Dremel 409 vs 420 | Which Cut Off Wheel To Buy

Last updated on November 30th, 2022 at 08:44 am

Deciding between the Dremel 409 vs 420 can be difficult. The Dremel 409 rotary tool is one of the most popular mid-range tools for DIY projects. It cuts, sands, polishes and shapes everything from metal to plastic to wood. The Dremel 420 is suitable for cutting, straight cuts, and slots in all types of metal. You can use it to work on hardened steel, metal sheets, or aluminum. Let us look at how the Dremel 420 compares to the Dremel 409.

Dremel 409 Cut Off Wheel

Dremel 409 is a cutting tool ideal for metal and hardened steel, aluminum, and metal sheets. The cutting process involves slicing and making straight cuts and slots. Bolts are easy to cut using the cutting tool, and you are allowed to make slots in rusted bolts, stripped bolts, and screws for removal with a screwdriver. 

It is compatible with 402 Mandrel as you unscrew the top screw on the Mandrel using the wrench that comes with the cutting tool. As you screw back the Mandrel, put the screw through the hole in the middle of the disk. Less pressure is required when using the metal cutting wheel at high speed. The wheels last longer and cut faster. 

Heavy pressure slows down the wheels and lowers the chances of breaking them. Dremel 409 comes with abrasive discs, which is why the wheel wears off quickly. The moment you realize that the wheel is too small to cut perfectly, do not proceed with the task. Replace the wheel right away and test the tool. A cut-off wheel requires the user to use a two-handed golf-like grip as you hold it. Master the right angle for precision and effectiveness. 

As you angle the wheel in the cut, be cautious since it might break. The disk also works on copper and cast iron. The best results come when used on a reinforced cut-off wheel. Different speeds are ideal on multiple materials. These are as follows: Aluminium 35000, brass 35000, copper 35000, plastic 10-15000, and steel 35000. The maximum speed is 35,000 rpm, meaning you cannot operate at a higher tool speed than that. 

It is a 15/16-inch cutting wheel in diameter. The cutting tool is ideal for tough applications since the cuts are in various metal items. A fair performance is delivered so that metal and wood are cut precisely. The wheel cuts bolts and screws. The accessories of Dremel are color-coded to inform the user about the usage categories. That makes it easy for you to select the appropriate application. 

The red color code gives you multiple cutting looks. Handle the Dremel tool carefully, so they do not bump side to side. The collet screw should not be over-tightened. Use steady hands so that you keep the cutting tool under control. Side pressure easily damages the cutting wheel since it cannot withstand side-to-side movements. 

It works on heavy-duty staples, and the wheel allows you to cut as many as eight staples before replacing them. Even if you are to cut dozens of items, it remains consistent. I used the wheel on a 6mm stainless steel bolt, which worked effectively. Stainless is a tough material, but the wheel still performs the same. With one cut, you successfully slice tough materials. 

Pros

• Accurate
• Value for money
• Heavy duty
• Consistent 
• Multiple accessories 

Cons

• It could be more durable

(See Additional Information)

Dremel 420 Cut Off Wheel

Dremel 420 is a heavy-duty cutting tool made of hard and abrasive material. The material. The material is for cutting metal, narrow wood, and hardened steel. These tough materials easily break your cutting tool, but the Dremel 420 is strong and sturdy in this case. 

Dremel 420 is compatible with Dremel 402 as they work with each other. The cutting tool is a 15/16-inch metal cut-off wheel positioned along the edge of a flat surface when in motion. 

It allows you to slice cleanly and evenly with the tool’s weight doing all the work. The package includes a handy 20-pack ready to give you a wide range of do-it-yourself home improvement projects. You can keep it along with other tools but keep it safe. 

The wheel is 15/16 inches in diameter: the rugged, versatile tool cuts or slot bolts, screws, sheet metal, thin wood, and plastic. Cutting your materials with the side of the bit gives you more precise results than with the top. It is also a safety measure that keeps your slotting tool safe. 

Do not attempt to sand or cut curved holes with the wheel. There is a speed chart for different materials given in the manual. It is as follows: Aluminium 35000, Brass 35000, Copper 35000, Plastic 10-15000, and Steel 35000 rpm. Dremel 420 is ideal for cutting, grooving, and trimming all kinds of metal, making it easy to cut bolts and screws. 

The hard abrasive material is for slicing and cutting metal. The package includes twenty polishing wheels. Do not apply too much pressure on the cutting tool. That brings damage, and the speed does the cutting for you. 

If you apply pressure on the wheel, chances are very high that you will damage the wheel, and multiple replacements will result. You complete at least two tasks per wheel, which is an economic tool since each wheel is affordable. 

Pros 

• Value for money
• Durable
• Thicker
• Versatile
• Precise

Cons

• It is thick

(See Additional Information)

Favorite features

Wheels

Dremel 409 has cut-off wheels that are 0.025 inches thick, whereas Dremel 420 has 0.040-inch wheels. A thinner tool runs faster than a thicker one. Dremel 420 has more durable wheels than Dremel 409.

Discs

Dremel discs are for smooth, fine cuts. However, they have a problem with curves and corners. These are intricate positions they have a difficult time working on. They both break in a short space of time.

EZ lock

The EZ lock system allows the change of accessories with ease on both tools. The changing process of accessories involves pulling, twisting, and releasing. Changing wheels is made easier. 

What could be better

Dremel 409

• It could have been more durable

Dremel 420

• It could have been thinner.

Similarities 

• They are both heavy-duty cutting tools.
• They both come with twenty accessories.
• They use less pressure.
• They are both cutting and slicing tools.

Key differences between Dremel 409 and Dremel 420

• Dremel 409 has cut-off wheels that are 0.025 inches thick, whereas the Dremel 420 has a 0.040-inch wheel.
• Dremel 420 is more abrasive than the Dremel 409. 
• The heat grated by Dremel 420 is more than what comes from Dremel.409.
• Dremel 420 is more durable than Dremel 409.

Verdict

The above Dremel cut off wheels have similarities and differences that distinguish them from each other. They are suitable for hard materials, and they also cut soft materials. They both work at a maximum speed of 35,000 rpm. They have twenty accessories with which they are equipped. If you like to work with a thinner model, the Dremel 409 is the ideal tool. It makes it faster when cutting through the material. The Dremel 420 is more abrasive than the Dremel 409 and is good value for money.