Tool Review - Detailer

[Guy]

About 2 months ago while surfing late at night I was going through Michael Robert's LTD's web site and discovered "The Detailer". I called Mike the next day and asked about the Detailer and after our conversation ended, ordered one by mail.

WOW.......one sweet little machine. I have not seen anything so useful in years. It is battery operated and can be used to clean, sculpt resin, metal, hardened A&B as well as Magic Scilpt. It has also been very useful for detailing figures and sculptures. I use the same size battery as my camera so was also able to use re-chargeable batteries which makes it very cost effective.

Michael Roberts web site

Here I am cleaning up a 200mm figure using the detailer on the final stages of clean-up

***I would also reccomend purchasing the 20 piece Assorted bur set for those who may not have any dremel bits or accessories.

 

[garyjd]

Guy, Very cool tool. though I like to "sculpt" my figure a lot can be done carving and grinding away material as well. I just may need to get one of these.~Gary

 

[Augie]

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

I bought one of these tools at the Atlanta Show 3(4?) years ago when it was first released. While I was delighted with its performance, it gave up the ghost on me in less than 3 months. This is definitely a "light duty" tool.

BTW, the burr set is excellent and highly recommended!!! All of the burrs are still going strong, and I use a half-dozen or so of them every day--day-in, day-out! I don't recommend them for use on white metal figures using a higher speed motortool as the metal melts into the abrasive surface and cleaning it out can be a bear. But at speeds of less than 5Krpm using a light touch, you should be OK.

A~

 

[Guy]

I would imagine heavy duty commercial use, as you do Augie would shorten its life span. As a mere mortal, with limited useage, it should last for years as Mike's has. For the average hobbyist it should last a long time.

 

[John Long]

I bought one of these gizmos a while back as well. It excells at light work. It is more easily controlled than a Dremel type tool. It's lack of torque is actually an advantage for the light work for which it's designed. I use it mosty for hollowing out helmets or the like. There are also available some polishing tips that are great at working mold seams down. Hap Wolfgram has been selling these at Atlanta and Chicago the last coule of years.

 

[Augie]

Hi Guy,

I was limiting its application to "hobby use" only: this little wonder wouldn't last an hour "at work"!

As John indicated, it excels at light work. That is all I was trying to point out. To wit: "This is definitely a "light duty" tool". I would also add that it doesn't have enough torque for any "serious" work on a "modern" (i.e., high-tin content) white metal figure.

Sorry if a differing viewpoint upset the status quo. I thought the readership would appreciate the pros and cons. . .

A~

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by Augie@Jun 22 2005, 04:21 PM


I bought one of these tools at the Atlanta Show 3(4?) years ago when it was first released. While I was delighted with its performance, it gave up the ghost on me in less than 3 months. This is definitely a "light duty" tool.

Pro's and con's are always welcome Augie, as it helps each to determine if the tools are of use to them. I feel most members do not know the useage you would use a tool like this (hours each day) compared to the average hobbyist who may spend only a couple of hours a week. I have not used it on metal as it would quickly destroy the bits. The low torque I like, as John does, over the dremel or Fordam I have. Much easier to control in tight areas.

Light duty...........yes.....for you and I. It would quite suit the average figure painter for cleaning up the final seams on a resin figure. I use my dremel for the bulk of the work and the fine tuning and final steps of clean-up with the detailer. I have used it as a sculpting tool on horse's manes and tails on Magic Sculpt and it worked very well. I have also used it to detail belts and other accessories on a figure to make them stand out more. Alot of this is based on the bit that is used and I happened upon the fine point diamond carbide dental bits a few years back.

Guy

 

[mgard]

I just purchased this tool recently along with all the bits. I have only used it a couple of times on models. After reading all of your comments, I will definitely be using it more. Thanks for the tips.

Mike