Hi Adrian, and welcome always good to see new members join the model boat fraternity.
Dremel is a bit like saying Biro or Hoover. We know what you mean but there are other makes etc. It is not an essential tool, I have one I have only used a couple of times over the years, but then it was very useful. There are sudden offers of these sorts of sets with many attachments.
There is just one major item I would not want to be without and that is a Proxxon circular saw it has an A4 size footprint. I use my one multiple times a day. I suppose second would be my table jig saw. I can reccommend Rexxon I also have a Hegner which was a gift but is very expensive.
Have you inherited some modelling tools already? Nice quality wire cutters are an essential tool with good pliers and I use round nose pliers a lot for making hooks for my yachts.
Do not buy cheap tools they fail, I have items that are over 50 years old and made of good steel and will see me out. I find a small hand held electric drill which has a chuck that goes down to almost nothing is very useful.
Knife blades to fit a variety of handles. I use an oil stone to sharpen the blades as they wear. You may also want to use a very fine tooth saw that also fits the knife blade handles.
Quite often best to buy when you need the tool!
It is best to consider what you do I cut up a lot of wood as I mainly scratch build from plans, that is not being clever I am just a bit mean with spending money! If you build kits especially modern ones with laser cut parts then you will not need the electric tools above.
Horses for courses! I would make sure you have somewhere to work which is flat and well lit and drawers for tools.
If it has to be in the house being tidy will earn you lots of Brownie points, on this point I am a complete failure!
Good luck
Roy
Adrian, A Dremel is one of the best investments you'll ever make I have two Dremel 3000s I use one for grinding etc. and one for drilling in and out of the Dremel drill stand ,, Dremel yes a must in my opinion.
Joe