dremls

dremls (also spelled "dremel", though this is actually incorrect): dremls are a race of small, vaguely human-like being who inhabit the mountains and caves of Treadleonia. It is sometimes thought that they have mild magic powers. Whether this is true or not, it is undeniable that they are noted mischief makers. dremls are not much talked about, perhaps for fear of attracting their attention. However, on one noted occasion, there was a general discussion of the little creatures, which was captured for posterity and has been placed here for the benefit of serious researchers. The entire transcript follows below:

>>>this is a summary of the information portions of the various posts on dremls:

Here is the sequence of original posts, edited to eliminate unrelated comments... bear in mind that these all appeared over a 24 hour period on Feb. 7 and 8,1999d and beginning very late at night and into the early am:

Thanks so much, Captain...Ok, now for next question(s),
1) My baby needs a new belt. Bought one, but man says I can't just punch a
hole, I have to have him come out with a special punch (and pay him $25)
Does that sound right?
2) Machine works, not too dirty, cabinet is in excellent condition...both
seem to have no damage other than wear from a lot of use...came with box full of attachments
and a book called 'A Manual of Family Sewing Machines' by Singer. Was $145 a
reasonable amount for this machine? I guess it doesn't really matter since I loved it at first
sight...just curious... Would appreciate an answer soonest, since the man with the punch is planning
to call tomorrow and I'd much rather be sewing before then. Also, I believe I read on your pages
that the new belt would need adjustment in a couple of weeks and that would be another $25. (Maybe I could buy my own punch, it would probably be less expensive?) Thanks so much...I can't wait to get started!!!....Kathy in Denver

(This was followed by several posts re using ice pick or awl to poke holes... then)

Thank you all!! Just needed convincing that I was right. By the way, a Dremel with a tiny bit works just great....Treadling on...Oh dear, now I'll bet I'm up all night....Kathy in Denver

What's a Dremel?....Johnny in Kentucky

Hi... pardon me if I type with a slur... my mouth is still numb. I had a major root canal this morning (is there a minor root canal?) Ah, what is a dremel... one hardly hears them talked about at all,
anymore. There was a time, though, there was a time.... I can remember me granther telling of the wicked, wicked things the little creatures would do. Sure, an any bit o' trouble about the farm or croft, t'would be laid to those wicked little dremels. Never did see one, mind ya', but you knew they was about, tippin' over the milk pails, hidin' tools... an what they'd do to cats! Why, t'was a terrible thing. Still doing it to this day, too. You watch... old cat will be a'sleepin in the sun, happy an'
content, then WHAM! Up it jumps for no good reason, looks about to see what the matter is, then gives a cat shrug and licks its fur, as much to say, "Who me, I never noticed..." But, s'truth, t'was a dremel come and tweaked it's tail or whiskers. Ah, yes, the dremels.... many a sewing project they've bolixed up fer me, and I just know t'was a dremel's work, and I'm sure there's many as could say the same....Captain Dick

Captain,
I have a bad case of dremels myself. They've been dancing all night in the walls, and those little pipes they play are driving me up the wall! I've got some traps, what do you recommend for bait? ( if you've
taken your pain meds, this will make perfect sense!) ????????....BJ Gates

Okay, okay, ask a simple question. . . Now there's Dremels running all over my house. anybody asks, that's why I'm such a crummy housekeeper....Johnny in Kentucky, where the Dremels have taken control

(This was in response to a query about a needle size for a specific machine...) Lois... thank you... here is a perfect example of dremels in action... undoubtedly there was a needle case or note in the
treadle about what size needle to use, but it's gone, right? dremels got it. They delight in moving things and hiding them. In fact, and answering someone else's question, one of the best ways to capture a dremel is to pick some small object you like... say a favorite antique needle case, or your favorite seam ripper, or pair of pliers, though that is getting somewhat heavy for the little guys, and leave it out in plaln site, in very soft light. Get a good metal cannister, about like an old flour cannister from the kitchen, and stand just out of site. It takes great patience, and exact reactions, because whatever you do, you cannot look at a dremel. If you look at a dremel, they disappear.
Anyway, what you have to do is have an absolutely perfect picture and measurement in your mind of the whole set-up... the distance to the object you left out, angle from where you are hiding, etc.
When you hear something stirring, it might be the dremel (might be your cat, too). With your eyes shut tight, leap out and slam the cannister down over the object. You won't hurt the dremel... they are quick enough to dodge either inside or outside. (The cat might be another story.) Now, if they dodge outside, you've had it... they are going to be p-----. (Of course, so is the cat!) You are in for a rough time finding anything after that, till the dremel cools off. On the other hand, if you are successful and the dremel is inside the can, you have caught a dremel. You can slide a piece of plastic or something artificial under the cannister. (the reason you are using a cannister is that dremels can go right through anything natural, like wood or paper). Turn the cannister over, then put the lid on. Remember though, whatever you do, don't try to look at him! That's all he needs to disappear. What do to with the dremel? Dremels are immortal, so sooner or later, someone is going to open the can and let him out. Bad scene, that. Best solution is to ship him to somebody else. Surely you know someone who sews with electricity? PS: Lois... try a 20 x 1 needle. I'm not sure about it, but it works in a large number of the old machines. It's an industrial needle today, so call an industrial machine house....Captain Dick

