Dremel 8220 vs 4300 (Cordless vs Corded). Which Model is Better?

When choosing between rotary drills, a lot of the consideration will come down to going with a cordless or corded model. The Dremel 4300 and 8220 are similar devices in many ways. But there are some important differences.

Difference Between Dremel 8220 and 4300

The primary difference between the Drmel 4300 and 8220 models is that, the 4300 version is coded whereas the Dremel 8220 is cordless. There few other distinctions in terms of tool bit holding, amperage, price, size and weight.

Dremel Cordless vs Corded Comparison Table

* The maximum speed on 8220 varies from 30,000 to 35,000 depending on on the country/region.

** ** Not all 8220 kits come with the LED work light.

The key differences between Dremel 4300 and the cordless Dremel 8220 are as follows.

• The 8220 is cordless while the 4300 is corded.
• The 4300 offers a 3-Jaw Chuck while the 8220 uses a collet with EZ Twist Cap.
• The 4300 is also slightly heavy and has a cooling fan at the front

In addition, the 8220 has a separate speed control switch which makes it different than the 4300. But another important difference is the cooling system.
The 8220 has a cooling fan with straight fins, built-in towards the rear end of the DC motor. The 4300 has a cooling fan at the front which works well for dissipating the heat.

Portability and Convenience

Like any other cordless power tool, the Dremel 8220 cordless rotary tool also offers better portability and ease of use over the corded 4300 model.

If you are a hobbyist or DIYer you will love the convenience of the cordless model. When you want to fix your door lock, or kitchen cabinet hinge, the ability to grab and switch-on the tool and start working directly is a big plus.

If you are a professional locksmith or an artist working on large models, cordless is a better choice.

Tool Holding (Collect vs Chuck)

This is a big one. The Dremel 4300 is the first model with a tool-less clamping system. The self-centering 3-jaw chuck can accept Dremel tool bits with different diameter shanks and changing the bits is a simple and easy process.

The earlier models including the 8220 utilized collets to hold the tool bits. This was a kind of a limitation since you will have to swap collets for different diameter shanks. However, the built-in EZ twist nose cap found in Dremel 3000 and 4000 is also available in the cordless 8220.

Overheat Warning

While the 8220 has a warning indicator that will flash when the unit is overheating, the 4300 has built-in stall protection that will shut off the machine when it does overheat.

The battery overheat warning is indicated by the fuel gauge. When all the three indicator lights are flashing, it means the battery temperature is not normal.
The overheating issue is important because the warning indicator on the 8220 lets you power down for several seconds to a few minutes to let the device cool down. While it’s possible that the 4300 will shut down in the middle of a job without as much warning.

Dremel 8220 vs 4300 Motor

The corded Dremel 4300 has a slightly more powerful motor with 1.8 amps whereas the cordless version has an amperage of 1.5 amps.

LED Light

The corded Dremel 4300 has a 360° pivotable LED light which is very convenient when working in hard-to-reach areas and dark areas. Holding a flashlight on one hand and the rotary tool, on the other hand, is not a pleasant experience.

If you are mostly working inside a well-lit area or shop floor, this shouldn’t matter to you.

Size and Weight

Usually, while the absence of an electric cord offers convenience, the addition of a battery adds extra weight to the tool. But in this case, Dremel managed to keep the weight down on its cordless model.

What is Common?

The similarities start with the motors for the 8220 and 4300 being quite similar. They are compact and quite powerful with the same speed range. In addition, the gripping system is similar as well, which is why both score high in terms of ergonomics.

Being cordless, the 8220 has the advantage because you are not having to move or jostle the cord around when operating the device.

Spindle Shaft Lock Protection

This is a neat little feature that is available in both models. It is possible that you could accidentally press the shaft lock button when it is still spinning. This will damage the locking pin or the teeth that are machined on the spindle.

With the new models, when you actuate the ON button into position, it goes inside a little recess in the spindle shaft lock button effectively stopping it from going down.

Dremel Cordless Vs Corded: Which One Should I Get?

Which one to get will depend in part on whether you mind has a corded rotary tool or are willing to work with a cordless version.

Being cordless translates to being less cumbersome. Plus, the 4300 can get hot when used for a long time. So for most uses, the 8220 is just as good as the 4300 with the added benefit of being cordless.

