breaking cutting wheels

[Kranberry]

when i was making a clouple i.e 3, mounts out of plastic during the time i had broken 5 cutting wheels on my dremal:-( is there something iam doing wrong? and is there a right or a wrong way to cut using a dremal?


thanks in advance for the help
-chris

[Double J]

When you were cutting was the cutting wheel in between the material?
If so you probably just twisted inside the cut or something and broke it.

I don't beleive there is a right or wrong way to use or hold a dremel.
when cutting just keep it straight as possible.

Besides you can buy more and they are under $10.






what really sucks is when you used the container for something else and they are scattered all around the work bench and a crap load of stuff is on top of them. Then time to get another out and where the hell are they.?

['83 chevy]

at least it wasnt a bigger wheel, i have had 2 break on me before(one was on a 4" electric grinder, the other an air die grinder), they dont break they explode

anyway you might have pinched it and it just broke. dremal wheels suck.

[Kranberry]

Originally Posted by Double J

When you were cutting was the cutting wheel in between the material?

it was in the material.
could it heat up and break?

[mrmaxxman]

i try to make a few light passes at first instead of trying to cut all the way through at once... they still break every once in a while,

[mrmaxxman]

i try to make a few light passes at first instead of trying to cut all the way through at once... they still break every once in a while,

[tmaxxking1]

Sounds Like Your Using The Thinner Discs

IF They Keep Breaking Double Them Up

[obijuan]

they have reinforced ones. if i were you i would wear saftey glasses when using dremel cutoff wheels. dont ask.

[DumpsterRC]

Yes, the thin discs are not good for much. You need the fiber reinforced ones.

Also, don't forget about the hacksaw when cutting plastic. Fast cutting and cheap. With a little practice it will cut straight.Drilling the corners and cutting into them will give a nice radius to inside corners.

As long as I've already changed the subject. Most woodworking tools work good for cutting plastic. Tablesaw, chopsaw, router, belt sander, etc.

[bluonyx]

Originally Posted by obijuan

they have reinforced ones. if i were you i would wear saftey glasses when using dremel cutoff wheels. dont ask.

I onyl use the reinforced ones now, and never break a wheel anymore. The thinner ones suck.

[Kranberry]

there the thin ones.
i didn't even think about doubleing em up
and yes i where saftey glasses first time it broke flipped up and hit me in the neck left a little mark the shape of a shatterd egg

[Nlee111]

Originally Posted by cjkranwinkle@cableone.net

there the thin ones.
i didn't even think about doubleing em up
and yes i where saftey glasses first time it broke flipped up and hit me in the neck left a little mark the shape of a shatterd egg

*l* Get the little quick connect thingie with the biger discs They are much better

[Mnster]

Fiber wheels is the only way to go.

[Cloak]

I believe you can also soak them in automatic transmission fluid and it helps them not break. I'm not sure if that holds for the fiber-reinforced ones or just the cheap thin ones.

[slobin3d]

you're going to fast, the plastic melts and binds up the blade. do a couple of scores across the top of the line you wan tto cut to remove small amounts of the plastic, then slowly cut through the entire piece. also if youre dremel is variable speed try slowing it down some

[Kranberry]

Originally Posted by slobin3d

if youre dremel is variable speed try slowing it down some

its on the lowest speed and its not a dremal brand dremal but still has a speed control

[gone_wheelin]

Originally Posted by slobin3d

you're going to fast, the plastic melts and binds up the blade. do a couple of scores across the top of the line you wan tto cut to remove small amounts of the plastic, then slowly cut through the entire piece. also if youre dremel is variable speed try slowing it down some

Yeah I had that happen with the cheaper acrylic sheet. Was drilling into it and the bit got stuck then broke. I talked with the guys at the plastics shop and he said there are two types of acrylic, a cheap one and a GP rated, which is good for working with.

[kacz7895]

i went to lowes and saw they had a dimond blade cut off wheel it worked great better than the fiber cut off wheels and i was cutting plastic

[Benny]

Make sure that when you cut, the Dremmel isnt binding. Also, ive found that pushing too hard while cutting can make the wheels break easier. Basically, go nice and slow and steady to ensure you dont snap as many wheels.

[thaclodking]

I picked up the steel saw blade which works very well for plastic. You just have to take it slow so you don't melt the plastic. The blade also works well on tires.