How to Cut a Slot in a Narrow Dowel With a Dremel
Dremel is the brand name of a power rotary tool used for cutting, grinding, polishing and drilling. The Dremel is popular for its ergonomic design -- you can hold it like a fat pencil for detailed woodworking -- and powerful motor in a compact size. Cutting a slot in a narrow dowel takes a matter of seconds with a Dremel tool and a table vise.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Dremel tool with assorted cutting wheel bits
- Wooden dowel
- Vise bolted to a workbench
- Safety goggles
- Old towel
- Pencil
Instructions
-
-
1
Attach a cutting wheel bit to the Dremel tool drive shaft. Dremel makes cutting wheels in several different thicknesses, so choose the one best-suited for the desired slot size.
-
2
Wrap the wooden dowel in a towel to prevent crushing or denting of the wood at the spot where it will be placed in the vise.
-
-
3
Clamp the dowel in the vise.
-
4
Make a mark on the dowel where you wish to cut the slot. Also mark how deep the slot should be.
-
5
Start the Dremel tool and adjust the motor speed to medium. The on/off switch is built into the motor speed control.
-
6
Place the cutting wheel perpendicular to the dowel to cut a slot at 90 degrees to the wood.
-
7
Touch the grinding wheel to the dowel and gently apply pressure to cut a slot to the desired depth. Work slowly; it takes only seconds to make a deep groove in a piece of wood with a Dremel tool.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear safety goggles when working with the Dremel tool.
