DSE 5 #1 June 14, 2008 I feel stupid having to ask this...but what kind of wheel is there for a Dremel tool that can cut .25" aluminum? Or is there one? I need to modify a piece of aluminum so it holds a second flash, and don't have the proper tools to do it right. A local shop was gonna do it, but they let it sit and I need to get this on line. I'm trying to cut a slot in the metal, so that I can have a slideable bolt/nut allowing me to move the bracket back and forth by a couple of inches. No...I don't have a good set of cutting tools, just a couple of high speed dremel tools. suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #2 June 14, 2008 Those slim little easy to break cutting wheels, should do the trick, but it will be a small "slice". You may need to make more then one and join them. Another way might be to drill three or four holes and then make your cut.you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #3 June 14, 2008 All of the soft non ferrous metals like aluminum and brass fill the spaces in between the weave of those abrasive cutters clogging them, build up heat, expand and crack the wheel in two. Very very dangerous on the bigger faster abrasive cutt off disks. You need something with real teeth that does not clog ( bi-metal, carbide or chrome ) slower speeds and a lubricant. Periodically cleaning any cloggage with a stiff brush. If you don't mind a larger kerf you can use some special machinist or dentistry burrs in your dremel. Think solid carbide miniture router bit. You might have some results with diamonds but it just depends on how thick your material is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #4 June 14, 2008 I used the standard little cut off disks that came with my dremel kit. Wear safety glasses because when they break, those shards really fly. Drill a hole at both ends of the slot and cut in between. Take your time and be prepared to go through a lot of disks.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #5 June 14, 2008 There are different composite wheels that are thicker than the super thin ones that come with it. You can buy them at Home Depot, there may even be a metal wheel, I can't remember for sure. At Home Depot they usually have a rack of all of them and say what they are made out of and what materials they can cut. The one I got supposedly could even cut stainless steel but I had a pretty hard time just with the soft aluminum, though it was doable.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #6 June 14, 2008 QuoteDrill a hole at both ends of the slot and cut in between. Take your time and be prepared to go through a lot of disks. That's exactly how I would do it.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 June 14, 2008 How about a Spiral Cutting bit (like a drill bit but used for making slots)? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pattersd 0 #8 June 14, 2008 I have had better luck with the Dremel EZ Lock cutoff wheels, buy the starter set ( the quick change mandrel and a few wheels, some are for plastic don't use those on aluminum) and an extra pack of the metal cut off wheels. The tend to stay together much better, without exploding and throwing chunks all over the place. use a lower rpm if the dremel is adjustable, dremels recommendation is 3500 rpm in aluminum. using a spiral bit does not work very well, there is too much side force cutting aluminum. definitely drill the ends and if there is a lot of material drill out as much of that as you can. a good file will be your friend. good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #9 June 14, 2008 go in another mechanical shop, ask 'em to do it right away, and put a nice tip on the table. thats a very easy job to do, that takes about 5 minutes of their time. maybe ten. and the result will be very pleasing too! dp a little milling there, and cool..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flr169 0 #10 June 15, 2008 na just a milling maching and a high speed steel end mill...and a little coolant Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting - "fcuk me what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #11 June 15, 2008 Quote na just a milling maching and a high speed steel end mill...and a little coolant i think i have one of those in the trunk of my carYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flr169 0 #12 June 15, 2008 I have an assortment of mills and lathes ...manual and cnc ones..... can do just about anything within reason.... side jobs aka goverment jobs at work are the only thing that keeps me sane.... production machining is getting old and boring...to many years doing it...Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting - "fcuk me what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #13 June 15, 2008 Quote I have an assortment of mills and lathes ...manual and cnc ones..... can do just about anything within reason.... side jobs aka goverment jobs at work are the only thing that keeps me sane.... production machining is getting old and boring...to many years doing it... Wanna build me some billet alloy parts for me bike You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #14 June 15, 2008 QuoteI have an assortment of mills and lathes ...manual and cnc ones..... can do just about anything within reason.... side jobs aka goverment jobs at work are the only thing that keeps me sane.... production machining is getting old and boring...to many years doing it... I would so like to get a mount for my camera to put on my motorcycle mounted on the rear foot peg pointed forward or backward...Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
novacaine 0 #15 June 15, 2008 http://www.dremel.com/en-us/AttachmentsAndAccessories/Pages/FastFinder.aspx?tool=200%20Series&application=Cutting&material=Aluminum According to their website, they offer some cutting wheels for Aluminum. Edited to get clicky thing!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #16 June 16, 2008 Quote Drill a hole at both ends of the slot and cut in between. Another technique that works really well is to drill the entire length of the slot (use a drill that is the width the slot) fitting as many holes as possible without overlapping them. This removes as much material as possible from the slot, and leaves less work for the cutoff wheel. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
