The Ever Useful Rotary Tool

By Fred the Handyman

If I were trapped on a desert island and could only bring along one power tool, what would I choose? That's an easy question to answer. I'd have to bring along my handy dandy rotary tool. These little jewels really are the Swiss army knives of the power tool realm. They have so many different uses, that you'll wonder how you got along without one. I've even heard of people shaping their toenails and frothing their milk for their coffee drinks with rotary tools. Hopefully not with the same tool. I can't go into all the ways you might use your new tool, because there are just so many, but I wanted to touch on some of the more common uses.

Cutting

Now this is probably one of the first things you'll want to try out when you get your know rotary tool. We've all seen people on TV effortlessly cutting a piece of wood with their rotary tool. It's easy and handy, but I would suggest practicing on some scrap wood before you start working on your project. It takes a little time to get the feel of the tool, and it definitely doesn't behave like a jigsaw. But you can cut more than shapes out of wood. It's also great for cutting holes in sheetrock for power outlets. Depending on the power of your rotary tool, you can cut metal too. And how many times have you come across a stripped screw and had to cut the head off? The cutting disks for a rotary tool make easy work of it. But I would suggest having extra cutting disks on hand, because they wear out quick.

Polishing

A polishing attachment for your rotary tool can make restoring those old bits of tarnished metal a breeze. Smaller attachments can be used for more detailed work, and you can even remove rust with the right attachment.

Engraving

This isn't for the faint of heart, and as always I suggest you experiment with some scrap metal or wood before beginning. But if you've always wanted to get into engraving, but didn't know what equipment to buy, look no further than your handy rotary tool.

Small Detailed Work

This is where the rotary tool really shines and you can bring all the other uses together. If you're a crafter and especially if you make smaller detailed projects like dollhouses, a rotary tool is a mush have! With it you can cut out the right shape, or even use it as a mini router on your more detailed work. It quite simply can be used where larger tools would be overkill.

These are just a few of the many uses for the modern rotary tool. I've only gone into a few, but once you get one, you'll discover that it literally has thousands of uses. You may even come up with a few that no one has thought of before (like rotary cappuccino). As always, when you use your new tool, think safety first. Wear appropriate eye protection, and remember that rotary tools spin very fast. They throw out little pieces of whatever material you're working on, so be careful and have fun!

If you're ready to get your new rotary tool, have a look at this model by Proxxon. It comes with a variety of attachments to get you started, but you may also want to go ahead and get a nice accessory kit with even more attachments. And as always craft happy!