23 replies to this topic

[mnwildpunk]

This past weekend I had to buy a dremmel for something I needed to fix in my house. Well after I was done with the project I remembered that a lot o of you guys use them for model projects. I had a few scraps laying around. I decided to learn
The tool. I didn't have much luck I did succeed at melting plastic. I had the tool on it's lowest setting which claims it's 8000rpm. My question is what sort of bits do you'll use. Do you have any tips that will lesson my learning curve?

[george 53]

A complete Dremel KIT, not just the tool itself, usually come with a carry case and assorted bits and burrs. Get you an old kit, an practice. It takes a bit to get used to them, they are a VERY usefull tool, and once you do, you'll find ALL kindsa uses for that rascal, ESPECIALLY if you do alot of resin kits.

[southpier]

8,000 seems really high rpms. like most power tools there's a bunch of things which contribute to successful application.

tool speed and rate of feed come to mind. next you need to select the cutting bit most suited to the task. George is right = practice.

i honestly don't use mine too much, but it does come in handy on occasion. i also made a gadget to hold the handpiece so i could turn something - i'll have to try it out some day!

Attached Files

•  dremel lathe #1.jpg   139.93K   66 downloads
•  dremel lathe #2.jpg   144.82K   67 downloads

Edited by southpier, 09 November 2012 - 01:56 PM.

[Kit Basher]

I think the most useful accessory is a foot speed control. It slows it down to almost nothing, or all the way up to full speed, and you don't have to fumble around trying to turn it on.

[Joker]

Diamond disk for cutting and trimming(the brown ceramic break too easy),
and a small barrel sander(get different grits),are my go to attachments.
A small 3/8th wrench for changing out attachments(works better than the
flat supplied wrench.

[Chas SCR]

Is it an on/off one or can you set the speed? Also like it was said to get the complete kit, you will not need every thing but for the price you can not beat it.

[skysoldier46]

I use a Dremel Lithium Ion Cordless and it has variable speed and can go from a snails pace to warp speed. great tool for the modelers tool kit. As stated in this thread... practice practice practice.

[Sixties Sam]

I use my Dremel a lot! I've gone through several of them in 40 years of building R/C planes and model cars. The brown cutting disks are my "torch" for cutting model car frames, etc. Got to be careful - they will shatter if they bind up! I've had two speed controls for the Dremels. Both have failed. They have become on/off switches - no speed controlling. Kind of a disappointment, since the tools themselves are bulletproof.
Sam

[Ace-Garageguy]

Just rebuilt mine and it works better than new. The speed control was always sticky....now it isn't. Best thing you can do is practice on junk. Even the low speed on the corded version will melt plastic, but you'll get the knack of cutting clean after a bit. The cutter discs are indeed somewhat fragile, but after a while you learn how to put it down gently.

You just can't have too many attachments, cutters, grinders, etc. I found a set of diamond bits for $12 in a hardware store in Az......great for very fine shaping around wondows on top-chops. It's amazing how precise you'll get with it in time.....surgical. BUT don't try to polish paint with the corded version without the foot control. It's entirely too fast and will melt the paint.

It WILL polish alloy rims or other metal parts spectacularly.

[hooterville75]

I gota nock off that I use from Ebay thats made me happy various times and has never left me down yet. Think I paid like $15 shipped to the door and it came with 62 bits and accessories.

[Crazy Ed]

If you want to chop a Top or section a body this works out well. Take the Sanding/Cutting Disks and stack them with broken ones as spacers. This combo works out to a 1/25 scale 3" cut and as long as you have a steady hand the cuts will be parallel!

[greymack]

Hi there is you want to learn how to use the dremel and max out its uses then check out Cancars on youtube
heres a link and or vid

[greymack]

Opps I mean cancars2

[mnwildpunk]

Thank you all you guys there is some great info here. Where can I find one of those foot controls?

[Draggon]

Metal bits for plastic, carborundum bits for metal or wood. I was in the concrete saw industry for decades, a hard blade cuts soft material, a soft blade cuts hard material.

[SSNJim]

If you want to chop a Top or section a body this works out well. Take the Sanding/Cutting Disks and stack them with broken ones as spacers. This combo works out to a 1/25 scale 3" cut and as long as you have a steady hand the cuts will be parallel!

Clever idea! I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!

[Crazy Ed]

Clever idea! I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!

Much as I'd like to take the credit for the idea it wasn't mine, just one of those things that too good not to pass along.

[southpier]

any you guys got a jig for making fishmouth joints with tubing?

(for chassis & roll cage fabrication)

thanks

[wrecker388]

Dremels are pretty easy and fun to use. My very first custom was made using a Dremel. I have since redone it(didn't use putty and it looked weird with a big hole in the back of the cab, and I never liked the bed.)http://www.modelcars...topic=58836&hl=

[Ace-Garageguy]

I use a version of the "Ol' jiont Jigger" in the 1:1 shop a lot, just fingers and a round file about the same diameter as the cage material for models. By about the fifth cage you can eyeball the angles.