MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill., August 31, 2005 — Bathrooms and kitchens are rooms that everyone tends to leave to the professionals. With a little help from a Dremel, homeowners can tackle even the toughest of jobs quickly and efficiently. Showers, countertops and floors all share a tricky medium to handle – tile. Dremel tools allow do-it-yourselfers the ability to update old grout, fix cracks and add nearly any type of decorative accessory – towel bars, hooks, shelves and even framed pictures.

“Dremel tools help homeowners take on tile,” said Andrea Ash, director of marketing communications for Dremel. “With a Dremel, there’s no reason to wait or have unsightly, outdated bathrooms or kitchens. Homeowners can create the look they want, on their own.”

DRILLING AND CUTTING TILE

Just when you think a project is done – there is one little change you want to make like hanging a picture, towel rack or mirror. Once tile is laid, making a change can be a daunting task, but Dremel can help you take on the project. The Dremel Tile Cutting Kit #566 will solve all of your problems, and is as easy as one-two-three.

If you want to hang a towel rack on an already tiled wall, it’s easier than you think. First, using masking tape, make small “x” marks with the tape where the hole needs to be. If you are hanging something heavy, like a large mirror or fixture, make sure you use wall studs for at least one set of holes. With areas to drill clearly marked, use a Dremel #562 Tile Cutting Bit to drill each hole. Start at a 45-degree angle to scratch the glaze of the tile, then ease into a perpendicular position. Starting at a 45-degree angle is an important step, otherwise the bit will glow red-hot and fail. Once holes are drilled, insert a plastic wall anchor and mount the fixture. To prevent the tile dust and mess, try taping an opened business-sized envelope right below the hole – dust falls into the envelope for easy cleanup.

The Tile Cutting Kit can also be used prior to laying out the tile to work around permanent fixtures such as water pipes or window frames. Simply map out the needed holes or cuts in the tile (making sure to include the space needed for grout lines), secure the tile in a vice, and cut the tile prior to applying it to the wall. The Dremel Tile Cutting Kit #566 retails for $17.99 and is compatible with the Dremel 400 XPR, the Lithium-Ion Cordless and the Cordless MultiPro Rotary Tool.

REMOVING GROUT

Another common project in a tiled room is to change out the grout. While the tile in your bathroom may be perfect, a grout change would make all the difference, whether it is cracked, stained or outdated. The Dremel Grout Removal Kit will help you remove grout without ruining the tile or creating an even bigger project. First, make sure to wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask. Also, to protect other rooms, vents and drains from grout residue and dust, close the door and cover exposed areas with cardboard, plastic or a heavy cloth. After attaching the Grout Removal Attachment and Grout Removal Bit to your Dremel Rotary Tool, line the attachment up in between the two tiles where you will be removing the grout. Do not remove grout more than one-eighth of an inch below the surface of the tile. Set the tool to the recommended speed for removing grout and place the Grout Removal Attachment between the tiles where the grout is to be removed. This will help keep the tool centered and only remove the grout. Begin removing the grout between the tiles by pulling the bit though the grout line, making sure to drag or pull the bit toward you though the grout line. For safety reasons, do not push it away from you. Continue the process until the grout is removed. Clean the area with a vacuum cleaner, and wipe away dust and loose grout with a damp cloth. Make sure the area is completely clean and dry prior to applying new grout. The Dremel Grout Removal Kit has a suggested retail price of $19.99 and is compatible with Dremel 400 XPR, the Lithium-Ion Cordless and the Cordless MultiPro Rotary Tool. The Grout Removal Kit can be used on wall and floor tiles.

About Dremel

Since inventing the high-speed rotary tool more than 75 years ago, Dremel has become the trusted name in high-speed rotary tool technology, providing creative solutions for hands-on professionals, homeowners, craftspeople and artists alike. The Dremel brand’s leadership in design and manufacturing has made it the top selling rotary tool in the world, a reflection of the company’s commitment to innovation and quality.

Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in Mount Prospect, Ill., Dremel continues to build upon this legacy with a full line of high-performance rotary tools, benchtop products, specialty tools, accessories and attachments, delivering the perfect solution for almost any job. Regardless of what the task may be, users quickly realize they can depend on Dremel to provide the satisfaction of a job well done.

For information on Dremel products, project ideas and problem-solving tips, visit us at www.dremel.com or call Dremel at 1-800-437-3635.