What if I told you that your unassuming Dremel tool can actually handle a surprising number of cutting tasks, often just as well (or even better!) than a jigsaw? It’s true! With the right attachments and a little know-how, your Dremel could be a total game-changer.
Of course, the Dremel and jigsaw each have their own strengths and use cases. And there are definitely some jobs where a jigsaw will be the better option. But if you’re willing to get a little creative, you might just find that your Dremel can pull double duty as a surprisingly capable cutting tool.
Ready to learn more? Well, then let’s dive in to 7 surprising ways a Dremel can mimic a jigsaw – and when it’s better to stick with the classic jigsaw instead…
This post may contain affiliate links to products that we receive a commission for (at no additional cost to you). Learn more here.
1. Intricate Curves and Shapes
Let’s start with the obvious – the Dremel is brilliant when it comes to making detailed, intricate cuts.
Equipped with the right accessories like a scroll-saw attachment, you can use your Dremel to create precise patterns and shapes. Think intricately carved wooden boxes, fretwork, and other decorative pieces.
The Dremel’s high-speed rotation and nimble maneuverability make it a natural fit for these types of detailed tasks.
- Dremel: Excels at detailed, intricate cuts with the right accessories like a scroll-saw attachment.
- Jigsaw: Not as well-suited for delicate, decorative work.
2. Small, Precise Cuts
Speaking of precision, the Dremel also shines when you need to do surgical, delicate work that a bulky jigsaw would just struggle with.
Whether you’re trimming a tiny piece of metal, cutting a perfect little hole, or sharpening a tool, the Dremel’s pinpoint control gives you an advantage that a jigsaw can’t match.
- Dremel: Ideal for making small, exact cuts with pinpoint control.
- Jigsaw: Struggles with the surgical precision required for tiny, delicate work.
3. Removing Material in Tight Spaces
Another area where the Dremel really pulls ahead? Cutting in tight, cramped spaces. The compact size and rotary motion of the Dremel make it a dream for accessing hard-to-reach areas and carefully removing material from small nooks and crannies.
Basically, a jigsaw, with its large blade and bulky body, simply can’t compete when you need to work in tight quarters.
- Dremel: Compact size and rotary motion allow access to cramped, hard-to-reach areas.
- Jigsaw: Larger blade and body make it cumbersome in tight quarters.
4. Polishing and Finishing Touches
Once you’ve made your cuts, the Dremel is also a fantastic tool for cleaning up and polishing the results.
It doesn’t matter if you need to sand down rough edges, polish a surface to a shine, or otherwise refine your work. The Dremel’s wide array of accessories make it an indispensable tool for the finishing touches.
- Dremel: Wide array of accessories make it great for sanding, polishing, and refining cuts.
- Jigsaw: Not as well-suited for the finishing touches.
5. Cutting Thin, Delicate Materials
While a jigsaw tends to excel at handling thick, sturdy materials, the Dremel actually has an advantage when it comes to thinner, more fragile lumber.
The Dremel’s high-speed spinning action allows it to make clean, precise cuts through thin plastics, wood, and other delicate workpieces without the risk of splitting, cracking, or damaging the material.
- Dremel: High-speed spinning action allows clean, precise cuts in thin, fragile materials.
- Jigsaw: Much better for thick, sturdy workpieces.
6. Plunge and Bevel Cuts
Jigsaws are undoubtedly the champs when it comes to making long, straight cuts. But did you know the Dremel can actually handle some of those jobs too?
With the right technique and a steady hand, you can use a Dremel to make plunge cuts and bevel cuts – the kind of clean, linear cuts you might associate more with a jigsaw.
- Dremel: Can handle some linear cutting tasks like plunge and bevel cuts.
- Jigsaw: Better choice for long, straight line cuts.
7. Versatility and Portability
Finally, let’s talk about the Dremel’s sheer versatility. Unlike a bulky, single-purpose jigsaw, the Dremel is a compact, all-in-one tool that can handle a wide variety of cutting, grinding, polishing, and shaping tasks.
This makes the Dremel a fantastic option when you need to tackle a diverse range of projects or work in tight, awkward spaces. Plus, its cordless, compact design means you can take it anywhere – no lugging around a heavy power tool required… ideal for a small workshop.
- Dremel: Compact, all-in-one tool that can tackle a wide range of projects.
- Jigsaw: More specialized and bulky, better for large-scale cutting tasks.
To Wrap Up
So there you have it – 7 ways the Dremel can absolutely cut like a jigsaw, and maybe even do it better. Of course, the jigsaw still dominates for certain large-scale cutting jobs where precision and control are critical.
But the Dremel’s versatility, portability, and specialized capabilities make it a seriously powerful cutting tool in its own right.
