Jewelry making is great for both hobbyists that do it for leisure and fun, and also those who do it commercially.
There is a wide range of types and pieces of jewelry that both professional and hobbyist jewelry makers can design and put together.
A dremel rotary tool is the best Dremel tool for jewelry making because of the range of bits/accessories and attachments they can use.
These bits and attachments allow for a range of tasks (such as precision tasks) required in jewelry making like drilling, cutting, engraving, carving, smoothing, cleaning, polishing, grinding and more.
If you’re short on time you can check out the top rated tool list below.
Otherwise, you can read the full guide with reviews in full.
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Top Rated Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making List
Dremel 4000 6/50 Kit (on Amazon) – Best Electric Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
Dremel 8220 1/28 Kit (on Amazon) – Best Cordless Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
Dremel 2050-15 Stylo+ Versatile Craft Rotary Tool (on Amazon) – Best Mid Sized Corded Precision Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
Dremel 200 1/15 Kit (on Amazon) – Best Small Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
Dremel 8050 N/18 (on Amazon) – Best Small Cordless Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
Specialty Rotary Tools For Crafting –
Dremel Stylo+ Craft Tool (on Amazon)
Dremel Lite 7760 Cordless Rotary Tool (on Amazon)
[Note – if you would prefer a flex shaft tool as opposed to a rotary tool, you can read this guide]
Another option is to use a flex shaft attachment with one of the above compatible rotary tools – Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment (on Amazon)
Best Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making Reviews
We have reviewed both the electric and cordless range of Dremel rotary tools in:
Best Electric Dremel Tool: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews
Best Cordless Dremel Tool: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews
However, below are specific reviews for the Dremel tools and bits/accessories when it comes to making jewelry.
NOTE: the biggest things to decide on when you purchase the best dremel tool for jewelry making for your needs are:
1) Do you want a corded/electric Dremel tool (for help with that decision, you might like to read more in Corded or Cordless Dremel? 15 Practical Buyer Tips
2) Do you want a Dremel tool that is an all-around tool for other activities in addition to being able to be used for jewelry making (if so, get a flex shaft attachment with your Dremel tool kit, or buy separately) – these are the Dremel 4300, Dremel 4000, Dremel 3000 and Dremel 8220 tools
3) OR, Do you want a Dremel tool that is built and designed specifically for detail and precision type tasks – these are the Forti-Flex, Dremel 200, Dremel 100, and all other cordless Dremel tools apart from the 12 volt Dremel 8220
Best Corded/Electric Dremel Tools For Jewelry Making
Dremel 4000 – Best Electric Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
What Is This Dremel Tool In A Nutshell?
1.6 Amp, High Performance, Variable Speed Electric/Corded Dremel Rotary Tool
May be the most popular of all Dremel’s Rotary Tools – certainly presents a good design and value for money
Accepts all Dremel bits/accessories and attachments.
Along with the Dremel 4300 and Dremel 3000, may be the best Dremel for jewelry drilling (when used in conjunction with a Dremel workstation)
Does not have foot speed control. Refer to the Dremel Forti-Flex (below) if this is a priority for you
What Accessories/Bits & Attachments Does This Dremel Tool Come With For Jewelry Making (in the 6/50 kit)?
Comes with Flex Shaft Attachment + Guide and Shield Attachments
Carving/Engraving Bits
Cutting Bits
Grinding Bits
Cleaning/Polishing Bits
Sanding Bits
150 1/8 Inch Drill Bit
What Does Dremel Say The Tool Is Designed For?
The Dremel 4000 can use all existing Dremel rotary tool accessories and attachments plus high-performance attachments to complete the widest range of projects.
Examples Of Jewelry Making Tasks This Tool Has Been Used For
Drilling into semi precious stones, decorative pieces, and pottery
Cutting off metal and other materials
Carving wood and engraving on metal bands
Polishing and cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and valuable minerals like diamond and emeralds
Grinding and shaping the edges of metal bands and objects
Sanding and smoothing wood and metal
What Else Do You Need With This Dremel Tool To Make Jewelry?
