i just purchased the dremel stylus and CANNOT get the collet to open to put in the accessories. nor can i remove it. it says to move the switch into the locked position and then turn it counter-clockwise. i cannot get the collet to turn AT ALL in either direction when it's in the locked position. can anyone please help? am i doing something wrong? did anyone else have the same problem?

This product is everything I hoped it would be. I purchased it for jewelry making, specifically for drilling holes in natural shell. It works great, making small, precise holes without shattering or splitting the delicate shells. First time I used it, I worked for literally HOURS before the appliance became hot and eventually turned itself off briefly. However, by then vitually all of my work was finished! I have small hands, yet this appliance was easy to use and manuever. I read other reviews before buying, some good, some not so -- but I would highly recommend this product and confidently stand by my recommendation.

I just bought one of these. So far, I've only used the etching and cutting head, but overall I'm pleased with it.

THE GOOD:

* POWER: The run time and torque are impressive ... using the cutting wheel on max speed, I'm able to saw through just over 2 dozen #10 steel screws, at about 10 sec apiece (and plenty of showering sparks), before the battery runs down. For a cordless stylus, that's all out torture, but it gets it done - although it does get pretty warm under that kind of abuse.

* COMFORT: This unit fits nicely in the hand, and is ambidexterous.

THE QUIRKS:

* CHARGE SENSOR: Under extremely heavy use (see above), the stylus gets warm. When placed into the charger while still warm, the charger appears to get confused and think the unit has just been charged - and refuses to charge it further. Clearly, its smart charging technology is not very smart. Anyway, one way around that is to pop the stylus in the freezer for 10 mins (to speed-cool), and THEN put it in the charger. It works.

NITS:

* DEFAULT ACCESSORIES: The default kit is stingy on attachments - and some of the attachments it does comes with can't be used out of the box unless you buy additional parts. That's annoying (hence the 4 stars instead of 5).

* CHARGE TIME: Only the heaviest users will notice, but this unit's charger needs 3 hours to fully charge the stylus. My new Li-Ion Makita drill charges in only 15 mins, so 3 hrs for something far smaller seems rather pokey. I also wish this thing had a detacheable battery pack, so that you could swap packs while the other re-charges - and not have to toss out the whole unit when the built-in battery finally dies.

Recommended, despite a few quirks.

I have been so pleased with this little stylus that I'm about ready to give away my corded Dremel tool. I have very little use for it any more. The lithium battery holds an extremely long charge and the tool is strong enough to accomplish nearly any task in one charge.

The only thing I can say needs a bit more work is the cradle/docking station. First, it's a bit light and slides around wherever it's placed. Also, the unit doesn't dock with the charging plug as convincingly as I would like. Although there is a light on the back of the dock that tells you when it's in place, I'm never sure whether it's completely locked into the dock, and you can never be sure that it will stay that way once you leave the room. (Indeed, when I went to check on the light just now, I discovered that it had worked its way out of position somehow and was not charging until I twisted it slightly. Point made.)

It's still a great product. I like it well enough that I gave a similar unit to my brother and his wife last Christmas and last I heard, they were equally thrilled with it.

It worked fine--once. While trying to remove the brush tool, the collet
nut was so tight it wouldn't come off. But the shaft lock button did, and a small spring popped out to God knows where. So after using this tool just once, it sits here, with the brush tool in place, worthless unless I want to brush something else. Sitting next to it is the 150 tool
"All-Purpose Accessory Kit." This product, made in Mexico, should be declared an illegal immigrant and kicked back over the border.