DREMEL 300JE
Price £59 Tel 08454 501800 Web www.machinemart.co.uk Power 125w Cordless No Accessories 55 Cable length 2m Flexible drive no
Little touches of innovation make a product a pleasure to use and the Dremel has one up its sleeve. The SpeedClic system for attaching grinding discs is beautiful in its execution – the simple design does away with fiddly screws and washers. You just press the disc on to the spindle and rotate to allow the spring-loaded locking mechanism to pop up through the hole. The unit also elegantly combines the on/off and power variation switches into one. Power is excellent, as is build quality – this really feels like the best workshop product. The meagre accessories and lack of flexible drive may put some off, but if you don't mind paying for the extras when you need them, this is without doubt the best available.
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CLARKE CRT40
Price £29 Tel 01992 565333 Web www.clarkeinternational.com Power 135w Cordless no Accessories 49 Cable length 2m Flexible drive yes
Clarke's CRT40 is a decent, affordable product. It may lack accessories, but its power and capabilities are striking. The inclusion of a stand and a flexible drive are real bonuses.
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ROTACRAFT RC18
Price £30 Tel 08704 296 000 Web www.maplin.co.uk Power 12V/18w Cordless no Accessories 60 Cable length 2m Flexible drive no
This tool is light, but has fiddly controls and lacks power. Its curly lead is too tight and you lose the connection too often. More suited to modelling than tougher DIY duties.
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SEALEY E5188
Price £56 Tel 01284 757 500 Web www.sealey.co.uk Power 130w Cordless no Accessories 188 Cable length 1.9m Flexible drive yes
This unit's performance is impressive: great power and good speed variation provide excellent flexibility. Its robust build adds weight, yet its flexible drive means you don't have to hold the unit for longer jobs. There's a vast range of accessories: sanding, grinding, polishing and drilling, the main tasks are all covered with plenty of spares. The chuck is of traditional design, with a small spanner provided to lock tools into place. It holds well, too, making the most of its cutting power when tackling demanding jobs. A great-value pack, which is ideal for the caravan and at home.
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DRAPER PT96AK
Price £40 Tel 023 8049 4333 Web www.draper.co.uk Power 9.6V/6w Cordless Yes Accessories 102 Flexible drive yes
As the only cordless unit here the power drop is evident, but the tool is still versatile. Twin batteries and plenty of accessories make a good set. The twin-LED attachment is handy for working in low light.
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SEALEY E540
Price £34 Tel 01284 757500 Web www.sealey.co.uk Power 230V/0.3A Cordless no Accessories 40 Cable length 1.9m Flexible drive no
This Sealey has a 'pistol' grip. There is a small range of accessories and no flexible drive, but build quality and power are impressive, so it's versatile for the money.
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