The Captain is pixie-mazed and I'm still laughing over sending the Dremels to an electric owner. Please, not me! I already have a powerful resident Dremel who has been hiding my W&G attachments for over a year, right after I promised someone on FWF to send them the extra tucker....Lin

Greetings all!
>Hi... pardon me if I type with a slur... my mouth is still numb. I had a major root canal this morning ( is there a minor root c anal?)
DH says no. He's an expert at such things. Also, he uses dremels for lots of dentalwork! He says mostly on dentures so they don't do too much damage! He's trying to convince me that they would be helpful around our house as well. I'm not so convinced as yet. From the sounds of things, they'd cause more damage than I can handle with the five offspring I already have! ;) He did like the idea for using it on the leather treadle belt (he slapped his head and said "Why didn't I think of that! I've got little drills [oouch], too!)....Becky Weimer

little known bit of dremel lore.... except at the beginning of a sentence (and actually, to be correct, not even then, dremel is lower case... no capital. dremels are small and very light. Back in the days of the old Remington portable typewriters, they would leave messages by jumping on the keys. (A trick I believe they learned from a cockroach, but that's another story...) Anyway, they could not hold down the shift lever, hence, all lower case. Later, someone completely unrelated to the whole
situation came along and copyrighted the work with an upper case "D", referring to an (ugh) electrical tool of some sort. Since then, the dremels are quite resentful of the use of the upper
case....Captain Dick

I apologize to e.e. cummings and the dremels. (great band name...) do they ever send ransom notes
for the missing item(s)? is there a "ransom" that a dremel will accept? .... lin

another little known bit of dremel lore... dremels are extremely fond of oreo cookies, applets, cotlets, and frangoes. however, they will not accept these treats from just anyone, only from
known treat givers with whom they have an established trust level. I happen to be one of these, so anyone wishing to end dremel problems in their home or sewing room may feel free to send the
above items to the dremels, care of me, and i will see that they are properly disposed of.
ooops... I am informed that in modern times dremels have been living too richly and have a high incidence of diabetes, as a result of which their wives and doctors allow them only fat/sugar free dietetic jelly candies, fat free pretzels and the like. poor little dremels....Captain Dick

Oh My Captain, I fear for your sanity. It is clear to me that you have been hexed by a rather mean dremel. Everyone who has ever gone after a dremel knows that the only way to catch them is to leave the last large piece of double fudge choclate cake well hidden for later. The moment your back is turned on of the sneaky little devils will grab it. Then you just follow the chocolate crumbs to the source. I have caught many a dremel that way. Apparently not enough though as they seem to be all over the place. Ah well I guess I will just have to bake another cake and go hunting again.
Elaine is it late or what?

BAKED! actual baked chocolate cake! yes, indeed, i can see where that would be very effective dremel bait....Captain Dick

(in response to a question on stippling...)
stippling is a complexion problem unique to dremels..... Captain Dick

would leave messages by jumping on the keys. >>
whatthehell whatthehell
theres a dance in the old dame
yet mehitable the cat per archie ....Rugsha (Marybeth)


you know its getting
to be too late and
youre getting a headache
from jumping on the keys
when you forget to sign
your missive

capt please leave out some
paste or an apple peel for archie ....marybeth...who has a first edition
of archie and mehitable and loves it!!


Okay Captain Dick, I can see that your pain medicine has not worn completely off yet!....Lois in the swamps of SE Florida

I have dremels too. Mine have names and they are 8, 5 and 2. No pain meds here but a glass or two of wine have been known to help!! <loopy grin>....Pam

I thought it was pretty obvious that the dear Capt was *very much* taking his pain meds!! :-)) (Oh Capt, Dear Capt. do not be offended)....Sue Werkmeister

You don't have to do anything fancy to catch a dremel--just collet........Hedgie, <\!/-

<< << did you know that dremels build homes in the boles of old trees? >>
They also seem to like the music rooms in elementary schools! An official sighting yesterday. We had a group of musicians (from something like "Center for Old Music in the New World") who played recorders, crumhorns, harps, a hurdy-gurdy, cittern, hammer dulcimer, etc. The dremels were sneaking out of the woodwork and dancing around the room. It was fantastic!...Johnny in Kentucky >>

Incidentally... re the dremels and music... yes, they delight in folk music... playing it in the background is one way to keep them happy... they also like lots of quilts and afghans laying around.
you may not see them actively using same, but sometimes you will find small depressions in them (the quilts, not the dremels)... (reminds me of an old parody song I used to do... "Never Hit Your
Grandma With a Shovel... It Leaves a Bad Impression on Her Mind" I never was very PC)....Captain Dick


Well, that was all of the "original" batch of dreml posts.... Subsequently, a dreml stuffed animal was developed. Pictures are below. More information on this project, and dremls in general, is available on additional pages (link below). Patterns for making the dremls are available from time to time (as I print batches of them up) through Treadle On Publications.

Captn Dick

Note: Immature dreml's are called "decals", pronouncd "dekkles".

Here is a link to further information, and pictures, regarding dremls:

Link to additional dreml information, including the dreml Stuffed Animal Project