Get the Most out of your Dremel

If you're like me (and I'm sure a lot of you are) you own a Dremel. This versatile tool is perfect for preforming odd jobs when you don't want to get out a power tool. With (hundreds?) of attachments, this tool can do anything from drill a small hole in a sheet of aluminum, to carve intricate objects from a block of wood.

In this Instructible, I will tell you how to get the most out of your Dremel, from proper use of attachments, to safety and other various tricks I have picked up.

Step 1: Parts of Your Dremel + How to Attach and Detach Bits

A Dremel is a relatively simple tool, it consists of a wire brush motor with an adjustable current switch that allows for two or more speeds. The "business end" of the Dremel consists of four parts: the shaft-stopping button, the rubber collar, the collet, and the tightening cap.

By default, your Dremel will come fully assembled, minus a bit in the collet. However if you find yourself taking the parts off to clean them, you may want to know how to reassemble them. First screw on your rubber collar, this is shown in the first picture. Next insert the collet (Picture 2) and finally the cap (Picture 3). While this is still loose, insert your bit (Picture 4), hold down the shaft-stopping button and tighten the screw cap with the wrench.

Once the cap is fully tightened, you are ready to use your Dremel.

Comments

[skuishingbugs]

this was seriously very helpful! thank you!

[dtuffy]

Thanks for the cool tips. The more I read, the more I learn.

[Prfesser]

Nicely done! A few comments (and my apologies if any of these were covered in the other 124 comments...)

--Safety is indeed first and foremost; placing the eye-protection blub at the end is actually a good idea. People tend to remember best what they've seen/heard last.

--The wire brush tends to lose individual wires as it's used--another good reason for eye protection.  Use this attachment in a location where the bits of wire won't get embedded in undesired places such as bare feet.

--The non-reinforced cutting discs can be strengthened by wicking a few drops of thin CA (super-fast) glue into the disc.  Hobby-store CA is generally superior to the stuff sold in most big-box stores.

[monty324]

and also the non reinforced cut off bits expload from time to time(i might just be using it wrong) another reason for eye protection.

and they make a weird smell in my workshop when i use them.

[DeathBunny2000]

thank you for the pictures. I am so tired of reading instructions using words I am not familiar with on how to do things with tools and I have NO idea what they are talking about.

a picture is DEFINITELY worth at least 1,000 words.

[abstracted]

i have the same dremel i bought when they 1st came on the market.... nothing beats keyless chuck...nope I am wrong...the flex shaft with a keyless chuck is almost as satisfying as sex......ummmm maybe not....hmmm, but it makes the tool that much better to use. talk to your dentist, ask about old dental bits....they are very good dremel bits designed for very high speed, various shapes n sizes.

[pj63]

I had a Dremel for several years.. After i gave up and 'Retired' on me i brought another which never lived for too long... Then i tried a 'Challange' one from ARGOS ( UK catalogue shop) and it is great. Only cost £20.00 and i use it daily. Its never let me down and ALL acessories fit.... GREAT INSTRUCTABLE...

[hjjusa]

My first dremel I had for ten of so years, lent it to a friemd he left it out in the rain, I cleaned it up and it still ran good. Second dremel 5 years third 2 years.
After that it was a dremel every 1/2 year. I switched to a Black and Decker RTX No troubles at all. Upside, I took apart my old Dremels and stuck the shafts into old screwdriver handles, make wonerderful clamps and third hands for holding small parts.

[whisperonthewind]

Because so many of the attachments/bits come with those screws, I kept dropping them and losing them. There are a few way down deep in the floor register. After searching Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as Radio Shack and the optical stores, I learned that the #2 screw doesn't fit, that McMaster-Carr doesn't have the right screw, and that Fastenal can't even special order them. They may be available outside the US, but I work for a machine shop, and even they couldn't get any screws that fit. Perhaps we could have built some, but the cost...

I finally called Dremel, and they very kindly sent me two screws. It took two weeks and they arrived in this bubble envelope that could have held 2,000 screws. Lesson of the day: It's faster and cheaper to buy a new mandrel - it comes with a screw.

[drdanielalvarez]

The Dremel Europe site has great tips and videos. Important tips on cutting discs: the 409 (not fiberglass reinforced) should be used double, that is 2 discs together. The 456 (fiberglass reinforced) should be used with a a washer on each side. Click on "Training Videos". http://www.dremeleurope.com/gb/en/download

[carpii]

Thanks for posting these. I just got a wireless dremel, but I was really disappointed with the lack of explanation on how to use any of the attachments, or even the SpeedClic system. I didnt think to look on their website, cheers

Oh, and great instructable too :)

[Robot Lover]

also if cutting metal, it would be a shame to get sparks in your eyes.