Common items people purchase with this Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making are:
Dremel Bits: Assorted and Specific Dremel Bits, like the Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit (on Amazon) for example
Work Station: Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station (on Amazon)
Keyless Chuck: Dremel 4486 MultiPro Keyless Chuck (on Amazon)
Where To Check Out This Dremel Tool?
View the Dremel 4000 6/50 Kit on Amazon
Dremel Stylo+ – Best Mid Sized Dremel Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
A precision tool (feels like you’re holding a pen) made specifically to be lightweight, easy to handle, and for craft, arts and small project type activities.
It can etch, engrave, polish/clean and sand.
Activities it might be used for include glass etching, leather burnishing, bead making, wood engraving, jewelry making, and more.
It can be used on materials such as wood, glass, leather, metal and stone.
Read a review of the Dremel Stylo+ in this review guide.
Dremel 200 – Best Small Electric Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
What Is This Dremel Tool In A Nutshell?
1.15 Amps, Two Speed (15,000 and 35,000 RPM), Small Electric/Corded Dremel Rotary Tool
Built and designed to be a precision and control type tool
May not be as good for drilling as the Dremel 4000 or Dremel 3000
Does not have foot speed control. Refer to the Dremel Forti-Flex (below) if this is a priority for you
What Accessories/Bits & Attachments Does This Dremel Tool Come With For Jewelry Making (in the 1/15 kit)?
A carving/engraving bit
Cutting Wheels
Grinding Bits
Polishing/Cleaning bits
Sanding bits
What Does Dremel Say The Tool Is Designed For?
Its two speed settings allow you to use the low speed setting for cleaning applications and using brush accessories and the high speed setting for routing, cutting and sanding applications.
Examples Of Jewelry Making Tasks This Tool Has Been Used For
Cutting off metal and other materials
Carving wood and engraving on metal bands
Polishing and cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and valuable minerals like diamond and emeralds
Grinding and shaping the edges of metal bands and objects
Sanding and smoothing wood and metal
What Else Do You Need With This Dremel Tool To Make Jewelry?
Common items people purchase with this Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making are:
Dremel Bits: Assorted and Specific Dremel Bits, like the Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit (on Amazon) for example
Keyless Chuck: Dremel 4486 MultiPro Keyless Chuck (on Amazon)
Where To Check Out This Dremel Tool?
View the Dremel 200 1/15 Kit on Amazon
Other Electric/Corded Dremel Tools For Jewelry Making:
You can find reviews for the following Dremel tools in Best Electric Dremel Tool: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews.
Dremel 4300 (1.8 Amp, Variable Speed, All-Around & High Performance Tool)
Dremel 3000 (1.2 Amp, Variable Speed, All-Around, Value For Money Tool)
Dremel 100 (1.15 Amp, One Speed, Detail/Precision Small Tool)
9100-21 Fortiflex Heavy Duty Flex Shaft Tool Kit (2.5 Amp, Lower Speed (23,000 RPM), Flexible Shaft Tool For Detailed Projects – Power-Carving, Shaping and Grinding Applications)
Best Cordless/Battery Operated Dremel Tools For Jewelry Making
Dremel 8220 – Best Cordless Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
What Is This Dremel Tool In A Nutshell?
12 Volt Lithium Battery, Re-chargeable, High Performance, Variable Speed Cordless Dremel Rotary Tool
As of December 2016, Dremel’s most powerful and high performance cordless Dremel Rotary Tool
Accepts all Dremel bits/accessories and attachments
Battery charge time is 3 hours
Battery can drain faster with extended use or heavier use (not a problem with electric Dremel tools) – consider an extra battery
Does not have foot speed control. Refer to the Dremel Forti-Flex (below) if this is a priority for you
Not as much of a drilling tool as the Dremel 4000
What Accessories/Bits & Attachments Does This Dremel Tool Come With For Jewelry Making (in the 1/28 kit)?
Cut off and high speed cutter bits
Grinding bits
Cleaning and polishing bits
Sanding bits
NOTE: you’ll have to buy a flex shaft attachment separately.
What Does Dremel Say The Tool Is Designed For?
