Dremel Tool

60 acre hillside · Mar 2, 2015

I am planning to build a sun dial out of thick sheet aluminum. I am considering engraving the numbers and straight lines with a Dremel too. I will machine the circular parts with a fly cutter which I am making now. I have no experience with a Dremel. Any suggestions of what accessories or what grade of tool ?

Dick2 · Mar 2, 2015

Looks at the amperage draw on the tool. Dremel tools draw less amperage than the Black & Decker tool that I have, so the B&D is more powerful and costs less than half the price of a Dremel. Amazon has the B&D for a good price.

Avoid any rotary tool that draws 1 amp; they are just not powerful enough and will fail if used very hard.

I have the large Harbor Freight accessories kit, plus a few Dremel cut-off wheels.

hanovertom · Mar 2, 2015

I have a dremel that is 30+ years old. Enough said

showcrop · Mar 2, 2015

I had a Dremel that didn't come back from being loaned out so I finally got another. I would suggest using a burr for what you are doing. Due to the softness AL tends to just move a little rather than be cut.

C.R. · Mar 2, 2015

The thing with dremel type tools is you have to let the speed of the took do the work it isnt powerfull enough to force it through your work

dr sportster · Mar 2, 2015

You could also mask off the piece in duct tape and sandblast the letters in. Or mask the letters and sandblast the background.

Steve@Advance · Mar 2, 2015

That's going to be tough to do with a Dremel. Couple of reasons, 1st, trying to freehand numbers, well I couldn't do it... 2nd, aluminum tends to ball up in a multi-flute cutter, like a burr. You might get by with a light etching type cut, but trying to go deep is going to be very difficult.

old · Mar 2, 2015

I own 3 of them and love them for things like carb rebuilding. As for what you want to do it will probably work if you use the correct tip and they make a very good many bits/tips for them

jeffcat · Mar 2, 2015

Dremmel makes a little stand that is adjustable. It screws on to the front of the tool. I have done many minny tiny little dado work jobs with it and it works well. Just hang on to it with an iron fist so it will not run away! BOTCHED work!! I would suggest you do it out in the yard with a TINY dribble of water running across the surface. Should keep the aluminum from messing with the burr. The reason is that aluminum melts Instantly. I have one of those hose spray nozzles and when you lock it let the thumb knob off till it just dribbles.

60 acre hillside · Mar 2, 2015

Thank all of you. I am going to order one from Amazon and hope I have other uses for it.

smallercrawler · Mar 2, 2015

Still use the one I bought in 1976, had a mini drill press attachment and a kind of router edge guide with it, but those are lost. Only problem with tool itself is that the cord is getting pretty stiff. Been an excellent "go to" tool over the years.

Little Ed · Mar 2, 2015

You will use it for things you can't imagine right now. Get one with variable speed, faster is not always better. from what you describe, I would use diamond grit burrs, probably a ball end for what you are wanting to do. A carbide ball might be too aggressive, although a double cut carbide would be less aggressive than a single cut. loading with aluminum will be a problem, it just has a natural affinity for carbide. I use WD40 for only two things, lubricating locks and as a lubricant for working with aluminum. Rubbing alcohol will keep your cutters from loading up, also. Don't press hard, a light hand is easier to control. Practice what you are wanting to do on a piece of scrap AL first, and get a feel for it. Of course, lay it out with pencil or marker first, 'til you like the looks of it. Post pics, if you can, when your done. Best of luck.

Mark-Mi · Mar 5, 2015

This is the rotary tool I use. Night and Day better quality than the two Dremels I had. Less vibration and more torque at slow speed. Made in Germany.
rotary tool

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Mar 6, 2015

I wanted a Dremel for years, but could not justify the price in my own mind. About 30 ears ago a local hardware store put a chainsaw sharpener on clearance for $12 that used a Dremel for it's power. I bought it, and used it quite a bit till about 15years ago when I found a digital speed control one on sale with assorted bits for $50. Now my original is just a backup, and I have a fairly good sized fishing tackle box of assorted bits. I also have a router attachment and a drill press stand, though I have never use the outer,and only use the drill press stand as a stationary holder for the Dremel when I am working with something small and need to hold the item by hand. The right angle adapter is also handy, but they tend to vibrate. As you can guess by my description, I use my Dremel way more than I ever expected to. As others have mentioned though, the aluminum will tend to gum up any bit or cutter with teeth. Some of the diamond burrs might work for the aluminum, but I suspect they would gum up also. A Dreme with a pointed carbide or diamond point sill work for removing a broken EZ out too.

Dremel Tool

60 acre hillside

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Dick2

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hanovertom

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showcrop

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C.R.

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dr sportster

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Steve@Advance

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old

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jeffcat

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60 acre hillside

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smallercrawler

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Little Ed

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Mark-Mi

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john .?-!. cub owner

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