Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

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Laredo Matt
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Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Laredo Matt »

Has anyone used a Dremel for fine cuts and grind on body sheet metal?

I've been using my angle grinder and 3" cut off wheel to this point but there are some cuts I need to make to clean things up and grind where I can't use my grinder or cut off wheel.

I'm doing things at home, no compressor, so using battery or A/C powered tools.

I'm not sure how capable a Dremel is on 18 ga. sheet metal. Is that a good choice with sufficient power or is there some other tool in the 1" range I should be purchasing?

I've been asking a lot of questions...learning as I go so appreciate the inputs.

thanks, matt
Matt
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Stuka
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Stuka »

It can work fine, but because of the limited size of cut off wheels that can work with them, if you have to do a lot of cutting, you will go through a lot of wheels.

18 gauge is pretty thin, so if your question is only "will it cut", the answer is yes.
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Topic author
Laredo Matt
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Laredo Matt »

Thanks Stuka.

I'll just plan to buy a bunch of wheels. Not a lot of cuts but still.

Also checking for electric die grinders to see what is available. It was also suggested.

"it will cut" :)
Matt
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Stuka »

Laredo Matt wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 3:28 pm Thanks Stuka.

I'll just plan to buy a bunch of wheels. Not a lot of cuts but still.

Also checking for electric die grinders to see what is available. It was also suggested.

"it will cut" :)
Another Forged in Fire fan I see :)

And an electric die grinder would be a better solution if you can justify buying a tool for the job. MUCH better cutting wheel options.
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Topic author
Laredo Matt
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Laredo Matt »

I am indeed :-)

At this point, I'm further in than I was ever planning to go so I might as well do it right and get the right tool.
Matt
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Hspencer
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Hspencer »

There’s this, I have several of there m12 tools and have been very pleased with them.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/ ... rs/2485-20


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Topic author
Laredo Matt
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Laredo Matt »

Hspencer wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 7:53 pm There’s this, I have several of there m12 tools and have been very pleased with them.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/ ... rs/2485-20


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Love the idea. A little concerned by the number of 1* ratings on the milwaukee website from long time customers who complain it won't run under load. Need to do some more research. Conceptually, like it.
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Stuka »

When it comes to grinders, get a corded version. The cordless ones are great to bring on the trail for emergency use. But for this, get a corded one.
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SJTD
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by SJTD »

I just use a plain ole 4" grinder. Bulkier but works fine except in really close places.

Sumpin like dis: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-6-Am ... /203231751

But with cutoff wheels, of course.
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by threepiece »

Laredo Matt wrote: Thu Feb 18, 2021 1:12 pm Has anyone used a Dremel for fine cuts and grind on body sheet metal?

thanks, matt
Dremel is a company that makes electric powered hand tools. They are mostly known for their version of a 1/8” Rotary Tool or (Die Grinder)

I would not be trimming sheet metal on a vehicle with an 1/8” grinder by choice. A 1/4” grinder will provide much more power where finesse is not needed.

Don’t forget about metal snips. I have grinders of all types in my shop that I routinely use. I find myself forgetting sometimes that a snips would be better suited to some jobs.
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Hspencer
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Hspencer »

Depending on what you’re cutting and where you could try a jigsaw with a metal blade. I’ve used a jigsaw to cut flat patch panels, I’m a carpenter by trade so it was just easier for me. Never tried it on a body but I’ve seen lots of people use pneumatic reciprocating saws which use the same jigsaw blade.


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SJTD
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by SJTD »

Threepiece reminds me of another tool that works but is really slow. This is a powered version but you can get a hand operated. https://www.harborfreight.com/pistol-gr ... 98580.html

You can go straight across a panel with it unlike shears leaving you with a roll of metal about 1/8" wide.
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by letank »

Dremel is good for small project, I have used it for trimming and derusting, I know that some have done major body work and you can buy the cutting disk by pack of 20.

Air power tools are a good option -the air sheer is a good recommendation-, but you will need the better air compressor, check the notice for the amount of psi and gallon to keep up with the power tool. I have a air rotary tool, it is nice as the air exhaust cleans the area, but my compressor is not good enough, after 20sec it runs out of air.

Cordless grinder are weak, I have the M18 grinder, it ran out so fast that I could not finish cutting that FSJ roof at the junkyard, the cordless sawzall was much better.
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Artif
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Artif »

Another tool I've found good for cutting is a nibbler, but a mains powered die grinder is a very versatile tool
https://sensibledigs.com/nibbler-drill-attachments/
79 J20 258 4speed
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1978J10REDWHITE
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by 1978J10REDWHITE »

Artif wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 1:23 pm Another tool I've found good for cutting is a nibbler, but a mains powered die grinder is a very versatile tool
https://sensibledigs.com/nibbler-drill-attachments/
I wonder about the tip getting dull , them=n what, buy another new tip?
There is no real good way to sharpen it either.

Artif
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Artif »

They do need replacing occasionally, but I only paid £30 (around 45bucks) for mine which has a double headed cutter and a spare cutter in the box.
Its done a fair bit of work on the truck bed repairs and its still on the original cutter
79 J20 258 4speed
Right hand drive built for the UK, where it and I live.

Topic author
Laredo Matt
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Laredo Matt »

Artif wrote: Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:22 pm They do need replacing occasionally, but I only paid £30 (around 45bucks) for mine which has a double headed cutter and a spare cutter in the box.
Its done a fair bit of work on the truck bed repairs and its still on the original cutter
Thanks Artif. I decided to purchase a die gringer and set of carbide tips for de-burring and grinding. I like the power of the die grinder so spent a little more and hopefully will use it for years to come...just not on the jeep. It needs to be done sooner or I'll go nuts :D
Matt
83 Cherokee Laredo WT
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GEN III LS Swap (LM7 block)
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Re: Dremel for percision cuts and edge grinding?

Post by Artif »

Try and get a variable speed one if you can, using the right speed for the disc/burr/brush makes a significant difference to their longevity
79 J20 258 4speed
Right hand drive built for the UK, where it and I live.
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