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Get the Most out of your Dremel

Step 3Specific Bit Uses

Specific Bit Uses
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Some of these bits have multiple specific uses, I will show you how to do some specific tasks with your attachments.


Cleaning a pair of needlenose pliers with the carbon steel brush bit: (Pictures 1-5)

My overused pliers gather lots of crud fast, so I often use my carbon steel brush attachment to clean them out. This task is simple enough, and requires little time to improve the performance and grip of your pliers.

Start by attaching the bit to the Dremel.
Put it on a low setting and start brushing parallel to the plier grooves.
You will find this improves the pliers grip greatly.



Changing sanding sleeves on a sanding block mandrel: (Pictures 6-9)

If you've worn out your current sanding bit's sanding sleeve, it may be time to replace it with another. To do this, start by taking the sanding bit out of the Dremel if it isn't already. Remove the small screw at the top of the bit, and slide the rubber part off the shaft. The reason we do this is because of the way the bit is made, the sleeve can only be removed when it is off the shaft.

Once the rubber block is removed, slide the sanding sleeve off of it and throw it away if you're replacing, or slide a new one on if you're putting it on for the first time. After this simply slide the block back on the shaft (making sure both the washers are there) and screw it back in tightly.



Polishing wheel use: (Pictures 10-15)

In order to install a polishing wheel, you first need to remove a different disc from the interchangeable disc mandrel. Take one of the cutting wheel mandrels and unscrew the screw at the top. remove the disc from the screw and insert the polishing wheel through the screw. Thread the screw onto the shaft of the mandrel and tighten snugly.

Once completed turn your Dremel on a low setting and apply some polishing compound. You can use this wheel and compound mixture to polish any type of metal. Below I've included a sample of a pair of scissors that I've used the compound on. Notice the great shiny lighting and visible difference from the rest of the tool.
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9 comments
Sep 7, 2009. 6:05 PMjohnbot61 says:
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.
Mar 7, 2010. 9:54 AMMbrito says:
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!!
Mar 21, 2010. 11:25 AMSubconscionaut says:
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!
Feb 21, 2010. 9:16 AMMbrito says:
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.
Sep 21, 2009. 5:58 PMJoxman2k says:
The length of the screw is always important :D ZING! :P
Apr 13, 2009. 3:25 AMcoco911231 says:
yea that stainless steel wheel accually cuts metal
Apr 13, 2009. 1:05 AMMuscelz says:
the wire disc's are actually used for rust removal and etc, called a buffing wheel. its just a sized down version of the buffing wheels found on bench grinders, for polishing you'd be looking at the fabric wheels which will polish what you are trying to polish, but they wont polish every surface, good preparation is needed to get a good finish emery tape wheels are used for surfacing, in some cases sharpening small tools and other things (a prep tool) stone grinding wheel are used for rough surfacing finishing, sharpening but very messy and etc (a prep tool)
Apr 10, 2009. 4:30 PMSuper Cameraman says:
What do I do if I lost the screw for the disc one? Where can I get a new one for cheap?
Jan 5, 2009. 8:50 PMNCRatSniper says:
Your supposed to use the buffing wheels on the screw mandrel....
Jan 13, 2009. 7:20 PMNCRatSniper says:
other than that great how to...

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Author:Firebert010
I study engineering at Virginia Tech. Long time instructables fan.