The ability to use all current Dremel rotary tool accessories and attachments let the Dremel 8220 complete a wide range of projects
Examples Of Jewelry Making Tasks This Tool Has Been Used For
Silversmithing and General jewelry making
Cutting off metal and other materials
Carving wood and engraving on metal bands
Polishing and cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and valuable minerals like diamond and emeralds
Grinding and shaping the edges of metal bands and objects
Sanding and smoothing wood and metal
What Else Do You Need With This Dremel Tool To Make Jewelry?
Common items people purchase with this Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making are:
Flex Shaft Attachment: Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment (on Amazon)
Dremel Bits: Assorted and Specific Dremel Bit, like the Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit (on Amazon) for example
Keyless Chuck: Dremel 4486 MultiPro Keyless Chuck (on Amazon)
Spare Battery: Dremel B812-02 1.5Ah 12-volt Max Lithium-Ion Battery for Dremel 8200, 8220, and 8300 (on Amazon)
Where To Check Out This Dremel Tool?
View the Dremel 8220 1/28 Kit on Amazon
Dremel 8050 – Best Small Cordless Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
What Is This Dremel Tool In A Nutshell?
8 Volt Lithium Battery, Re-chargeable, Variable Speed, Small, Cordless Dremel Rotary Tool
A tool for precise and lighter tasks – not as much for drilling
Docking station continually charges the battery
Does not have foot speed control. Refer to the Dremel Forti-Flex (below) if this is a priority for you
Not as much of a drilling tool as the Dremel 4000
What Accessories/Bits & Attachments Does This Dremel Tool Come With For Jewelry Making (in the N/18 Kit)?
Cut off wheels
Carving/engraving bits
Grinding stone bits
Cleaning/Polishing bits
Sanding bits
What Does Dremel Say The Tool Is Designed For?
The Dremel Micro cordless rotary tool offers the perfect combination of size, ergonomics and power for both precise and light duty-DIY tasks.
Designed to be held between the thumb and forefinger, like a pencil, the Dremel Micro allows a grip that is close to the work piece for superior maneuverability and control.
Examples Of Jewelry Making Tasks This Tool Has Been Used For
Cutting off metal and other materials
Carving wood and engraving on metal bands
Polishing and cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and valuable minerals like diamond and emeralds
Grinding and shaping the edges of metal bands and objects
Sanding and smoothing wood and metal
What Else Do You Need With This Dremel Tool To Make Jewelry?
Common items people purchase with this Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making are:
Dremel Bits: Assorted and Specific Dremel Bit, like the Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit (on Amazon) for example
Keyless Chuck: Dremel 4486 MultiPro Keyless Chuck (on Amazon)
Where To Check Out This Dremel Tool?
View the Dremel 8050 N/18 on Amazon
Other Cordless/Battery Operated Dremel Tools For Jewelry Making
You can find reviews for the following battery operated Dremel tools in Best Cordless Dremel Tool: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews.
Dremel 8100 (Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery, 8 Volt, Variable Speed, All-Around Tool)
Dremel 7700 (Nickel Cadium Rechargeable Batteries, Nickel Cadmium, 7.2 Volt, 2 Speed, Mini Tool)
Dremel 7300 (Nickel Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries, 4.8 Volt, 2 Speed, Mini Tool For drilling, sanding, shaping, detailing and other light-duty jobs)
Dremel 7000 (Replaceable Alkaline Batteries, 6 Volt, 2 Speed, Micro Tool for drilling, sanding, shaping, detailing and other light-duty jobs)
Best Dremel Accessories & Attachments For Jewelry Making
Flex Shaft Attachment: Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment (on Amazon)
Dremel Bits/Accesories For Jewelry Making: Assorted and Specific Dremel Bit, like the Dremel 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit (on Amazon) for example
Best Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
What Is A Dremel Tool For Jewelry?
A Dremel tool used for jewelry making and associated tasks like drilling, polishing, cleaning etc. is usually from Dremel’s rotary range of tools.
This includes Dremel’s range of both electric/corded and cordless rotary tools.
Dremel rotary tools can take a wide range of bits/accessories and attachments.
This gives them the ability to perform a wide range of activities including but not limited to engraving, carving, cutting, grinding, sanding, cleaning, polishing, sharpening and more.
This makes a Dremel rotary tool not only a practical tool for working with jewelry, but good value for money.
