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/i...id=74&viewkey=

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/i...id=73&viewkey=

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/i...id=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:

[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...

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

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

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

[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