I bought a Dremel

[hyphenate]

and an accessories kit. It's a 400XPR which I guess is fairly fancy?

Okay, I looked at the Dremel website and they have some projects, but I'm really looking for a true beginner's project!

Since I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, I want to know what the hell to do with it, first, so I don't wreck it too quickly!

Anyone who can recommend a book with novice projects, I'm all ears. :)

[Kingshakabobo]

1. You can come over to my house and remove the grout in my bathroom.

:) I got to get me one of those. The grout is looking a little dingy on my bathroom floor. The walls look fine but the floor is showing the wear.

[hyphenate]

2. Unless you're within walking distance

from where I am, I doubt if I'll get there any time soon. :)

Besides, I wanted craft projects, not work! :P

[DrDan]

6. I removed grout from a shower using mine

went through 4-5 bits at about 10 bucks each because the tile were set close together and I had to use the thin bit to get it out. When these get hot, they pop. You can use the stub of the bit for a while, but eventually you will need a new one.

When possible, I used a thicker bit with great results.

All in all - it worked fine and the shower looks great - not a patch job.

[Kingshakabobo]

7. Thanks!

I'm going to give it a shot.

[DrDan]

11. bit of advice - take your time

I would do one wall vertical grout lines one day - horizontal the next

then on the the next wall

in doing this, I made sure all the grout was adequately cleaned out - I didn't get in too much of a hurry this way (perhaps you are more disciplined than I)

oh yeah - also, make sure you cover your drain - you don't need all that grout dust down your bathroom plumbing

[FloridaPat]

3. What kind of projects were you looking for? Wood? Glass? Metal?

Stone? Eggs? Ceramics?

[hyphenate]

4. I'm not sure, to be honest

Something not too difficult, though. I saw the glass etching which intrigued me, but I doubt if I'm anywhere near to taking on something like that. Wood would probably be fun and might be sufficiently inexpensive that I could try it.

My other crafts are centered on fabric, soap and other such stuff. And I'm afraid my skin is not in any way prepared to work in anything too harsh.

[FloridaPat]

8. I have a Dremel too. Haven't done much with it. But it sure is fun.

Here's some sites and ideas. The glass etching and carving is neat and easy. It works best if the glass is in water to cool the bit. And keep the glass cool.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/projects-and-community/projects/default.htm?H=188222

The even have a message board!


http://www.scrollsawpatterns.net/patterns/
http://www.mycraftbook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370&view=previous

[hyphenate]

9. Cool!

I visited the dremel site, but the other two should be also fun!!

[Nicole]

5. Gourds are an easy beginner project

You can make birdhouses out of gourds. They can be simple by just making the hole for the birds. Or you can make them fancy by etching designs on the gourd & then painting them. Seal with poly after wards if you actually use them outside.

You can also carve pumpkins with the dremel. It's an inexpensive way to get the feel of the dremel. I did that before moving onto wood projects.

[hyphenate]

10. Thanks for the ideas

It'll definitely give me a start!