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GregLaROCHE
06-17-2022, 01:00 AM
I finally bought a Dremel tool. I was tired of using a big electric drill grinding small objects. The tool came with a few bits, but not much. I am wondering what I should be buying to use for it. What types of tools have members found to be the most useful? Should I buy things individually or go for a big kit of different types? Do I need to beware of cheap Chinese junk? I will mostly be using it on steel. Is it better to invest in carbide tools in place of HSS?
Thanks for all advice.

LAGS
06-17-2022, 01:07 AM
I pick up my Dremel cutting bits from Home Depot ,Lowe's and even the throw away bits that HF has.
But I don't use the Dremel that much.
But over time you will learn how the tips cut and which tips to buy.
Once you know what tips you are going to use for your kind of work.
Then you can shop around on the net and stock up on those bits at a better price.
Lots of the Hobby / Craft stores also sell the cutting tips.
Years ago , my wife bought me a 100 piece cutting tool tip kit from HF.
I was pleased because it had a wide selection to try.
The tips didn't last like the good ones.
But you have a cheaper way of buying a big selection and trying different shaped cutters.
Then I knew what tips I use most.
I still have that HF tip selection in my shop.
I used 2/3s of them and have 1/3 left that dont fit what I was working on.
I use my Dremel more on other hobbies or crafts than I use it for my gunsmithing.

stubshaft
06-17-2022, 01:29 AM
I buy them individually for the most part. I still haven't found a use for some of the ones in the kit after 40 years! The tips I use the most are: HD Cut-off wheel, 1/8" round Burr, Bevel shaped bit and a full set of sanding drums and wire wheels. These are my "goto" bits. I have collected and use very little some Cratex polishing wheels, 1mm Diamond tipped burrs, Grindstones of different shapes and felt bobs. I have never found a use for their sanding discs!

georgerkahn
06-17-2022, 07:52 AM
I finally bought a Dremel tool. I was tired of using a big electric drill grinding small objects. The tool came with a few bits, but not much. I am wondering what I should be buying to use for it. What types of tools have members found to be the most useful? Should I buy things individually or go for a big kit of different types? Do I need to beware of cheap Chinese junk? I will mostly be using it on steel. Is it better to invest in carbide tools in place of HSS?
Thanks for all advice.

I have several Dremels, as well as a Foredom-branded similar tool. I often think, "Why did I buy these?" as I see dust collecting on them ;) -- BUT -- similarly, when I NEED them -- no other tool I know of will work so well! My not-too-local Home Depot has quite an assortment of bits, albeit I find them rather pricey. However -- if you are in need, they often have the solution in a blister-pack.
One attached tool I'd NOT be without is their EZ-lock cutting tool. A tool-less arbor on which you simply clip in the wheel -- and it cuts, cuts, and cuts -- so ever rarely breaking. So useful, I keep one Dremel set up with this.301316 Zoro tools now offer the kit for less than twenty-five U S dollars -- a great price, imho.
Re "the kit"? I've bought a few thru the years, and now have boxes with a zillion goodies I've yet to use, and probably never will... BUT... it's only :) money!
Enjoy your Dremel!
geo

Sasquatch-1
06-17-2022, 08:11 AM
One attached tool I'd NOT be without is their EZ-lock cutting tool. A tool-less arbor on which you simply clip in the wheel -- and it cuts, cuts, and cuts -- so ever rarely breaking. So useful, I keep one Dremel set up with this.301316 Zoro tools now offer the kit for less than twenty-five U S dollars -- a great price, imho.


+1 on this kit. By far the thing I use most. Your tool probably came with a few cut off wheels that have to be secured with a screw. This kit makes it SOOOOO much easier to use.

I also find these very handy.

301317

country gent
06-17-2022, 09:52 AM
Sir, Its really hard to have every thing on hand you will want or need. I have a dremil with the flex shaft but much prefer my Foredom flex shaft. They are versatile tools and hand for a lot of work.
Here is a list of bits I have on hand
1/8 carbide bur set
1/4" carbide burr set
AN assortment of stones on 1/8" shanks shapes grits sizes and materials
A set of cratex rubber abrasives
various brushes in nylon and hair
felt bobs in various sizes and shapes.
Raw hided bobs in shapes and sizes.
a dressing stick for the stones and bobs.
The stones will do a lot of work but finding what dosnt load or burn can be tricky. Stones can be re dressed to the desired shapw and should be dressed to true up when mounted.
The cratex are rubber bonded diamond and do polishing and fine finishes very well They also handle hard materials very well
the brushes with fine abrasives will polish to a mirror shine or clean. Used with fLitz diamond or rouges they are great
the felt bobs with the above rouges will polish and shine break burrs
the rawhides are great for deburring and rough polish as is.
The small dressing stick is a needed must have as stone bobs can be dressed to form also they should be dressed when mounted to tru up

ONE last point is when dressing do it under the bench top to protect you if a wheel or bob should let go.
I Tend to stay away from aluminum shanks or the really cheap points as they may end up in one of my 80,000-100,000 die grinders. WHEN one bends its a experience to say the least.

