Are you looking for a rotary tool that delivers across all aspects of your jewellery making? Whether it’s cutting metal, engraving or polishing, the Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool is a handy piece of equipment that all jewellery makers should invest in for their workshop. Our guide below talks you through cutting metal with a Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool and the other Dremel 3000 uses.
What to expect from the Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool
Dremel has been producing high speed rotary tools since 1934, and is heralded for providing jewellers and other craft makers with a number of power tools that make the entire crafting process simpler. The beauty of the Dremel 3000 is in its versatility. From cutting metal with Dremel tools, to engraving it and polishing it, a rotary hand tool can become an indispensable part of your jewellery tool kit.
Dremel cutting guide: getting started
- Safety first
Check that your Dremel 3000 is switched off before you plug it in to avoid any accidents. Once plugged in, try the lowest speed setting first before trialling the more powerful speed settings. Before trying out the uses of each attachment, check the Dremel cutting guide and user manual for the correct speed to use for the activity you’re carrying out. - Always wear safety glasses
When using the Dremel 3000, protect yourself from any debris or dust as you work, no matter which attachment you’re using, by wearing safety glasses.. - Read the user manual thoroughly
This may seem like a given, but familiarising yourself with the manual will give you all the information you need to set up your rotary tool safely and maintain its performance. - Practice makes perfect
Before you turn the Dremel 3000 on, practice using the twist nose cap to remove and insert the different attachments that come with the kit. With the simple EZ twist nose cap there is no longer any need to use a wrench or any other tool to remove and replace attachments. It really is as simple as a twist and a click to add an attachment. - Familiarise yourself with the different attachments
Before you start using the tool, make sure you’re happy with what each attachment is intended for first. Use your manual as a guide to get to know the difference between high speed cutters, engraving cutters, polishing attachments and drilling attachments. That way, you’ll be comfortable with each attachment and ready to learn how to cut metal with a Dremel. - Check your grip
The actual rotary tool is fairly compact and comfortable to hold, although you may find that you adjust your grip depending on the work that you’re carrying out. For example, for more intricate engraving work you may want to grip the rotary tool like a pencil, giving you more control as you work.
How to cut metal with a Dremel 3000
Setting up
Cutting metal with Dremel 300 Rotary Tools is easy with the use of one of the cut-off wheels. It’s a handy way of making light work of trimming wire or removing the ends of a piece of metal rod to cut it to size. To add one of the cutting wheels to your Dremel 3000, all you have to do is take the mandrel that can be inserted into the chuck of your rotary tool, remove the screw and pop it into the top of the cutting wheel.
Now you can screw the mandrel onto the back of the cutting wheel, ensuring that it is snug enough to keep the cutting wheel in place as it rotates. Remember that the cutting wheels are quite brittle so don’t over-tighten the screw and mandrel. Adjusting the screw and mandrel until they’re finger tight should do the trick.
Start the tool
Now the mandrel can be added to the chuck with a simple twist and click of the secure button. Once in place, you can Now the mandrel can be added to the chuck with a simple twist and click of the secure button. Once in place, you can start the tool on the lowest setting. Remember to check which speed setting is most appropriate for cutting metal wire in your Dremel cutting guide, as working at too high or too low a speed could damage or break the wheel you’re working with.
Start cutting
Once you’ve found the speed you should cut with, secure the metal you would like to cut in place with a bench clamp or vice. This will help keep the material steady and ensure you’re not handling the material while the cutting wheel is in motion. Once it’s secured in place, you can gently pass the cutting wheel through the metal as it rotates.
Keep in mind that the thicker the metal you’re cutting, the more passes it may take to cut through it entirely. Equally, if you find that the Dremel 3000 is making a strange noise or slowing down, you may be applying too much pressure. Pull back on the pressure and check that the tool can handle the thickness of the metal you’re attempting to cut through.
How to polish with the Dremel 3000
The Dremel 3000 is also an effective hand polishing tool when used with some of the many Dremel attachments that come with the kit. The sanding discs, grinding stones and nylon bristle brush, can efficiently work through every stage of the metal polishing process. Along with the polishing compound provided, you have the basics to polish your precious metal pieces from start to finish.
Start with the coarsest accessory
Select the coarsest sanding bit first. Secure this into the tool using the EZ twist system as previously mentioned. Starting out with the coarsest sanding bit will ensure that you remove any prominent scratches in your work, all before moving onto the finer sanding bits that will work to polish up the metal. If you start out by using the finer sanding bits first, this will take longer and could also wear out your sanding bit a lot quicker than it should. We’d advise to work down the grades for a superior finish.
Choose your speed based on the material
If you’re working with hard alloys, you’ll need to use a higher setting for the best effect. However, if you also work with wood and softer materials, you’ll need to adjust the speed to ensure the material is not damaged during the finishing process.
For a high lustre shine…
If you’re primarily working with metal, you’ll want to achieve a high lustre shine that makes your jewellery stand out to your customers. That’s where you can swap out your sanding bits for a softer polishing wheel. Make use of the polishing compound within the kit – this will leave your metal work with a professional shine with no marks or scuffs.
Remember to start slowly when polishing and, while your rotary tool is on a low-speed setting, gently apply the polishing compound to the attachment. There’s no need to use a lot of pressure – let the Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool do the work for you. Once you’ve added a small amount of polishing compound, you’re free to polish away. Add a little extra speed as you work for a high lustre finish that will impress your customers.
What sets the Dremel 3000 apart from the rest?
The Dremel 3000 is such a versatile tool and one that can be worked into your current jewellery making processes with ease. In fact, you may even find that the Dremel 3000 will start to replace some of your other tools, due to the sheer range of tool bits and accessories you can access.
Within the Dremel 3000 kit, you get 15 additional accessories, but the range doesn’t stop there. Take a look at the Dremel tool bits range for yourself and see how the Dremel 3000 could play a large part in improving your current jewellery making processes.
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