Dremel Projects – How I’ve Used The Dremel

My Dremel Projects

The dremel has been one of my favorite Christmas presents. I didn’t know I wanted one until I had one. My husband teases me that I think I can turn any project into dremel projects. Well, that’s just about true. I love my dremel! I get excited about it and the possibilities.

First, I’m going to explain the dremel, if you haven’t heard about it before. What is it and how does it work? Then I’ll tell you the useful ways it has helped me on projects around the home- my dremel projects. But wait, there’s more! The dremel is a great tool for DIY projects, but it’s also great for crafts. So last I’ll share several hobbies the dremel can reel you into.

What Is A Dremel?

The Dremel is a small powered tool that fits easily in one hand. It comes with different tips for different dremel projects, jobs, hobbies, tasks, whatever, you name it. These tips are usually called bits or accessories (because they are considered accessories for the dremel tool). The dremel comes in a kit with some accessories. You can also buy accessories separately.

What makes the dremel awesome is its ability to do a variety of dremel projects and jobs because there are many, many different accessories. These include sanding in hard to reach spots, sanding details on projects, shaping wood, cutting wood pieces, routing, cleaning off rust, drilling (drywall, pottery, and rocks for example), polishing metals and other materials, cutting metal, engraving (wood, leather, glass, etc.), smoothing mirror and glass edges, cleaning projects, sharpening tools, drilling glass, grout removal, jewelry making and on and on!

There are different models of the dremel but check out my article on the best dremel tool and how to get one.

How Does A Dremel Work?

It uses speed over power. A standard portable electric drill runs at speeds up to 2,800 revolutions per minute. It has low speed but high torque (twisting force). A dremel runs up to 35,000 revolutions per minute. It has low torque but high speed and herein lies it’s secret. The high speed combined with whatever bit, or accessory, you are using is what accomplishes its work. Instead of applying a lot of pressure like you would with a drill, the dremel works simply by guiding it with your hand.

Dremel Projects I Have Done Around My Home

Dremel Projects, #1: Wood Working On A Furniture Makeover

I had this old dresser that I was refinishing and fixing up. It was bland and had no design. I used the dremel as a router and carved a nicer edge around the dresser top. I also used it to route detail into the drawer fronts. When I added extra trim to the corners, I used the dremel for cutting the small trim to size. I added bigger trim to the sides of the dresser and I used a wood cutting wheel accessory for shaving off pieces of wood where I didn’t cut the angle exactly with a wood saw. I also used a sanding bit/ accessory for that same purpose. See the full project here.

Dremel Projects, #2: Cutting Sheet Metal For A Bathroom Fix-up

In our first home there was a basement bathroom that had an eyesore. The area was a narrow walkway to the sink and I finally came up with an idea to use a tall half vase to cover it up. However, a regular wall vase wouldn’t work because it had to fit over a pipe sticking out of the wall. I found a vase made of sheet metal. My dremel came in handy for this random project! I used a cutting wheel accessory meant for metal to cut the vase in half. Read the details on this dremel project here.

Dremel Projects, #3: Sanding Wooden Frame Corners

I had an old wooden frame that I turned into a mirrored frame. It needed to be sand down for staining but it would have taken a long time for a regular electric sander since it was too skinny with many corners. I used the sanding drum accessories for this dremel project and it saved me a lot of time.

Dremel Projects, #4: Hanging Curtains And Picture Frames

Curtain rods often have this little kit where you place a plug into your drywall. Then you screw the screws and the curtain rod hardware into the plugs. The dremel has a drywall drilling bit (and a multipurpose drilling bit FYI) to drill the initial hole into the wall. You won’t need an electric drill for this easy one. Same goes for hanging up those bigger, fancier picture frames that need more than a little nail hammered into the wall.

Dremel Projects, #5: Smoothing Cut Mirror

This project is still in the works so I can’t show you the end product. But, I’m using an old mirror that broke. I’ve cut it down into smaller pieces and am planning to glue onto something else. After cutting the mirror pieces, the edges were really sharp and quite dangerous. It’s also tricky to cut mirror exactly. But my dremel has an accessory for smoothing the mirror that I’ve cut (and kind of sanding as well so now those small square pieces will be just right!). Same goes for glass.

Other Home DIY Dremel Projects

In every one of those projects that I’ve listed, the dremel really came through for me. Do I sound crazy? I just get excited talking about it. I had a problem to be solved and every time, a light bulb came on and I thought, oh, I bet the dremel could do that! These weren’t planned for the dremel- the dremel happened to be able to do the job. But I still refer to them as dremel projects and I know I’ll be able to continue using the dremel as I do more projects.  

Looking ahead, the dremel can cut tile and ceramics for that next floor or bathroom job. It will clean off rust from the outside stair railing and porch furniture.  

Hobbies For The Dremel

Aside from my random DIY home projects, there are really cool hobbies that the dremel is excellent for. So let me show you how I’ve seen others use it.

This website here has the best collection of ideas for fun hobby type dremel projects.

Conclusion for Dremel Projects

The dremel is a handy and impressive tool for using it on all sorts of projects. As I’ve demonstrated here, you never know what project will come up and you realize the dremel is the perfect tool. You can also make it into a hobby.