When it comes to doing DIY stuff and taking care of delicate projects, very often we undermine rotary tools. Yet, these are the sorts of tools that can bring out the best in your project if you use them properly. This is exactly the case with Dremel 4000 and 4300 as both are competent.
I’m not joking! Do a google or take a walk to your nearest store, these are the two most popular Dremel tools out there. These things are nearly identical with subtle differences that make them suitable for different types of jobs and house gigs out there.
But which one of these two edges out the other? Which one of these two falls just short of perfection but remains one of the top rotary tools that do the job for people?
Let’s find out the answers to these questions in this article. Here, I’ll be doing an in-depth analysis of both the products, their features, and benefits. Also, I’ll be doing a head-to-head Dremel 4000 vs 4300 comparison to see which of the two tools wins the battle of supremacy over the other.
| Features | Dremel 4000 | Dremel 4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Lock type | EZ twist | Jaw chuck |
| Motor RPM | 5k - 35k | 5k - 35k |
| Amps | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Pivoting Light | No | Yes |
| Attachments | 4 | 5 |
| Accessories | 34 | 40 |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Contents
Reviewing the Two Products
It’s a good practice to get to know the products better before jumping into things that are same among them and things that separate them from each-other. That’s what we’re gonna do in the following segment. Let’s do a brief review of the two products and get to know them better.
Dremel 4000-4/34 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit
Now, I understand if you’re a tinkerer by nature and want to keep everything at an arm’s length when moving from jobsite to jobsite or room to room in your house. That’s why, Dremel 4000 is just the tool you need for the job. It’s a sander, polisher, and engraver in the same breath. Yup, a multipurpose tool if there ever was one.
I’m not telling you just to shove this product in your face. In fact, you have a “Complete” tool with 34 (that’s thirty-four) different accessories included that makes polishing, engraving, and sanding items easier than breathing for the right person. A Nose Cap with an EZ twist makes tool changes a breeze.
As I gave you a hint earlier, (and… I’ll get into it later too) you can do a multitude of tasks with this wonder kit. Powering the machine is a motor that’s versatile as well. But it’s to be expected with such a machine which demands a lot. You get a 4-speed motor that can dish out 5000 to 35000 RPM.
You have an “On/Off” switch and a nifty speed dial to make sure you make the perfect tweak when it’s necessary according to the surface you’re working on or the metal you’re shaping up.
The good thing about the kit is it doesn’t leave you high and dry when operating. The motor gives you appropriate feedback of its every move thanks to the electric circuitry installed inside. You’re always in the loop about what’s happening with the tool and the overall process. Cool, eh?
Also, this little thing eats up 1.6 Amps of electricity only. This goes a long way in saving your bills and giving you a perfect readout every time you need one. At this low power, you won’t have to worry about circuit failures or electricity-related damages.
So, what’s the extent of this device’s use and what can we do with it specifically? Well, one can carve wood and get various designs done in quick time, remove materials, and smoothing soft & hard surfaces. I’d advise people to use Tungsten Carbide cutters for the job if you so choose.
I’ve seen people cut through metal, wood, and even hard surfaces like Marble with this tool. You can even try your hands-on cutting concrete and bricks. The package includes different sizes of cutting tools for the jobs to go more smoothly.
Wide array of accessories for this tool include polishing and cleaning attachments (such as: 403 nylon bristle, 428 carbon steel brush, and 414 felt polishing wheel), you can do light de-burring or some heavy-duty material removal from the item you’re working with using these attachments.
As far as “Sanding” is concerned, you have different sanding drums and bands to help you take the edge off from different tools and furniture too. Dremel 4000 is a complete tool if you ask me.
People can do all that minus the heat. I mean, there won’t be any heat buildup in the machine. This is thanks to a “Ventilation” system with the machine. Air flows seamlessly through the machine to ensure it remains cool and noiseless while you take care of the specifics yourselves.
I guess I’ll round everything up with mentioning the 360-degree grip zone of Dremel 4000. One can hold the machine however he/she pleases without any discomfort whatsoever.
What I Like About the Kit
- I’d like to make a mention of the low-ampere yet high-performance motor for performance.
- The motor dishes out 5000 to 35000 RPMs whenever you need it to with variable speeds.
- Thirty-four versatile accessories give you a superior range when it comes to things you can do with this piece of technology.
- Dremel 4000 runs on 1.6 Amperes only. This is super-low and saves you a lot of bills.
- The ventilation system is rather good on this machine. It keeps the system cool for work.
What I Don’t Like About the Kit
- This little machine is corded. This does hinder portability of the tool to a certain extent.
- The plastic case I got with the product is a lifesaver whenever I need to take this for a ride.
Dremel 4300-5/40 High Performance Rotary Tool Kit
It won’t be fair to draw a Dremel vs. Dremel comparison unless we dive into the “Other” Dremel machine. You know, Dremel 4300 to be exact. I wouldn’t lie to you. This thing is both similar and different to the Dremel 4000 in various aspects. Let’s get down to discussing key aspects.
