The Best Dremel Tool (and Attachments) For Lapidary

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Lapidary work was for ages an extremely specialized field. However, this changed recently as the lapidary tools, gemstones, and knowledge became readily available to anyone who’s interested. 

Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, the right set of tools is fundamental for creating high-quality work. Bearing in mind that most of us use Dremel power tools, or similar, we often recommend bits that are fully compatible. 

Here’s a round-up of the best Dremel tools for lapidary, in addition to a detailed guide on how to choose the right ones. 

Related: Best Glue For Lapidary (Top 3 Glues For Rocks, Gems and More)

The Best Dremel Tools (Accesories) for Lapidary 

Lapidary work needs powerful high-precision tools that’ll last for a long time. And that’s exactly how we selected the items on this list. 

1. ZFE Stone Carving Set

Carving gemstones is a lot like performing surgical operations. It takes diligence and knowledge, and of course a good set of tools. This 43-piece set is the perfect assistant for carving, engraving, and cutting detailed work. It’s also capable of carrying out corrections, touch-ups, and finishes. 

The set comes with a sturdy compartmentalized plastic box. That’ll help you in organizing your tools, storing them neatly, and carrying them easily from place to place. The box is also moistureproof, which would all to the longevity of your tools.

These bits are quite versatile. So if you need to use them for other crafts or home improvement projects, they’ll serve you well there too. They work nicely on wood, plastics, acrylics, and some metals. These tools are also compatible with a wide range of power tools besides the Dremels. 

Like all diamond bits, these ones would heat up and they need consistent attention. Remember to water these bits and cool them off. 

This set isn’t too cheap, but it’s not outrageously expensive either. And it’s certainly worth the money. 

2. Rocaris Abrasive Wheel Buffing Polishing Wheel Set

These one inch 25 mm abrasive wheels would transform the stones you’re working on into gems. Applying these bits smoothes out the surface irregularities in minutes. 

The 40-piece set is color-coded according to grit. It contains 120, 180, 320, and 400 Grit. It’s best to work in a graded fashion, so you can go from a rough to a smooth surface over a couple of changes or more if you like. You have everything you need in this set. 

This polishing set can be used on your stones as well as other metallic and non-metallic surfaces. It would definitely spruce up any material and give it real glam. 

The Rocaris set is moderately priced, it’s great for precision work, and it’s generally quite effective. 

3. Drilax Diamond Drill Bit Burr Set

This set is great for the harder stones, as the bits are high density electroplated with 120 Grit diamond coating. It consists of 50 pieces with varying shapes to provide the widest possible range of functions. 

With this practical set, you can cut, grind, shape, carve, and engrave your stones as you please. Moreover, the ⅛-inch shank of these bits would fit well inside the Dremel, in addition to several other brands. 

This is a premium set, so treat it well! It needs cooling off with water, and as always, good drying then careful storage. It’s a high-end product. So it’s not too surprising that the price tag is a bit hefty. However, it would serve you well as you work on several types of stones.   

4. JIALUCONG Jewelry Polishing Kit

The final clean-and-polish layer for your gemstones would benefit tremendously from these cotton bits.  

For best results. You can use these cotton polishing wheels with the right buffing compound. There are kits with various coarseness, and these often come in handy as you work on different stones.  

The set contains 10 pieces, and they come with ⅛ inch shanks, so they can fit without a Hitch to a Dremel or any compatible power tools. It’s moderately priced if you consider its quality and durability. As always, we recommend only the best for your work.  

5.Dremel 20-Piece Cleaning & Polishing Accessory Kit

This is the best beginner set you can start your hobby with. Alternatively, it’s a great standby kit that would contain a bit of everything, so you’d never run out of any particular tool. And if you move a lot, then this portable set can be the perfect companion. 

This is an all-purpose set, that you can use in finishing your lapidary work, as well as for home improvement tasks. It comes at a budget-friendly price, and it should work nicely with your Dremel 684.  

