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Best Dremel Bits for Cutting Metal
The Dremel is a high-speed rotary tool. It’s gun-shaped with a handle and a barrel. The barrel contains the rotating part of the tool. Dremel is the name of the brand that produces the tool, like how people who want a tissue ask for a Kleenex.
3 Best Dremel Bits for Metal in 2023
The idea of a Dremel tool is that it can accomplish many different things just by changing out the drill bit. Different bits allow you to:
- Polish
- Grind
- Carve wood
- Cut
- Engrave
- Clean
- Sand
- Remove grout
- Route
- Sharpen
- Drill
- And so much more.
You can make your own Dremel bits with the skill and know-how. All official Dremel-made bits have a unique identification number, so keep an eye out for those when shopping for them.
All Dremels need a collet, a small metal part that sits beneath the nut at the front of the Dremel. It tightens around the bit and secures it in place. Some bits have different shank sizes, so your collet needs to be the right shank size for each bit that you have. If your bit keeps falling out or won’t fit right, you might need a different collet.
The best Dremel bits for cutting metal are disc-shaped and are called cutting wheels. They come in a variety of grains and bonds. Grains are the abrasive material cutting, while bonds are the materials holding the grain together.
There are three main types of wheels: abrasive, diamond, and bimetallic.
1. Abrasive cutting wheels are the most common for cutting metal and can be made from materials like silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and zirconia. They’re the most affordable wheel type and can be used to cut several other materials, but they wear down the quickest out of all the wheels and create the most dust and debris.
2. Bimetallic cutting wheels are made by bonding two metals, the most common being an aluminum oxide core and a steel outer layer. These wheels are more durable than abrasive ones and can therefore be used on tougher materials, but they are more expensive and tend to create more sparks when used on metal.
3. Diamond cutting wheels are the strongest, most durable, and most expensive type of wheel. Made from diamond-coated metal or composite materials, they can through even the hardest of metals. However, they produce more heat and sparks than any other wheel type.
When it comes to cutting metals, you’ll need something with a harder bond and a sharper grain, but when working with wood or plastic, you can go with a wheel that has a softer bond and blunter grain.
So for wood or plastic, go for a wheel with an abrasive grain like zirconium oxide or aluminum oxide. For metal, a wheel with a harder bond and a sharper grain like vitrified or resinoid.
You’ll also need to consider the cutting wheel’s size. The cutting wheel’s thickness and diameter will affect your visibility and control while cutting. A 1” cutting wheel can cut up to 0.4” deep and a 1 ¼” wheel can cut up to 1 ½” deep. The safe cutting limit for a Dremel is ¼” to 3/8”. Any deeper, and you’d be better off with an angle grinder or a die grinder.
The options for Dremel bits included here for cutting metal cost $19-$37.99 (for a large set including other Dremel bits).
We asked our community of metallurgists and analyzed the latest customer sentiment data to identify the 4 best Dremel bits for metal on the market:
1. Dremel Rotary Tool accessory kit 710-08 – $39.95
The Dremel Rotary Tool accessory kit has a whopping 160-piece selection. It’s ideal for cutting, sanding, grinding, polishing, and carving and is the ideal starter kit to help you complete a wide range of projects.
This kit includes Dremel’s patented EZ Lock accessory system, which has the EZ Lock mandrel, EZ Twist nose cap wrench, and EZ Lock cut-off wheels that allow you to change accessories quickly and easily.
It’s very easy to use, incredibly versatile, highly giftable, and an excellent value for money.
Ideal for soft and hardwood and metal, stone, and glass, the ease of changing out bits and using this drill means that it’s great for starters and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
The kit offers you no-brainer storage. Everything has its place. The back of the product shows you kit contents and the general use for all things included. Even better, all of the accessories are color-coded (for example, the cut-off wheels are coded red for cutting), and the packaging states all this clearly.
The little discs included are great to cut metal with, such as thin steel and some aluminum.
The kit is compatible with all Dremel corded and cordless rotary tools. All the rotary accessories have a 1/8” standard shank, so there are no worries about mismatches or wrong collets.
Features include:
- 160 different bits for all manner of uses
- A weight of 15 ounces
- Aluminum oxide bits
- Ideal for cutting, sanding, polishing, grinding, and carving the Dremel 160-piece Multipurpose Accessory set is the complete start-up kit you need to complete a wide range of DIY projects.
- Accessory set includes a variety of EZ Lock rotary accessories including the EZ Twist nose cap wrench, EZ Lock mandrel, and EZ Lock cut-off wheels. The patented Dremel EZ Lock system makes accessory changes 6X faster than using a standard mandrel.
- Accessory set includes a reusable storage bins and lift-out trays for easy organization of the included bits.
- Carving/Engraving accessories: 191 Carving Bit (x1)
- Grinding/Sharpening accessories: 932 Aluminum oxide grinding stone (x1), 952 Aluminum oxide grinding stone (x1), 84922 Silicon carbide grinding stone (x1)
2. Dremel EZ406-02 – $19.90
This nifty little Dremel starter kit contains 6 wheels: 1 EZ402 EZ-Lock mandrel and 5 EZ456 fiberglass-reinforced cut-off wheels. The cut off wheels last 2X longer than current fiberglass-reinforced cut-off discs. The wheels are durable enough to trim, cut, and groove into a variety of metals, even hardened steel. They’re ideal for cutting or slotting bolts, screws, tin wood, plastic, and sheet metal.
The working diameter of the wheels is 1 ½” (38.1mm), and the blade thickness is .045” (1.1mm). Do note that they’re made to be used with the Dremel EZ402 mandrel alone.
