What tools to use?

[Zephik]

You know, I never even thought about what kind of tool I'll need to cut what. lol man I'm sure glad I thought of this before I placed in an order!

What I need is something that will cut "modders mesh" and acrylic. Both A.C. Ryan products. I have about $40USD left to buy a tool to do the job. Which it really doesn't matter a whole lot at this point of how well the tool will do the job, just that it does it. I can clean it up later if need be. But I was looking at a few of these...

This, of course, would be my first choice because of its low price...
Dremel Mini-Mate (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-750-02-Minimite-4-8-Volt-Cordless/dp/B0000302Y1/sr=1-7/qid=1169201185/ref=sr_1_7/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

My second choice, again, low price is nice...
Dremel Multi-Pro 35krpm (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-275-02-MultiPro-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B0000302XU/sr=1-25/qid=1169201283/ref=sr_1_25/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

Third Choice...
Dremel Multi-Pro 5k-10krpm (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-MultiPro-7700-02-Two-Speed-Accessories/dp/B0000302Y2/sr=1-29/qid=1169201283/ref=sr_1_29/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

Then going slightly over my price range...
Dremel 300 Series (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-300-N-Variable-Rotary-Accessories/dp/B000FW5GAM/sr=1-11/qid=1169202354/ref=sr_1_11/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

Then there is the accessories, which I have no knowledge about what-so-ever. Do any of these packages come with the accessories that I will need or do I need to find some?

I saw THESE (http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-409D-Cut-Off-Wheel-36-Pack/dp/B00004UDGX/sr=1-73/qid=1169201389/ref=sr_1_73/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi) and they seemed like a good deal and they say "cut-off". I don't know what the heck that means, but if I was to take a guess I could probably use these for cutting metal? Maybe acrylic too?

lol You just watch, I'll use this thing once, cut off my arm, and never pick up a power tool again. ><

Thanks for the help guys, I know this is one thing that you should all know so I'm in pretty good hands! ...or at least thats what I am telling myself and my dad. ;)

**I'll also add that I don't need this for heavy use. Just a quick cut here and there. ...in other words... I would really like that first one I listed. It would be absolutely perfect for my price range. ...but will it do the job?

Update:

I also found a few different branded rotary tools...

GMC 15k-35krpm (http://www.amazon.com/GMC-ART372-Variable-Flexible-Accessories/dp/B000EY5DYU/sr=1-1/qid=1169214662/ref=sr_1_1/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

Grip 8k-30krpm (http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Variable-Speed-Rotary-Tool/dp/B000G3MV94/sr=1-68/qid=1169214804/ref=sr_1_68/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

WEN 8k-30krpm (http://www.amazon.com/WEN-23-Rotary-Tool-Accessories/dp/B000EUEZP2/sr=1-70/qid=1169214804/ref=sr_1_70/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi)

...I kind of like that first one. Has a nice look to it. lol oh god... I swear thats how women shop! "oh, this one LOOKS nice". lol I'm so doomed...

oooh, it also has a couple *sweet* accessories too! Hmmm... anyone have any experience with GMC?

[slytherock]

For me, I can say:
Forget about the mini-mate, I hate wireless...
Forget about the Multi-Pro 35krpm: no speed control
Forget about the Multi-Pro 5k-10krpm: Wireless and slow RPM
Dremel 300 Series A bit pricy, but nice

GMC: I like this one, great features but I have to try it cause of the shape.
Grip and WEN: look about the same. I have a similar one, work nice if you dont use it everyday. Perfect for the price and my use. RPM control. some good accessories.

My final choices: the last 3 for the price and use. Or the Pricy Dremel :)

Hope it help

[Zephik]

The mini mate is "eh" for me. It has 2 hours of grind time, which isn't bad for what I want. It's also small and easily portable. Not to mention uber cheap.

The other dremels I didn't really like except for that one that I just won't be able to afford no matter how I look at it. Kind of a bummer, but thats okay.

The other three I listed, idk, they don't seem all that great (excluding the GMC).

So really, after looking them all over. I'm going to go with the GMC. It looks good, sounds like it functions good, and it has some sweet goodies. All for a low low price.

Okay, so I got that out of the way. But now...

What about accessories? What do I need to cut Modders Mesh and 8mm Acrylic?

[slytherock]

Cutting discs is my tool of choice for cutting (http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-group.htm?H=188549&G=66367)

Sanding Bands for sanding (http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-group.htm?H=188569&G=66408)
For acrylic sanding/finnishing is personnally like grinding stones (http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-group.htm?H=188558&G=66333)

[intergalacticman]

umm if i cant do it with a hacksaw, use the dremel 300

[Zephik]

lol Slytherock, I can't keep up with you man. Everytime I try to give you more rep, I can't because I need to pass out a few more. But hey, thats good though! It means you are doing a pretty sweet job on the boards, so congrats!

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it alot! ...but not quiet as much as a appreciate a free coupon for a 7/11 Slurpee. mmmm.... slurpee.... :p

Do you or anyone else know what speeds to use to cut what? (GMC is 15k to 35k RPM).

