Nervous using Dremel tool. Need advice.

[Egon Spengler]

I have had a dremel tool for some time nowbut have used it maybe 3 times.

Why? The disks that come with it like to fly apart and hit me in the arms and sometimes narrowly swiped past my face. I have a face shield but even so are there better disks and bits to sand and cut with that won't fall apart like a cookie attatched to a propeller blade?

I need to use the dremel to mod my Rubies Vader helmet.

Can anyone recommend exactly what disks to get that are good for this sort of thing?


Thanks.

-DLV

 

[motivealloy]

you can try the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheels. They are pretty tough and won't shatter like the thin ceramic ones do. I'd also recommend the router bits for cutting thick plastic. I used the straight and beveled bits on my Fender (Guitar) pick guard and they cut amazing.

 

[darthgoat]

You could also double up the discs too. That seems to work for me. I don't lose nearly as many discs that way.

As Motive said, the reinforced ones are worth it too. I've found those to be the better of the two alternatives.

 

[takevin]

You could also double up the discs too. That seems to work for me. I don't lose nearly as many discs that way.

As Motive said, the reinforced ones are worth it too. I've found those to be the better of the two alternatives.

yep, the reinforced ones are the way to go, the ceramic ones suck a##.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I need to use the dremel to mod my Rubies Vader helmet.

Supreme or fiberglass helmet?

 

[MaulWalker]

As everyone said, use the fiberglass reinforced cutting disks. They last much longer and don't seem to be so shatter prone. I also wear a full face shield, long sleeves, and long pants.

Lynn

 

[jackdoud]

Be sure you're not clamping down on them too hard and cracking them before you start. You might want to try a slower speed as well, I rarely ever get my dremel up over 1/4 speed though I have an ancient corded version so I don't know if the new ones have been "safteyfied" at all. In truth it might just be your handling technique while cutting. All it takes is a little twist to have the edges of the disk catch and shatter on you. Try and keep as much of the disk outside of the cutting track as possible and go slow.

 

[Jumpin Jax]

Yup, avoid changing angles and pressing against the plane of the disc. That happened the first time I used a tool and I learned that REALLY quick. Keep your cuts straight, or if you have to change up a bit make shallow cuts and work the disc in gently. Finesse is the key.

 

[Coz]

I try to only use the black (or dark grey) slightly thicker cutters - much more reliable! Those thin brown things are made from potato chips or something!

Also, try some of the fine toothed plastic saw blades (well, they're metal but for cutting plastics. ), Think theMinicraft ones come in a set of three sizes.
Very good for razor-fine cuts, and they're somewhat flexible too.

Oh, and get some spare shanks! Saves a lot of messing around swapping blades and such!

C.

 

[Raffles]

I had a knock-off dremel that had a sort of shield on the end to stop flying debris like on a grinder.

 

[borgknight]

Don't let go if the motor kicks. 6 stitches from the blasted thing falling in my lap. It was an older one and the motor died shortly thereafter, so it was a mechanical fault that caused it to kick like it did.

(stitches in upper thigh, not too much damage)

 

[James3]

I like the little pen attachment. It gives me better control of what I am doing. I also lay with some of the different metal bits instead of the wheels. It is strange that they work great on metal but wood, fiberglass, and such they are horrible. Of course, I may be doing something wrong as well, I am not nearly as good with the Dremmel as other folks.

 

[Shadow Duchess]

Just a few things we were discussing on this end.
What are you trying to do the helmet exactly, sand it down or cut it?
Also, we've found it best using a flexible shaft attachment instead of using the dremel just as a dremel it handles far better and is easier to manage. Also a foot pedal speed control is a great addition to using a dremel for better control.
The speed you're working with on the dremel may also be an issue as well but, you've also got some great advice from other folks on here in reference to which disks to use and their experiences.
Best of luck with the work on the helmet.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

With this being the plastic Rubies Supreme helmet I would advise against using the Dremel at all!

 

[Dark Shadow]

Metal cutting blades which are like mini table saw blades are also available. I dont remember where I saw them but they are expensive. Im sure they wouldnt break though.

 

[TK1536]

The best cutting attachment for the Dremel is the diamond coated cutting wheel. It's only $15 but it is SO worth it. It cuts through just about anything like butter and I've not needed to use any other cutting wheel since.

 

[DARTH ANIBAL]

With this being the plastic Rubies Supreme helmet I would advise against using the Dremel at all!

I would agree with this. The Rubies' Supreme is made of VERY heavy-duty plastic, and you'd be hard pressed to do much to it with a Dremel--ESPECIALLY if you're using the little thin discs.

 

[ArtisanProps]

I use one of the cutting bits that look kind of like a drill bit on my vader and on a nice moderate speed it was better and easier to control then anything else i've tried..... IMO

I would agree with this. The Rubies' Supreme is made of VERY heavy-duty plastic, and you'd be hard pressed to do much to it with a Dremel--ESPECIALLY if you're using the little thin discs.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

I used the grinders on my Rubies Supreme and they worked like a charm.

 

[nightrider]

Gotta agree with Darth Kahnt, the grinding sleeves that go over the rubber wheel work best for shaping up the eyes.