This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. In this three-in-one review, we bring you three tools that homeowners, home improvement pros, makers and fixers alike are going to love. For many – like myself – Dremel has been a household name most of their life. If you’re alive, you’ve probably heard of their rotary tools, but they actually have a whole line of incredibly useful products. When Home Depot sent us a Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit to play with, I already had the perfect jobs waiting to christen each. Let’s explore some of their many possibilities.
Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit
The Dremel 3-tool combo kit includes their Multi-Max MM30 oscillating tool, Saw-Max multi-saw and Dremel 3000 rotary tool, all in a handy carrying bag, and at a Santa friendly price. Plus attachments to get you started with all three. But the best thing is that each tool is capable of so many different tasks that I couldn’t possibly list them all. No matter what the job, there’s likely to be some way to enlist the service of one or more of them.
Given that there are so many different things these tools can do, I was immediately able to put them to use around the shop, starting with the MM30 Multi-Max oscillating tool.
Dremel Multi-Max MM30 – Oscillating Multi-Tool Extraordinaire
From removing old tile grout to scraping bonded carpeting, adhesives and varnish to sanding in tight spaces to cutting wood, metal and plastic pipe, sheet rock, vinyl tile and more, it’s really hard to convey the scope of things the Multi-Max oscillating tool is capable of.
Oscillating saws appear to have originated in the medical field as cast removal tools and bone saws. But with so many different attachments available for such a wide variety of tasks you’ll constantly discover more ways to put it to use. And you won’t be held to the Hippocratic oath or amass student loans in the process.
Being Lazy – Ironically, it’s Not For The Lazy
My first use of the Dremel Multi-Max was to retroactively fix something I should have done months ago when we published the HomeFixated article How to Insulate And Sheath Your Garage Walls Like a Boss.
My first mistake was not explicitly requesting that the electrician install 2-gang power outlets. I upgraded the ones on the front and side walls before sheathing. Luckily, they installed 2-gang boxes, so at least it was easy to add more outlets.
But my second mistake was being lazy and not doing the same along the back wall. If you’re lazy, the last thing you want to do is be lazy; it only creates more work later on. So now I’m coming back – after the fact – with an oscillating tool to do what I should have done in the first place. But the up-side is that Dremel Multi-Max makes this a piece of cake! A silver lined, dark cloud cake.
An oscillating saw is one of the few tools that can tackle this job in such a clean, straight-forward manner. I love that it can plunge straight into the wall without having to first drill or slot by some other means. And penetration can be kept as shallow as needed.
The Dremel 3-tool combo kit bailed me out this time (I suspect it won’t be the last)! Perhaps this “boss” (me) is due for a demotion: Dremel, you got the job. Effective immediately!
THIS Dremel Multi-Max video play list covers a few more drops in the ocean of possible uses.
Dremel Saw-Max – The Perfect Cutting Tool For Smaller Jobs
The Dremel Saw-Max is a compact (compared to a circular saw) 17,000 RPM cutting tool. It somewhat resembles an angle grinder but uses 3″, thin kerf discs. It also throws most of the sparks away from you, rather than directly into your lap. So rest assured that on 40’s throwback day, that gaudy polyester zoot suit isn’t going up in a blaze of glory. And your pomade should stay as cool as you, in those dapper 2-toned wing tips. Oh yeah. You’ll be cutting in style.
Optional accessories include dust collection, offset (flush) cutting wheels and a host of specialized cutting guides. There’s even an available chop saw attachment for cutting round stock up to 1/2” in diameter.
The Dremel Saw-Max weighs about what you’d expect from a tool of this size (3 lbs, 12 oz). It’s solidly built and feels great in either hand, and the huge ergonomic power trigger works beautifully.
Bust Those Stubborn Pallets With The Dremel Saw-Max
Here at HomeFixated.com, we’re way more about the tools, home improvements and fun projects than squishy feelings and personal tales of romance. That said, if I may break the fourth wall for a moment, I’m running the risk of hurting my lady’s feelings here by admitting that I’ve given my heart over to a new love: Dremel’s Saw-Max! I know, I know… we’re different species, and cultural boundaries and all that. I get it. But hear me out before throwing me to the lions.