MrWolf
06-17-2022, 10:04 AM
Thanks georgerkahn, you just cost me $15 :bigsmyl2:
Ron

Rapidrob
06-17-2022, 10:09 AM
Both thin grit cut-off wheels and thick fiber glass cut-off wheels. Diamond grit grinding wheels are great! The Rubber/ ultra fine polishing wheels are perfect for polishing gun stuff

bangerjim
06-17-2022, 11:43 AM
I probably have 5 Dremel tools in the shops. And other brands that I consider superior. My favorite is a Foredom flex shaft with hand piece and 1/3 HP variable speed motor on the other end. And the WeCheer.

And I changed out those stupid collets to a little tiny 3-jaw chuck they make.

Most valuable is the sensitive drill press stand I modified to fit the latest generation of Dremel. They are constantly changing the contour and shape of the darned things so accessories will not fit!

I rarely use the Dremels, but when you need just that special grind/cut/polish/hole they work great.

36g
06-17-2022, 12:13 PM
Buy individual bits to suit needs. I find the cut off wheels, grinding stones, and various carbide bits most useful. A caution using the carbide burrs - the shards being cut off are very sharp, fine metal slivers and tend to stick easily into exposed skin. Wear gloves of your choice and be conscious of grinding debris...

45DUDE
06-17-2022, 12:50 PM
Those are handy as a pocket on a shirt. I have two. Sears has the best selection in my area. On the small disks I double them up. I bought a cable drive for mine but never had a use for it. I don't even know why I bought it. It was there. I work on carburetors and couldn't get along without it. It's handy for replacing bushings in moving parts. I have used the same ones almost every working day for 30+years without a problem. Just have your glasses on when in use. I had one tooth longer than the rest. I ground it down and saved $300. <what the doc was going to charge.> I don't see how people get along without one.

Hannibal
06-17-2022, 02:03 PM
Those are handy as a pocket on a shirt. I have two. Sears has the best selection in my area. On the small disks I double them up. I bought a cable drive for mine but never had a use for it. I don't even know why I bought it. It was there. I work on carburetors and couldn't get along without it. It's handy for replacing bushings in moving parts. I have used the same ones almost every working day for 30+years without a problem. Just have your glasses on when in use. I had one tooth longer than the rest. I ground it down and saved $300. <what the doc was going to charge.> I don't see how people get along without one.

Amateur dentistry? Unless in the midst of a collapse of society I'm going to pass on that.

bangerjim
06-17-2022, 03:05 PM
Don't laugh! I have 2 dental air turbine hand pieces. GREAT for intricate work, where having a clumsy Dremel motor tool hanging out of you hand is very awkward. at up to 30K RPM (or higher) these things really do the job where they are needed. Haven't hung my DENTIST shingle out front of the shop..............yet! :coffee:

Geezer in NH
06-17-2022, 05:46 PM
Every Christmas the big box store has sales on the Dremel accessories. I buy a couple works for the 3 Dremel's and 1 Forster tool I have, for bigger projects I use my tool grinder 1/4-inch tools just like a Dremel.

GregLaROCHE
06-17-2022, 07:00 PM
Thanks for the info guys. While I was in a store today for something else, I checked out the Dremel accessories. There were so many different styles available I need to do a little more research. Maybe see if there’s an interesting video out there about them.
Other question, how fast do normally run them. High speed most of the time or slower speeds too?

georgerkahn
06-17-2022, 07:22 PM
Thanks for the info guys. While I was in a store today for something else, I checked out the Dremel accessories. There were so many different styles available I need to do a little more research. Maybe see if there’s an interesting video out there about them.
Other question, how fast do normally run them. High speed most of the time or slower speeds too?

