toneburst Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Just got my Dremel ( one of these http://www.dremel-direct.com/acatalog/300_Series___25_Accessories_and_Case.html ) and was trying it out on one of my C64 Mk.1 cases.I've found it is possible to cut through the plastic with one of the cutting disks, but it does get pretty hot and the plastic tends to melt. It's not too hard to clean up the edges though, as the melted bits seem to break off quite easily and the cut itself is quite clean. It seems to melt most at the top, so it might be better to cut my final case from below.I haven't tried sanding the edges yet.I'm also toying with the idea of attempting to cut along the edge of a metal ruler, for a completely straight edge. Not sure if this will work or not, but it should, as it will be the flat, non-cutting edge of the disk in contact with the ruler, so I shouldn't end up cutting into it.Not sure how easy it will be to cut out parts small enough to use as blanking plates to cover the holes at the back of the case. I think I would have to cut them slightly larger than needed, and sand down the edges with wet & dry. Probably the most accurate method, anyway.The other thing that concerns me sightly are the fumes that could potentially be given off by the hot plastic (polystyrene, I think). Anyone any advice on this? Should I do the cutting outside?Hmm... powertools....Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streetelectronics Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I went one step beyond this and bought the Dremel drill press:http://tinyurl.com/w84ndI found that for home/hobby/tinkering use, this works very well for drilling accurate holes, but for doing any kind of routing type work (i.e. cutting a plastic case) the dremel vibrates too much and the drill press has too much give.You can see my case hack here: http://streetelectronics.comThe dremel is great for sanding, polishing, etc but its very powerful and easily slips and cuts into things.I prefer the router tip for cutting...Dremel make a "straight edge guide": http://tinyurl.com/y7fdftAnd a light duty router: http://tinyurl.com/qfe6jI haven't tried these yet but they are probably cheap and may do the trick... i'm not looking for perfection like a machine shop, just basic work good enough for fun...I'd love to hear how people are doing case cutting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therezin Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 I've had 2 cheap rotary tools in the past, never a dremel - the one thing that always annoys me about the cheapy ones is that they're so easy to stall the motors, even the mains-powered ones. is the dremel the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewMartens Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 I've had 2 cheap rotary tools in the past, never a dremel - the one thing that always annoys me about the cheapy ones is that they're so easy to stall the motors, even the mains-powered ones. is the dremel the same?Those cheapies can be annoying - I have one myself. Just cutting out the hole for the LCD in thin aluminum was an exercise in patience... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr modnaR Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 but it does get pretty hot and the plastic tends to melt.Just cutting out the hole for the LCD in thin aluminum was an exercise in patience...the right tools for the right jobs can work wonders, people!!!the problem with both these materials is that they are soft, and have relatively low melting points. the high speed dremel with a cutting disc attached will merely melt it's way through the material.try using a hacksaw, either a hand one or a reciprocating kind (make sure the speed is adjustable). also a 'saw blade' disc for a dremel would work, but, don't put it in the dremel, put it in a drill, again making sure that the speed is slow. you should find with practise, you should be able to cut holes in aluminium and plastic faster and cleaner!good luck, and hope this helps someone! ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneburst Posted November 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Hi Mr modnaR,the right tools for the right jobs can work wonders, people!!!Easy for you to say- you work in a garage so you have all this stuff lying around at work, I assume ;)the problem with both these materials is that they are soft, and have relatively low melting points. the high speed dremel with a cutting disc attached will merely melt it's way through the material.That's very true. Seems to melt it's way through it quite nicely though.try using a hacksaw, either a hand one or a reciprocating kind (make sure the speed is adjustable)But hacksaws are soooo low-tech....I'll give it a go.also a 'saw blade' disc for a dremel would work, but, don't put it in the dremel, put it in a drill, again making sure that the speed is slow. you should find with practise, you should be able to cut holes in aluminium and plastic faster and cleaner!Or I may try that.good luck, and hope this helps someone! ;DThanks, I'll need it!Incidentally, I saw your name on the Schaefer forum the other day Mr modnaR. Small World....;)Alexhttp://www.toneburst.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr modnaR Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Easy for you to say- you work in a garage so you have all this stuff lying around at work, I assume http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=060118801&r=2193&g=115 ;Dall my comments were suggestions, but once you've used a tool designed for the job you're doing, you always think 'what was i doing before??'!!Incidentally, I saw your name on the Schaefer forum the other day Mr modnaR. Small World....yes, i saw, i replied too! that forum doesn't seem to send me an email when someone replies to a watched thread, even though i have that option ticked in my profile settings. strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasha Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 But hacksaws are soooo low-tech....I think you shouldn`t warry about is it low or hi-tech as far as result is ok. If you making one box for yourself it`s not so hard to do it. You apreciate and love your box more at the and if you put some sweat and blood in it. all my comments were suggestions, but once you've used a tool designed for the job you're doing, you always think 'what was i doing before??'!!That is so rightI would like to have one of thesefor the job. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneburst Posted November 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 all my comments were suggestions, but once you've used a tool designed for the job you're doing, you always think 'what was i doing before??'!!Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I should have done my research and found out exactly what tool I needed before flexing the old creditcard and buying the Dremel....Still, I'm sure it will come in handy for something in the future.yes, i saw, i replied too! that forum doesn't seem to send me an email when someone replies to a watched thread, even though i have that option ticked in my profile settings. strange.Yeah, it didn't alert me either. I suspect allowing guests to post to the list is probably asking for trouble too...I actually emailed a query to them a few days back and they haven't got back to me yet, annoyingly.Alexhttp://www.toneburst.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneburst Posted November 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 I think you shouldn`t warry about is it low or hi-tech as far as result is ok. If you making one box for yourself it`s not so hard to do it. You apreciate and love your box more at the and if you put some sweat and blood in it. I was joking about the low-tech thing. :)I agree completely.Having said that, I have no objection in principle to, for example, having Schaefer make my front-panel for me. They'll do a much better job of it than I ever could...That saw looks like yue kinda thing I need, incidentally. Cheers!Alexhttp://www.toneburst.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streetelectronics Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 The dremel never stalls- i recently used it to cut a 1/8" steel lip off of a closet I was working on... our apt in NYC has steel framed closets for some weird reason.The dremel is definitely the right tool for the job- it has variable speed, and all kinds of tips to get a job done. It has a saw attachment too. The problem with the dremel is mounting it into a grip that makes it go in straight lines.I haven't figured it out yet, but I will.Btw I do my work in a big cheap supermarket aluminum turkey tray to keep gunk from flying everywhere- we are in a small NYC apartment and have to do everything in one small corner. Purist approach :-)http://www.streetelectronics.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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