Dremel bits and pieces for those fiddlely metal working jobs - any use them ?

[Ian Robinson]

I need to shorten the legs on the mirror side clamps that slip onto the plate that supports the flotation triangles a bit, and wide the gap between a mm or so and make the gap (slit a bit deeper) , and take the top lip off.
I also have some aluminium angle that I'll cut to short lengths that wil I plan to drill a slit into that will , once painted black, will sit on he side clamp and rest on the mirror edge camfer.

I guess a picture is require to show what I plant to do .... see attached which gives an impression of that I plan to do.

I have a drill and jig saw and circular saw, and I really don't want to hit these fiddlely bits of aluminium side clamp mods with powertools that are way too dangerous in close work, would be like working on a watch with jack hammer and risk of serious injury is high even if I had the right sized cutters and clamped it all securely in a vice.

I like what I see in the Dremel range cuttering impliments but have never used them.

Tools like http://www.mytoolstore.com.au/dremel...88439a0d70b5b2 for the slitting once I've drilled the starter holes and http://www.mytoolstore.com.au/dremel...-c-50_152.html or http://www.mytoolstore.com.au/dremel...s-c-50_59.html to do the slitting work.

Anyone used these type of kit for their fiddlely metal working jobs ?

How well do they work attached a standard power drill ?

[torana68 (Roger)]

I love my Dremel... it does all sorts of things , I have found the $4.99 box of bits that looks like the $40 box of genuine Dremel bits do not last very long at all, buy only Dremel bits if you want good quality.
I wouldnt use them in a drill, think of a dentist using one of his bits in a standard power drill and youll get the idea...
Roger

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

those kinds of tools are extreamly accurate if used correctly. Be careful with them and they will produce great results.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

I have a Dremel style set but Ozito brand, a lot cheaper. I use it a lot.

Dremel brand bits and stones will fit, but so far I have not had to get any extras.

I found it is very effective if you go carefully, keep a steady hand and don't force it. The thin abrasive disks especially are fragile and will not take any sideways pressure. You absolutely must have on good eye protection because you are close to the job.

The speed setting is important I have found, and the user's booklet has a table of recommendations.

Cheers

[gman (Grant)]

I own a Dremel and used it heaps building 1:24 scale Drag Slot Cars.
Easy to use and ditto on using the genuine artical for the bits and attachments.

Great piece of equipment for the fiddly tasks

[bloodhound31]

Another alternative is a bench grinder fitted with a linishing belt. These can be bought in different grits to do any fine grinding away of material. You can go as slow as you like, removing just enough then checking for fit, a little bit more, a little bit more...etc etc until it's just perfect.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Ian,

I actually own 2 dremel tools. A traditional "dremel" and a slightly larger "triton" dremel, which doesn't have quite as high revs as the traditional dremel but the triton has more torque for slightly heavier jobs. They are excellent tools and usefull for jobs you wouldn't think possible. Highly recommended for any handyman or tinkerer. In answer to the question I think you are asking? Are the dremel bits only able to be used in a traditional power drill? The answer is not very well!! The dremel bits are designed to cut and work at the high revs of the dremel style tool which is in the order of 5,000 rpm to 40,000rpm. A power drill operates at between 500rpm and 2400rpm. For the cost involved I would be buying the dremel "kit" which includes the tool and a large "bit set". You will be amazed at what you use it for.

Cheers,
John B

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I have an Ozito rotary tool (exclusive to Bunnings I think). Heaps cheaper than the Dremel but the best thing about the Ozito is the warranty. If it does need to be fixed, they have repairers in every major city in Australia as well as a long list of regional towns all over the country.
The Ozito comes with a flexible extension cable and stand which is an expensive optional extra with the other.
I'm pretty sure it goes from 5000rpm up to 35,000 or 40,000rpm.
I use mine mainly for working with gourds, but the times I've used it on metal, it's coped well.
It's worth while buying the fibreglass reinforced cutting discs for use on metal. As was mentioned before, the other types of discs are so fragile, they verge on useless.
My favourite bit is the Dremle mini circular saw, perfect for fretwork and other intricate carving.

[monoxide]

if you buy a dremel make sure to get the flexible extension for it too, gives you a lot more control over what your doing especially with smaller fiddly jobs.

definately one of the most useful power tools ever made though.
(dont buy the cordless one!!)

edit: beat me to it JJJ

[AlexN]

I have an Ozito dremel with about 300 different bits for various tasks, including the flexible extension... Since I got the extension, I've not used the dremel without it.. Its a fantastic tool to have, so very versatile .

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I picked up from a hardware store, a 350 piece kit in carry case, with loads of different bits, chucks, discs and burrs. Only $25!!
The burrs are perfect for when I inlay stone etc.

[Ian Robinson]

Looks like a visit to Bunnings is order to see about getting some Dremel stuff ....

Got my floccing (100" of 30" wide self adhesive sheet) yesterday , got all my b-n-p's noq , so it's time to get cracking on the OTA rebuild (cutting and modding stuff, and then re-assembing the OTA (new tube) and collimating it).

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

A great deal of stuff on Ebay for them too. Good for engraving all your astro gear with an identifier.

Cheers