Our Top Picks
Here’s a quick overview of the wood carving and cutting rotary tool bits we feature in this article. If you want a more detailed review, please feel free to continue reading.
Best Dremel Bit For Cutting Wood
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |
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Premium Choice  |
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Beginner Friendly  |
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Table of Contents
| Topic | Page |
| Quick Intro | 2 |
| – Buying Guide – Kinds of Bits – Kinds of Attachments | 3 – 7 |
| Product Reviews – Best for Carving & Engraving – Best for Drilling – Best for Cutting – Best for Routing | 8 – 11 |
| Bonus Products | 12 |
| Dremel Attachments for Woodworking | 13 |
| FAQs | 14 |
| Final Thoughts | 14 |
Quick Intro
Dremel is an industry recognized brand that is most known for the invention of the first rotary tools back in the early 20th century. Rotary tools are a great multi-purpose power tool that have been used for decades and are popular amongst hobbyists and craftsmen alike.
One such use of a Dremel rotary tool is in woodworking and a quick glance at any online shop will tell you just how many woodworking accessories there are available for rotary tools. So, for the sake of this article, we spent hours looking for the best rotary tool accessories from Dremel for woodworking and we’ve made a buying guide for you which we recommend you check out especially if this is your first time buying accessories for a rotary tool.
We hope that you learn a thing or two from this guide so, let’s get into it.
Rotary Tool Accessory Buying Guide
Different Kinds Dremel Rotary Tool Bits
Sanding Bits
One of the most common uses of a rotary tool is sanding a surface with its sanding bit. These bits come in two main kinds: sanding drums and sanding disks.
A sanding drum bit gets its name from its cylindrical shape. It essentially works by slipping over a strip or band of sanding paper around the cylinder and locking it in place.
A sanding disc bit works in a similar way. You pretty much have these little discs that you attach to the end of your Dremel tool and you use the disc for precision sanding.
Both of these rotary tool bits are great for sanding materials such as wood, resin, fiber mat and even some metals although there are dedicated rotary tool bits for metal grinding which we’ll get into just in a bit.
Cutting Bits
Rotary tool cutting bits come in two kinds: a toothed circular saw blade and a diamond cutting disc.
A circular saw bit works the same way as a table saw blade. These can cut through plastic or metal pipes and wood. Like their larger table saw blade relatives, rotary tool circular cutting bits come in different diameters and number of teeth.
A diamond coated cutting disc on the other hand is mostly used for cutting through hard materials such as glass, ceramic and stone. These are often used in pottery and in jewelry making.
Engraving Bits
Another very common use of a rotary tool is to engrave and carve decorative patterns in a material. Be it a name, brand or artwork.
Engraving bits are very small and precise. They come in different kinds of shapes depending on the material you plan to engrave. For example, for engraving on glass, you can use a diamond tipped triangle bit. Engraving is a very specialized craft that a rotary tool is perfect for because of its size and precision.
Routing Bits
One other more specialized use of a rotary tool is routing. Although there are dedicated wood routers in the market, a rotary tool can be used for light routing work. Mostly to inlay and carve decorations or edge profiles in a wood workpiece.
It’s important to note that rotary tool router bits are smaller than actual (replacement image needed) wood router bits. This makes them great for decorative work and other tasks requiring precise attention to detail.
Drill Bits
This one is pretty straight forward. These rotary tool drill bits come in different sizes and allow the user to drill holes in material such as wood, plastic and some metals.
Again, much like with rotary tool router bits, these are smaller bits than the ones you’d find on a dedicated hand drill or drill press and instead serve a more specialized function for smaller projects.
Grinding and Sharpening Bits
These bits are used for light metal working such as sharpening knives and polishing or cutting ceramic or stone. Much like the sanding bits, these come in two kinds: grinding wheels and grinding stones.
Rotary tool grinding stones are made of a material such as oxidized metals which give them their color and abrasive nature. They are circular in shape to give an even profile and help sharpen edges.