Dremel rotary tools are a finishing and light-medium duty task type tool.
What Is A Dremel Tool Used For When Working With Jewelry, and What Does A Dremel Tool Do When Working With Jewelry?
A Dremel rotary tool can perform the following tasks in relation to jewelry making and jewelry work:
Jewelry drilling
Jewelry polishing
Jewelry cleaning
Jewelry engraving and carving
Jewelry grinding
Jewelry cutting
A dremel rotary tool will perform the above tasks when the chuck is fitted with the right accessory/bit or attachment.
Specific examples of jewelry making that a dremel tool might be used for include but aren’t limited to:
Using drill bits to drill holes in beach stones or decorative objects to create a necklace or pendant
Using carbide or diamond cutter bits, or cutter wheels – to cut out traced/drawn designs and decorative objects from wood, metal or another material
Using a sanding drum to smooth and round the edges of wood to be used as a decorative object
Using a grinding stone to shape, file and smooth the edge of metal decorative objects or supports to be used in rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc.
Using a polishing pad/wheel to polish or clean gold, silver, diamond and other jewelry – rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc.
Types of Dremel Tools For Jewelry Making
Different Dremel rotary tools are designed and constructed for different purposes.
In our opinion, if you want the best value for money, a rotary tool that can take all Dremel accessories/bits and attachments is best, as it gives you the best flexibility.
These are tools like the corded Dremel 4300, 4000, 3000 and cordless 8220 model.
You can then buy a flex shaft attachment so you can do the detailed work, and have a lightweight hand piece to hold as opposed to the Dremel tool itself which can be bulky for extended use.
However, there could definitely be use in getting a smaller or specialty designed Dremel tool like the Dremel 200, Dremel 100 or any of the other cordless Dremel tools apart from the Dremel 8220.
IF you do wood carving in addition to jewelry making, the Dremel Forti Flex might be the perfect tool for you.
So, there are Electric Dremel rotary tools, and cordless rotary tools, you just have to choose which one suits you best – high performance, all around, small/micro, specialty (precision and detailing), or cordless/battery operated.
Dremel Tool Bits & Accessories For Jewelry Making
On Dremel’s website, Dremel list all of their available types of bits/accessories – giving specifications of each bit, and instructions of what materials to use each bit on.
Below are some of the common Dremel bits & accessories you might use for jewlery making related tasks:
- Drilling
Drilling stones, wood and metal is common in jewelry making for things like creating objects to decorate a necklace/pendant or bangle type earrings.
When it comes to jewelry making, even the best power drill for women cannot give you perfect holes when precision is your goal.
This is where the Dremel’s finer handling and drilling is superior, in addition to it’s versatility to perform other tasks.
Dremel offers glass drilling bits, routing drilling bits, standard drill bits and diamond drill bits – which are all mainly used for drilling into glass, wood, plastic and soft metals.
They don’t really have any drill bits made specifically for drilling stone, and they do recommend purchasing the Dremel work station when using many of their drill bits for any material so the bits don’t break and wear out easily.
You are probably better off buying hollow core and diamond tipped solid drill bits from a jeweller, or another seller – but the Dremel drill bits can be good if you get the work station and use them for what they are designed for.
- Cutting
There’s two types of cutting – cutting with cutting wheels, and cutting with cutter bits.
Dremel offers cutting and cut-off wheels for performing cut-off work e.g cutting metal, wood, ceramics/stone etc.
Dremel also offers high speed cutter bits for hollowing, carving, engraving and making holes or tapered holes in materials.
- Engraving, Carving and Etching
For engraving and carving, you can use Dremel’s high speed cutter bits, OR the etching and engraving bits – which are called engraving cutters and engraving points.
High speed cutter bits are more suited to wood, plastic and soft metals for shaping, hollowing, grooving, slotting, inlaying and making tapered holes.
The engraving diamond wheel points on the other hand can be used for wood, jade, ceramic, glass, hardened steel, semi-precious stones and other hard materials.
You’ll want to use different bits though for engraving and carving on wood and metal, than you will for etching on glass for example.
- Polishing and Cleaning
We are talking about polishing cones, polishing pads, buffer pads, bristle brushes, abrasive brushes and rubber cleaning points.
