So. I'm new here.

Just recently, I'd purchased myself a Dremel, and have been introduced in to the world of Case Modding. I understand that several of you have been doing this for quite some time, and some of you even earn a living from it (which is quite admirable.)

I've been practicing my dremel skills on several pieces of scrap, and aside from my horrible skill


My new concern is not cutting circles or straight lines, but arises with detailed work with the dremel. I hear you guys saying piece #542, #502, et cetera -- none of that means anything, so please attempt to refrain if you decide to give an explanation, and use more laymen terms.

Anyways! On the same piece of scrap that circle was done on, I've tried cutting lettering in to it, using a reinforced cut-of wheel (which was a stock one that came with the Dremel Setup.) And, the wheel itself is much too large to cut some lettering (even if it's semi-large [3"x5"] ) like the letter 'E." I'm not trying to remove block-letters from the material, just simply 'slot' the lettering in. But things like the middle dash line in the 'E' are much too small to fit any of my cutoff disk's, and I don't want to be saddened by hearing "You just have to use a cut-off disk until it's dime-sized." No, I don't own any other tools other than my Dremel, but eventually, yes, I would like to expand my operation and offer these services to people in my area as a career choice, and not as a "Hey, I know a guy that does this." and have a single customer every few months. - -' So, for now, only a Dremel.

So, help me out here, you guys are pretty swanky with this stuff. And if anyone would know, you all would. Oh, tell me how I did with my circle? ^^; I followed the MNPCTech guide for circle cutting. Thanks, guy.

First off, welcome to our humble little home on the 'net...

Quote: Originally Posted by Jordan.Misner I hear you guys saying piece #542, #502, et cetera -- none of that means anything...

The store where you bought the Dremel should also sell individual bits, along with the cutoff wheels and such. At the top of each pacage there should be a number, designating which bit is in the package. THAT's what people are talking about when they talk about cutoff wheel #426, or diamond-tip engraving bit #582 (just for example, probably not the righht numbers anyways...), as seen HERE

As far as the cutoff wheels, that's what their primary use is, cutting stuff off. The stock ones are good for general purpose cutting, but the reinforced ones (#426, I think) are the best bang or the buck if you're going to be doing a lot of cutting. You CAN use them to do what you're talking about, but if you don't have any wheels that are already the right size, go ahead and get used to being saddened. Unless you start the slot with the cutoff wheels, and then use a reciprocating saw with a metal bit to finish the line, you're going to have to save the worn-down cutoff wheels and use them instead.

Your level of ability is only limited by your imagination, and your willingness to try and fail in order to learn to do it better...

Thanks, mate~

I kind of figured that. I was simply curious if there was a dedicated bit that could be used for such precision line-cuts such as that. Even though the Cut-Off Wheels use nicely for that sort of purpose, some of the smaller cuts will be hard to manufacture. I was going to post a picture or two of my first circle-cut, but the forums require me to have 15 posts, and I'm not the type of person to spam. Maybe later.

So, aside from that, I appreciate your bluntness by saying "Prepare to be saddened." But, I'm sure I'll find another way around it by snapping a few bits into my arms. ; ; It's a big learning experience, but I'm a smart guy who plans on expanding from a single showpiece or two, in to a whole shop.

I've seen 'High Speed Cutter" bits (that look like some sort of crazy Drill-Bit) be used for rounding corners, so I'm sure another bit will give me an effect similar to what I'm looking for. I thought about using the "Drywall" cutter piece to try and attempt what I'm looking for, but alas, I'm fearful of snapping the bit and piercing my arm. I'm a very careful / paranoid person. I say this, because I'm only cutting through ABS Plastic, and I use my cut-off wheel like I'm trying to un-embed it from titanium, and the slightest wrong move will snap and shatter it.

I have a wide imagination, and a lot of ideas, so I hope you guys will welcome me when I start getting in to the more case-y mods. I plan on doing much more than PC Cases, though. ^^; So, look out, and thanks for the reply. I appreciate it, it was almost encouraging. Heh.

-Jordan.

I have yet to find something my Dremel could not destroy, defile, mutilate and manipulate.

and:

Quote: Originally Posted by fatsobob my dremel only has two speeds 35,000 rpm and anything below that it just says pussy speed

Best quote in PimpRig history.

For small details like the lettering you describe, I like to save my cutoff wheels that get worn down. Once they get to a certain point I will pull the wheel off to save for small detail cuts but this does not always get the job done. For the hard to reach details I just get as close as I can and finish off with needle files also called jewelry files. These small file tools can get time consuming but well worth the end result.