The "secret to success" with most Dremel uses is its (high) speed. I very rarely use mine at slow speeds -- except for specific operations such as drilling; sanding wood and plastic; and some grinding. Plastic has often challenged me, as the stuff will too readily melt and clog up/make tool useless. So -- 'specially when Dremeling plastics, slow (to attenuate heat) is -- for me -- the word.

indian joe
06-17-2022, 07:26 PM
I have one real Dremel and two chinese copys (like them better - ergonomics ) The real Dremel has a little keyless check . One chinese one at my electronics bench gets the most work grinding jiffy boxes and general tidying up - its wired up to a foot pedal switch best idea I had yet!!
A real one is high side of hundred bucks for the bare machine I got the copy(s) for around 50 with a box of accessories - then later little boxes of grinding wheels , sanding discs showed up for 8 - 12 bucks - I use (break too) a lot of the skinny cutoff wheels, lots of the drum sanding discs, and the set of burrs that Sasquatch showed earlier. Looked at the quick connect system - couldnt see the value. One tip - find a proper open end spanner that fits the collet chuck and keep it right close makes tool changing much easier.

porthos
06-17-2022, 08:06 PM
bite the bullet and buy carbide cutters and burrs

45DUDE
06-17-2022, 09:53 PM
I never run on high. There is no need. You need to have steady hands to use one. There is an art to make things look right and using the correct attachments for the job. My wife uses one doing stained glass projects.

M-Tecs
06-17-2022, 10:14 PM
Thanks for the info guys. While I was in a store today for something else, I checked out the Dremel accessories. There were so many different styles available I need to do a little more research. Maybe see if there’s an interesting video out there about them.
Other question, how fast do normally run them. High speed most of the time or slower speeds too?

That depends on the tool and the material you are using it on. HSS tools are easy to burn and remove the temper. Carbide is better but you still can run it too fast for some materials. Grinding wheels tend to perform best at high speeds. Felt or rubber abrasive will come apart at high speeds. Same for the wire brushes.

georgerkahn
06-18-2022, 06:12 AM
I have one real Dremel and two chinese copys (like them better - ergonomics ) The real Dremel has a little keyless check . One chinese one at my electronics bench gets the most work grinding jiffy boxes and general tidying up - its wired up to a foot pedal switch best idea I had yet!!
A real one is high side of hundred bucks for the bare machine I got the copy(s) for around 50 with a box of accessories - then later little boxes of grinding wheels , sanding discs showed up for 8 - 12 bucks - I use (break too) a lot of the skinny cutoff wheels, lots of the drum sanding discs, and the set of burrs that Sasquatch showed earlier. Looked at the quick connect system - couldnt see the value. One tip - find a proper open end spanner that fits the collet chuck and keep it right close makes tool changing much easier.

You wrote, "A real one is high side of hundred bucks". Check this one out: 301339

GhostHawk
06-18-2022, 09:13 AM
I have gotten the Majority of mine from Harbor Freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=Dremel%20bits

Category
Power Tools (7)
Home & Security (7)
Brand
Warrior (5)
Chicago Electric Power Tools (2)

50 Pc. Diamond Rotary Point Set
WARRIOR
50 Pc. Diamond Rotary Point Set
(171)
$19.99
In Stock at Fargo, ND


Diamond Point Rotary Bit Set 20 Pc.
WARRIOR
Diamond Point Rotary Bit Set 20 Pc.
$7.99

20 Pc. Carbide Rotary Micro Bit Assorted Set
WARRIOR 20 Pc. Carbide Rotary Micro Bit Assorted Set
$7.99

Diamond Rotary Bit Set 4 Pc.
WARRIOR

Diamond Rotary Bit Set 4 Pc.
(186)
$4.99

5 Pc. Stone Rotary Grinding Bits with 1/8 in. Shank
CHICAGO ELECTRIC POWER TOOLS
5 Pc. Stone Rotary Grinding Bits with 1/8 in. Shank

$3.99

jonp
06-18-2022, 09:24 AM
I have several attachments but the ones I use the most are the blade grinding one for lawnmower blades/chainsaw/etc (comes in a kit), the bits and end to cut holes in sheetrock or wood and the flexible attachment arm.

jonp
06-18-2022, 09:27 AM
Those are handy as a pocket on a shirt. I have two. Sears has the best selection in my area. On the small disks I double them up. I bought a cable drive for mine but never had a use for it. I don't even know why I bought it. It was there. I work on carburetors and couldn't get along without it. It's handy for replacing bushings in moving parts. I have used the same ones almost every working day for 30+years without a problem. Just have your glasses on when in use. I had one tooth longer than the rest. I ground it down and saved $300. <what the doc was going to charge.> I don't see how people get along without one.

I'm hoping you are being sarcastic with this? I did use one to drill a fingernail and it worked fine but facing a mirror and sticking it into my mouth is end of the world type stuff.

country gent
06-18-2022, 10:32 AM
with the burrs I FIND THE double cut are less "Grabby" than the single cuts. I use several in the shop electric and air powered. The dental tools are usually 80,000-100,000 rpm and also have a means of a water flush on the bit. Use bits rated for the speed of the tool. The burrs are safer normally stones cut off wheels felt bobs may come unglued in the higher speed tools.

