MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill., April 1, 2005 — Birds and flowers may be the traditional signs of spring, but for the do-it-yourself contingent, open garage doors and the songs of power tools are more reliable than a groundhog. The savviest home improvement gurus know that spring cleaning means some routine maintenance projects, and many homeowners will turn to their Dremel rotary tools for a variety of outdoor projects.

“The beauty of a Dremel tool is that it can be used for so many household projects,” said Andrea Ash, director of marketing communications for Dremel. “Instead of lugging out a large power tool for a quick fix or struggling to do things by hand, a Dremel can be the secret weapon

Freshen Up Metal Patio Furniture

To revive rusty patio furniture for the spring season, first remove any loose or flaking paint with a wire brush and steel wool. Then, with safety glasses on, remove stubborn and hard-to-reach rust with your Dremel rotary tool. Choose an appropriate grit-sanding band or flapwheel, attach it to the drum bit and attach it to the tool (you could also try the #538 abrasive brush or the #511 or #512 abrasive buffs for this project). Next, sand any problem areas smooth, and go over corrosion with a wire brush attachment. After wiping down and rinsing the furniture, allow it time to dry. Finally, apply a thin coat of rust-resistant paint.

Sharpen Gardening Tools and Lawnmower Blades

Before you break ground for this season’s garden, sharpen rusty spades, trowels and shovels with the Dremel 675 Lawn Mower Blade and Garden Tool Sharpener Attachment, so garden tools can make the cut. First, grind off surface rust and corrosion or deposits of grime with the flapwheel attachment. Next, sharpen dull or damaged cutting edges with the Lawn Mower Blade Attachment. Move the attachment back and forth while maintaining the existing angle of the cutting edge. Finally, spray the surface with a coat of protective oil to keep tools sharp and rust-free.

For a lawn that will make neighbors “green” with envy, you can get a dull mower blade back into top shape with the same attachment. To sharpen your lawn mower blade, first remove the blade from the mower. After securing the blade in a vise, grind the blade with the Dremel Lawn Mower Sharpener Attachment, following the original beveled edge of the blade. Next, place the center hole of the blade on a nail with the blade in horizontal position. A balanced blade will stay level; if either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end of the blade. Finally, re-attach the sharpened blade to the mower.

Replace a Gutter Corner with the Dremel Rotary Tool

After a fall and winter full of leaves, snow and ice, gutters can often look worse for wear. To replace a gutter corner on your home, you will need a Dremel Rotary Tool, a #945 grinding stone attachment, a #150 drill attachment, a #121 high-speed cutter attachment, a pop rivet tool, 1/8” drill bit, 1/8” pop rivets and gutter sealant.

First, grind centering holes in the corroded rivets with the grinding stone. Next, drill out the rivets with the drill. After removing the old corner, clear away the old sealant with the high- speed cutter. Next, position the new corner, drilling holes for the pop rivets. Finally, use a pop- rivet tool to install new rivets, and apply sealant to the joints to ensure that water does not become trapped. Don’t forget to use the grinding stone to take off sharp edges and clean up the appearance of the gutter.

About Dremel

Since inventing the high-speed rotary tool more than 75 years ago, Dremel has become the trusted name in high-speed rotary tool technology, providing creative solutions for hands-on professionals, homeowners, craftspeople and artists alike. The Dremel brand’s leadership in design and manufacturing has made it the top selling rotary tool in the world, a reflection of the company’s commitment to innovation and quality.

Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in Mount Prospect, Ill., Dremel continues to build upon this legacy with a full line of high-performance rotary tools, benchtop products, specialty tools, accessories and attachments, delivering the perfect solution for almost any job. Regardless of what the task may be, users quickly realize they can depend on Dremel to provide the satisfaction of a job well done.

For information on Dremel products, project ideas and problem-solving tips, visit us at www.dremel.com or call Dremel at 1-800-437-3635.