Can You Use a Rotary Tool as a Drill?
Yes, a rotary tool can drill small holes in thin, soft materials such as wood, plastic, thin sheet metal and craft stock, as long as you use small bits with shanks that fit its collet or chuck. It is not a replacement for a drill when you need larger holes, deep holes or lots of torque. For those jobs, a drill is the safer and faster choice.
Dremel 4300-9/64Best overall
Dremel 3100-1/15Best starter Dremel
PHALANX P02Most accessoriesWhat a rotary tool does well as a drill
A rotary tool spins small bits at high speed. That makes it good at small, precise holes where a full-size drill would be clumsy. Think pilot holes in a picture frame, holes in a model or hobby project, openings in thin plastic, or small holes in jewelry and craft work.
It is also easy to control. Many corded models are light, so you can hold them like a pen. The Dremel 4300 on our corded page weighs 1.175 lb, and several kits include a flex shaft that takes weight off your hand for fine work. That kind of control is hard to get from a standard drill.
Our best rotary tool page compares models with the speed range, weight and accessory count laid out side by side if you want to see which ones suit precision jobs.
Where a rotary tool falls short
A rotary tool is built for speed, not torque. A drill turns slowly and pushes hard, which is what you want when a bit is cutting a large hole. A rotary tool spins fast and can stall or overheat when you ask too much of it.
The bits are also tiny. Rotary tool collets hold small shanks, and the bits themselves are thin and can snap if you lean on them or drill at an angle. The collets on the kits we compare include 1/8", 1/16" and 3/32" sizes on some models, and 2.3mm and 3.2mm on the WEN 2305. None of that is meant for big drill bits.
Use a drill instead when you need any of the following:
- Holes larger than the small bits that come in a rotary kit
- Deep holes through thick lumber or dense metal
- Driving screws or running hole saws and spade bits
- Long sessions of repetitive drilling in a workshop or on a job site
How to drill with a rotary tool
Good technique matters more with a small tool. Go slowly at the start and let the bit do the cutting.
- Pick a drill bit that fits your collet or chuck. Check the shank size before you buy bits. A universal keyless chuck, like the one listed for the Dremel 4300, accepts different shank sizes. A collet-only tool needs the matching collet.
- Mark the hole with a center punch or a small dimple so the bit does not wander. Some kits include a drill locator, such as the one listed with the DEKOPRO kit.
- Clamp the work down. Never hold small pieces by hand while drilling.
- Start at a lower speed. Low speeds suit plastics, and higher speeds suit metal and cutting. Plastic melts if you run it too fast.
- Keep the tool straight and use light pressure. Pull the bit out now and then to clear dust and let it cool.
- Stop if the tool bogs down or the bit smokes. Switch to a drill.
Using a rotary tool as a die grinder or router
A rotary tool is close to a miniature die grinder. A die grinder uses a spinning bit to shape, deburr and smooth metal, and a rotary tool does the same on a smaller scale with burrs, grinding stones and sanding drums. It is fine for deburring, light shaping, sharpening small blades and cleaning up welds. It is not meant for heavy stock removal. For that, a full-size die grinder has more power and holds up under load.
Routing works in a similar way. Rotary tools can do light routing with a small cutting bit, such as carving lettering, trimming laminate edges or cutting shallow grooves. The Dremel 4300 listing mentions routing as one of its uses. A real router is better for edges, joints and deep cuts because it is heavier, steadier and designed for wood. Use a rotary tool for detail work only, and clamp your workpiece firmly.
Motor strength and how well a tool holds speed under load decide how far you can push it. Our best corded rotary tool page lists the Dremel 4000 with a 1.6 amp motor and electronic speed control for heavier use, and the Dremel 3100 with a 1.2 amp motor. A corded tool also keeps its speed as you work, since there is no battery to run down.
Can you use rotary tool bits in a drill?
Sometimes, but not often. A regular drill chuck can hold a bit with a straight shank, and many rotary bits have a small straight shank. The catch is speed. A drill turns much slower than a rotary tool, so grinding stones, cutting wheels and polishing bits will not work as well. Some, like thin cutting wheels, can also break at the wrong speed or with the wrong pressure.
Small drill bits and some burrs may be fine at drill speeds. Fine accessories made for high speed are better left in the rotary tool. Always check that the shank fits snugly in the chuck, and do not use any accessory with a bent or damaged shank.
If you mostly need to drive screws and drill holes, a cordless drill or impact driver is the better tool. Our best drill page compares those options. If you want a cordless rotary tool for detail work, see our best rotary tool cordless picks.
Quick comparison by job
This table sums up which tool fits which job.
| Job | Rotary tool | Better tool |
|---|---|---|
| Small pilot holes in thin wood | Works well | Drill for larger holes |
| Holes in plastic or craft stock | Works well at low speed | Drill for thick plastic |
| Holes in thin sheet metal | Works with small bits | Drill for thicker metal |
| Deburring and light grinding | Works well | Die grinder for heavy work |
| Carving and shallow grooves | Works well | Router for edges and deep cuts |
| Large or deep holes | Not suited | Drill |
Safety notes
Wear safety glasses or a face shield every time. Small bits and wheels can break and throw fragments, and drilling and grinding create dust and chips. Use hearing protection for longer sessions, and a dust mask when working with wood, plastic or metal.
Keep the cord clear of the bit and the work area. Unplug the tool before changing bits or collets. Do not wear loose sleeves, jewelry or gloves that could catch on a spinning bit. Keep both hands on the tool or on the work, with the work clamped.
Frequently asked questions
Can a rotary tool drill through metal?
It can drill small holes in thin sheet metal with the right bit, a low enough speed and steady pressure. Thick or hard metal calls for a drill.
Do I need special bits to drill with a rotary tool?
Yes, in practice. Use small drill bits whose shanks match your collet or chuck. Standard drill bits with larger shanks will not fit.
Will drilling damage my rotary tool?
Light drilling is normal use. Pushing hard, drilling for a long time or letting the motor bog down can cause overheating, so ease off and let it cool.
Is a flex shaft useful for drilling?
Yes. It lets you hold the bit like a pen, which helps with small, precise holes. Several kits we compare include one.