Dremel Bits

I'm looking at using my dremel to cut out ribs/etc from 1/4" birch ply. What bit do you guys recommend? They have the standard duty cutting bit but I'm not sure if that'll have the oompf to cut out an entire battleship.

-Will

 

I would highly recommend a scroll saw or band saw. The problem with using a dremel, is that cutting wheels that have enough omph to cut 1/4" ply, like the EZ544 (which I have), do not corner very well and tend to bind. Getting the carbide wheel and EZ lock mandrel approaches the price of a cheap scroll saw from Harbor Freight at $40 after tax. For about double that, you should be able to get a workable scroll saw that will last you a few years. I picked up a Skill brand scroll saw from Lowes a few years ago for just $99 plus tax, and have built three boats from the keel up with it.

 

Hm I had always thought scroll saws were more expensive. Forgive my lack of knowledge in this area, woodworking is not exactly my expertise. I'm more of an automotive guy. I'm more at home with impact guns than saws, other than the sawzall

I'll have to look into Lowes. After quickly perusing their site I see a 1.2 amp skil scroll saw for under $100. Is the HF scroll saw any good? The reviews are decent, and I've had decent luck with their tools.

 

All you can do is try it out and if you don't like it return it and get something else. If you want to save you can always go cheaper but that's up to you. I have one my dad gave me that is I don't know how old but it works great. Could always try Craigslist.

 

Dude you're welcome come up here for a day, we can hangout and get everything cut up on my scroll saw.

 

If you can get your hands on a scroll saw, grab it and don't let go. Believe me, they're your friend. I build my first ship with only a little electric scroll saw. After it died for a little while, I realized how much I depended on it.

Best advice would to get a scroll saw and use it, whether it be a hand/table. You'll learn to love it.

Beaver

 

Thanks Chris, I know I'm welcome up at your shop and I'm grateful for that. I'm just trying to figure out my own mini-boat-shop setup, for when I don't have the time to drive 2.5 hrs in either direction to either you or the MD guys. I'm going to need something soon anyway, the NC I picked up needs new decks pretty bad and I want to "do it right" ya know? Plus Becky is gearing up to do her Warspite build, the last thing I would want to do is drive up to you and then hog your saw all day cutting parts for 2 boats. Was hoping the plunge/cut dremel bits would suffice for my deck, but if a few $$ more will get me a scroll saw why not?

 

I'd love to take you up on that offer someday Clark, but it is a bit of a drive to get there for a build day/weekend. Luckily I'm fairly close to Will. You would have been proud of us last weekend at regionals, we slapped together a button mod for one of Will's radio in true Tugboat fashion, it isnt super pretty but it works.

 

Yeah if you can swing the $$ for a scroll saw then do that, they are immensely useful for boat building. Try Craigslist or something, I got a second-hand one while I was in college and I'm still using it.

 

I wouldn't touch 1/4 ply with a dremel.... andandinch:andandand .. and a few other words like that..:blink:



Get a scroll saw, not only will it save your fingers, gut it will give you better cuts on the wood. A dremel cutting out patterns is not a good idea! Hit the garage sales and craiges list... louisville.craigslist.org/search/ you can get a good one cheap.

 

Ouch - now That's your problem - a rotary saw blade on a dremel.
I think he was looking more for one of these spiral cut bits www.stanleysupplyservices.com/dreme...t/p/22-565 which work OK but are much harder to control than a scroll saw. Pretty useful sometimes, though.
Another handy Dremel tool is the www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/CategoryProducts.aspx
And, for that matter, Dremel makes scroll saws. I had not seen this version before: www.walmart.com/ip/25067694

Of course, Harbor Freight has versions of the MultiMax and scrollsaws that are not horrible and are reasonably inexpensive.
Another handy tool they carry is the www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/s...92158.html
I have the B&D version, and find it a must have.
Cheers,
Wreno

 

I just rely on my scroll saw.... cut close to the lines and then sand to the lines later.. I have used the dremel cutting bit for windows in the hull.. but you have to go slow as it will not cut straight if you hurry.

 

That is what I usually do as well. It is pretty hard to control a straight cut with a spiral cut blade without a jig. On the other hand, the Dremel MultiMak oscillating tool is easy to control for cutting windows. Interestingly, if you have a Multimax already, they now have a coping saw attachment for it thet is much like a scroll-saw and might be just dandy (though you are still moving the tool instead of the wood, and the throat is not as deep). www.youtube.com/watch
May have to pick one of those up for my Multimax - I can see where it would be quite handy at times.
Cheers,