Dremel recently introduced its latest cordless tool, model 8000-01, the first power tool to have a lithium-ion battery. According to Dremel, the 10.8v battery provides 50% more power than the standard battery in other cordless rotary tools. Company research also says that, after four months, the lithium-ion battery will maintain 85% of its original charge, while a nickel-cadmium battery will be fully drained.

Model 8000-01 includes a variable-speed feature that allows you to set the speed anywhere between 5,000 rpm and 35,000 rpm. It also has three LED lights that indicate the amount of battery-charge remaining, a feature I found most useful. Charging time for the battery is about three hours.

To get some sense of run-time on a fully charged battery, I did a couple of tests. For the first one, I simply started the tool and let it run until it stopped. I did this three times, recording an average run-time of 50 minutes, with each run coming in within one minute of one another.

Then, to get a better idea of run-time with the tool under load, I made a little testing jig. The jig simply applied a light sanding force to the tool. First, though, I mounted a 1/2-in.-dia. by 1/2-in.-long sanding drum to the tool, and then added a 60-grit sanding sleeve. After three tests, the average run-time was 32 minutes.

The Dremel model 8000-01 sells for about $70. It comes with a battery charger, 60 accessories, and a plastic carrying case.

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