Drill It with a Dremel: How to Drill through Just about Any Natural or Recycled Material Using a High-Speed Rotary Tool

natural and recycled materials drilled with a Dremel

Need to put a hole in a seashell?

Use a Dremel.

A hole in a bottle cap?

Use a Dremel.

A hole in a piece of Fiestaware that your younger kid shattered for you?

Use a Dremel.

With the right bit, you can use a Dremel to drill through just about any material, natural or recycled, that you can think of. From bottle caps to rocks, here are my tips on the best bits and the proper technique to make your work perfect and keep your fingers safe.

Ready to start drilling? On the next page, I’ll go through what materials work best with your Dremel and a regular drill bit and which require a glass bit, along with some tips for choosing the right speed.

Click here for the Dremel guide!

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Written by Julie Finn

I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now.

Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.

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    • If you have a Dremel, a sewing machine, or a camera, your loved ones are set for all future gift-giving occasions–my family knows that for birthdays and Christmas, what I REALLY want are specialty bits for my Dremel, specialty feet for my sewing machine, and weird lenses for my camera… and, of course, power tools.

      This Christmas, I’m asking Santa for a wood chipper and a bench grinder.

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