Incredibly, after using Dremel’s rotary tools for years I somehow never stumbled across the chuck accessory until today.  This replaces the standard quick-change collet to allow installation of most any accessories without the use of a wrench.  Not only does it allow for quick accessory changes, it opens up a bit the range of accessories you can install.

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Sanding curves can be difficult — especially if you want to use a power tool.  That’s where Dremel’s contour sander comes it handy.  A variety of contour shapes and detail pads fit into its grip, which then oscillates at 4,000 to 10,000 strokes per minute to do the hard work for you. 

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Dremel’s XPR planer attachement screws on to the end of your standard Dremel rotary tool, converting it into a tiny planer, perfect for taking a little material off a sticky door or fixing a not-perfect cut in laminate.

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While reviewing Dremel’s Multi-Vise, we discovered that the bezel (right behind the chuck) on most standard Dremel tools unscrews to aid in mounting the tool to stands and other large accessories.  Apparently Dremel offers small accessories as well, like this replacement bezel with two bright white LED worklights.  (Action pic after the jump.)

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Bowen writes: “This add-on turns your Dremel into a stationary tool with adjustable angle and plunge facilities, cable management, and quite a bit of storage for Dremel attachments.  I recently bought one to go with my 300 Series Dremel, and it’s opened up a world of new possibilities.  I can drill a lot more precisely.  The adjustable angle and stable platform makes long periods of polishing or grinding a breeze and allows more precise cuts with Dremel’s cutting wheels as well.  Moving the part around the wheel (instead of visa-versa) eliminates a lot of the flex and fragility issues with the basic cutting discs.”

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Like you, we were skeptical about whether Dremel’s Multi-Vise — a tiny vise and clamping system designed to hold small projects — could command its $30 street price.  But after spending some time with one this week, we were pleasantly surprised.  It works well as a clamp, and read on to discover another feature that makes coughing up your hard-earned cash for it worthwhile. 

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Dremel keeps punching out great accessories for their already-ubiquitous rotary tool — like their new “multi-vise.”  Think of it as a bigger, beefier version of the “third-hand” style vises you use for electronics work.

It has the same swivel-type base — which is removable to allow you to sit the unit on a bench directly — but its padded jaws can handle heavier objects. 

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Back in the day when I was a (cringe) Cub Scout, the coolest event of the year was the pinewood derby.  Kids and Dads from around the area would gather ’round the workbench and figure ways to make the fastest — and most importantly coolest –pinewood vehicle ever.  Now Dremel’s getting in on the father/son bonding market with the Dremel derby car kit sporting a “regulation” block of wood and a few appropriate Dremel bits. 

The kit comes in a race car shaped clam plastic clamshell.  It includes half a dozen Dremel bits including a small drill bit, a disc sander attachment, and a cylindrical file that should make carving up and smoothing out the future trophy winner a snap.

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Myself writes: “Also in the AA-powered arsenal:  Dremel offers three versions of their two-speed tool.  Green is for golf, orange is for pumpkin carving, and red is for pet nail trimming.  Really, the tools are the same.  They’re just packaged with different accessories.

“As with the Black & Decker tool I submitted yesterday, the Dremel “alkaline” model runs as well or better with NiMH rechargeables.  Skip the proprietary 4.8-volt “Cordless MiniMite” pack and use your existing batteries!

“Here’s the kicker: While the proprietary packs get stale on store shelves, and even new ones use yesteryear’s low-capacity batteries, the power available in common NiMH AAs is always improving.  Your AA-powered tools will be more powerful a few years from now, not less.”

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When I receive Dremel’s email newsletter, I expect to find three things: the story of someone who does something really, really cool with Dremels, a project that I’d never consider doing, and a product that I already know about. 

This time I got a dude hand-carving Santa statues (cool), some squarish-wood tab-together reindeer painted white (not happening), and something I didn’t know about! The deluxe window storage case looks like a sweet way to store and carry a Dremel and enough bits to get something done.

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We’re huge Dremel fans here at Toolmonger, and we’ve used their tools and accessories for all sorts of projects over the years — some we imagine Dremel intended, and some they’d probably never considered.  In the last few years, though, Dremel’s really stepped up the innovation.  Their latest: The EZ-Lock.

Remember what a pain it is (was) to install cut-off wheels and the like?  It just got a lot easier.  With the new EZ-Lock system you simply push and twist to install the wheel.