You see, I’ve been looking a long time now for the perfect tool to cut apart shipping pallets that won’t easily break down by other, more convenient means. Sometimes the wood just can’t handle the force of prying. Other times, the nails are so mangled – or purposely folded over – that dismantling isn’t going to happen without the jaws of life.
In such cases, I usually cut them apart with a reciprocating saw to salvage what I can for various upcycling projects. Short wood is better than none at all; am I right? But slats on the other side of the pallet are often in the way, forcing me to hold the tool at an awkwardly low angle to avoid destroying the blade. Here comes the bride, so to speak: Dremel Saw-Max sure looks lovely in that lace veil!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZB_uDDRSZ/
The included DM500 wood/plastic cutter doesn’t look like any wood blade I’ve ever seen. Rather than having the expected saw teeth, it has pieces of carbide stuck to the edge, kind of like a really coarse diamond wheel. But don’t be fooled by appearances; it cuts as well as you’d expect from a toothed blade. I was really impressed with how well it works. And the carbide “teeth” should last a really long time.
Dremel Saw-Max – It Cuts Metal (And Plastic, Masonry And Lots Of Other Stuff) Too
I used one of the included SM510 metal cutting discs to cut out a hole in this galvanized steel. It cut like butter and was a lot easier to control than an angle grinder.
”All Your Base Are Belong To Us” – Dremel Saw-Max Adjustable Base
The base of the Dremel Saw-Max can be set to limit the depth of cut by flipping the blue lever. Or leave the lever in the fully forward position for spring-loaded plunge base action.
Watch the Dremel Saw-Max promo video here:
Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool – Topping Off The Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit
I saved this tool for last because it really needs no introduction. If you’ve ever heard the word “Dremel”, you are probably well aware of their line of rotary tools. Chances are, you’ve already used and/or owned one or more at some point in your life. It’s such a popular and versatile tool that it’s spawned countless knock-offs over the decades.
To many, “Dremel tool” is synonymous with “rotary tool”. But rotary tools are only one part of Dremel’s product lineup.
One nice feature added to the Dremel 3000 is a collet wrench that’s built into the removable housing cap (called the “nose cap” on this model). Other models also have a housing cap that unscrews so that you can attach accessories, such as the router base or flex shaft, but the integrated wrench design is a nice extra. The kit also includes Dremel’s standard collet wrench.
Dremel Rotary Tools – Carving A Niche Since 1935-ish
The rotary tool – like the other tools in the Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit – is impressively versatile. Its uses include such jobs as carving, sharpening, polishing, grinding, routing, drilling, cutting and sanding.
I first wrapped my mitts around a Dremel rotary tool in my early teens. By 21, I was using them to carve hard materials, such as dice, metal, acrylic, antler and billiard balls. The tool’s design has morphed a bit over the years, but functionality is the same (or better).
Now my acrylic templates are clearly identified. I often create templates like this when making multiples of a given project part – and when I want to be able to reproduce projects in the future – without having to tediously lay out the same parts all over again, one by one. I just trace the template and get right to the cutting.
Watch the Dremel 3000 rotary tool promo video here:
Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit – It’s In The Bag
I’m always harping on the storage cases that come with tools but miss the mark in some easily fixed way. But I also give credit where it’s due. The storage/carrying bag that comes with the Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit is actually quite adequate. There is sufficient separation of the different tools and internal pockets for blades, cutting discs and other small accessories. See, other companies: it’s really not that hard to make a tool-specific storage solution that actually works well.
Final Judgment – The Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, tradesman or just a hobbyist, it’s hard to go wrong with these three tools. Sometimes, for example, it’s a hassle (or even impractical) to use a full-sized circular saw for a small job. So the compact size of the Saw-Max is perfect. And sometimes no other tool is really suited for the task you face.
There are so many cases where these tools are a perfect match. With the Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit, you’re getting three invaluable, versatile tools that you will call on time and time again. And more, unique reasons to reach for them will continue to surface for years to come. I would honestly and highly recommend any of the three tools on their own. But as a kit, it’s a no-brainer!
The Dremel 3-Tool Combo Kit is available now from our sponsor, The Home Depot, for only $229, a savings of $101 off of the individual retail prices.
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with Home Fixated in sponsored content. As a part of the sponsorship, Home Fixated is receiving compensation for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own words. This post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