M dremil flex shaft is rated at 20,000 rpm I seldom run it that fast. I have several pencil grinders rated at 80,000 with a 3 ft whip on them. They do very good and will accept 1/8" shank tools. A double cut burr in one is a very handy set up or a dine stone, brushes and felts dont do as well at those rpms. A Small cut off wheel really does well in them. Several 1/4" dies grinders straight and 90* the 90* has a 2" quick lock sanding disc in it and again a 3 ft whip it is very handy for shaping and finishing. I 100,000 rpm dotco with burrs handles inletting and odds and ends at that rpm and a double cut burr it dosnt want to follow wood grain or wander. I have a bigger jet 1/4" Extended that is setup to mount in the aloris tooling in the lathes for grinding chuck jaws in and light Id grinding. A 1/8' pencil grinder is set up for use in the mill for engraving lines and graduations,

START Out buying the kits several of them and a couple sets of carbide burrs. THE Kits will give you a good selection and a decent compartmentalized container, then replace bits as needed. The brushes are very handy

Remember to lube the flex shafts and hand pieces as recommended, work slow and easy with them let the tool do the work, dress tools before using to true up and sharpen dress as needed. AND if planning to use it to finish leave material for you to finish this gets a lot in trouble as they make to size then make it small finishing.

deltaenterprizes
06-18-2022, 10:33 AM
Walmart has a nice selection of Dremel tool bits and some with their brand at fair prices in my area.

ascast
06-18-2022, 11:00 AM
I have the Flex shaft, a 90 degree head, the three jaw chuck, (( buy an extra jaw )) ( a must have-do first - don't leave store with out - double check while in car before turning on engine ), the drill press mount. The quick change cut off is also a must. The thin wheels break too quickly. The sanding wheels with rubber centers are nice. The 3 jaw chuck allows the use on ANY drill bit or tool you need. Small drills need to spin fast to cut.
Think carburetor jets, hydraulic ports, etc. The drill press mount is a third hand, a must have at times. Flex just handy as heck. Buy the big tool kits at Christmas time. All of the above. Have fun.

country gent
06-18-2022, 12:10 PM
I have the drill press stand from foredom for my flex shaft machine its a very handy accessory. I like for a lot of things other than drilling a small hole. It has a very accurate stop. Jeweling is one thing it excels at.

bangerjim
06-18-2022, 12:35 PM
SPEED

Some of the deciding factors on operating speed are:
1. material you are working on. Plastics tend to melt at high speeds.
2. Size of bit /drum/blade you have in the power tool. Small diameters = high speed. Larger diameters = slower speed.
3. Balance of accessory you have in the tool. Some cheap attachments (HF) are not balanced and will wobble horribly at high speed! Watch larger diameter sanding drums/cut-off blades/ saw blades. Especially the ones you mount yourself on a mandrel.
4. Your skill and experience.

GregLaROCHE
06-18-2022, 01:22 PM
You wrote, "A real one is high side of hundred bucks". Check this one out: 301339

I got a Dremel 3000 with flex shaft and a few tools for under $100.

I’m definitely going to get some carbide burrs.

Mal Paso
06-19-2022, 11:55 AM
I grew up with Dremel, dad was a serious modeler but I find 1/4 inch die grinders with carbide burrs more useful and for the most part better built. A Makita Die Grinder can be had for around $100 and removes material much faster if it's larger size will work on your project.

M-Tecs
06-19-2022, 12:27 PM
I grew up with Dremel, dad was a serious modeler but I find 1/4 inch die grinders with carbide burrs more useful and for the most part better built. A Makita Die Grinder can be had for around $100 and removes material much faster if it's larger size will work on your project.

I agree. I have several of both and rarely use 1/8" Dremel tooling. The 1/4 air or electric die grinders get 98% of the usage.

DougGuy
06-19-2022, 12:45 PM
I used Dremel for years and years and years doing guitar work, and especially for polishing out the high reach 1911 mods that I did after checkering, I gently radius and polish feed ramps, and I found some small flapper wheels that will go into the freshly cut throat of a 9mm barrel and polish the freebore, so many things, BUT.. I invested in a Grobet USA jeweler's flex shaft that's like a Foredom tool, the motor hangs and there is a foot controller, <<<THIS is the nicest and easiest to use tool, despite the utility of the dremel tool once you get one of these, you are in heaven...

I use the fiberglass reinforced cutoff wheels in both dremel and the grobet motors.

