How to get the best use out of a Dremel multi tool

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

A contentious question perhaps but having an under used Dremel clone multi tool complete with a flexible drive and a range of accessories I have often thought of the possible uses it could be put to. I would be very interested to hear how other owners of a Dremel get full use out of their tooling and ideas on how best to mount the device on to say a lathe or milling machine in order to acquire some degree of precision.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

The bearing fitted in the front of some precludes any hope of precision.  Noel.

[cedric 1Participant @cedric]

I made a bracket to mount my Dremel on the lathe toolpost and used it to regrind a set of lathe chuck jaws. It worked very well.

The Dremel bearings are supposedly rubber mounted but it seems to work OK as a mini toolpost grinder.

I have also used that same rig to drill 2.5mm holes equidistant around the flange of the brass cylinder for a small stirling engine. Indexing was done using a 60 tooth change gear  on the banjo to get 3 holes spaced equally.

Also the 6 holes around the periphery of the two large aluminium discs.

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

There are lots of overprices aluminium blocks for toolpost mounting them which can be useful for lots of things as Cedric mentioned. They can also be used to power other tools like watchmaker’s cutting frames and for ornamental turning.
Fewer people think of making a mount to put it on the milling machine spindle.

There are a lot of old crude things for turning your B&D or Wolfe drill into a drill press at every car boot sale. Converting one of these to hold the Dremel provides a mini drill press for pcbs and small jobs.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

3/4″ x 12 BSF for most if you want to make your own mount.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

‘Clone” likely sums it up.  Not expecting it to do any heavy work is likely the most sensible plan.  I made a mount to fit my dremel to my lathe a long time ago, but found other options better.  Proper dremel is useful occasionally, but not for metal machining in my toolbox.

[HuubParticipant @huub]

I use the Dremel for (CNC) engraving on the lathe, CNC grinding drills,  end mills, etc.

Not long ago, I used the Dremel to mill a course thread in wood, aluminum and steel and made a video doing this. I could have used my tool post mill for the lathe but used the Dremel to show what you can do with basic tools. A Dremel is a must have for me.

 

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Excellent demonstration Huub … Thank You !

MichaelG.

[oilcanParticipant @oilcan]

I used to have a Proxxon mini tool which had a turned parallel neck designed for clamping. it was an easy task to make a holder for the lathe. like Cedric I used it to grind the jaws on the 3 jaw without problem. When it gave up the ghost I got a good deal on a Dremmel. A nice ergonomic design, but I do miss the parallel neck of the Proxxon.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

3/4″ x 12 BSF for most if you want to make your own mount.

This is the size that is set in my threading database. But the threads on my 2 Dremels are pretty sharp for a BSF thread. I turned the last holder to 3/4″x 12 UN (60°) and that fits better than the 55° BSF holders.

On oilcan Said:

I used to have a Proxxon mini tool which had a turned parallel neck designed for clamping.

I have 2 Dremels but would prefer the Proxxon because it has the same power at a lower RPM so it will have more torque.

[Charles LamontParticipant @charleslamont71117]

I don’t know about precision, but here the Dremel is fixed through a plate fixed to an angle plate fixed to the cross slide. Sizing the hole in one of a bunch of rubber rings.

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

An interesting observation made by Huub regarding torque as I have observed that I need to run my Maplin clone at quite a high speed setting in order to achieve the required torque for relatively small size drilling exercises.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I’ve just had a look at my Dremel Mod. 395 Type 5, and the threads are definitely 60 degrees x 12 TPI.

Regards Nick.

[MacolmParticipant @macolm]

Perhaps this will help someone. I have a cheap conical front Dremel look (a bit) alike. To use it in a 43mm collar drill stand, I made this adapter. It also needs a suitable nut to be made up, and due to poor manufacture it was not possible to determine the thread diameter, only the rough TPI. I merely screwcut until I had a good fit, then finished the other dimensions. There is a clearance recess to allow the spindle lock to work. It has proved invaluable to allow Chinese carbide PCB drill bits to be used.

 

[cedric 1Participant @cedric]

My genuine Dremel was like that, from memory. The plastic thread was an oddball outside diameter so I screwcut the bracket to match dimensions.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I happened to have the BSF tap and it screwed in OK. Photos somewhere on the forum.

[Andrew CrowParticipant @andrewcrow91475]

As Dremel is a US based company (although now owned by a major European tool manufacturer) it would be most likely that threads would originally be based on the American National or Unified system, particularly as that tool has been around for many years. It certainly looks more like 60* on my unified thread pitch gauge.

However being moulded plastic the thread angle wouldn’t be too much of an issue, hence the reason 3/4bsf fits OK.

Andy

[Nicholas Farr]

On Nicholas Farr Said:

Hi, I’ve just had a look at my Dremel Mod. 395 Type 5, and the threads are definitely 60 degrees x 12 TPI.

Regards Nick.

Like Nick, I have a Dremel 395 [probably an earlier version]

I can happily confirm 12tpi and 60° … but the actual thread-form remains in question.

This is just from a snap-shot with the ‘phone but I will try to get something more useful in the coming days

.

.

MichaelG.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

BSF works for me

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I didn’t say, or mean to imply that a 3/4″ thread wouldn’t work, and below is a photo of an old gas regulator nut that I made as a mandrel for a job a while ago, and was tapped with a good quality industrial grade tap, which screws onto my Dremel without forcing it on.

But as can be seen in the photo below, it shows that it’s only making contact with the top of the threads. Sorry but the photo is a bit blurry, but I think you can see the brass colour left on the thread in the foreground and a fait trace on the next two threads. This means you might have to consider how much load you put onto the threads, to prevent fracturing them.

Regards Nick.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Looking at the profile of the male thread on mine … I think it would roughly mate with a lot of things !

MichaelG.

[cedric 1Participant @cedric]

Just had a look at mine. Thread OD is .725″ but varies a few though depending on where you measure it. 12tpi AN thread gauge more or less fits, but the roots of the threads seem to have a large radius. It’s a moulded plastic thread so not real precision! I made my mounting with a clamp around the main body for security.

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