Dremel Newsletter January 2011: Volume 7

Feature Story
Q&A with Chip Wade

Featured Project
Re–slotting a Stripped Screw

What’s New at Dremel
Dremel Mobile Website

Giveaways/Promotions
Multi–Max Universal Adapters Available for FREE

Getting to Know Your Tools
Trio Routing Bits

Happy new year! We have a lot of great things in store for Dremel in 2011 – from new tools to project ideas that you won’t want to miss. You’ll read about them here first, so be sure to stay tuned. Kicking off the year in this issue is HGTV’s Chip Wade, who shares what his least favorite home improvement project is, the tool he can’t live without and more.

Feature Story

You could say Chip Wade has building in his blood. Born into a family of experienced carpenters and woodcraftsmen, Wade’s passion for creating led to his success on HGTV’s “Designed to Sell” as the carpenter on the Atlanta team. Wade has also founded a custom design–build firm in Atlanta and makes his affinity for Dremel tools well–known. We recently caught up with Wade to talk home improvement, dream projects and of course, Dremel tools.

Dremel: When and under what circumstances did you pick up your first tool?
Chip Wade: I was very fortunate to be born into a home of avid DIY–ers and skilled craftsman, so I had access to just about any tool in my father’s well equipped workshop just a short walk from the house. There, he helped me develop my skill set and directed me through my first residential remodel at age 12.

What home improvement project do you think any home could benefit from but people put off doing?
People are notorious for putting off any home improvement project they cannot visualize completing and affording before beginning. While understandable, projects do not have to be that intimidating. I always start off my projects with three simple steps: 1) Pick a specific space. 2) Pick a functional budget. 3) Pick a reasonable time frame for completion. This way you have a vision and a goal. The rest is a fun adventure.

What is your least favorite home improvement task or project?
I’m sure I am not alone here, but I am completely tired of painting. Having done it for so many thousands of hours, I feel as though I have mastered the task. While painting alone can be a great escape and a time to gather your thoughts, I have far too many thoughts to gather and would much rather be off building something new.

What do you think the most common misconception is in terms of DIY projects or home improvement?
The biggest misconception is also the biggest excuse.... the “I think I cannot afford it, so I will not even try to plan it.” I spent two years on a show called “Designed To Sell” on HGTV where I had to completely remodel three spaces every week, including kitchens and bathrooms, all for $2,000 in materials. While at first it seems impossible, it forced us to think very creatively, utilizing our greatest two tools: imagination and determination.

You’re a vocal fan of the Dremel brand. What Dremel tool provides you the most value?
Without question, Dremel rotary tools and accessories have been a staple in my tool box for as long as I have had one. Continuing that quality legacy, the Dremel Multi–Max has become the tool that can do what no other tool can do, and do it with ease. This is why I won’t ever be without one again.

Over the years, have you found any unique uses for Dremel tools that even we may not be aware of?
I cannot even begin to list the projects where I have used Dremel tools. It seems that I always reached for the Dremel rotary tool when I needed some precision work and I needed it done quickly. I have used Dremel tools to do anything from detailed polishing, template making, carving pumpkins, costume making, intricate wood detailing, all the way to deburring metal cuts and mortising hinges. If there is a project out there, there is a faster way to do it with a Dremel rotary tool.

If you had endless amounts of time and resources, what project would you take on or hope to complete?
I would without question build the most amazing home on one large piece of property for my family. While the home would be exceedingly beautiful, its function would be the undeniable showpiece.

What’s New at Dremel

Have you ever found yourself wandering around your local home improvement store, confused as to which Dremel product is best suited for your task at hand? With the release of the Dremel brand’s new mobile website you can quickly and easily find the product info you’re looking for using your mobile device – whether you’re at home or on the go. As a complement to the mobile website you can expect to see Dremel “mobile tags” appearing in stores near you. These tags will allow you to use your smartphone’s tag scanning application to effortlessly link you to relevant, useful information about any Dremel product – providing you with all the information needed to make an informed purchase. Simply head to www.dremel.com to check out the new Dremel website on your smart phone – the website will automatically detect you are browsing a mobile device and redirect you to the mobile site.

The Dremel brand is pleased to share that Terry Horan, who has successfully led Dremel for six years, has been named the next president and CEO of the Dremel brand’s parent company, the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. Horan is a 25–year veteran of the Home Improvement Industry and has sales, marketing and management experience. We’re happy to report that Terry will continue to serve as president of Dremel in addition to filling his new role. Both Dremel and the Robert Bosch Tool Corp. are looking forward to working with Terry beginning April 2011.

Getting to Know Your Tools

Most Dremel Trio users know about the tool’s cutting capabilities, enhanced by the availability of different cutting angles provided by the tool’s pivoting handle. But another valuable Trio function for finalizing projects without switching tools is routing. Currently, there are three Trio bits designed for routing:

TR615 Corner Rounding Bit: This bit is piloted and serves to guide users along the edge of your work piece. When used correctly, this bit will create a curved, decorative edge on a piece of wood.

TR618 Chamfer Bit: Also a piloted bit, it is designed to work on the outside surface of a work piece to create an angled or beveled edge.
TR654 Straight Bit: This bit is not piloted and is designed to rout a channel or box off an edge. The TR800 Trio edge guide is recommended when using the straight bit to keep a channel or straight edge consistent.

When using these bits for routing projects, it’s crucial to understand that they are constructed of high–speed steel and not carbide. This means they are suited to work in wood or materials softer than wood. Metals or exceptionally brittle materials will only serve to burn out the bit. To extend the life of these routing bits, consider both the surface you plan to rout in as well as the depth you hope to achieve. It is more effective to take three passes over the same area to achieve the desired depth of the channel being created. This way, you can avoid the material getting too hot and burning, thus extending the life of the bit. Using the Trio’s routing bits can help complete some great projects including homemade wine rack, an address sign for your home or lawn ornaments to brighten up the front yard.

Featured Project

If you’re getting a head–start on your 2011 home improvement projects, you might encounter a few “unexpected” to–dos once you dive in. A common last–minute to–do: a stripped screw head that needs to be re–slotted so it can be removed with a screwdriver. Age, rust and simple wear and tear can strip screws down over time. With a Dremel rotary tool and an EZ456 cut-off wheel, you can easily create a new slot in a screw head so the screw can be removed with a screwdriver.

Step 1: Attach EZ402 EZ Lock Mandrel to Dremel rotary tool. Then secure the EZ456 cut-off wheel to the mandrel.

Step 2: Secure safety glasses. Power on Dremel rotary tool and prepare to cut new slot into screw. Slowly ease rotating cut–off wheel into the surface of the screw. When desired depth is achieved, pull tool away and power off.

Step 3: Insert screwdriver into new slot, rotate to remove screw.

Giveaways/Promotions

For a limited time, Dremel is offering those of you who own a non–Dremel oscillating tool a Multi–Max Universal Adapter for free, which will allow you to use Dremel brand oscillating accessories on most any type of oscillating tool. The Multi–Max Universal Adapter is a game–changer for any tool buff, allowing users to benefit from genuine Multi–Max accessories that boast the versatility Dremel has become known for. To fill out your order form and receive a free Multi–Max Universal Adapter, head here. This offer is for a limited time – hurry before that time runs out!

We received a lot of interesting and ambitious project ideas in response to our January Dremel Trio giveaway. Congratulations to all Dremel fans who shared their unique project ideas with us. The winners are: Judith Jay, Glendale, AZ; Matt Brown, Louisville, KY; Fred Nava, San Antonio, TX; Scott Wilde, Cottonwood Heights, UT and Harold Erb, Montoursville, PA.