Dremel/cutting

[sollyturbine]

Right so im getting together a list of tools im gonna need for my mod, my only worry is the cutting of steel and alu, obviously a dremel is at the top of my list but what are they like with cutting steel and other metals?

Cheers, Olly

[Crimson Sky]

Well that depends on your cutting needs. Dremels are great if you have patience, a very steady hand and a pair of safety glasses at all times. Fiberglass reinforced Cut-off disks for the Dremel are the best bet in all situations. They last longest despite their initial higher cost than standard disks--you can go through a half dozen standard disks to cut say, a fan hole, whereas using a reinforced disk might get ya through with only one. Dremels are great for grinding and cutting and polishing--they are high speed tools that require lots of practice--yet they are a must in the modder's workshop.

To cut windows or blow holes in steel (and aluminum for that matter) cases, I would invest in a jigsaw and a few metal cutting blades. With practice, you can get surgical with that tool. You can prolly pick one up for about $30. I use one that is $250, but it is a very smooth precision tool from Bosch. You can work your way up to that.

(W0ot! for post 666)

Here is an example of precision cutting with a jigsaw:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/index.php?module=photoshare&type=show&func=viewimage&iid=74&viewkey=

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/index.php?module=photoshare&type=show&func=viewimage&iid=73&viewkey=

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/index.php?module=photoshare&type=show&func=viewimage&iid=72&viewkey=

[Crimson Sky]

These cases I made recently (15 total!!) were all cut with a jigsaw for Team Monster Energy & Howies Game Shack at LanFest 2k6:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/projects/monster_energy/7.jpg

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/projects/monster_energy/8.jpg

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/projects/monster_energy/9.jpg

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/projects/monster_energy/10.jpg

[Zephik]

Wow, those are pretty nifty!! Nice jig work.

How long did it take you to create all 15 of them?? lol and how much did it cost/did you get paid for it?

-SF

[sollyturbine]

hi crimson thanks for the fast reply, well the steel i need to cut seems to be fairly soft (as far as steel goes anyways) so i think it will cut very nicely, the dremel im buying works out at around 140 USD so its fairly high quality heres a picture of the kit...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/products/hi/MM060214300.jpg

im pretty steady handed but any mess i make can always be cleaned up, i think ill have to invest in jigsaw then depending on my funds im certainly not going to be rushing anything anyway.

safety specs are always a must with me so no need to worry there.

ive checked out your work and to say the least its absolutely mindblowing!!!
by all means keep up the exquisite work!.

Thanks again for the words of wisdom theyre very much appreciated and received in the highest regard :) .

Olly.

[Zephik]

Woah :eek:

Where did my vision go?? lol

-SF

[DaveW]

That's the same dremel as i have. It's allright but it lacks the power needed to cut thicker metals. I use that dremel and a jigsaw together. It's effective.

-Dave

[Crimson Sky]

Wow, those are pretty nifty!! Nice jig work.

How long did it take you to create all 15 of them?? lol and how much did it cost/did you get paid for it?

-SF

I only had about 3 days to cut them all, mount the green plexi and send it to them overnight via UPS. And of course I got paid for it =)

[GT40_GearHead]

one way you could go is an angle grinder
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004SUOU.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
this would be suitable for thick steel, and relatively streight cuts

the dick should not be more than 1$, and you can use one until you get sick

but i say again, its good for cuting a case in half in 5 minutes, not for surgical cuts (and yes, i am talking about you Crimson)

<EDIT> and you can do this to
http://static.flickr.com/28/61772165_13f1255258_m.jpg

[silverdemon]

one way you could go is an angle grinder

I actually used a thing like that to cut out the window in my case... including round corners.

just watch out with this one, it cuts really fast :p

[simon275]

Or you could use a cut off saw for those more demanding mods when you have to trim some pipe the same pire used in an oil pipeline so you can use in your water cooling mod.
http://www.panthereast.com/images/TS700-2-Lside%20Studio%20hi.jpg
A dremel I find is best for most things I have never really needed a jigsaw.

[GT40_GearHead]

Or you could use a cut off saw for those more demanding mods when you have to trim some pipe the same pire used in an oil pipeline so you can use in your water cooling mod.
http://www.panthereast.com/images/TS700-2-Lside%20Studio%20hi.jpg
A dremel I find is best for most things I have never really needed a jigsaw.



well I actualy used one of those things to gut up a car last summer:bunny:

it had a carbide blade, i did the whole car in one and half hour, with only one disk:p

but i would say its a bit overkill.... even for me

[jamesangela]

How could I get one of these for my son? Thanks

AJ

[jdbnsn]

How could I get one of these for my son? Thanks

AJ

Depending on where you live you should be able to locate one at most any hardware store and can order them from many online retailers. By just googling "dremel" you'll find lots of options.