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New Dremel... omg this thing tears through plastic

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Seattle, WA
New Dremel... omg this thing tears through plastic
Posted by RonUSMC on Saturday, April 12, 2003 12:01 PM
I just got my new Dremel today. I eagerly read the instruction manual and started playing around with all the tools.

This is the model I got, http://dremel.com/productdisplay/tool_kit_template.asp?SKU=3962-02&Color=99CCFF

The question I have is.... this thing eats through plastic like a warm knife through butter, lol. I mean.. wow its powerful. I use it on the lowest setting, and it still eats them up. I have tried using a cutting disc, sanding drum thingey.. the little round one, and a few sanding discs..

What do you recommend tool wise to use for intricate work on plastic pieces?
http://finescalegallery.com Active Kits: 1/48 AM Avenger 1/35 Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf C
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 12, 2003 12:38 PM
O.K. I see I am not the only one thats done this.While this big vaiable speed dremmel is good for some things plastic is not one of them unless you get the voltage reducer for it (I am not exactly called).What I have done is get a dremmel mini mite.all the collets fit both tools and the mini is small,light weight ,battery powered and has two speeds.One is super slow so it will not melt plastic.The other is high enough to bore through most things when it comes to modeling.It can be picked up for around $25.00 and trust me it is worth it.dont get rid of your big dremmel though.You will find uses for it but I think if you are like me then you will use the mini mite alot more.their is anouther battery powered dremmel that has 5 different speed settings but I haven't used that one............good luck............


P.S. If you get the mini mite let us know what you think.......Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Warwick, RI
Posted by paulnchamp on Saturday, April 12, 2003 1:29 PM
I agree with James - I have both the Mini-mite and the Dremel Multi-pro variable speed. Both have their uses. If you use the big Dremel, it takes a light touch, quick applications (before the plastic heats up too much) and practice.
Paul "A man's GOT to know his limitations."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Seattle, WA
Posted by RonUSMC on Saturday, April 12, 2003 2:59 PM
Im still messing around with it.

I have had pretty good results with this tool:
http://dremel.com/productdisplay/display.asp?sku=932&color=009933

Works pretty well I would say. I still haven't gotten up the nerve or the skill to use it on a model, :)
http://finescalegallery.com Active Kits: 1/48 AM Avenger 1/35 Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf C
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 12, 2003 8:11 PM
You can also use a variable speed foot pedal....... put your Dremel on it's lowest speed,then use the foot pedal.... it takes a little practice with your foot, but it works great.....
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by naplak on Saturday, April 12, 2003 9:24 PM
I use the High Speed Cutters the most... they cut well without loading up. I like #194 and #134 the most! Big Smile [:D]
www.naplak.com/modeling ... a free site for modelers www.scalehobby.com/forum/index.php ... a nice Modeling Forum
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Sunday, April 13, 2003 5:49 AM
If you have a variable speed unit, DO NOT use a speed control, it will burn out the unit! Buy the single speed unit and use it with the speed control!
Lee

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by naplak on Sunday, April 13, 2003 9:43 AM
I have not had any trouble with using the variable speed... My older Dremel has many hundreds of hours of use, and mostly at lower speed. But other may have had different experiences.
www.naplak.com/modeling ... a free site for modelers www.scalehobby.com/forum/index.php ... a nice Modeling Forum
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 13, 2003 10:34 AM
Ron, I found the same thing when I got my Dremel. It is very fast and will melt the plastic very quickly. If you still want a 'daily use' tool for sanding, etc I'd really suggest looking at some of the battery powered units. I still use my Dremel, but only for major reconstruction operations where I'm planning on cutting or removing larger amounts of plastic. I've never tried a 'foot' control.

It's still a really good tool to have. There's a few projects on my 'to-do' list that I know I'll need the dremel for.

M.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 13, 2003 10:22 PM
A Dremel is good for many things, but you might want to try this: Get a cordless screw driver. You can buy a chuck that fits it at MicroMark. You can then use almost any Dremel tool, but very slowly....
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