Grinding wheels are very similar. Thinner grinding wheels can be used for parting-off and cutting while the thicker wheels are good for general purpose. The edge wheels are great for grinding off rust or paint from metal surfaces.
Polishing and Buffing Bits
For the finishing touches on a workpiece, you’ll want to use buffing or polishing bits. Rotary tool buffing or polishing bits can come in very coarse or very fine textures and are used for polishing metals or stones. These can be made with soft material and even steel wool in a disc shape .
Different Kinds of Rotary Power Tool Attachments
Flexible Shaft
This rotary tool attachment effectively extends the reach of the attached bit. This makes it easier for the user to reach tighter angles or spaces.
A flexible shaft attachment is perfect for when you need more control over the cutting or engraving edge without the added weight of the rotary tool.
Detailer’s Grip
This rotary tool attachment lets you hold the tool at an angle. This rebalances the tool and gives more control and comfort while working.
Although not a necessity, it makes your rotary tool a lot easier to use for extended sessions and is worth looking into.
Dust Blower
This is a nice attachment to keep a workpiece clean while engraving or sanding.It attaches at the bottom of the rotary tool around the collet and acts as a fan that blows away any loose material like dust. It’s a great attachment to have if you have a lot of small details to work on by improving visibility.
Plunge Router
This is a specialized attachment that turns a rotary tool into a mini plunge router.
It’s great if you want precise and consistent depth while carving through a workpiece. Although not as flexible and maneuverable as freehand carving, it gives you more accuracy and stability while working.
Cutting Guide
The cutting guide allows you to make accurate cuts with a rotary tool at controlled depths. Essentially, it turns it into a fixed base router.
It’s commonly used for cutting through material such as drywall, plywood, laminate, plastic and ceiling tiles.
Right Angle Attachment
This attachment turns your rotary tool into a right angle tool. It makes cutting through material such as wood and pipes more accurate and convenient.
It also makes cutting at otherwise awkward angles easier. Although the bits mostly used for this attachment are cutting bits, you can use this with any bit that you see fit.
Rotary Shield
This safety gear attachment offers more protection by deflecting debris away from the user and into a specific direction.
It’s a useful safety feature to have especially if you’re working on metal, stones and other material that could be hazardous if debris were to fly towards you.
Note: Each one of these attachments are not necessarily compatible with other brands. Different brands may have different designs and measurements. Some brands such as Dremel make it a point to make their attachments viable with their different models.
Features to Consider
Material
Rotary tool bits are usually made out of hard materials due to the tasks that they’re meant to do.
For example, most rotary tool bits meant for cutting are made of high speed steel or HSS for short. HSS is great at maintaining its sharpness and durability while cutting through materials such as hard wood and thin metal. Rotary bits made for carving and engraving are usually made from steel or tungsten which is a very tough material that doesn’t bend or deform when going through a material.
Other rotary bits such as the ones for grinding are made of abrasive materials such as silicon carbide or aluminum carbide.
Some bits are strong enough that they can be considered multipurpose and can be used on different materials. A good example of this are some cutting and engraving bits that can be used on metal, plastic and wood. However, this depends on the brand and the type of material the bit is made from.
Shank Diameter
The chucks of most rotary tools accept either 1/4 inch, 1/8 inch or 3/32 inch diameter steel shank. This is an important piece of information because there are some rotary tools that only take a certain size steel shank.
Although, there are some rotary tool models that offer an interchangeable collet which would allow you to use different sizes of bits.
Maintenance
Rotary tool bits are easy to keep well maintained. Just like with any other tool, you’d be spending good money on getting high quality rotary bits and it’s important to keep them in top shape. We recommend you take some time every now and then to perform some maintenance and so, here are some tips on how you can maintain rotary tool bits.
- Use a brush to clean off debris like dust that might’ve gotten stuck between the grooves of the bit.
- Inspect the bits for wear and tear. This can be in the form of bending, cracks and dents.
