Dremel Workstation 220 adapter for heat-set inserts

Introduction

It's a small and fun project I made on April 2022 when working with some heat-set inserts.
Using a soldering iron with bare hands does not guarantee enough accuracy, and since I had that Dremel press since quite a long time, well, making an adapter seemed to be the best (and cheapest) way to add heat-set inserts without any hassle.

Printing tips

Use 0.25mm thick layers, 4 perimeters, 25% infill.
OrcaSlicer (and other Slic3r deritatives) users shall activate "Fill the voids with bridges" (see pics) to avoid using supports, or use "snug" supports.
Other slicers may require supports to avoid printing some perimeters "in the air".
Print parts with the largest flat area facing the buildplate (see pictures).

(screenshots show SuperSlicer, which was the slicer I used by the time these screenshots were made. ^^)

I don't really advise to use PLA for these parts (unless it's printed 100% solid and annealed, which I can't test).
PET/PETG/PCTG may work, yet you should use any material with decent heat resistance.
I made mine in ABS (FormFutura Titan X, dark blue shade).

Prerequisites and needed parts

This adapter fits soldering irons with 16, 18, and 20mm-diameter shafts, other variants may be added on request.
It replaces the existing drill machine adapter and uses the same original hardware (nuts, washers, bolts).

All you need is  :

• 2x M3x12 or M3x16 hex socket screws (or any M3x12/M3x16 screw you got).
• 2x M3 nuts.

Assembly instructions

Assembly is very easy, the pic order can be used as reference.

The soldering iron adapter is made out of 2 parts : the main adapter that replaces the original drill adapter, and a clamp that secures the soldering iron.

1. The first thing to do is adding either nuts. There are 2 recesses for them, just put the nuts where they should. They slide in, enough clearance has been added so they're not captive (see pictures for more details on the assembly).
2. Drive the two screws through the clamp and screw them until there is a little space between the adapter and the clamp. The whole thing should not fall apart, it should be just a bit loose.
3. Fully screw the small brass grub screw located on the bottom left of the height-adjustable rod. This is to prevent it to move up and down using the lever.
4. Attach the previously assembled part with the original hardware, replacing the original drill adapter. Tighten reasonably, nothing should move.
5. Slide the soldering iron though the hole, maintain it in place if needed while tighening the screws, making sure the soldering iron is firmly held in place.
6. Unscrew the small brass grub screw to allow the assembly to move up and down using the lever. You only need to unscrew it until things move up/down smoothly.

Done !

CHANGELOG
 

• 26/06/2025 : REV B.1, better soldering iron hold. Removed insert-based version (not really used). Added support for 16mm OD soldering irons. Both STL and  STEP files are provided.
• 04/08/2023 : Rev. B, with nuts or inserts for assembly
• 23/07/2023 : added a version for 16mm diameter soldering * irons
• April 2022 : initial version (Rev. A)