Dremel cut-off wheel sizes?

Brian Avila

Brian Avila

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,286
I used a dremel abrasive cut off wheel for cutting out my lock bars for my liner locks.

It is about 0.015" thick. I went through the entire little barrel that I purchased. I was curious about what you guys use and the thickness for your cut off wheels?

I went slow and steady but they are pretty brittle, so I hope to find something that is better, and longer lasting...

-Brian-
 
Brian, did you do it by hand? I used the "thin cut" Dremel wheels on my first framelock (.125" thick Ti) and I only used two wheels. I cut mine on my mill but, I've seen guys using a pretty cool technique on the drill press that I intend to try next. They clamp the liner in a small drill press vise and slide the vise by hand on the table. Seems like the best of hand cutting and milling to me; good feel and control.

Bob
 
12345678910 said:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=116&PARTPG=INLMK32


Screw slotting saws, you will need an arbour too
HSS not carbide

http://www.knifehelp.net/media/docs...d Construction of the Liner-Locked Folder.pdf


page 99

I don't keep linking this book just for fun.
Damn near all your liner lock questions are there.
Click to expand...

Forum just ate my post:

Count:

I have seen your link every time. I own the book and have read it many many times. Just because the answers to my questions are in the book doesn't mean that they are the right answers that work for me. They are methods that work for Bob T. ( On page 99 it says "thin" it doesn't say how thin... ).

I have tried tow different methods. By hand with a dremel, and with the vise and a drill press. I went really slow and stead for both, it took me a long long time (1.5 hours per lock). I hear it is suppose to be quick.

I ask the questions because I have tried two different methods and I had problems. How am I suppose to get the answers if not post to a forum?
 
Brian, I think most of the guys that are using the Dremel wheels are using the .015" thin cut wheels. I saw a post where Don Hanson III said he's cut over 1000 locks by hand using the Dremel wheels. I'm pretty sure he said he gets the whole lock cut with one wheel. I wish I could offer more help but I just don't have the experience. Maybe send Don a PM.

Bob
 
RangerBobTX said:
Brian, I think most of the guys that are using the Dremel wheels are using the .015" thin cut wheels. I saw a post where Don Hanson III said he's cut over 1000 locks by hand using the Dremel wheels. I'm pretty sure he said he gets the whole lock cut with one wheel. I wish I could offer more help but I just don't have the experience. Maybe send Don a PM.

Bob
Click to expand...

I saw that post as well, about one wheel and how many he has done. I figure I must be doing something wrong.

I will email him and ask.
 
Brian,
I use a reinforced cutoff wheel for all my locks. The dremel ones are too brittle and don't last long at high speeds, any lateral pressure and they break. You can try the fiberglass reinforced ones that dremel makes or move up to a larger version. For me they are quick and you don't need to worry about knocking a tooth off of a slitting saw blade. It also depends on the thickness of titanium you are trying to cut.

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/01350719
 
Count: I do appreciate you posting and directing me to the tools.

Chuck: interesting.... I might go that way. I will have to try a couple different ways to find what is easy and works for me.
 
Brian Avila said:
Count: I do appreciate you posting and directing me to the tools.

Chuck: interesting.... I might go that way. I will have to try a couple different ways to find what is easy and works for me.
Click to expand...

Thanks, at least I know you did your own research.


Just like taps, the problam I have with dremel wheels breaking is side pressure.

If it ain't straight it's gonna break.

The drill press and drill vise is a good intermediate measure.
 
Yeah, the taps was all about the wrong size hole. I used all the "correct normal tapping sizes" but found out you have to go a tad bigger with the Titanium. I can tap straight no problem.

Yeah. I think the drill press is a good idea just need to find the right process.
 
Brian, Dremel makes more than one type of cutoff wheel. You should search out the Dremel Fiberglass Reinforced cutoff wheels. I bought a package today at my hardware store for $8.95 for 5 discs but they outlast the standard discs by ten to one so are really less expensive to use. I keep one Dremel tool with cutting disc plugged in all the time and hanging next to my right hand. They will cut for a long time and of course cut better when they are new because their diameter is larger. Don't waste your time with other cutoff wheels. I have twenty or thirty of the regular Dremel wheels and I only keep them in case I run out the good ones. Otherwise I would toss them out because they are terrible in comparison. Larry


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Pacific Abrasives makes cut-off wheels in both normal and reinforced versions. The cut-off disks measure either .006 or .009 im thickness. I've used them for years and love them.
 
Brian Avila said:
I saw that post as well, about one wheel and how many he has done. I figure I must be doing something wrong.

I will email him and ask.
Click to expand...

Hope my email reply helped, Brian. One or Two of the thin #409 cutoff wheels used in a hand held flex shaft hand piece and 5 minutes tops. No vice or drill press. The reinforced wheels are too thick and make a wider cut than I like...
 
Dremel Fiberglass Reinforced cutoff wheels as stated above are the way to go. Those thin "cracker" like cutoff wheels are way too brittle for almost everything.
 
And I've done another thousand or two with those same ones with a crude sliding thingme I made up and a flexible shaft. I usually use two discs per liner I'm splitting. Frank
 
Chuck, my liners are .040" - .065" with most being .050".

If I were using any liners as thick as .125" I'd be using a slitting saw. :)
 
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