What you get with Dremel 4300 are as many as 5 different attachments that can be twisted and set onto the machine thanks to the 3-jaw chuck (more on this later). Furthermore, people can attach a host of accessories on to these five attachments to their liking. 40 of them to be exact.
The 3-Jaw chuck is an improvement of the EZ twist system and takes in most of the accessories supplied with Dremel 4300. I must mention here that some of the accessories need the collet system to be connected with the machine as well. The mechanism is included in the machine.
Now, the motor you see here is on par with Dremel 4000. It can dish out 5000 to 35000 RPMs as the speed levels can vary. This is applicable for a variety of operations such as polishing, sanding, cleaning, carving and much more with this wonder machine at hand.
The motor doesn’t make any significant difference to your electricity bills. Yes, it runs on 1.8 Amps at peak. Yet, ask yourselves… “Is it really too much when you consider the electricity bills?” No. In fact, this doesn’t put even a scratch on your wallet at all.
Also, the system of giving you feedback as to what and how the machine is doing its job is still there in the system. As a result, the users will be in the loop as to what’s happening with the machine at any given time. This is a handy way to monitor everything as you go about your business.
As with the older Dremel tool in this article, the newer version is capable of polishing, carving, cleaning stuff, engraving, and grinding whenever you need it to.
When I say carving, I mean you can carve wood, porcelain, and other soft materials. That doesn’t mean that you can’t carve hard materials as well. No sir. Dremel 4300 is equally good with harder materials. In fact, this thing gives you separate accessories that go well with harder items.
Don’t forget Dremel is a rotary tool. This means that you can cut just about anything. Feel free to experiment with ceramics, epoxy (a hard material), and softer materials like wood. The bits here rotate fast to give you good finish without the uneven edge that people deal with.
Grinding and polishing work the same as with the earlier contender in this Dremal 4300 vs 4000 comparison. In fact, the company supplies you with top-notch grinding stones to make sure you get the job done. But you need to prep the material first with a bit of sanding job.
Dremel 4300 makes thing easier with a pivoting light. With this, you can illuminate the material you’re working on. This lights up the spot so that people don’t take a step wrong when they’re polishing, grinding, cutting or sanding an item. With just a push of the button, you can turn it off.
The grip is just as much comfortable as you can expect it to be from the earlier model. My hands didn’t slip or change positions while I worked. I have no complaints whatsoever.
What I Like About the Kit
- You have a multi-speed motor that’s quiet and efficient at what it does. No mishaps & errors.
- You have five attachments and numerous accessories for the kit to do its bidding.
- The grip is fantastic to say the least. I was able to work with the tool even with wet hands.
- Dremel 4300 works well with all sorts of materials delicate, soft, and hard.
- The 3-Jaw chuck is a vast improvement compared to the normal EZ twist system.
What I Don’t Like About the Kit
- The accessories attach to a plastic thread. It’s designed to wear out gradually.
Similarities Between the Two Machines
Now that we’ve taken a peek into both the machines, it’s time for us to dive into what similarities both of these tools have. Only then can we make valid comparisons between the two and reach a verdict as to which one edges out the other. Without further ado, let’s get on with the topic.
- I’d say the size and weight of the two in question is nearly identical. The weight is similar in both the cases. This is actually beneficial as the weight won’t pull down too much on our hands while working. As a result, our hands will remain as steady as they can be.
- The motor, according to me, is the next bit of similarity that we can find. Both the motors have multiple speed capabilities. They deliver the same RPM count as well. To be exact, one can get 5000 to 35000 rpms when he/she needs it. Without any problems I must add.
- Don’t forget the fact that you’ll have an electric feedback system to go with the package. Whatever the machine does, you’ll have an eye on everything via this mechanism. It gives you the modes, the RPM count, the speed levels, and much more in numbers.
- Both Dremel 4000 and 4300 are quiet. The main reason for it is the ball bearing system at work. It causes minimal friction and sound even if the user is operating at the top of the motors’ capacities. Trust me, you won’t be causing disruptions for your neighbors.
- Both of these machines have an electric readout system. You can see and gauge what’s happening in the machine and how. That too, without any problems.
- Dremel 4000 and 4300 can do the same kind of things you expect from a portable rotary kit. You can carve, engrave, cut, and sand materials just fine and with the same efficiency I must add. All of this boils down to the motor and the same number of bits you have for the job.
- Both of these tools feature a 360-degree gripping system. I, as a user, could grip the tools without hurting my hands or wrists at all. Even after working for an hour and half, my hands weren’t tired or in any way fatigued. I could move the machines just fine.
- Dremel 4000 and 4300 have a simplistic control panel to go with the design. Both of these machines run on electricity and with a multi-speed motor. Keeping that in mind, you get an On/Off switch and a speed control button on the control panel to keep it simple and easy.
- These two machines have the same length of power cords. This makes all the difference in the world. The length is six feet. Yes, it’s not a lot but enough for a portable tool of this kind. Thanks to this, one can move around without too much of a fuss or discomfort in jobs.
