How to Use a Dremel Tool and Accessories

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

You know how people use the word Kleenex when they mean tissues? That's sort of the same identity situation Dremel has. When people refer to using a Dremel, they mean they are using a rotary tool. Just like Kleenex, Dremel has become what people call a rotary tool. 

As part of The Home Depot ProSpective campaign, we are sharing a couple of Dremels, uhh, I mean a couple of rotary tools and accessories!

You can see from our pictures and video, just a small number of products Dremel makes, including the SawMax, Multi-tool, wood burning torch as well as a huge variety of accessories for the rotary tools.

Tools:

• Dremel 8220 Series 12-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Variable Speed Cordless Rotary Tool Kit with 28 Accessories, 1 Attachment and Case (Home Depot)
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• Dremel 4300 Series 1.8 Amp Variable Speed Corded Rotary Tool Kit with Mounted Light, 40 Accessories, 5 Attachments and Case (Home Depot)
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• Dremel 32 in. Flex-Shaft Attachment for Rotary Tools (Home Depot)
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• Dremel EZ Lock Sanding and Polishing Mini Kit for Metal, Steel, Wood, Brass, Aluminum, Plastics and Vinyl (7-Piece) (Home Depot)
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• Dremel EZ Lock and Drum Sanding/Grinding Rotary Tool Accessory Kit (18-Piece) (Home Depot)
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• Dremel EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel Set for Metal and Plastic (11-Piece) (Home Depot)
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In this video we share a couple of accessories from three of the variety pack of accessories. First up is the Sanding and Polishing kit. I'm using a mild abrasive disk to clean the brass legs of this mid-century modern chair. I varied the direction of the cleaning path to keep from getting any obvious horizontal or vertical lines. It's always a good idea to test these accessories, if you can, in an inconspicuous place to be sure it will cause no damage. I used the mildest abrasive accessory in the kit. If need be, I could always go to a higher grit.

This was tedious, but I found I could clean areas of tough dirt in the grout and crevices of my kitchen tile. This tile has a bumpy surface that collect dirt. It is extremely difficult to remove through other means. I wouldn't use it over the entire tile surface, but it works really well on these random areas.

Dremel continues to innovate and to make switching out accessories easier. The EZ Drum Mandrel for the sanding bands, is tool free, unlike the previous versions which had to be unscrewed to add and remove a sanding band. This is a great, easy to use feature.

We used the sanding bands on the odd shaped parts of this log we cleaned up to use as outdoor seating.

We also used sanding bands on the inside of the elevated dog bowl stand we made. It would have been impossible to use a orbital sanding in this application, but the Dremel was the perfect tool for the job.

I even got crafty with the sanding drum. Here I'm using it to add a little texture to a simple terra-cotta pot. Be sure when you're operating a rotary tool that you take all safety precautions including safety goggles, mask (if sanding) and hearing protection.

Just like the EZ Lock Drum mandrel , the EZ Lock mandrel now makes accessory changing tool free. Here I've added a metal cutting accessory.

We've used the metal cutting accessory to remove these frame staples as well as to cut off nail-heads when we did a fence repair. Safety glasses are a must when cutting metal.

With the new EZ lock mandrel, the sanding disks can now be used totally flat. Previously, the mandrel screw came up through the middle of the sanding disk limiting the way you could use it.

The Dremel Flex-Shaft Attachment connects to a standard rotary tool making it easy to engrave or work in tight spaces.

The end of the tool has a small profile, is lightweight and easy to control. It's much like holding a pen or pencil.

My very first engraving project! This could be addictive!

A little stain and done!

This post is just the tip of the iceberg of the things you can do with a Dremel Rotary tool. Please share your tips and favorites uses in the comment section below.

We acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with us to participate in the ProSpective 2018 Campaign. As a part of the Program, we are receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own words. Our post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!

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