Dremel

[Gamingphreek]

I was in Sears the other day and was seriously thinking about getting a dremel. I have always liked craftsmen for the quality and warranty, but what about Dremel brand. I am willing to spend around $40. Anyone have anygood ones. Also i want to make a hole in my case window, put a grill there and slep on a 82 or 90mm fan (or a 120 if that is a better option). So do i need a special bit for it.

Now are there any better alternatives to a dremel. How are jigsaws, cause i have one of those. If those are good any special things i need for it?

-kevin

 

[fast_eddie]

If I were to purchase a 'Dremel'-type tool today I would get a Black+Decker RTX. A better design (separate on/off & speed selecting switches - a problem for me with my multi-speed Dremel), more torque, and better balance in my hand. Price is ~ 25-30% less than a genuine Dremel brand tool.

 

[pavy]

hello

the dremel i have is old, but i'm not sure how old. i'd say 10 or more years. anyways, it was made for woodworking and very fine procedures like that, so pc modding is a natural for it. it looks just like a normal dremel, except for where the bit is, there is a rubber looking hose extension that extends the bit from where it would normally be about 4 feet. with this, you can rest the dremel on the table, and the only weight you have to support is the end of the hose, which weights nothing basically. this way, your arm doesn't wear out, and you can make more precise, more enduring cuts. i'm not sure if they sell them anymore, or if they sell the extensions, but it is definatly something to look into. it's amazing the difference.

 

[echow87]

that is called a flexshaft, it comes with some of the dremel kits...usually the ones that have 80+ acccesories included

 

[Mday]

Things you need:

Corded drill
drill bit big enough for a jigsaw blade to get through
drill bit just big enough to cut for screw holes if you need them
jig saw
jig saw blade with fine teeth (for cutting SHEET METAL)
googles
gloves
cutting lubricant (light machine oil)
file
masking tape (2" prefered since its huge)
ruler
permanent marker (sharpie).

Here is what you need to do:
mark and measure for the fan (use the masking tape to protect your case)
drill holes for the screws (if needed) - use lubricant
drill holes to allow the jigsaw blade to fit through - use lubricant
cut out the hole with your jigsaw - use lubricant
deburr with the file

make sure your working surface and supports prevent denting and warping of the case\panel.
the hole drilling should be done at a low rpm. the jigsaw cutting should be high. i dont recommend orbital action for the jigsaw if you have a jigsaw that does this.

the jigsaw will cut 100x faster than the dremel. if you have PERFECT CONTROL, the jigsaw will produce a rougher cut. if you dont have PERFECT CONTROL, the jigsaw may slip causing you to go inside\outside of the lines. if you have PERFECT CONTROL, the dremel will cut a very clean line since you go so DAMN SLOW. If you dont have PERFECT CONTROL, since the dremel is high rpm, it'll slip and remove paint from a part of the case panel you dont want (you can always cut with the inside facing up.)

REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST.

--
btw, i have a craftsman rotary tool that i got a few years back... when i peeled off the label... it said dremel.

anyway, i also have one of the cutting tools that takes a 1/4" shank also craftsman.