel 4000 is completely compatible with other models)

So, which one is the best model for you?

Chances are that the Dremel 4000 is going to take the lead when it comes to versatility as it does come with a stronger motor, more accessories and possibility to adjust the speed. It’s also compatible with other accessories from Dremel, which gives you more possibilities for a project. It comes with self-adjusting mechanism so you’re not going to have to stop continuously for the adjustments. The Dremel 4000 is going to do it automatically.

However, if you’re new in the business, Dremel 3000 may be the better choice for you as you’re only going to be using it from time to time. As the motor isn’t that strong, you may get so much better when using a Dremel 3000.

Long story short? If you’re only in for the infrequent job, Dremel 3000 is a good option for you. When you’re determined to master the craft projects, you should always go with the Dremel 4000 instead.

Here’s a video on the subject by Rotary Tools Guy:

 

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