Dremel products are popular for their versatility in doing different kinds of work in carving metals, wood, stone, glass, shells, plastics, and other materials. The rotary tools by Dremel are particularly known for their efficient ways of doing engraving, grinding, polishing, sanding, routing, carving, cleaning, sharpening, and cutting. Dremel also provides an array of accessories and attachment bits for routing purposes. Here we are going to talk about how to convert your usual rotary tool into a plunge router without having to invest in a plunge router tool altogether. Before we take on this topic let’s have a brief understanding of plunge routing and routing in general.
What is routing and plunge routing?
A rout is a hollow or groove made with a routing tool. It is basically the process of hollowing out materials. Routing hardwood requires more care and slower movement than softwoods, rubber, carbon, plastics, laminates, fiberwood, and chipboard. There are different kinds of routes. The routes form long cuts on the surfaces. It can be a rounded, v-shaped, or flat bottom. Coves are rounded grooves. Chamfer routs are used for decorative purposes. They differ from beveled surfaces. Now, different routes require different kinds of attachment bits. For E.g. a straight-bit Dremel router attachment can be used for making square-bottomed grooves while a pilot bit can be used for producing coves and chamfers.
Plunge routing requires a plunge router. It can serve multiple purposes in carving woodwork. It works by presetting the cut depth of the plunger which then lowers the attachment bit into the cut while the router’s base lies flat on the surface. After doing the work, it lifts up in position bringing back the bit with itself. It uses a spring-loaded mechanism for plunging purposes. They can be used for creating decorations, inlay patterns, precise mortises, and stopped dado.
What is the advantage of using the Dremel Plunge Router Attachment Tool?
The Plunge Router Attachment tool by Dremel does away with the need for investing in a separate plunge router. Especially if you are looking for small to medium-sized projects, the usual heavy-duty fixed-based routers with ½-inch bits are completely unsuitable. If you’re looking for precision work more than just rabbets and mortises, like decorative boxes (cigar boxes, jewelry boxes, and gift boxes), models, miniatures, etc. then this provides the perfect solution. It serves multiple purposes and is cost-efficient. You can use it for inlay work, decorative edging, routing circles or in straight lines, carving signs and letters, or freehand routing. It has a transparent base that provides a clear, see-through view of the material you’re working on, minimizing the chances of damage. The lock-in handle enables a fast and easy plunge. It also has two depth stops with quick release for quickly adjusting the routing depth.
How do you use the Dremel Plunge Router Attachment Tool with a Dremel rotary?
Your Dremel router can instantly become a compact plunge router with this attachment tool.
The Dremel Plunge Router Attachment Tool contains the plunger router attachment, edge guide, circle cutting guide, mounting wrench, and instruction manual.
Assembling
Attaching the plunge router tool to the rotary is similar to attaching router bits to the rotary. You insert the router bit into the tip of the rotary tool. It is secured by pushing it inside and releasing the shaft lock present near the tip opening where the bit gets inserted.
For the plunge router attachment, you place the Dremel rotary or router into it with the corded end sticking up. The proper positioning of the router is ensured with the shaft lock button facing upward. The plunge attachment tip has a mounting nut that has to be placed into the tip of the rotary. It needs to be tightened into its place by using the mounting wrench provided with the kit.
Adjustment
Use the adjustment nut present at the hand grip for making adjustments during your cutting activity. The upper and lower adjustment nuts can be turned to achieve the desired depth. The depth stops are really useful in this case and if you’re starting out new, you can try practicing it on scraps first to get a hang of it and it would become easy to use with time.
Can you use the Dremel Plunge Router Attachment Tool with other rotary tools?
The Dremel Plunge Router Attachment is designed to be compatible with corded and cordless Dremel rotary tools. It is compatible with its old and new series of rotary tools which accommodate 1/8-inch attachment bits. It includes 100 Series, 200 Series, 3000, 4000, 4200, 4300, and 8220.
If you’re an engineer yourself, trying customization with other brand rotary tools could be possible. However, the Dremel brand products are manufactured for compatibility exclusively with other Dremel products. The attachment nut of the plunge router is specifically for rotary tools made by Dremel. So, trying a different brand of rotary may not be a good idea. But if you own a Dremel rotary then you can definitely transform it into a plunge router with this plunge router attachment tool.
Like any routine work, make sure you have the safety checklist ticked before beginning the work. Wear gloves, goggles, and a dust mask to protect yourself against cuts, wood, and plastic dust. Also, use insulating earmuffs. We’ll conclude this guide over here and if this got you interested don’t hesitate to take a look at how this Dremel router plunge attachment tool looks in real life.
