How to Use the Dremel 3000 Multi Tool: A Complete Guide

What Is A Dremel Tool?

Over the years, I've collected a number of handy hobby tools, each with its own purpose, but there's one tool that’s probably more useful than most of them put together: the Dremel Multi Tool.

There are several standout models, notably the 3000 and 4000, but I personally own two Dremel 3000s and absolutely love them. So, this guide is all about that specific model.

Higher RPM, Torque, and Loved by Hobbyists

The Dremel 3000 is lightweight and user-friendly, perfect for use around the house, studio, workbench, or workshop. I recommend choosing a corded version rather than a rechargeable one. It boasts higher speed (RPM) and torque, and if you're anything like me, you’ll occasionally forget to charge it—oops!

Hanging Hook: Ideal for Use with a Dremel Flex Shaft

The power cord is permanently attached and approximately 6.5 feet long. There’s a hanging hook on the back, so you can store it on a Dremel stand, hook, or even a nail. This feature is especially useful when paired with the Dremel Flex Shaft attachment.

Comfortable Pencil Grip

This unit feels great in your hand. You can grip it like a pencil, making it perfect for fine, intricate work, especially when using the flex shaft attachment. Ideal for engraving and carving with comfort.

Who Can Use the Dremel 3000?

This tool is brilliant for hobbyists and beginners alike, jewellers, glass engravers, wood carvers, and anyone drilling holes in beach pebbles, sea glass, pottery, broken china, and more. It's also great for DIY tasks and general craftwork.

One key advantage is its compatibility with a wide range of bits, burrs, and polishers—especially when used with the Dremel Multi Chuck, unlike the Dremel 290 engraver. More on that below.

Check Voltage and Plug Type

Before purchasing, make sure you choose the correct voltage and plug type for your country. It sounds simple, but it’s easily overlooked!

How to Change Accessories

To change accessories, make sure the tool is off and not rotating. Press the blue spindle lock to stop it spinning. Insert your accessory and tighten while keeping the button pressed. Release and ensure it rotates freely.

This spindle lock also allows you to attach accessories like the Dremel Right Angle Attachment, Multi Chuck, or Flex Shaft.

Why I Recommend the Dremel Multi Chuck

If you’re changing bits frequently, a Dremel Multi Chuck is a must. It accommodates various shank sizes, so you don’t have to change collets constantly.

Note: The Dremel Multi Chuck works with most models except the Dremel Engraver 490.

The above picture shows the following:

• Diamond Drill bits set for your Dremel (for drilling glass, stone, shell, ceramic)
• Dremel Multi Chuck 4486
• Dremel Collet Nut Kit 4485

Using Your Dremel Rotary Tool

Whatever attachment you choose, you should always start your Dremel drill off slow and build up to the speed you want to work at.

Dremel Bits and Attachments Included with the 3000 Kit

Black Nylon Bristle Brush

The Black Wheel Bristle Brush is excellent for cleaning and, when paired with Dialux polishing compound, it’s ideal for polishing. It gets into all those hard-to-reach places on intricate jewellery pieces.

There are many other types, like Brown Pendant Bristle Brushes, made with medium-soft hog hair—perfect for polishing metal and metal clay.

Sanding Discs

Sanding Drums are fantastic for removing rust, paint, and corrosion on metal. They also work well on wood, plastics, and soft materials. They fit snugly onto a mandrel and tighten with a small screw.

The kit comes with a couple of different grades of sandpaper sanding drums, but I recommend purchasing a couple of the rubber mandrels, and then you can have them set up in different grades of sandpaper without having to change the grits every time.

Abrasive Discs and Cutting Wheels

These cut-off discs are perfect for slicing through screws, nails, minerals, and plastics. They’re brittle, so take care when tightening. The kit includes a mandrel for attaching them.

• Cutting Wheels for metals
• Cutting Wheels for porcelain and acrylics
• Diamond Slitting Discs for glass, stone and ceramics

Abrasive Stone

In this kit, you receive a very coarse orange abrasive stone. These stone burrs come in various colours, sizes, grades, and materials, such as green carbide stone burrs, White Arkansas stone burrs and Pink Grinding Stone Burrs.

These are good for grinding and carving on harder materials like metal, ceramic, glass or even minerals and lapidary work on gemstones. I often use the green silicon carbide stones for shaping and filing silver and gold, and the Arkansas stones for smoothing metals.  They are also very good for sharpening things.

Felt polishing pads

These are designed to be used with polishing compounds or diamond paste. The felt pads that come with your Dremel Tools attach to a little screw mandrel. I would recommend, once these have run out, to purchase mounted felt points as they are more robust. Other similar items you can try are a cotton buff or a calico wheel.

Drilling with your Dremel Rotary Tool

Inside your kit, you will find a steel drill bit that can be used on soft metals, wood and plastics.  

• Diamond drill bits are for drilling holes in hard materials such as glass, stone, ceramic, bone, shell, pottery and china.
• HSS (High Speed Steel) drill bits are for drilling soft metals
• Carbide or Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits are for drilling through hard metals

The below image shows the Dremel 3000 with a Bottle Neck Diamond Core Drill, along with some twist drills, small diamond core drills and diamond tipped drill bits.  For these drills and other diamond drill bits, see our complete range here. 

As I mentioned earlier, drill bits can be mounted on different-sized shanks, so if you're looking to use your Dremel for drilling holes or drilling out a core, you might want to invest in a Dremel Multi Chuck or Collet Nut Kit.

For more detailed information on how to drill using your Dremel Rotary tools, read a couple of our articles such as 'How to Drill Sea Glass', 'How to Drill Pebbles' and 4 Tips for Polishing Metals with your Dremel Rotary Tool.

Why Buy a Dremel Drill?

They’re comfortable to hold, quiet, balanced, and built to last. No rattling or heavy vibration—just smooth, reliable power. A well-cared-for Dremel 3000 will serve you for years.

Dremel Accessories Worth Exploring

Aside from those mentioned above, there’s a whole world of compatible accessories to explore:

• Burrs: Diamond, carbide, and stone abrasive burrs
• Drill Bits: Diamond, twist, carbide micro drills, and core drills
• Cutting Tools: Slitting discs, end mills, router bits
• Attachments: Right Angle Attachment, collets, mandrels, adaptors
• Polishing Abrasives: Brushes, silicone polishers, radial discs, rubber burs
• Abrasive Stones

Quick Start Checklist

• Plug in and hang securely using the rear hook
• Select your accessory and insert it firmly
•  Hold down the blue spindle lock while tightening (do the reverse to release)
• Start at a low speed and increase gradually
• Use water when drilling hard materials
• Always wear safety goggles and a mask when necessary

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-tightening cut-off discs (they're brittle and snap easily)
• Forgetting to use water when drilling hard materials
  
• Choosing the wrong accessory for the material
• Running at high speed right away. Build up slowly

Conclusion

Whether you're carving wood, engraving glass, or polishing jewellery, the Dremel 3000 is your go-to tool. It’s versatile, dependable, and opens the door to countless creative and practical projects. Grab yours today and start experimenting!