Dremel questions

[Gary Majchrzak]

great tool but attachments in my kit aren't clearly marked and I've always wondered EXACTLY what the heck tool I'm using.
Take cutoff wheels for example: some are in a blue plastic pack and some are in a clear plastic pack. Some are larger diameter (with a thicker blade) and some aren't. Which one is which? What's the best choice to use on sheet aluminum? (Modding a light hood here.)

It probably doesn't matter SIGNIFICANTLY what cutoff blade I choose but I'd rather choose the BEST tool for the job. (Sabresaw not an option.)

 

[backdraft79]

I know they sell special metal cutting blade at home depot.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

yeah. I don't think I need those special blades for this thin sheet aluminum I'm gonna cut today.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Can you use tin snips?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I could use tin snips (I have 'em) but it's not practical in this case. I need a nice clean cut with minimal de-burring.

 

[TimmyNY]

use a blade with fine teeth. dont use an abrasive wheel on aluminum its too soft and will clog the pores. it can then heat up and cause the wheel to come apart. at least bigger abrasive wheels can

Tim

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

there's no teeth on any of my cut-off wheels

 

[Flanders]

wish I could help. I have no idea what any of the things that came with my dremel are supposed to do. I usually go to home depot and just buy a new bit when I need to cut something specifically. that's pretty stupid!

 

[pascal32]

You can use the thin blades, you will have to clean the edges up through. Keep in mind that those cutting disks ( just like grinding wheels ) are made for ferous metals (predominantly steel) and like mentioned before, AL will clog the pores.

With all that said I have used the cutting wheels with success. Just go easy

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

thanks for that advice, blurry

wish I could help. I have no idea what any of the things that came with my dremel are supposed to do. I usually go to home depot and just buy a new bit when I need to cut something specifically. that's pretty stupid!

I'll bet that's what a LOT of us do! :lmao:

 

[andrew2010]

Depending on how thick it is. If its a straight cut you can use a straight edge and a razor.

 

[andrew2010]

A fine sanding sponge works nice with light pressure for easy non marring de burring on Al.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

good tips but I'd have to guess the aluminum on this light hood is at least 1/16" thick and a razor would be a bad choice for cutting it.

 

[RyanEG]

Gary, do you have any toothed saw blades? As stated aluminum will clog a typical cutting wheel, but a fine toothed saw blade will work perfectly. I used to work in a radiator manufacturing factory, and we used circular saws with fine toothed blades meant for cutting wood to cut apart any radiators that needed repairs under the manifords. HTH.

 

[andrew2010]

take it to turner bellows or Klien steel and have them shear or water jet the piece.

 

[toddmh]

IMO every dremel cutting blade besides the diamond tip is garbage

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

yeah.... the diamond tip blade isn't in most Dremel kits!

fwiw: I'm extremely familiar with water jet cutting and Klein Steel

all I want to do is cut 14" of 1/16" aluminum

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Gary, do you have any toothed saw blades? As stated aluminum will clog a typical cutting wheel, but a fine toothed saw blade will work perfectly. I used to work in a radiator manufacturing factory, and we used circular saws with fine toothed blades meant for cutting wood to cut apart any radiators that needed repairs under the manifords. HTH.

good suggestion.
If I was cutting several feet of 1/16" aluminum this is what I'd do.
My Dremel seems to be working but it's slow going. I'm still on my first cutoff wheel and I'm halfway done.

 

[pascal32]

Neat - I'd never heard of using a high tooth count blade before:

talks about using candles for waxing the blade and stacking the AL on top of a wooden board:
http://www.tipsbytom.com/index.php/cutting-aluminum/

another discussion:
http://www.ch601.org/tools/cutting_aluminum_sheet_metal.htm

 

[captain7359]

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachm...ultiPro&application=Cutting&material=Aluminum


http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachm...Products.aspx?catid=58&catname=Cut-Off+Wheels

I like the emery wheels for aluminum since they don't load as much. the larger fiberglass reinforced ones are also good, but may load a bit more.