can anyone recomend a quality rotary tool

[Hoagie_one]

Thats also on the cheap?

I was gonna get the $25 model from walmart yesturday but decided it best to consult others first

[AceTKK]

Go for a Dremel.  I've had mine for years with no problems at all.  They're relatively cheap too, I think.

[pointdablame]

Amazon has single speed Dremels for $40ish, variables for $20 more or so.

You can also usually find good deals on the Craftsman rotary tools that Sears carries.  I've had a Craftsman for 5 or so years now probably, and it's never had a problem.  I'd say they are just as reliable as Dremels, and can use Dremel accessories as well.

[PetitMorte]

I also have the craftsman.  Mine broke recently... the linkage between the motor and the bit shredded. (It's a soft plastic tube designed to shred and save the motor)

So I took it back into a sears to see about getting a new part for it, and the guy took it and handed me a new one and said thanks.

sears's craftsman tools replacement policy *ROCKS*!!!

[Stingray]

I have a two speed Dremel. Don't know what it cost, as it was a xmas gift. In any case it's a very well made and very handy tool to own. I can recomend it highly.

-S

[TOK]

Good luck with the Sears variable speed here, too.
I bought the mini-router base for it before I had a regular router and used it to route my joystick and trackball areas. I've also used it to cut metal a few times working on motorcycles.

I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another one.

[Ken Layton]

I have TWO Dremels. One is the variable speed corded model and the other is the two speed battery powered model. I have had these for years and use them alot. They really hold up quite well. Very good design & quality.

[Pik4chu]

I have two, battery powered Dremel and the corded variable speed craftsman.  The battery one died recently but it was quite old.  The Craftsman is great I use it all the time, plus I got a smoking deal on it.

[knuttz]

My rotary tool is a Black and Decker 8 speed that I found at a B&D factory store.  It was only $25 (reconditioned).  I've had mine for about a year and a half.  I use it all the time and have had no trouble with it.  Check them out if you have a Black and Decker store nearby.

[StormGiant]

I spend way too much time researching my purchases - I'm the poster boy for Consumer Reports and carry my issues with me when I go to buy socks.  I went with the corded Black & Decker RTX and it is great.  All the standard Dremel stuff fits.  At my local Menards on sale the RTX was 1/2 the price of the equivalent (power/speed) Dremel.

I have family that use rotary tools for fine work in their art.  They've used both Dremels and RTX and can't tell the difference - in fact some prefer the RTX's grip.  I just used my RTX to cut off the plastic part of the handle of a Happ Ultimate for the flightstick hack.  Not quite "fine work"...

[MajorHavoc]

Sears or Dremel.  The Sears rotary tool used to be made by Dremel.I don't know if this is still the case but I've had both and was very happy with both. (until sudden onset gravity trashed my 15 year old Sears tool.  May it rest in peace.)  Good luck.

[traknfieldSUPAstar]

I have the B&D RTX. I used it to cut "windows" in a couple of pc cases I was modding at the time. I've never used a dremel model but I've heard nothing but good things about those either. Stay away from cheap stuff though. The motors tend to wear out faster and/or just break.

[JCL]

I've got a dremel that I've abused for several years without problems.

I've cut quite a bit of iron with it and it keeps going.