Dremel questions

[RyanEG]

Gary I was referring more to blades for a dremel, but as long as you are getting it the point is moot.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

none of my Dremel blades have teeth. Good to know the next time I check out Dremel accessories.

Good links, Walter. I believe that I'm using an emery wheel right now but they don't mark these things very well.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I hate cutting metal. I want to add the fan mod to my tek fixture, but I'm dreading the cutting.

I've modded a number of computer cases. For bigger cuts, I've used a combination of the fiberglass reinforced cutting wheels (not the carbide, diamond, or toothed ones) and a jig saw with a blade for metal cuts. If you go slow and use tape, you can get a decent cut with the jig saw.

Probably goes without saying, but safety glasses are a must for those cutting wheels. Even if you take regular breaks, a couple of them heat up and break over the course of a long cut. Earplugs are also nice for cutting metal with a jig saw (so loud).

 

[sg1838]

A professional shop would have used a shear, or potentially hand-held electric or pneumatic nibblers. You really should have used tin snips, and then used a de-burring tool and a fine metal file to clean up the edge. But, it sounds like it's done now...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

no earplugs necessary here

no earplugs necessary here

there's lots of things louder in this household than cutting metal!
Halfway through the project now and the battery died on my Dremel.

 

[TimmyNY]

for future info we use 40 tooth carbide blades for aluminum trim pieces It will cut through fairly thick pieces up to 1/4 inch. put the blade in backwards and use it to cut aluminum siding or vinyl for that matter. makes a heck of a racket though

Tim

 

[andrew2010]

Ahhh I see why you were using a dremmel now. I assumed you were cutting al stock.

 

[sg1838]

Yeah, me too, but I probably still wouldn't have used a Dremel. I would have drilled a few holes, and then used the snips to connect the dots. Then used a file or even the Dremel to finish the edge. But again, I think mission accomplished (after a lot of racket probably).

 

[dadoftwins]

i just did a project and was cutting alum. diamond plate ...i used a hi speed grinder with a thin blade {breezed right thru it}....i couldn't imagine the dremmel doing a big job ...if you have a grinder break it out .... hope this was a help

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

final outcome

final outcome

my Dremel must not have been fully charged yesterday because today it cut through the remainder of the aluminum like a hot knife through butter.

A Dremel might be the best choice for this application because it's extremely lightweight- I did the cuts and the deburring without having to take the lighthood off of the aquarium.

I still scratch my head and wonder what all of those unmarked Dremel attachments are, though! :lol:

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Gary,
what kind of mod are you doing to the canopy?

Waffleman

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

early model Hamilton hoods (like mine) only allow the UV shield to be removed from one end. Newer models allow the shield to slide out from either end.