You simply MUST invest in a Cratex kit!! This rubber mounted abrasive is the cat's pyjamas for a gunsmith!! I buy up surplus cratex bits off ebay as they are quite expensive, and for most gun work you only want fine and xtra fine grits.

I chamfer a lot of cylinders, used to do them in the lathe but I got some fine grit cylindrical burrs and I sharpen them against a running bench grinder in the grobet flex shaft tool to shape them into a point which I use to chamfer, by hand, then follow up with the cratex rubber abrasive to polish, it works very well.

Those cylindrical burrs posted by Sasquatch-1 are great when sharp, they don't do metal very well but are great for wood, plastic, and some aluminum (until the teeth load up) these get hot, and then dull VERY quickly.

All of the dremel rotary stuff works really well, but ALL have rather short tool life so buy several when you buy them.

The cutoff wheels and the tiny stiff brushes are the most used here. I think the brushes are part 443, they are tiny and very stiff, they will remove that lava-rock carbon from cylinders like nobody's business, in fact they are almost the only mechanical means to clean this stuff, it is hard as glass and VERY resistant to most attempts to remove it. Part 532 I think is the stainless equivalent.

Green Frog
06-21-2022, 01:36 PM
For the “beginner” who just uses his Dremel-type tool occasionally, the little clear plastic sectional box with a variety of bits and bobs from Dremel at places like Lowes and Wal*Mart is a great addition to the work bench. Once you have even a small assortment like this you can add to it as you discover what you need and what works. I saw the basic set on the bench of a friend who was a real, working full time gunsmith, and he turned me onto the idea of getting it.

You can buy cheap bits and bobs, but they wear quickly and provide the danger of coming apart with speed and pressure… buy good ones and always wear eye protection regardless! I almost lost my right eye because I was too lazy to put on safety glasses for just a “quick adjustment” on a 45 frame that I was assembling.

Froggie

brassrat
06-24-2022, 06:09 AM
I can work into mobile/ forest dentistry with my Ryobi 18 V. machine. LGB

atr
06-24-2022, 10:38 AM
I miss my Dremel!
I gave mine to my daughter-in-law when she started her taxidermy business and on more than one occasion I have wished I still had that tool. I think it is time for me to get a replacement; i.e. an excuse to buy another tool!

David2011
07-06-2022, 02:13 AM
The tools that I use the most are a carbide 1/8” burr by Dremel, the fiberglass cutoff wheels, sanding drums, all shapes and materials of brushes and the zip cutting bits. I generally get less than 30 seconds out of the very thin unreinforced cutoff wheels. The stones don’t get much use. I find that the lowest speed on a Dremel is still too fast for polishing plastics. A sewn cotton buffing wheel on the Foredom polishes my watch crystal very nicely at a far lower speed. I have Cratex points but prefer to use them with the Foredom due to its lower speed and greater torque. Another handy accessory is the router adapter. I don’t use it often but when it’s needed there’s no substitute.

One accessory I have but don’t love is the keyless chuck that replaces the collets and nut. Mine loosens far too often. I’ve never had the collets loosen like the chuck does.

LAGS
07-06-2022, 01:50 PM
I have the same issue with my chuck loosening up.
But if I tighten it up with a pair of pliers , it works better.
But still not if you are working on metal and grinding hard.
But my other two rotary tools like Craftsman and Ryobe have the collets.

KCSO
07-06-2022, 02:59 PM
See your local dentist !!! They can only use those carbide bits once and if you ever break a tap off in a hole a carbide dental bit will eat the tap right out. I got a small box of them about 10 years ago and they saved me a number of times. After that I only rarly use a dremel for grinding on guns or gun parts, IMHO Dremel is the Bubba's favorite tool. I much prefer a small sharp file for metal removal and save the dremel for final polish.

LAGS
07-06-2022, 03:42 PM
In California,
I asked my dentist about used tips.
He said that they were not allowed to give them away , because of health reasons.

kerplode
07-06-2022, 06:05 PM
I don't honestly use mine all that much, but I suspect my most used tools are a little pointy diamond bit and various cutoff wheels.

One thing that's nice to have is a spare flexible coupling (https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-2615294309-Rotary-Flexible-Coupling/dp/B00C1KD7I4). Found this out the hard way when mind split in the middle of a job recently. Mine is old, though, so no idea if the newer tools use this. I imagine they probably do, and for $8 it's nice to have one just in case.

elmacgyver0
07-06-2022, 06:27 PM
I've worn out at least a half dozen Dremil tools, now I buy cheap clones that seem to last about as well.
I burn through a lot of the consumables also.
What can I say? I'm a Tinker Dink.