"Come on little girl. Don't you run away from me. Get your little fanny over here..... it's Dremel time !!"

Alright, if you came here looking for a nice little review filled with tips on stripping and sanding the fine details on antique woodwork, or etching patterns into plexi-glass, then you came to the wrong review.

AND, before you go running to the authorities, screeching in a panic because my "opening statement" has caused you to believe that I'm using this tool as a torture device, you may want to read on. (However, Her Royal Highness may agree with you about the "torture device" thing... but trust me, it's a common - approved practice !)

"So, what on earth is she using this thing for ?!?!?"

Simple answer: Pedicures (or should I say Peticures !!). NO, I'm not strange (well.... maybe a little strange, but not in using the Dremel for this purpose). Actually, this tool was recommended to me by a Groomer.

Ok, I'll start from the beginning. In 1970, I was born.... Ooops.. not that far back. How about:


When we adopted our Precious Princess (a Boston Terrier), her Breeder told us that she was accustomed to having her nails trimmed with a sanding tool (as opposed to "clipping"). So, off I went a nice little Pet Supply store & Groomer, who is well known in our town.

I inquired about purchasing the tool, and he told me that I had two choices. I could spend upward of $60 or $70 for a "special" one, made for dogs..... or I could take a ride over to our local Lowes, and pick up a Dremel MiniMite for $9.99. (I love honest people. He could have easily sucked me into shelling out big bucks, to line his pockets. But instead, he directed me toward the more economical option.)

The MiniMite measures approx 7 1/4 inches long with the tip attached. It's constructed with a sturdy black plastic and is slim enough that it comfortably fits in your grip. The base is about 2 inches round/width, that tapers up to 1 inch round at the top.

Strategically placed in perfect locations accessible to you thumb, you will find a speed control and an "emergency" stop button. Her Royal Highness would rather there be no speed options, the stop button alone would be just fine with her.

Speed options consists of LO ("Oh, nooo.... Scary") and HI ("Panic... run away !!!")

I have used both the LO and HI speeds when trimming, but I find that the HI speed does a much better job at grinding the nail down, and contouring it to a perfect shape. I have also found that the Princess prefers to have her rear paws done first, and is more accepting of having her front paws done if I start with the rear ones..... But, that has nothing to do with the Dremel, so.... back to the review !!

This tool comes with a detachable 4.8v rechargeable battery pack and charger. The battery pack easily detaches from the bottom of the Dremel by squeezing two releases on either side of the tool. It snaps back into place, as well into the charger, with a simple push.

I have been told by other people, who actually use this model as a workshop tool, that they find that they would like this to have a longer battery life. For my purposes, I find the battery life to be fine. I can get two or three pedicures from the battery (depending on the "compliance" of the canine - i.e. - length of the grooming time). Re-charging time runs only about 2 to 3 hours.

My particular MiniMite came with 4 tips: Two different size & texture grinding stones, an etching tip that also accommodates a little "buffer", and a tip that accommodates little circular sandpaper "sleeves". For the task at hand (or at "paw"), the course sandpaper sleeves perform best.

I would like to add that it's not really the "pedicure" part of all this that the Princess dislikes, but rather the irritating little "whining" sound of the small motor that propels this tool. Although I have to agree with her that it is a bit irritating, it's no different than any other small motor sound that you'd find in a handheld tool.

All said and done, I do have to say that it's not completely the Dremel that Her Highness is trying to avoid, but what comes next. The fact of the matter is, that she knows that when the pedicure ends, a BATH will follow !!!!

Recommended: Yes