- For cutting bits, use a clean cloth to clean the teeth. You should also check the bit for abnormalities before and after using it.
- Store your rotary bits in a dry area. Most brands sell their bits with a box or storage of some sort and it’s a good idea to store them there when you’re not using it.
- Do not attempt to chemically clean the bits without thorough prior research. Some bits can be cleaned this way but most of the time this is considered overkill.
Best Dremel Tool Bits for Woodworking
Best Dremel Bit for Carving & Engraving Wood
Dremel 689-01 Carving & Engraving Accessory Kit
Tool Specifications
- 11 part accessory kit (6 engraving cutters & 5 grinding stones)
- ⅛ inch bit shank
- Comes with small plastic storage case
- Comes with the 481 collet
Overview:
This carving kit comes with 11 rotary bits which you can use on several types of materials. It has 6 carving/engraving tools and 5 grinding and sharpening bits.
The carving bits allow you to cut into materials such as wood, plastics, soft metals and other materials. While the grinding stones allow you to etch onto glass and stones. This is a great kit for the value and the quality. This kit includes the following bits:
Carving/Engraving: 105 1/32″ Engraving Cutter, 106 1/16″ Engraving Cutter, 107 3/32″ Engraving Cutter, 108 1/32″ Engraving Cutter, 7103 5/64″ Diamond Wheel Point and 7134 5/64″ Diamond Carving Bit
Grinding/Sharpening: 83142 9/32″ Grinding Stone, 83322 1/8″ Grinding Stone, 83702 1/8″ Grinding Stone and 84922 3/16″ Grinding Stone.
It should be noted that the number before the fraction is the part number and the fraction is the measurement in inches.
Check out the Dremel 689-01 kit here.
Best Dremel Bit for Drilling Into Wood
Dremel 628-01 7-Piece Drill Bit Set
Tool Specifications:
- 7 piece drilling bits
- Made with high speed steel
- Comes with small plastic storage case
- Requires the use of the 4486 keyless chuck or the 480, 481, 482 and 483 collets.
Overview:
These drilling bits can be used to drill into materials such as wood, plastics and soft metals such as aluminum. The drill bits are great for general usage and are made of quality high speed steel and come in multiple sizes for a wide range of uses.
Drill bit sizes are: 1/32, 3/64, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64 and ⅛ respectively.
It should be noted that you’d need a special chuck from Dremel for certain collets. We’ll put a link below so you won’t need to go too far.
Check out the Dremel 628-01 7 Piece Drill Bit Set here:
Check out the Dremel 4486 Keyless Chuck here.
Best Dremel Bit for Cutting Wood
Dremel SC544 / EZ SpeedClic 2615S544JB
Tool Specifications:
- Max working depth: 14.0 mm
- Max recommended RPM: 35,000 for 1 minute
- 38.0 mm blade diameter
- 3.2mm bit shank
Overview:
This wood cutting wheel is made of carbide for slicing, cutting and shaping on woods and laminate. Ideal for making cuts in wood workpieces for electronics or model making. The carbide coating makes this wheel very durable.
This wood cutting disk can be used to easily cutw different wood types like chipboard, hardwood, softwood, fiberboard, or even on plastics and laminates. Do not use this disk on metals, it was not designed with cutting metal in mind and will probably break.
Check out the Dremel SC544 here.
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Best Dremel Bit for Routing Wood
Dremel 692 6-Piece Router Bit Set
Tool Specifications:
- 6 piece router bit set
- Made of high speed steel
- Max recommended RPM: 30,000
- Comes with plastic storage case
- ⅛ inch bit shank
Overview:
This bit set only further proves how versatile a Dremel rotary tool is and how it can shape your workpiece quite literally.
This 6 piece router bit set is great for routing, inlaying and mortising in wood and other soft materials such as wood or laminate. They’re also well suited for detailed work, such as wooden toy models and small furniture projects
It’s made of high speed steel ensuring that it powers through material without bending and it should be noted that this router bit set is best used with the 335 Plunge Router and 231 Shaper/Router attachments.
