Dremel Advantage High Speed Rotary Saw - FAQ
Click a question to read the answer.
Q: Is high speed best for most applications?
Q: How do I control the speeds?
Q: What speeds should I use to cut materials?
Q: How do the rpm and speed settings relate?
Q: How do you check the motor brushes?
Q: How often/when should I change the motor?
Q: One motor brush is shorter than the other. Why?
Q: Does the Advantage require any lubrication?
Q: Does the Dremel Advantage accept the attachments for the Dremel MultiPro?
Q: What is a rotary saw? How does it work?
Q: What is the warranty period on my Dremel Advantage Rotary Saw?
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage cut through one-inch thickness of every building material?
Q: What is the blue button for at the front of the tool?
Q: How long do the Dremel Advantage bits last?
Q: Can I use regular drill bits with the Dremel Advantage?
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage bits be used on the Dremel MultiPro Corded and Cordless tools?
Q: Can I use the Dremel Advantage bits in a router?
Q: Can the Carbide bit cut through floor tile?
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage be used with a 1/4" collet?
Q: My local store does not carry the Dremel Advantage accessories, how can I buy them?
Speed selection
Q: Is high speed best for most applications?
A: The higher speeds, 4-6 (27,000 - 35,000) are used for the majority of the applications with harder materials. The lower settings are used for softer materials, such as plastics, acoustic ceiling tile and Plexiglas.
Q: How do I control the speeds?
A: To change the speed, use the variable speed dial. One is the lowest speed setting, and 6 is the highest.
Q: What speeds should I use to cut materials?
A: See the chart below for a general guide to cutting speeds for some of the most common building materials. Cutting speed will vary depending on: thickness, hardness and type of material, force applied to the tool while cutting, and sharpness of cutting bit.
10,000 - 23,000
- Foam Board
- Acoustical Tile
18,000 - 27,000
- Acrylic
- Fiberglass
- Plastics
- Plexiglas
- Vinyl Siding
23,000 - 35,000
- Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
- Plywood
- Wood
- Wood Composites
27,000 - 35,000
- Aluminum Siding
- Cement Board
- Ceramic Wall Tile
- Countertops
- Drywall
- Lath
- Marble
- Plaster
- Stucco
- Corian
Q: How do the rpm and speed settings relate?
A: See the chart below for the approximate speed in RPM for the speed dial settings.
Speed Dial Setting Approximate Speed (RPM)
1 10,000
2 18,000
3 23,000
4 27,000
5 31,000
6 35,000
Tool maintenance
Q: How do you check the motor brushes?
A: Just unscrew the black plastic cap that holds the brushes in. Careful, the motor brush is attached to a spring, so it might pop out when the cap is unscrewed.
Q: How often/when should I change the motor brushes?
A: The motor brushes should be replaced approximately every 50 hours. They should be replaced when there is approximately 1/8" (2-3 millimeters) left beyond the spring. It is best to replace both motor brushes at the same time for optimum performance.
Q: One motor brush is shorter than the other. Why?
A: It is typical that one spring will wear faster than the other due to the nature of electric motors.
Q: Does the Advantage require any lubrication?
A: Lubrication is not required for the Dremel Advantage.
Tool compatibility
Q: Does the Dremel Advantage accept the attachments for the Dremel MultiPro?
A: No, the attachments for the Dremel Advantage and MultiPro are not interchangeable due the differences in torque and size of the tools.
Miscellaneous
Q: What is a rotary saw? How does it work?
A: A rotary saw is a high-speed cutting tool that is used to cut a variety of building materials, from drywall to wood, and from plastic to plaster up to one inch thick. It uses special side cutting bits that can plunge directly into the work surface or can cut from the edge of the material.
Q: What is the warranty period on my Dremel Advantage Rotary Saw?
A: The Dremel Advantage is warranted against defective material or workmanship for a period of two years from date of purchase, the longest for any cut-out tool.
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage cut through one-inch thickness of every building material?
A: The Dremel Advantage can cut through most building materials up to one inch thick. Harder materials, such as marble, are much more difficult to cut through, especially at greater thicknesses.
Q: What is the blue button for at the front of the tool?
A: This button is the shaft lock button used when changing bits. It is not to be used as a stop or brake for the tool.
Q: How long do the Dremel Advantage bits last?
A: Both the longevity and cutting speed of the bits will vary depending on: thickness, hardness and type of material, force applied to the tool while cutting and plunge cutting, sharpness of cutting bit, and number of plunge cuts made. It also depends on how dull they are allowed to get before they are replaced.
In general, here is some information on bit longevity:
Drywall bits will cut approximately 200 feet of 1/2" drywall.
General purpose bits will cut approximately 125 feet of 1/2" plywood.
Carbide bits will cut approximately 80 feet of ceramic wall tile.
Q: Can I use regular drill bits with the Dremel Advantage?
A: Regular drill bits are not meant to spin at the high speeds of the Dremel Advantage and therefore not recommended. They are also not meant for side cutting, like the Advantage Rotary Saw bits.
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage bits be used on the Dremel MultiPro Corded and Cordless tools?
A: Yes, all of the Dremel Advantage bits may be used with any of the Dremel High Speed Rotary Tools, corded or cordless. They may also be used with the Cutting Attachment for the Dremel Rotary Tools.
Q: Can I use the Dremel Advantage bits in a router?
A: Yes, but the bit life will be shortened due to the higher torque of most routers.
Q: Can the Carbide bit cut through floor tile?
A: No, the Carbide bit is meant for ceramic wall tile, and cannot cut through floor tile.
Q: Can the Dremel Advantage be used with a 1/4" collet?
A: Yes, there is a 1/4" collet available. It is item number 590, and is available in some retail stores that carry the Dremel Advantage.
Q: My local store does not carry the Dremel Advantage accessories, how can I buy them?
A: Please feel free to contact the Dremel Customer Service Center at 1-800-4DREMEL (1-800-437-3635) with information on how to obtain any Dremel Advantage item.