The cutting wheel (model EZ506CU) has a very abrasive grit, cubic boron nitride (CBN). Using CBN on a cut-off weel means that the wheel can stay cool and sharp for longer and not shrink. When tested internally, this wheel lasted at least 20X longer than Dremel’s fiberglass-reinforced cutting wheels.
The EZ-lock eliminates the need for a screw and a screwdriver, which is handy. The accessories are color-coded into usage categories such as cutting, drilling, etc., so that you can easily find what you’re looking for.
This kit is great value for money, extremely durable, and very handy. It’s ideal for those with a bit of know-how, but even beginners won’t have too steep a learning curve. It would be good for those specifically looking to cut into things rather than any engraving work. Definitely check this out if that’s what you’re looking for.
Features include:
- 5 cutting wheels included
- Cutting wheel with super abrasive CBN grit
- EZ-Lock mechanism
- Cut-off Wheels are reinforced with fiberglass for increased durability to cut, trim and groove into a variety of metals including hardened steel.
- Ideal for easily cutting or slotting bolts, screws or sheet metal, thin wood, ceramic and plastic.
- Dremel EZ406-02 includes one EZ402 EZ - Lock mandrel and five EZ456 Fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheels.
- The EZ456 Cut-off wheels last 2X longer than current fiberglass-reinforced cut-off discs.
- Working diameter: 1-1/2" (38.1 mm), Blade Thickness: .045” (1.1mm), Blade Material: Fiberglas
3. Dremel EZ456B – $29.99
The EZ456B is a cut-off wheel that’s perfect for cutting through sheet metal and copper pipe. With ceramic as the grit material of the wheel and fiberglass reinforcement, this wheel has increased cutting, trimming, and grooving durability.
It can cut into many metals, even hardened steel, and is also good for bolts, screws, sheet metals, thin woods, plastic, and ceramic.
It works with the EZ-Lock system, which makes changing out accessories supposedly 6X times quicker than without, and also uses a standard mandrel, making the need for a screw and screwdriver unnecessary.
There are twelve wheels in this pack. Their working diameter is 1 ½” (38.1mm) and the blade thickness is 0.45” (1.1mm). Their material is fiberglass. Do note that they are only for use with the Dremel EZ402 mandrel. As with all Dremel rotary tool accessories, these wheels are color-coded.
Just as before, the cutting wheel (model EZ506CU) has a very abrasive grit, cubic boron nitride (CBN). Using CBN on a cut-off weel means that the wheel can stay cool and sharp for longer and not shrink. When tested internally, this wheel lasted at least 20X longer than Dremel’s fiberglass-reinforced cutting wheels.
Features include:
- 12 wheels included
- EZ-Lock function
- Cut-off Wheels are reinforced with fiberglass for increased durability to cut, trim and groove into a variety of metals including hardened steel. Ideal for easily cutting or slotting bolts, screws or sheet metal, thin wood, ceramic and plastic.
- The EZ456B includes 12 fiberglass-reinforced cut-off wheels designed to last 2X longer compared to the 426.
- The EZ456B is designed with the patented EZ Lock system making accessory changes 6X faster than using a standard mandrel by eliminating the need for a screw and a screwdriver.
- APPLICATION: Cutting (red color code) WORKING DIAMETER: 1-1/2" (38.1 mm), BLADE THICKNESS: .045” (1.1mm), MATERIAL: Fiberglass
- For use with Dremel EZ402 mandrel only.
4. Dremel EZ728-01 – $26.48
The EZ728-01 is a kit containing 10 pieces of cutting wheels and a mandrel: 3X EZ409 1 ½” EZ-Lock cut-off wheels, 4X EZ456 1 ½” EZ-Lock cut-off wheels, 3X EZ476 1 ½” EZ-Lock cut-off wheels, and 1X EZ402 EZ-Lock mandrel.
Compatible with all Dremel rotary tools, this kit turns your Dremel into a powerful cutter. The wheels provided are specially curated to give you a smooth cut, whether you’re using them on metal or plastic.
The wheels come in a compact case that allows for easy storage and organization as well as the EZ-Lock technology, which makes changing bits out faster than with a standard mandrel.
This kit is great if you’re looking to cut materials for crafting or doing odd jobs around the house. It’s suitable for pros and beginners (with a little bit of learning) alike. The tools and bits are incredibly sturdy and give great value for money.
These wheels are hardy and unlikely to break like other options on the market. You’ll have no problems cutting through nuts, bolts, or screws, and of course, wood and plastic will be short work.
Features include:
- 10 cutting wheels and 1 EZ-Lock mandrel
- A weight of 3.87 ounces
- Turn your Dremel rotary tool into a powerful cutting machine with the 11-piece EZ Lock Cutting Kit. Compatible with all Dremel Rotary Tools.
- SMOOTH CUTS: The cut-off wheels included in the kit have been specially curated to perform all cutting applications, ideal for cutting in either metals or plastics.
- QUICK ACCESSORY CHANGE: Variety of EZ Lock cutting wheels. The patented Dremel EZ Lock system makes accessory changes 6X faster than using a standard mandrel.
- COMPACT CASE: Accessory set includes a reusable storage case for easy organization of the included bits.
- KIT CONTENTS: EZ409 1-1/2" EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel (x3), EZ456 1-1/2" EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel (x4), EZ476 1-1/2" EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel (x3), EZ402 - EZ Lock Mandrel (x1)
Conclusion
Dremel’s rotary tools are a gateway to countless uses. If you have one or are thinking of getting one, then the drill bits we’ve discussed here will hopefully help you accomplish some or all of your goals.