When it comes to getting the most out of your Dremel rotary tool, the right accessories make all the difference. While cutting, sanding, and grinding accessories often steal the spotlight, there's an essential category of accessories that keeps your project running smoothly and efficiently. Marked by a gray color code, these miscellaneous extras include mandrels, collets, and motor brushes—small but crucial components that ensure optimal performance and versatility. In this guide, we’ll break down these often-overlooked accessories and explain why they’re essential for your Dremel toolkit.
Mandrels
Mandrels are used to mount different accessories to use with your Dremel rotary tool. There are four Dremel mandrels: the 401, 402, EZ402 and EZ407SA.
401 Mandrel
The 401 Dremel Mandrel features a 1/8 In. (3.2 mm) shank with a screw-like head used primarily to hold soft and pliable accessories like polishing bits. The accessories can be threaded onto the mandrel simply by screwing the accessory into place. The 401 Mandrel can be used with the 414, 422 and 429 cleaning and polishing accessories.
Model number: 401
402 Mandrel
The 402 Dremel Mandrel features slotted screw head and a 1/8 In. (3.2 mm) shank. The 402 mandrel is typically used to hold accessories like cutting wheels and sanding discs. The flathead end of the wrench included in most rotary tool kits can be used to loosen or tighten the screw on the mandrel when doing accessory changes.
Model number: 402
EZ Lock™ Mandrel
The Dremel EZ Lock™ mandrel makes accessory changes easy as PULL - TWIST - RELEASE. The patented EZ Lock mandrel is one-piece and designed to simplify the process of changing accessories. The EZ Lock mandrel makes accessory changes 6X faster than using a standard 402 mandrel. Compatible with all Dremel rotary tools the EZ Lock mandrel should only be used with EZ Lock cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, grinding, and sharpening rotary tool accessories.
Model number: EZ402
EZ Drum™ Mandrel
The Dremel EZ Drum™ mandrel makes sanding band changes easy as pull-place-secure. The one-piece drum mandrel design streamlines the process of changing sanding bands and makes it easy to sand flat surfaces and edges. The EZ Drum makes accessory changes 5X faster than using a standard drum mandrel. Compatible with all Dremel 1/2-Inch sanding bands (408, 432, 445)
Model number: EZ407SA
Keyless Chuck
Quickly and easily change accessories on a Dremel rotary tool without changing collets with the Dremel Keyless Chuck. The 4486 Keyless Chuck eliminates the need for a collet and wrench when changing accessories. The steel 3-jaw chuck can be used with all Dremel rotary tools and can be used with all bits with a 1/32 In. to 1/8 In. shank. Ideal for light-duty accessories including drill bits, sanding drums, polishing wheels, wire & bristle brushes, cut-off wheels, and more. Not for use with Dremel attachments except the Dremel 225 Flex Shaft and the 575 Right Angle attachment.
Model number: 4486
Collet Nut Kit
Securely clamp your rotary tool accessories in your Dremel rotary tool with the five piece Dremel collet set. For use in all Dremel corded or cordless rotary tools the set includes the 480 (1/8", 3.2mm), 481 (3/32", 2.4mm), 482 (1/16", 1.6mm), 483 (1/32", 0.8mm) collets plus a Quick-Change collet nut so you can easily use a wide range of bits.
Model number: 4485
User Tip:
The rings located on the shank of each collet can identify collet sizes. A 1/32” collet has one (1) ring, 1/16” collet has two (2) rings, 3/32” collet has three (3) rings, and a 1/8” collet has no rings.
EZ Twist™ Nose Cap
The EZ Twist Nose Cap features an integrated wrench that allows the nose cap to be used as a wrench to tighten or loosen the collet nut when changing Dremel accessories. Because the EZ Twist Nose Cap becomes part of your Dremel rotary tool, you’ll always have your wrench at hand and will save time from ever having to look for a lost wrench. Re-fit your existing Dremel rotary tool with the EZ Twist Nose Cap and speed-up accessory changes up to five times faster than using the standard wrench.
Model number: EZ495
Carbon Motor Brushes
One of the great things about Dremel corded rotary tools are that they use replaceable carbon motor brushes which help increase the tool’s life. Generally, motor brushes will last for 50-100 hours of use, depending on how hard the tool is run. Replacing the brushes on your corded rotary tool help you get maximum value and life from your Dremel rotary tool.
Model numbers:
Brush Tool Model Tool Type
90828* 232 & 332
90930 275, 285, 300, 395, 595 3, 4, 5, 6
90930 6000 1, 2
90930 100, 200, 275, 285
300, 395, 595, 3000 4, 5, 6
90930 6000 1, 2
90931 398
90935 732
90940 4000
*Available as service part only, contact Dremel customer service.
Dressing Stone*
A dressing stone can be used to reshape or clean any of the grinding stones. Simply grind the accessory on a dressing stone held in a vise. The accessory can be cleaned, returned to its original shape, or reshaped for a specific need.
Model number: 415
*Available as service part only, contact Dremel customer service.
Wrench*
The Dremel Collet Wrench functions as both a wrench and a screwdriver. The wrench is used for loosening and tightening the collet nut to change accessories. The built-in screwdriver can be used to loosen or secure accessories that use the 402 Mandrel, 407 Sanding Drum Mandrel, or 430 Sanding Drum Mandrel. For use with all Dremel Rotary Tools and select Dremel accessories.
Model number: 90962.
*Available as service part only, contact Dremel customer service.
More
Be sure to tell us about your experiences with Dremel accessories like motor brushes, collets and mandrels in the comments below. If you have any questions about these accessories, you can also contact Dremel customer service using the link below.