Polishing and cleaning bits are great for either simply getting rid of dirt and rust from existing metal surfaces in particular – such as gold, silver, diamonds and other metals and stones.
Or, they can remove small burs and scratch marks on ferrous metals in the case of a rubber cleaning point.
Abrasive brushes can be used on metal, wood, glass, aluminum and plastics – for detail cleaning and light sanding without removing the base material.
- Grinding and Smoothing
Mainly grinding stones/points, and grinding wheels.
Grinding stones/points and wheels are best for removing rust and paint, and smoothing and shaping the edges of metal.
- Sanding and Smoothing
Mainly sanding drums, and sanding bands are used for jewelry making – they are great for smoothing edges of wood, and removing rust from metal.
The sanding bands sit on/around the sanding drums of different thicknesses.
Sanding bands come in three main grits – 240 (extra fine), 120 (fine) & 60 (course).
60 grit is for shaping and smoothing, removing rust from metal surfaces and designed for use on wood and fiberglass.
120 grit is for rough shaping and smoothing wood and fiberglass. It is also good for removing rust from metal surfaces and ideal for shaping rubber surfaces.
240 grit has the same use as 120 grit but is finer.
There are also sanding discs, flapwheels, sand paper and contour sanders:
Flapwheels: grind and polish flat or contoured surfaces
Sanding Discs: For rough shaping and smoothing wood and fiberglass, Also great for removing rust from metal surfaces, and removing paint
Dremel Tool Attachments For Jewelry Making
The best Dremel attachment to use for Jewelry Making is a Flex Shaft Attachment.
This attachment has a bendy shaft and small hand piece roughly the size of a pen.
A flex shaft attachment allows much better control, comfort and precision, and a better overall setup for smaller and detail orientated tasks.
It’s certainly more practical than trying to hold the bulkier main unit of say a Dremel 4300 or Dremel 4000 when doing something like fine engraving or cutting.
How To Choose A Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
1. First choose, do you want an Electric, or Cordless Dremel Tool
2. Second, choose do you want:
– a Dremel tool that is more an all-around/high performance tool and allows you carry out a wider range of tasks e.g. Dremel 4300, Dremel 4000, Dremel 3000, Dremel 8220 etc.
– OR do you want more of a specialty tool built more for detail and precision tasks e.g. Dremel 100, Dremel 200, and the small/micro cordless Dremel tools
NOTE: you can always get a Flex Shaft attachment for an all around/high performance Dremel tool, which gives you the flexibility of having a tool that has more power, can do a wide range of tasks, and can also do the smaller detail/precision tasks.
Best Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making…
Best Electric Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making – Dremel 4000
Best Small Electric Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making – Dremel 200
Best Cordless Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making – Dremel 8220
Best Small Cordless Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making – Dremel 8050
Features To Look For In A Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
It really depends on what you intend to use the tool for when working with jewelry.
For flexibility, features that help are:
Option for variable speed
Ability to accept all Dremel bits and attachments
Higher end power
Comes with or can accept the Flex shaft attachments
Ability to drill
If it suits you – ability to perform precision tasks
Some jewelry makers like a foot speed control pedal – which is available on the Forti Flex model
Safety Tips For Using A Dremel Tool For Jewelry Making
Wear clear lens safety glasses to protect your eyes
Keep polishing rags away from the Dremel tip
Wear gloves when operating the Dremel
How To Use A Dremel Tool For Making Jewelry
It depends what bits and accessories you are using, but generally:
1) Choose the right Dremel tool for the job
2) Attach the right Dremel bit and/or attachment to the Dremel chuck
3) Set the speed you want to work at
4) Begin working
NOTES:
when drilling, it is recommended by Dremel you use the Dremel work station so your drill bits don’t break or wear out too quickly
use bit oil/lubricant for drill pieces
use polishing/cleaning agent when using polishing and cleaning bits
Refer Dremel’s website for best operation of all their products and bits/accessories/attachments.
Video Resources On Jewelry & Rotary Tools
How To Polish Jewelry With A Rotary Tool
Carving Necklace From A Teaspoon
Site Resources
1. https://www.dremel.com/en_US/
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