RL

[johnbot61]

Even if you've never worn safety glasses before in your entire life wear them with this little gem of a tool. The little wires can and do fly out and can puncture an eye. In fact this goes for any spinning wire tool.

[Mbrito]

Good advice, not only metal bits but what ever material your manipulating can cause eye damage,  3 dollars at Home depot can save your sight!!

[Subconscionaut]

so true....also,if you're wearing a respirator, make sure you are wearing appropriate goggles that FIT with it. the 3m n95-type respirators, for example, fit very well with the inexpensive gardener-type googles( flat front with flexible top/bottom/sides)
the glasses-style eyeshields leave a large gap that beckons crap to your lower lids
I learned this the hard way and as a result, had to spend a lot of time digging fiberglass out of my lower lids.
VERY IMPORTANT:fiberglass is encapsulated and pushed out of the body eventually, but carbon fiber will continually dig  through your body, creating scar tissue as it goes.CF Lovers: Effective Eye Protection FTW!save your sight homies!
great Ible, very useful!

[TheCiscoKid]

I may be doing something wrong but I think something is not right about my dremel...   For some reason the cap unscrews completely whenever i try to use it and the bit falls right off.... any suggestions?

[Mbrito]

there are several size brass collar inserts that go under the cap if the one your using is worn or to big, your bits wont tighten down and the bit will fall out.
  Hint: Remember the bit and the brass insert collar must match in thickness.
If you already double checked this, then it could be a stipped  cap screw or threaded collar.
I think that just about might cover it.

[csiquet]

I downloaded the bits' chart from the Dremel site, I had it printed in A3 size and plastified. Very useful.
www.dremeleurope.com/media_all/download/accessories-overview.pdf

[Mbrito]

the screws on those tiny shafts are always coming loose or braking off. I find those tiny sanding discs and polishers frustrating to use. I love the little one piece tools though, sanders in different shapes and grinders those are nice. I dont mind using those up and having to buy new ones. No frustration there.

[Doric]

 One dremel accessory I find essential it the keyless chuck. 

[Evilthingamabober]

Nice, what's the melted solder for? It kooks really useful.

[mce128]

I'd suggest throwing away the collet, and getting the keyless chuck for dremels. Makes life much simpler!

[danlab]

I definitely agree, I got one a few months ago and don't understand how I ever dealt with the collets.

[mce128]

Tell me about it! It is so much better, and it won't crap out like the collets so often do.

[Joxman2k]

The length of the screw is always important :D ZING! :P

[covey12]

lol i have the same model dremel, and the same white pvc dust all over it :)

[rhoaste]

Sorry to sound a bore, but it's essential to wear safety glasses when using the cutting disks in conjunction with the Dremel or similar tool. When the cutting disks break (and I can assure you they will), fragments fly everywhere at colossal speed. If one of these hits you in the eye- it's game over. Be safe!

[cdousley]

you need glasses just for the dust their essential with cutting wheels

[ABLACKX]

If you read the whole Instruct able you'll see the the last step is about safety , but thanx for pointing that out :) "Safety First"

[osgeld]

Im sorry but that just tickles me, "Safety First" but ironically its on the last page

[ABLACKX]

Your comment is a killer , I'm now left speechless :) you're %100 right ,good one

[cdousley]

i cut a tree thing plant with my Swiss army knife i had to use the wire brush to get the stuff off

[xerxesx20]

That "not quite so useful" wire brush does a fantastic job of cleaning spark plugs in mere seconds. Try it! Don't forget to blow any loosened wires from the nooks and crannies of the plug, best to not scratch that cylinder or short out that expensive plug!

[seandogue]

I guess I'm spoiled...My dad bought a spark-plug cleaner when a local shop was going out of business (basically a sandblaster) back in the late 1960s and we all still use it nearly 50 years later...

[xerxesx20]

I'll be damned, I wasn't aware that there was such a tool, if only I had one. Never again would I need to scrub with a wire brush, emery paper, skin dissolving solvents and ancient pretty-manky rags! Top stuff, glad it's still being used!

[seandogue]

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[xerxesx20]

Coolies, thanks.

Was it anything like these? Forgive the small size and crap quality!

The "Large" preference on my favourite image search engine yielded few results unfortunately.

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/Cleaner.jpg

http://www.matcotools.com/ProductImages/spc1.jpg

Ciao.

[seandogue]

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[xerxesx20]

Hmm, sounds like top fun, enjoy! hahahaha. I've recently been sanding and shaping/using a surform on some softwood, for an engine trolley so in a sense I share your pain, nearly done though. :-)

[seandogue]

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