My First Powertool

[negz]

I've always wanted to buy one of these when I was into (platonically) computer modding. I couldn't afford these at the time being a youngin without a job. I'm not into computer modding anymore but I now realize the endless uses this tool can have. And I have income to dispose on this.

SpatulaTzar and gentlemen, I'm talking about the Dremel.

The Home Depot is selling the Dremel 300 w/ 41 accessories and hard-case for $90 canadian.

Yay or nay?

[Mantikore]

depends on your hobby, really.

i was thinking of getting one because i heard it was so incredibly versatile. however, i was advised against getting one simply because the stuff i do doesnt really require a tiny precision grinder (i do mainly knifemaking, where a bench grinder and angle grinder are the only "necessary" power tools). so i just borrow one when i need one.

though i can see quite a lot of uses for it here and there. it really depends on what hobbies your going to take

[negz]

I was going to be using it for similar purposes. I recently ruined a Spyderco Salt 1 while cutting a live wire. I was going to use it to grind down the blade as shown in the last pic along the red line.

http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/1/1245556577.jpg

http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/4/1245556627.jpg

http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/2/1245556870.jpg

http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/0/1245556901.jpg

[Death Snuggle]

^^^I'm a bit surprised you want to take it off in such a sharp angle.

[negz]

^^^I'm a bit surprised you want to take it off in such a sharp angle.

How else could I go about it?

[negz]

Here's another idea: http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/4/1245558219.jpg

I want to get rid of the "sheep's foot" style tip of the blade.

[Raziel]

Dremels are cool. I have one and its never let me down.

[Death Snuggle]

Here's another idea: http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/4/1245558219.jpg

I want to get rid of the "sheep's foot" style tip of the blade.

I see. I was thinking you'd do something more along the lines of your second picture except I wouldn't start as far back, but the would leave the tip in similar condition I believe. Also I can't really tell how deep the crack goes into the blade, so I can't be the best judge of it.

[negz]

I realized that if I were to do this:
http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/4/1245558219.jpg

Some of the blade would stick out when closed. Not really safe.

How's this?

http://pic1.piccdrop.com/i/4/1245561780.jpg

This is after trying to leave as much of the already present blade intact as possible. A straight line from there to the tip. And MAYBE take out the curve on the tip depending on how it turns out.

[nooner]

Not sure you want to try fixing that blade anyway. Judging by the scorch marks, it's entirely possible you fucked up the temper in an irregular pattern, which means even if you get an edge back on it, it could be brittle in unexpected places, and therefore unsafe to use.

[Raziel]

Use this http://www.powertools-china.com/images/BenchGrinder_7270.jpg works great for knifes and lockpicks.

[Mantikore]

Use this http://www.powertools-china.com/images/BenchGrinder_7270.jpg works great for knifes and lockpicks.

a note on using bench grinders for bladesmithing: in the beginning, they tend to be create 'hollow' grinds (the edge is sort of concave), which are incredibly sharp, but can be weak. usually, i just use the bench grinder first, then use a file to get it flat.

Afterwards, i would quench+temper, then finally remove the final layer of steel that had its carbon removed during heat treatment.

however, in your case, your knife is already hardened, so using a file may be difficult.

[MunkeyQ]

I have a Dremel clone - a Minicraft multitool, which has a low voltage motor and is actually built better than the Dremel...

It's great for small woodworking pieces and detailing, but what I use it for most is plastic work. Cutting discs get expensive if you're cutting even thin sheet metal, so I don't use it for that.

I don't know if anyone's heard of Fein, but they make vibrating multitools like the ones doctors use to cut bone in operations. I've got their base model and for jobs too big for the Dremel, it really is one of the best tools I've ever bought.

[Dr rocker]

I also have a £10 dremmel copy, but allways buy genuine bits - the copy ones are crap. Learned the hard way grinding case hardened track rod end bolts from the steering knuckles on my hilux - they had fused in. Where penetrating oil, heat, a cast ball joint seperator exploded and the milling machine wasnt having any, a £10 dremmel copy came up trumps.

