How to Use a Drill Press Like a Dremel
You can use a drill press as a Dremel tool, but it will take nearly three times as long to grind, polish or shape your project. A drill press runs much slower than a Dremel or other rotary grinding tool, at a speed of about 3400 rpm. Dremel and other rotary grinding tools run about 12,000 rpm or higher, which means they will cut much more quickly than a drill press. The rpm (revolutions per minute) is how fast the grinding edge will turn while in use.
Things You'll Need
- Drill press
- Tall chair or shop stool
- Variable-speed foot pedal
- Dremel bit set
- Practice materials, same type as project
Instructions
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1
Set your drill press in a comfortable position. Sit on a tall chair or shop stool so your hands rest on the drill press table, as seen in the MIT Mechanical Engineering Department photo of a drill press in the References section of this article.
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2
Find or purchase a variable-speed foot pedal control for your drill press. Install it by plugging the drill press into the pedal and then plugging the pedal into the wall socket.
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3
Put the Dremel bit of your choice in the chuck of the drill press and tighten it.
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4
Sit at your work station and make sure that the bit, table, chair and foot pedal are all comfortably positioned. Don wrap-around eye protection.
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Use the same material--wood, plastic or metal--you will use in your final project to practice using your drill press as a Dremel tool. Practice making shallower and deeper grooves, grinding areas smooth and adding details to your piece until you are comfortable using the drill press as a rotary tool. Switch to your actual piece when you are satisfied that you know what the tool will do.
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Tips & Warnings
According to the definition provided by the MIT Mechanical Engineering Department, "A drill press is composed of a base that supports a column, the column in turn supports a table. Work can be supported on the table with a vise or hold down clamps, or the table can be swiveled out of the way to allow tall work to be supported directly on the base."
Always wear wrap-around eye protection when cutting, grinding, sanding or polishing any material.