Check out the Dremel 692 6-Piece Router Bit Set here.
Other Multipurpose Cutting Bit Products Available
Here are some other products we’ve found online which you might find interesting or useful.
| Model | Features and Link |
 LukCase Double Cut Carbide Rotary Burr Set | Tool Features: – 10 piece set – ⅛ inch bit shank – ¼ inch head diameter – Made with tungsten carbide – Comes with plastic storage case |
 Dremel EZ725 All-Purpose Accessory | Tool Features: – 70 piece set – Comes with cutting disks for metal, wood, plastic and buffing – Comes with compact storage case |
 Dremel 631 Brad Point Bits | Tool Features: – 4 piece set – ⅛ inch to ¼ inch bit shanks – Made with titanium – Spiral flute type |
Attachments to Consider
Here are some Dremel rotary tool attachments we recommend you check out for woodworking.
| Model | Features and Link |
 Dremel 335-01 Rotary Tool Plunge Router Attachment | – 2 depth stops – Circle cutting guide – edge guide – mounting wrench – 1 year warranty |
 Dremel 490 Dust Blower | – Blows dust away – Fits standard collet nuts – Fits the 225 – 01 Flex Shaft Attachment |
 Dremel A577 Detailers Grip | – Ergonomic design – 1 year warranty |
 Dremel 2500-01 Multi Vise | – Rotates 360° and tilts 50° – clamps to tables 2.5 inches thick – cushioned jaws |
 Dremel 575 RightAngle Attachment | – Quick connect system – Coupling system- Load rating 180 lbs – Turns rotary tool into right angle tool |
 Dremel A550 Shield | – Redirects Sparks – Easy to adjust – Compact size |
 Dremel 565 | – Allows for sturdy, controlled cuts – Wide range of compatible Dremel tools |
FAQs
Q: Can you use other brands of rotary tool bits on a Dremel tool?
A: Yes, you absolutely can. As long as the shank bit is compatible with the collet on your Dremel rotary tool. Take note that you can also use Dremel rotary tool bits on other brands of rotary tools.
Dremel is known for its durable and reliable rotary tool bits but there are some brands out there that you may find cheaper or of more convenience for you.
Q: What size bits do Dremel rotary tools use?
A: Dremel rotary tools accept a wide array of bit sizes. The most common ones you’ll find are the ⅛ inch. 1/32 inch, 1/16 inch and 3/32 inch. There are some bits that are very narrow in diameter and may need a collet adapter. The most common bit shank size though would have to be the ⅛ inch.
Q: What speed can you operate Dremel rotary tool bits?
A: This really depends on what material you’re working on. Plastic and silicone need lower speed settings because they can melt and mess up the Dremel bit. Wood and soft metals require more speed because they’re much denser materials. Dremel rotary tool bits are well built and on average, can be operated at speeds of 30,000 RPM. We do recommend you do some research regarding the material you’re working on first.
Q: Can you use a rotary tool sanding disk to cut wood?
A: Yes, although it might be safer not to. Sanding discs were made to smoothen materials such as wood and were not meant to cut through it. In essence, you could use the sanding disk to cut through softer woods and materials although sanding disks are known to be quite brittle and could pose a risk to the user should it break while you’re making a cut.
Final Thoughts
A rotary tool is one of the most versatile, handheld power tools with a fast-spinning motor tip that is used for grinding, sanding, honing and polishing a variety of materials. Rotary tools have a large assortment of attachments designed for different tasks. In fact, some would say that one of the biggest assets of a rotary tool is its ability to accept such a wide array of accessories.
In woodworking, you’ll want the best accessories possible to get the job done and Dremel has one of the best reputations and qualities in the industry. We hope that this guide has helped you in understanding the different kinds of bits you can use in woodworking and hopefully, you leave here with one or more of the products we recommended.
