power tool question

[Big Mark]

I'm thinking of buying a dremel tool to do some cutting on my computer case (1mm steel). Thing is, I've already got a power drill. is there any kind of bit I can get that either acts as a saw or has a wheel attachment on it that would act like that on a rotary tool? If so, what's it called, and if not, why the hell isn't there such a thing?

[VOR]

Originally posted by Big Mark
I'm thinking of buying a dremel tool to do some cutting on my computer case (1mm steel). Thing is, I've already got a power drill. is there any kind of bit I can get that either acts as a saw or has a wheel attachment on it that would act like that on a rotary tool? If so, what's it called, and if not, why the hell isn't there such a thing?


You can put any bit from a dremel tool in a drill. However you won't get the proper cutting speed. Dremel tool cutting is for the most part grinding and needs very fast cutter speeds, drilling is a milling operation and requires a very low speed as for the most part drills remove large amounts of stock each cutter pass. Also dremel tools are used for fine hand work profiling and the like and those operations require a lot of wrist action, where as drills are primarily designed for pushing straight through and the spindle bearings really aren't designed for side loading as the spindle of a dremel tool is. Spend the 20 bucks you cheap shit.

[Big Mark]

$20? I haven't been able to find one less that $60.

[builder]

VOR's right (how many times do you hear that?) The dremel offers much higher speeds that you'll need to cut metal.

Try Big Lots and other discount stores when you're looking for a dremel - LIKE tool. It doesn't need to say DREMEL to do the work you want it to do. There are some decent knockoffs out there that will work.

[VOR]

Originally posted by Big Mark
$20? I haven't been able to find one less that $60.

World Wide imports

[VOR]

Actually for rough cutting of the hole you're better off using a sabre saw with a metal cutting blade in it. You can grind down the back side of the blade so you can make smaller turning radii. Then clean it up with either a file or a dremel tool. Just take your time and don't force the blade to cut, let the blade do all the work.

[VOR]

Originally posted by builder
VOR's right (how many times do you hear that?)

Hey man if you need process improvement there ain't no one better.

[jazzbluescat]

I saw dremels in WalMart too; a lot less than $60.

[Big Mark]

Would something like this cut steel? I think going at it from stragiht down as opposed to at a 90 degreee angle (with a cutting wheel) would be easier to control.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2318507925&category=20776

[Big Mark]

bump for the daytime folks.

[builder]

That'd work for speed, but you really need to focus on what your cutting bit is going to be. You can't use a regular drill bit and that zip bit for drywall won't work either. It's gonna have to be something made for cutting metal that's more carbon than steel. Go to Lowe's or Depot or some other hardware store and see if they have a bit that might work with that thing. Be sure to tell the guy/gal that it's got up to 35000rpm. You don't want a bit that flies apart on you at those speeds.

[VOR]

Yeah that's what that saw is made for mark. Just be certain to use the carbide bit. It's over kill though for the amount of times that you're going to use it. I'm telling you a 20 dollar sabre saw with a metal cutting blade will serve you just as well.