[yawanur]

I don't know if anyone's heard of Fein, but they make vibrating multitools like the ones doctors use to cut bone in operations. I've got their base model and for jobs too big for the Dremel, it really is one of the best tools I've ever bought.

They run ads all the time in popsci, but I always had a bad feeling about them. Dunno why. Do you have the multi-master or whatever it is? angle grinder style body with the attachment at a 90° angle?
I've seen them advertised with cutting discs as well as triangular sanding pads- does the cutting wheel spin? how does it switch between spinning and vibrating?
Thanks! and btw gotta start up that college toolkit thread again, I won't have much room for my tools this fall..:(

[MunkeyQ]

They run ads all the time in popsci, but I always had a bad feeling about them. Dunno why. Do you have the multi-master or whatever it is? angle grinder style body with the attachment at a 90° angle?
I've seen them advertised with cutting discs as well as triangular sanding pads- does the cutting wheel spin? how does it switch between spinning and vibrating?
Thanks! and btw gotta start up that college toolkit thread again, I won't have much room for my tools this fall..:(
http://www.feinmultimaster.co.uk/images/FSC20_723632.jpg
Yep - the Fein MultiMaster. I bought it at a tool show where they let you test it out as I was sceptical too, but after playing with it I was sold.

The wheel doesn't actually spin at all and you can't make it spin. It moves about 5 degrees back and forth very fast like an oscillating sander with more power, so it's impossible to cut yourself...and anything with enough compliance in it like foam. Awesome for light metalwork but it really kicks butt for woodwork as you can get the blade up close to edges where only a manual saw could normally go. Regardless what the ads say the blades don't like anything more than thin mild steel though...teeth break off.

[Slapshot]

I've always wanted to buy one of these when I was into (platonically) computer modding. I couldn't afford these at the time being a youngin without a job. I'm not into computer modding anymore but I now realize the endless uses this tool can have. And I have income to dispose on this.

SpatulaTzar and gentlemen, I'm talking about the Dremel.

The Home Depot is selling the Dremel 300 w/ 41 accessories and hard-case for $90 canadian.

Yay or nay?

Nay. Use Northern Tools, they're much cheaper. Especially if you aren't sure if you'll be using the tool all the time.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_97+806199

Rotary tool kit with 245 accessories for $59 US. Without acc. $19 (better to buy a small pack of bits from a hardware store if you won't be using it much)

edit: If you plan on using it a lot and want it to last a lifetime, then spend the extra money on a name brand.

[yawanur]

http://www.feinmultimaster.co.uk/images/FSC20_723632.jpg
Yep - the Fein MultiMaster. I bought it at a tool show where they let you test it out as I was sceptical too, but after playing with it I was sold.

The wheel doesn't actually spin at all and you can't make it spin. It moves about 5 degrees back and forth very fast like an oscillating sander with more power, so it's impossible to cut yourself...and anything with enough compliance in it like foam. Awesome for light metalwork but it really kicks butt for woodwork as you can get the blade up close to edges where only a manual saw could normally go. Regardless what the ads say the blades don't like anything more than thin mild steel though...teeth break off.

Wow I didn't expect the wheel to just oscillate, but there's no other way to explain the other attachments. The blades you're talking about are those triangular things with teeth, correct? I like how that works, do they cut relatively fast? Another one for the list...

[reggie_love]

This thread made me remember that I own a bench grinder and a belt sander, tucked away in some dark corner, which suddenly makes my life way easier.

Thanks!

Get a dremel. You never know when you're gonna need one. It may be never, it may be tomorrow.

[MunkeyQ]

Wow I didn't expect the wheel to just oscillate, but there's no other way to explain the other attachments. The blades you're talking about are those triangular things with teeth, correct? I like how that works, do they cut relatively fast? Another one for the list...
The blade looks like a small circular saw blade with finer teeth and a side missing so you can cut right up against stuff...something a normal circular saw can't do. There's loads of attachments in the box - the other most useful ones are a knife edge scraper and a small, thin saw blade.

They don't cut that fast in thick material, but you do get a lot more accuracy and control.