The bottom line is that unless you are working all day, the cordless version is generally better in terms of ease of use.

Difference Between Dremel 8200 and 8220

The 8200 is quite similar to the 8220 which superseded it, but the most important difference is the 8220 features a motor that is higher in performance output. Plus, the 8220 uses a 12VMAT lithium-ion battery which runs 33% longer compared to the 8200. The bottom line is that the 8220 can do everything the 8200 can and last longer while offering more power. And do not forget the superior cool-down system that when used properly keeps the device operational.

If you are looking to get the best cordless version, then the 8220 is the one to purchase. If you are looking for a rotary tool that is corded for reliable, all-day power, then the 4300 is the one to buy. Keep in mind that the 4300 also may overheat when used continually for hours at a time.

If you are someone who doesn’t want to mess around with a power cable and extension box, you may be better off with the 8220 with an extra battery to change out when needed.

• Dremel 8220: For DIYers, hobbyists, home users, and those who love the freedom of cordless tools. Get Your Dremel 8220 Here

 

• Dremel 4300: For professionals and artists who need a powerful tool that can work an extended period of time. Buy Dremel 4300 from Amazon

 

Dremel Problems and Fixes

Can a Dremel overheat?

I have seen people complain about the overheating issue with both corded and cordless Dremel models. In my experience, the Dremel rotary tools do get heated when used continuously for an extended period of time.

If your unit is getting heated very quickly, here are few tips.

1. Check if the air vents are clogged. The rotary tools create a lot of fine dust that gets into the air vents causing the motor to get heated.
2. Make sure that the cooling fan is working. If not, replace it as soon as possible; or else you will burn the motor.
3. Running at too low speed and very high speeds can cause an overheating problem.
   When run at very low speeds like 5000 RPM, the motor gets overloaded and may get heated.

Similarly, if you run the tool at 35,000 RPM for a long period of time, the motor can get heated.
Try to use speeds between 10,000 to 25,000 RPM. If you have to go to extreme speeds, dial it back to medium speeds or switch off the tool for a couple of minutes.

4. Unplug or remove the battery and try to rotate the spindle by hand. Do you feel it is very tight or unusually hard to revolve? There could be a mechanical issue such as defective bearings. Get your tool checked.
5. If you have a lot of heavy-duty grinding and polishing work to do, consider getting a die grinder instead of Dremel.

Why did my Dremel stop working?

The Dremel 4000 series has a thermal-fuse and stall protection which will stop the tool from working to prevent excess heat causing damages to the motor. Allow the device to cool down and try to switch on again. If you still can’t get it working, follow the steps below.

First, check the carbon/graphite brushes. According to the manufacturer, the brushes last anywhere from 50 hrs. to 100 hrs. of working time. It is easy to unscrew and replace the two spring-loaded brushes.

Next, check if the thermal fuse is still intact. The single-use thermal fuse goes off when the temperature goes beyond 110°C and stops the motor thereby preventing the tool from igniting while working. In the 4000 series, the thermal fuse is built into the brush holder.

You can get the replacement thermal fuse and change it yourself. There is no need for soldering. All you need is a Torx key to open the rubber molded case.

Why is my Dremel battery not charging?

First, check if your battery pack is too hot or too cold.

The battery pack is designed to work within certain temperature range. In the case of 8220 it is between 0 to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). If you own a different model, please refer the user manual for this information under “Important Charging Notes”.

Remove the battery from the charger and allow it to come back to normal temperature before you try to charge again.

You might also want to check battery and charger terminals for any dirt. Unplug and clean the terminal with alcohol.

If it is still not working or the battery is getting drained within few minutes of working, may be it is time to get a new battery. Unfortunately, the Dremel battery packs are expensive. There are generic knockoff batteries available from third party sellers. But keep in mind that, using such batteries would void the tool’s warranty.

Tip: Unplug the fast charger after you finished charging the batteries. If you leave the tool on the plugged charger as a storage spot, you will end up replacing the battery often.

Why is the light on my battery charger blinking?

The green indicator lights on charger will keep flashing during the battery charging cycle. Once the battery is fully charged the green lights will stop flashing and will be on.