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It’s almost October, which means Halloween’s approaching quickly.  When you were a kid, Halloween was all about the costumes.  As an adult, it’s all about the parties.  And of all the holidays — save, maybe, Christmas — Halloween seems to demand the most elaborate decorations and parties.

But no matter how elaborate the decorations, they mean exactly squat if you don’t have an exquisitely-carved pumpkin.  Well, Dremel’s here to help.  This year they’re again offering their cordless pumpkin carving kit — an inexpensive, battery-powered, two-speed rotary tool complete with bit, instructions, and even templates.

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So it was: the people cried out to Dremel, “make us a tool that is compact, yet powerful — one with which we can comfortably perform very detailed work, and, oh yeah, one that sounds like a freakin’ seriously cool-ass jet engine when you turn it on.”   Yea, Dremel did make such a tool and said onto the people, “Behold, all ye of DIY ilk, we deliver onto you the Dremel Stylus.”  And the people saw that it was good.  Then, a little later, Toolmonger came along to agree.

Seriously, though the Stylus has received a ton of press — visit Google to see what we mean — we thought you’d like to hear about it from a Toolmonger perspective.  It’s the newest member of the Dremel line, and besides the fact that it looks like Captain Kirk’s phaser – which, lets face it, is pretty cool  – the Stylus is literally packed with features that’ll make your DIY projects bristle with detail… when you finally manage to put it down and the dust settles.

Read on for lots more info on our experiences with the Stylus.

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Dremel’s released a “limited edition” line of rotary tools decked out with the colors, numbers, and signatures of some of your favorite NASCAR drivers/teams: Dale Earnhardt Sr. (#3, of course), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (#8), and Kevin Harvick (#29).

Besides the racing livery, these are essentially the standard Dremel 7.2V rechargable rotary tool that we all know and love.  They come with a standard 3-hour charger, a wrench, and six accessory bits as well as a “specially designed ‘DOME’ display case” and a 2-year warranty.

We’ve found them starting around the $50 price point on the street. 

Street Pricing [Froogle]

Each year the INPEX new invention trade show offers inventors the opportunity to pitch their inventions to businesses seeking the “next big thing” in their respective industries.  This year’s INPEX show — June 7th -10th, 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA. – will include Bosch, Dremel, Skil, and RotoZip, as well as a number of non-tool manufacturers. 

Bosch specifically seeks new products that fall into these catagories: 

• Rotary tool attachments and accessories for hobby/craft/DIY, and also for professionals
• Application ideas for power tools and rotary tools
• Power tool products and accessories
• Power tool gift giving ideas and concepts (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, etc.)
• Yard care, gardening and cleaning tools

If you have a tool invention to show or if you’d just like to get a preview of what’s to come in the tool industry, the Inpex website still has an entry form available for exhibitors and attendees.

And since we can’t make it, if you see something exciting there don’t forget to drop us a line and tell us about it.

INPEX: The Invention Show [inventionshow.com]
June 2006 Tradeshow Entry/Info form [INPEX]

When you think of craft tools, you can’t help but think of Dremel.  (And if you don’t already own one of their rotary tools, now’s the time.)  But were you aware that they make a glue gun?

Featuring dual temperature settings, a work light, an on-off switch (don’t laugh — look for one on your cheapie glue gun), LED indicator lights to indicate “on” and “ready” status, a soft-grip handle, a built-in kickstand, and a silicon tip (as opposed to metal in order to prevent accidental burns), Dremel’s glue gun may just be the most feature-laden glue gun on the market.

It starts at around $25 (street), so just think of it as the buying the Cadillac of glue guns for $15 more than the Yugo.

Glue Gun [Dremel]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

 

 

Though this has seen quite a bit of coverage on the web since its initial release, we thought it worth mentioning again: if you’re into Dremel tools, you’re going to want the new Dremel Stylus.  In Dremel’s words:  

The Dremel Stylus is a unique tool for people who are passionate about hands-on projects. This ergonomic tool is perfect for applications around the home such as finishing, intricate sanding, polishing, cleaning, engraving and much more.

Essentially, the Stylus is a small Dremel tool with a built-in handle that makes it easy to use for crafts projects such as engraving and small work like modeling.  Like most Dremel tools, it’s variable speed (5k-25k rpm), and unlike most Dremel tools it has a 7.2V integrated Li-Ion battery, which the company claims holds its charge 6 times longer than a Ni-Cd.

There are many different kits available, but it looks like street pricing for the basic tool start around $70.

Dremel Stylus [Dremel]
Street Pricing [Froogle]