[Zephik]

Here are some cut off wheels, which should I get?

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-Heavy-Duty-Cut-Off-Wheel/dp/B00004UDH3/sr=1-159/qid=1169281611/ref=sr_1_159/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi
http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-409D-Cut-Off-Wheel-36-Pack/dp/B00004UDGX/sr=1-153/qid=1169281611/ref=sr_1_153/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi
http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-540-Cut-Off-Wheel-Pack/dp/B00004UDI7/sr=1-127/qid=1169281571/ref=sr_1_127/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi
http://www.amazon.com/Reinforced-Cut-Off-Wheel-Set/dp/B0009V68Y2/sr=1-157/qid=1169281682/ref=sr_1_157/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Wheel-Set/dp/B0009V68YW/sr=1-193/qid=1169281697/ref=sr_1_193/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi
http://www.amazon.com/3-4-Diamond-Wheels/dp/B0009V71DY/sr=1-241/qid=1169281736/ref=sr_1_241/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi

I also found this cheap accessory kit...

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Rotary-Accessory-105Pcs-screwdriver/dp/B000FV90PA/sr=1-240/qid=1169281714/ref=sr_1_240/102-2652116-4252131?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[.Maleficus.]

For metal, get at least the Reinforced discs. For acrylic, any of them will do, because it uses friction and sorta melts the plastic (I've been cutting plexi for the past few days). I went to a local hardware store and got a little box of a bunch of cutting discs; all variants except the diamond ones, and it was like $10 for ~70 discs.

That accessory kit looks nice, but I hope you're not planning on getting it from Amazon; the only one they had was "Used or New" and I don't think you want a used cut off disc... At least I don't.

[Zephik]

Sweet, thanks man! I'll buy the reinforced ones from dremel. Cheap and a good quantity of them. I think there are some regular ones that are included with the rotary tool I am looking at too.

Does anyone know of a good tutorial for working with acrylic and/or modders mesh? For the acrylic all I need to know is the proper way to cut it, how to make stealthed cd drives, how to make screw holes... and the rest I can figure out on my own. Like the power switch, lol just drill the right sized hole and its pretty much done.

For the modders mesh, I need to know; of course the proper way to cut it, and the proper way to bend it. I have a pretty good idea of both though... measure and cut carefully and for bending, secure it and bend it over a table edge or something right?

[slytherock]

lol Slytherock, I can't keep up with you man. Everytime I try to give you more rep, I can't because I need to pass out a few more. But hey, thats good though! It means you are doing a pretty sweet job on the boards, so congrats!

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it alot! ...but not quiet as much as a appreciate a free coupon for a 7/11 Slurpee. mmmm.... slurpee.... :p

Do you or anyone else know what speeds to use to cut what? (GMC is 15k to 35k RPM).

Thanks a lot, It's a real pleasure for me to help people out. I'm more autodidact myself, but I use to get help from some forum, and it's more like a payback time :)

[Aero]

you'll want to get a chuck so that you can use off brand accessories, dremal brand is expensive.

For metal reinforced cutting disks are a must. That accessory kit looks good, you get a very nice assortment of grinding stones and a few engraving tools.

For acrylic I would saw try a hack saw or jigsaw if you have them, it might take klonger, but they will leave you with much less clean up (cleaner cuts), they are more precise, and don't throw molten plastic at your arm.

[Zephik]

AH YEAH! My parents went to the casino last night and my dad won 300 bucks off of 35 cents! So I am pretty sure I will be ordering my stuff tonight! If not, then he better have a dang good reason. ...like my mom blew all of his earnings like she does time from time. lol

[nil8]

If you can get a vice or the use of one, it's a much better way to make your bends. It's the only way I know of to do it.

Since most vices have groove patterns, if you're doing a bend cut a couple of pieces of thin angle iron around the size of the vice pads and put them over it so you can get a clean bend.

A more expensive and rarer option is a press brake, but you'd have to find a real machine shop to gain access to one.

As for acrylic, a jigsaw or some other tool. High rpm or fast tools don't work nearly as well as a good wood router or jigsaw.

[Zephik]

If you can get a vice or the use of one, it's a much better way to make your bends. It's the only way I know of to do it.

lol oh wow, I almost forgot what a vice was! Thank you google... ><

Yea I have a couple of those thanks to my dad. He has alot of tools... we just aren't sure where they are all at lol

I think I found the coolest toy ever when I googled vice...

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7ECC5N-ITU/img/vice.jpg

Since most vices have groove patterns, if you're doing a bend cut a couple of pieces of thin angle iron around the size of the vice pads and put them over it so you can get a clean bend.

Thanks for the tip!

A more expensive and rarer option is a press brake, but you'd have to find a real machine shop to gain access to one.

Yea, I'm not even sure where I would find one and have access to it. That would be nice though.

