Once you have shaped your polymer clay and dried it, it would be time to get started with the finishing touches. Often, this means buffing, sanding, engraving, and even drilling small holes.
When working with polymer clay, you need to have the right tool to get this done, and having a Dremel tool, or another brand of a rotary tool, is your best bet to get all of this done properly, without a high risk of cracking or breaking your work.
One rotary tool such as a Dremel will get so many different jobs done with finishing your clay piece, but you have to make sure you choose a good-quality machine.
Which is the best Dremel for polymer clay? The best Dremel tools for polymer clay should be lightweight, comfortable, and smooth. A tool with a smooth and quiet operation, and a comfortable grip, will be especially useful when trying to hold a steady hand while making delicate movements.
There are several multi-speed Dremel options out there that allow for the delicacy that is needed when working on clay.
Choosing the right Dremel will give you an invaluable tool to use not only for polymer clay but for many other craft and hobby applications at home, so choosing the best option is pretty important!
The 5 Best Dremel Tools For Polymer Clay
Below are the 5 Best Dremel or rotary tools available, which are all suited to be used on polymer clay.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dremel Two-Speed Rotary Tool Kit | 2-speed, smooth operation, full kit, |
| 2. | Hardell Cordless Rotary Tool | 5-speed, good for lightweight projects |
| 3. | Dremel 3000-1/24 Rotary Tool | Variable speed, comfortable, full kit |
| 4. | Genesis Variable Speed Rotary Tool | Variable speed, house + hobby use, full kit |
| 5. | Black + Decker 3-Speed Rotary Tool | 3-speed, universal system, full kit |
After our research, we’re sure any one of the rotary tools we detail below will be an absolute pleasure to keep in your craft and pottery kit!
1. Dremel 200-1/15 Two-Speed Rotary Tool Kit
The Dremel 200-1/15 Two-Speed Rotary Tool Kit is a great addition to your pottery toolbox. It is ideal for many different applications and materials and works great on polymer clay.
The ball bearing construction ensures that it has a smooth and quiet operation, and with the lightweight design, it also allows for increased comfort even during prolonged use.
It is made to last, and the rotary tool features replaceable motor brushes, which work to extend the life of the tool even further. The set comes with 15 different accessories, including high-speed cutters, sanding bands, Emery wheels, and different grinding stones.
The actual rotary tool has two levels to choose between – 15,000 and 35,000 RPM, so you can choose the one that suits your work and the material you are using the machine on.
This handy rotary tool from Dremel will help you with carving, engraving, cutting, polishing, grinding, and sanding, on your polymer clay pieces. You can trust this tool to get it all done.
With the comfortable grip and lightweight work, you will not have a moment of discomfort when using the tool, which is so important to reduce the risk of a mistake happening when working on your clay piece.
For an all-rounder rotary tool which helps you easily finish off and perfect your clay projects, the Dremel 200-1/15 is the ideal option.
2. Hardell Cordless Rotary Tool
The Hardell Cordless Rotary Tool is a light-work tool, making it ideal for polymer clay projects. Being cordless, it is incredibly easy to maneuver and you will be able to use it in any space.
Being versatile for different projects, the rotary tool has 5 different speeds, 5000 / 7000 / 9000 / 12000 / 15000 RPM. These all work with polishing, cleaning, engraving, and sanding smaller items.
The rotary tool set comes included with 55 different accessories, such as a different drill bits, polishing bits, grinding wheels, and much more.
To charge the rotary tool, there is a micro USB connector which allows for convenient charging across many different devices. The tool has a 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery that lasts long, charges well, and allows for safe operation.
The machine itself is comfortable, small, a handy size, and very lightweight, giving you the precision movement you need when decorating and finishing polymer clay jewelry, and the delicacy to not crack or break them either.
This rotary tool is best suited for smaller projects, but it works really well with polymer clay, and all the accessories included in the kit will help you with many different finishes.
3. Dremel 3000-1/24 Rotary Tool
This is an all-in-one rotary tool for many different applications at home or in the studio. The Dremel 3000 rotary tool has variable speed starting at 5000, all the way to 35,000 RPM.
It gives you the freedom to use the tool for many different purposes, and with one of the many different accessories, you are able to suit the speed to the work needing to be done.
The body of the machine has a soft grip that gives you comfort and complete control when using the machine, giving you a precise finish on the polymer clay piece.
You are given more control with the variable speeds, and the different attachments, helping you achieve the exact finish you need on polymer clay and other materials.
The machine is equipped with a powerful and efficient 1.2 amp motor that helps to deliver controlled and detailed work. Experiment and work with the 24 different accessories included in the kit, suited for different needs.
Get cutting, carving, engraving, cleaning, polishing, grinding, sanding and so much more with this reliable and easy to use a rotary tool. It includes all the different attachments you could possibly need to get your polymer clay piece finished up and looking great.
4. Genesis Variable Speed Rotary Tool
The Genesis Variable Speed Rotary Tool is the ultimate handheld tool to keep in your craft and tool set.
It is ideal for hobby, household, and project use, and you can cut, saw, sand, grind, drill, polish, buff, clean and so much more – and on so many different materials.
The machine works at variable speeds of 8,000 to 30,000 RPM, using a speed dial to choose your speed, and giving you complete control over the work you are doing.
The 1/8 inch head accepts most standard rotary tool attachments, but the set does come with 40 different accessories which see to almost every need. With separate on/off and speed control switches, the machine is safe to use and gives you a comfortable grip for prolonged use.
5. Black + Decker 3-Speed Rotary Tool
The Black + Decker Rotary Tool is the ideal choice for beginners, or for those who are looking for a once-off purchase of a complete set. The rotary tool comes in a storage bag, with 5 different accessories, a wrench, and a user guide.
With an exclusive flip-lock spindle lock system, you can enjoy quick and easy accessory changes, saving you having to hold down awkward buttons and wasting time.
The powerful, high torque motor completes jobs faster than other machines, and the rotary tool will not bog down under a heavy workload. The three speeds available on the machine 12,000, 24,000, 30,000 RPM, give you maximum precision with all applications and suit different materials, such as polymer clay.
Along with the different speeds, accessories, and powerful motor, this Black + Decker rotary tool grinds, shapes, and smooths most materials, but is especially effective when used for polymer clay and will help you finish your work off easily and precisely.
Related Questions
How Do You Drill Holes in Polymer Clay?
You can use a rotary tool to drill holes into polymer clay. To do so, you will want to press a small dent in the clay where you are planning to drill the hole first. This prevents the drill bit from sliding around on the surface and damaging other areas of the clay.
You will need to use light pressure to drill into the piece of clay, and it would be best to use a piece of wood behind the clay to act as a backed stop. Using this method, you should have a pretty clean hole through the piece of polymer clay.
Does Polymer Clay Break Easily?
Polymer clay, if cured properly, should stand up against breaking, and should be strong enough to use with a rotary tool. However, improperly cured clay can be weak and brittle and will be susceptible to breaking.
The brand of clay you use will also determine how strong the clay will be, so stick with brands that are known to be stronger when dry. You don’t want to spend ages working on sculpting a piece of clay just for it to break apart the moment you use a rotary tool to finish it off.
The Best Dremel For Polymer Clay
Using a Dremel or another rotary tool to finish off your piece of polymer clay will save you so much time having to do it by hand, and it will give you better precision with the work you do.
The above five Dremel and rotary tools will give you so much control over precise and delicate finishes with your polymer clay pieces. It will still be comfortable, easy to use, and durable to last through many different projects and hours of work!
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