- Another tiny bit that counts as a similarity between the two is the fact that Dremel 4000 and 4300 have a good airflow system. Thanks to this, these machines remain cool to touch while at work. I’ve seen many people burn their hands with kits like these. Not with these two.
Dremel 4300 vs. 4000: Who Wins the Battle?
Now that we’re done with the similarities, it’s time to head to the ring and pit these two multipurpose tools against each other. Let’s see just how much is the two different and which one of the two is actually better than the other. I’m splitting hair here but let’s do it.
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Different Attachments and Accessories
If you guys didn’t know it already, Dremel 4000 is the predecessor of the more current Dremel 4300. Perhaps this is why the older version didn’t get as many accessories and attachments to play with as the newer one. For example, the older one has 4 attachments.
On the contrary, Dremel 4300 comes with five attachments and as many as 40 different accessories. Yes, on the surface, these two machines have identical prowess. Yet, the latter has a bigger repertoire when it comes to handling the tiny but delicate jobs.
I must mention the fact that there’s a difference between the two machines in terms of the bit sizes and the number of bits one needs for a particular type of job.
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Dealing with Two Types of Locking Mechanisms
As I mentioned in the part where I reviewed both these machines, they have different mechanisms that they use to lock the bits in place. This allows people to work without any problems. You won’t have to worry of a bit or a piece falling off. Dremel 4000 uses the EZ twist and 4300 has3-Jaw chuck.
The main difference between the two is the fact that the EZ twist lock system is a bit more tedious to work with. For example, you need to find bits of the right size and then twist them to fit the jaws of this system. People need steady hands to do this kind of things over and over.
On the other hand, the 3-Jaw chuck is somewhat of a magnet when it comes to attaching bits. The users will just have to bring the bits to the proximity of the chuck. The magnet will take care of the rest. This is more suitable for the two when you need work done in quick time.
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The Difference in Ampere Count
This thing is so little that people fail to notice. Dremel 4300 consume tiny bit more current than what Dremel 4000 does. Dremel 4300 works with 1.8 amps of current. While a small amount, this does put a little bit more dent on your wallet than Dremel 4000 does. And for good reasons.
On the other hand, Dremel 4000 consumes about 1.6 amps of current. A large part of this goes to running the motor. Then, there’s the electric readout system that gives users an accurate idea about what’s going on about the machine at any given time. The LED driven system is very much accurate.
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There’s the Pivoting Light System as Well
Remember, I said Dremel 4300 consumes more current than 4000 does for a reason. The reason is an LED light that pivots. This little light is helpful when you have to see the tiniest of detail possible on an object. Thanks to this, delicate carving, cutting, and sanding of small objects can be flawless.
On the other hand, Dremel 4000 doesn’t have a pivoting light attached to it. As a result, you can’t really do delicate jobs where a bit of illumination is necessary. Also, it’s not so good when your workplace is a bit dark and needs some light to see what you’re working on and how.
Thanks to this and more accessories than it’s predecessor, Dremel 4300 commands a bigger price tag than the model. I think it’s justified since you’re getting quite a few perks than the older one.
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Other Nitpicks that I Came Up With
I know that I mentioned that both the kits are noise-free. Don’t come at me for this but I think Dremel 4000 is a bit noisier than its competitor. You really won’t notice it unless you come close to the machine and work with it for an hour or two. But hey, a difference is a difference be it tiny.
One more thing I’d like to mention is the quality of the case these two come in. Make no mistake, the carrying cases are nearly identical. But I think that the quality of the carrying case for Dremel 4300 is slightly better than that of Dremel 4000. It’s more damage resistant and lightweight.
I can understand many of you thinking the case for the latter product is somewhat bulky. Yes, it is. But sometimes, bulky is good. Especially, if you want to protect the delicate machine inside.
Which One Should You Buy?
As you can see, even after a comprehensive Dremel 4000 vs 4300 article, it’s very hard to tell the two products apart. As I said multiple times in this piece, I’m splitting hairs at this point. But we have to pick one or the other here. We have to go with one product that edges the other out.
So, which one is it?
Unsurprisingly, it depends on what type of job you have at hand and how well-cushioned is your wallet in your pocket. For example, if you’re a guy who works in the dark and with tiny but detailed objects, Dremel 4300 is clearly the winner with a pivoting light thrown in the mix.
At the same time, if you want to work with objects in daylight or with sufficient light and don’t mind a bit of noise along the way, Dremel 4000 is perfect for the occasion. On top that, it costs less than the other product. It should be a good buy with all the accessories and attachments.
Also, keep the “Warranty” aspect of the rotary tools in mind as well. Yes, both the tools are sitting on a 2-year warranty at this point. But… you never know! It might change anytime. It’s best to be informed beforehand to cover your damages as much as possible.
Overall, I’d pick Dremel 4300 to work with thanks to the extra attachment and some added bits. However, that’s just my choice as it allows me to fine-tune certain aspects of my job.
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