As for acrylic, a jigsaw or some other tool. High rpm or fast tools don't work nearly as well as a good wood router or jigsaw.

We might have one of those somewhere out in our sheds or more likely at my grandparents house, but its too cold and too much of a bother to look for them. I do have a couple jeweler saws though?

Thanks for the tips nil8! I'm REALLY hoping my dad will put in my order today. I could tell that last night wouldn't of been the best time to ask him, he was just in one of those moods where you know not to ask him about anything money related.

[.Maleficus.]

Sweet, thanks man! I'll buy the reinforced ones from dremel. Cheap and a good quantity of them. I think there are some regular ones that are included with the rotary tool I am looking at too.

Does anyone know of a good tutorial for working with acrylic and/or modders mesh? For the acrylic all I need to know is the proper way to cut it, how to make stealthed cd drives, how to make screw holes... and the rest I can figure out on my own. Like the power switch, lol just drill the right sized hole and its pretty much done.

For the modders mesh, I need to know; of course the proper way to cut it, and the proper way to bend it. I have a pretty good idea of both though... measure and cut carefully and for bending, secure it and bend it over a table edge or something right?
Acrylic: Pretty much same as metal. I mask the lines that I want to cut, take it slow so that nothing melts back together, and chip off the melted crap when it's done. Sand the edges smooth and you're good to go.

Stealthed drives:
1. Take old drive bay cover and get rid of all edges. If any stick out making it not a perfect rectangle, take needle nose pliers and slowly bend them off. You want it to be flat.
2. Sand smooth :).
3. This is where it varies; You can get rid of the old bezel or keep it on. I just keep it on. For that, get some Velcrow (sp?) and put it on the front of the tray. Find a good spot on the cover and put the other piece on that. Make sure that it can move a little or it won't hit the button and then it won't do anything.

Screw Holes: A drill? lol

Mesh: I've never used it, but cutting things with holes isn't too hard. Just mask off the line you want, and cut where there is metal. If there is a hole, skip it. When you get to part of your line that has something under it, cut!

Bending: I think you've got a pretty good idea.

[Zephik]

Acrylic: Pretty much same as metal. I mask the lines that I want to cut, take it slow so that nothing melts back together, and chip off the melted crap when it's done. Sand the edges smooth and you're good to go.

I have a feeling that I better wear my "work" clothes so not to get little bits of melted acrylic all over any of my nice clothes. lol I also have a feeling that I am going to be yelping every few minutes from the little burning sensations all over my arms... ><

Stealthed drives:
1. Take old drive bay cover and get rid of all edges. If any stick out making it not a perfect rectangle, take needle nose pliers and slowly bend them off. You want it to be flat.
Okay, so take the bezel and basically make it as flat and square as possible? I'm guessing this is for good acrylic to bezel contact right?

2. Sand smooth :).
Again, this is just making things as even and flat as possible right?

3. This is where it varies; You can get rid of the old bezel or keep it on. I just keep it on. For that, get some Velcrow (sp?) and put it on the front of the tray. Find a good spot on the cover and put the other piece on that. Make sure that it can move a little or it won't hit the button and then it won't do anything.
It doesn't matter to me if I keep it on or take it off. It sound easier to keep it on. I don't have any Velcro, But I don't think I would want to use that anyways, I do however have super glue? I can also screw it in from the inside (so you can't see the screws) if the glue doesn't work properly. About the button... I'm guessing carefully cut out the button where it is on the cd drive, then sand it a _tiny_ bit and place it back in the hole and fix it in with glue or a tiny screw from the inside. I say sand it a _tiny_ bit because that to me sounds like it would fit better and would probably be easier to see.

Screw Holes: A drill? lol
lol Thats what I thinking. Just making sure though. I have tons of drill bits.

Mesh: I've never used it, but cutting things with holes isn't too hard. Just mask off the line you want, and cut where there is metal. If there is a hole, skip it. When you get to part of your line that has something under it, cut!
WHAT?? YOU MEAN I CAN'T CUT THE HOLE AND I SHOULD JUST SKIP IT?? LoL
It sounds pretty self explanatory... If I F it up, I'll just blame it on you. :p

Bending: I think you've got a pretty good idea.
lol Pretty much... I wish I had a heat bending tool so I could make my computers front bezel curved and stuff, that would be pretty cool. But no biggie that I can't.

THANKS! I already gave you a rep so I can't give you another one. lol

This is what I am basically shooting for, probably slightly different, but this is close enough to give you an idea.

http://www.acryan.com/gallery/alumaxx2006/alumaxx_009.jpg

Hmmm, I actually like how he did the screws in his bays... maybe I'll do that or something similar.

[nil8]

I have a drive stealthing tutorial in my sig that includes pictures.
It's spelled Velcro.
If you're using a jeweler's saw/dremel, turn the rpm down or cut a wide gap and sand down to what you need or you could have the melted pieces reforming after you cut. It's annoying at best and can waste a lot of time, effort and material at worst.

RC cars got a lot sweeter since I was a kid.