How to Choose the Right Dremel Tools for Lapidary

Usage 

Dremel tools are roughly categorized according to the application as such: 

• Cutting 
• Carving
• Engraving 
• Grinding
• Sharpening 
• Sanding  
• Cleaning 
• Polishing 

Some of these come with the basic kit of your Dremel power tool, while others you’d need to purchase separately. 

Sometimes, we use a specific tool extensively, and it soon wears out. If that’s the case, you can buy more of this tool in bulk. It would be more convenient, and possibly less expensive that way. 

You can also get it in different sizes, or a few roughness grades. Doing so will give you more options as you work with the different types of stones.  

Strength and Durability 

There are several reasons why we prefer high-strength bits. First of all, there’s a safety aspect, Since the lower-quality tools tend to break off in the middle of the work. The debris could fly off in any direction, and being flung at a high speed makes it especially dangerous.

The second reason has to do with the nature of the material itself. Most gemstones are pretty hard. And hence, they need rugged and dependable tools. Otherwise, you’d spend way too much time trying to cut or carve a piece. 

Finally, there’s the precision factor. Working with gemstones and jewelry is quite delicate and requires tools that get the job done without hesitation. A cheap tool often leaves the stones looking clumsy and mistreated. 

That’s why we can’t stress enough the need for high-strength premium tools.   

Compatibility

Dremel power tools are the gold standard for hand rotors. And most manufacturers try to make their power tools compatible. That’s why purchasing Dremel tools is the best way to go. 

There’s a point to notice here. The old model Dremels used a fit that’s a bit different from the modern-day ones. So if you have a classical tool, you might need to use adapters for the newer bits. 

Brand 

It’s always better to purchase your tools from reputable manufacturers. Brands often build their names over years of excellence, innovation, and dependability. 

However, these sets might not be readily available to you, or their price could be prohibitive. Luckily, there are several low-profile manufacturers who make some really good tools. That’s also perfect for enthusiasts who aren’t willing to break the bank over their new hobby. 

Storage Box 

Tool kits quite often come in neat storage boxes. This is important since the bits are often more than 20 pieces in the kit. Thus, they can easily get mixed up or lost without organized storage.

In addition to that, the storage boxes are usually humidity-proof, so they’d keep the bits in good condition for a long time. There’s nothing worse than purchasing prime quality tools, only to lose them to rust and corrosion after a few months. 

A carrying case is even better, as that arrangement provides both storage and portability. 

Some Safety Tips While Doing Your Lapidary Work 

As you work with your beautiful gems, you need to make sure that you stay safe at all times. 

1. Put on your anti-fog safety glasses before you start working, take them off when you’re completely done.
2. Wear a dust-proof mask, and make sure it has the right grading, and that it fits snugly. As you polish your work, extremely fine dust particles could sneak into your respiratory system, and you really don’t want that.   
3. Work in a well-ventilated space.
4. The pieces you’re working on will possibly heat up, even if you’re only polishing them. Wear heat-proof gloves, and use suitable tools for handling your pieces.  
5. Always start the Dremel at a low speed, then increase as needed. 
6. Use a fine router table, extensions, adapters, and clamps for your Dremel. Be comfortable while working at all times. This will alleviate the stress off your back, arms, and wrists. Even your eyes would be more relaxed if you’re working at a good distance with high visibility. 
7. Finally, always use the right tool for the right job. No need to screw in a nail with a sledgehammer. The opposite is also true. If you need higher powers, finer grits, or more potent oxides, go for it.   

In Conclusion 

Lapidary work is among the nicest crafts one can take up as a profession or a hobby. There’s a lot to learn each day. And as you try more materials and tools, you’ll accumulate significant experience. 

That was our round-up of the best Dremel tools for lapidary. We included a variety of functions, set assortments, and price points. Hopefully, it was helpful and inspiring. 

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