A Dremel tool is a kind of high-speed handheld rotary cutting machine which looks a little like a die grinder. It is an amazingly versatile tool. This tool uses different types of accessories and attachments. It is basically used in the woodworking or metalworking industry. Carpenters and mold makers usually use this tool for their works. We can use this tool on different types of materials like plastic, glass, metal, electronics, wood, etc. In the case of an art or craft project and home repairs, this tool will turn out to be very much useful. It is also useful to perform work in small spaces. Here I am going to discuss the ways to use a Dremel tool.
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How to Use a Dremel Tool
Though it is not that much easy to use a Dremel tool, still if you read this article carefully, you will be able to use this tool very easily. But before you start using a Dremel tool, you must know the basics of this tool and take some pre-using actions. Let’s have a look at them.
Pre-Using Actions:
Choose Your Dremel Tool
As Dremel Company produces a huge number of diversified tools such as scroll saws and powered screwdrivers along with rotary tools, it is very much important for you to choose the actual Dremel tool that you are in need of. If you choose the wrong tool that doesn’t fit your needs, you will fail to complete the task you want to do. So, make sure you choose the appropriate Dremel tool perfect for your task. Find out the actual tool according to the model number, price, weight, strength, battery life, speed, etc.
Read the User Guidelines
Once you choose the perfect tool for your task, then you must buy the tool. After buying the tool, you will get a using guideline with the tool. Read the guideline very carefully. This will help you to understand about the attachments and drill bits included with the box. You will also become very much familiar with the controls like speed controls, bit control, and the switch on/off controls. So, make sure to read the guidelines very carefully before you use the tool for the first time.
Wear Gloves
To ensure the safety of your hands, you must wear either working gloves or rubber gloves. As you will use the tool using your own hands, make sure to protect your hands from any kind of unexpected accident. If you wear gloves, your hands will remain safe and you will be able to use the tool without any fair of getting hurt.
Practice Using Bit
The company will provide a number of different types of bits having the diversified shape of heads with the tool. At first, select the right bit suitable for the material you are going to use. Then practice inserting and securing the bits. For inserting a bit, try to place the bits inside the tool hole placed at the very end of the Dremel tool. Then tighten the nuts to prevent the bits from moving as well as secure the bits.
Switch off Before Using
Make sure the tool is not switched on before you plug it in. If you find the switch on, then switch it off immediately. If it remains switched on, then there may occur an accident after plugging in. But you can switch the tool on after plugging in. when you plug it in for the first time, try to keep the tool on the lowest setting. And then, gradually you can switch it to different speeds and keep practicing.
Cutting Using a Dremel
People use a Dremel tool for cutting metals, plastics, and other materials. If you are using a Dremel tool for cutting something, then follow the following steps:
Using Dremel for Small Cutting and Detailing
A Dremel tool is usually lightweight and very much easy to carry and handle as well. This feature makes it suitable for small cuts and little detailing. As you will be mostly working for free hand, it can turn out to be very difficult to provide long curves. But, still, if you want to have some edges, you can think of making several straight cuts. Even you can up the edge using the sanding bit. Make sure to avoid using a Dremel tool for larger cuts. Dremel tools are not suitable for these long cuts.
Object Securing
It is really very important task to secure the object you are going to cut. For securing the object, you can use either clamps or vice, any of these two that is available near you. You can also use something else to secure the object. Just make sure that the object is properly secured and it is not moving. Never do the mistake to hold the object in your hand.
Cut at the Appropriate Speed
Using the proper speed for cutting material is a vital matter of consideration. You should never work with a higher or lower speed. Because, using a speed that seems to be too high may cause unexpected damage to the motor, the bit, and also the object that you are cutting. Even a speed that is too low can also result in the same. To know the appropriate speed that suits your Dremel tool and the object you are cutting, go through the user guideline. There you will definitely find the speed recommended for the combination of your tool and the material. If you see any kind of smoke or discoloration, that indicates the speed is too high. In that situation, reduce the speed immediately.
Cutting Plastic
To cut plastic, the very first thing that you need to do is to put on both the air and the eye protection before you start cutting plastic. Then you should set up a slim and sharp saw blade onto the Dremel tool you are using. Set the speed from 4 to 8. That will provide you with enough power, but it will not burn out the motor. Once you make the cuts, then you can sand the rough edges. Do not press down too hard, because this may damage the tool and the bits as well.
Cutting Metal
To cut any metal using Dremel tools, put on both the air and eye protection. Remember that, forgetting to put on these protections can cause brutal damage to your eyes and ears as well. After putting on the protections, you need to set up a metal cutting wheel on the Dremel tool you are going to use to perform the metal cutting. Set the speed between 8 and 10 and switch on the Dremel tool. The metal you are cutting should be tightly attached in place. Then touch the tool very gently to the metal you are cutting for a few seconds. Keep touching the tool until you become able to cut the metal.
Grinding, Sanding, and Polishing
Grinding
If you want to perform grinding using a Dremel tool, at first you have to attach the grinding stones that can be easily fixed to the alloy. After that, you need to slide the secured stone into the face of the tool, the exact place where it is completely inserted and perfectly tightened. Then switch on the tool at a lower speed to protect the material from overheating and start grinding. Then grapple the grinding stone very gently until it scalps. For grinding a material, you can use different types of stones like grinding stones, chain saw sharpening stones etc. and different types of wheels like grinding wheels, abrasive wheels, etc. Carbide bits are best suited to porcelain, metal, and ceramic.
Sanding or Sharpening
For sanding, you need the sandpaper bit. At first, you have to choose a sandpaper bit and then have to secure the bit in the Dremel tool. Sandpaper bits are always available and all the grades can be easily fit on the same shaft. After tightening the screw located at the bottom of the sandpaper bit, switch the Dremel tool on and keep the speed from 2 to 10. If you are polishing or sanding either woods or plastic, you should choose lower settings. But in case of metal, do not forget to select a higher speed. Run the sandpaper bit across the object while you hold the material. This will allow the sandpaper bit to come in contact with the object and sand or sharpen it properly.
Shifting of Bits
If you are thinking of performing a huge task using your Dremel tool, then you should start with the coarser bits. Because this thing will help you to sand out the larger scratches very quickly. Then you can shift to softer bits. This will allow you to have full control over the material. But if you start with a softer bit avoiding the coarse bit, it will take a long time and you will get tired. Don’t forget to switch the tool off and unplug it while checking the bit after some time just to know whether the bit is torn or worn.
Polish Plastics or Metals
A Dremel tool can turn out to be an amazing tool for tight spot polishing or fine detail polishing. You need to fit the Dremel tool with a felt-polishing wheel or tip after rubbing a polishing compound gently just over the top of the object. Begin the drill at a lower speed of 2 and run it in opposition to the polishing compound. Keep working the wheel in a circle up to the material is properly polished. Remember not to go over a speed of 4. If you want, you can also polish without the use of a compound. But this will not bring the best result.
Clean the Tool after Each Use
It is very essential to clean the Dremel tool properly after each use. This will help to extend the life of the Dremel tool. If you want your tool to have an extended life, then never forget to clean it regularly. At first, remove the bit from the tool and keep it back in the case. Then wipe the drill down using a piece of cloth after each use.
A Dremel tool is one of the very essential and effective tools I’ve ever used. You can easily perform a variety of tasks using this tool. I hope after reading this article, now you have the proper knowledge about using the tool and I believe you will never get afraid of using the tool after reading this article. But still, if you have any confusion regarding the ways of using the Dremel tool, then I must suggest you read this article again and try to use the tool practically by applying the given instructions step by step.
