Can I Use Micro Chisels With Brass?

[Quick GMC]

I bought some micro chisels so I could practice turning my own parts with the dremel. I have some brass rod and I Have never worked with brass before. Can I use the micro chisels on brass without ruining them? 

 

These are the ones I bought: http://www.affinitymodels.co.uk/p125012/MASTER-TOOLS-MODEL-CHISEL-"1mm-FLAT"-(F1)-%2309923/b0-4762-4762

[detailstymied]

i'd use a file. dremel will probably stall before you'd do damage to the chisel. a cordless drill might be a better option for aluminum or brass turning. with a file or saw.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Any kind of decent chisels, even micro-chisels, will be made from some kind of 'tool steel', which is very much harder than brass.

Brass is a soft alloy of copper and zinc, and cuts very easily with steel tools.

But to get good results making 'turned' parts, you will need some way to hold your Dremel securely, and a way to control your cutting edge rigidly and accurately in relation to your spinning part. Holding the cutting tool in your hand isn't sufficient.

I have a full-sized lathe in my home shop, and frequently make full-scale parts at work. Being able to accurately control both the part you're making, and the tool you're cutting with, is paramount.

[Quick GMC]

I am getting the Dremel work station so can have it mounted stationary. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Excellent !  I'll be interested in seeing your work. I've put off buying a small lathe, thinking at some point I could do what you have in mind. Keep us updated on how well it works.

[detailstymied]

dremel tools depend on high rpm & low torque.

[Ace-Garageguy]

dremel tools depend on high rpm & low torque.

As do many lathe-cutting operations. Cutting model-car sized stock properly certainly won't stall my own Dremel. You take off a little bit at a time...not a huge deep gouge.

[Quick GMC]

I just played around a little. My Drenel goes down to 5,000 RPM, but I found it chatters a bit. looks 10,000 is the sweet spot for smooth cutting without melting the plastic. 

 

The main reason I wanted to do this was to make fluid canisters for race cars out of clear sprue .Also turn, shock bodies and caps, filters, etc. 

 

I just did this piece of clear in a couple minutes with sanding sticks and Tamiya polishing compound. Turned out great. 

 

 

I want to be able to do metal to make shock caps, oil cans and other stuff. 

 

Are there any handheld machine bits I can buy?

Edited July 18, 2015 by Quick GMC

[Foxer]

That looks really good  ... you hand held the sanding sticks? I have the Dremel Workstation and want to use it as you do, but I haven't figured out a tool holder so I have some control, though will never be like a lathe.

[Quick GMC]

Yeah I just did light pressure and went up and down the length of the rod and made sure each grit was done thoroughly. then all 3 Tamiya compounds

[10thumbs]

I like this, thanks for the infos.

[dartman]

Not with a dremel,I use my wood turning tools and small lathe to work aluminum,brass and copper all the time.As with any turning tool , You do need to keep them

sharp for best results.