dremel or grinder

[josh0094]

im starting a poll to see how many people use a dremel to make picks.
and how many people use a grinder to make picks.

i like to use a dremel because i can use it on just about anything so i beleave its a better cost investment.

[Wrenchman]

What about those that have none of the aforementioned?

What about those that likes to use both of the aforementioned?

What about those that just likes to use a file and or sand paper?

I couldn't vote as I haven't got any of the above mentioned tools!

I wish I had though!



Wrenchman

[Eyes_Only]

I can't vote either cos I like both. Sometimes you only need to take a little bit off the metal to bring it to the right shape. Other times you might have to grind away large portions of the material, something a dremel can't really do all the time without wearing it out..

[ady1989]

Dremel for me. I'll use a grinder if I have to but I prefer my dremel. The dremel grinding bit is a lot smaller than that of a grinder so it fits in tighter places. What I like to do is use old and worn dremel grinding wheels in tight spots. some that were cylindrical end up conical. Perfect for bogotas and the like.

[MBI]

If the choice was between a regular (dry) grinder and a Dremel I’d vote for the Dremel. I voted for grinder though because you didn’t specify which type of grinder and I prefer my wet grinder over a Dremel for rough shaping of picks, then I like to finish up with needle files. If I don’t feel like working in the garage or if my wife wants to watch a movie together I’ll just sit with a tray in my lap (to catch metal filings) and do the rough shaping with an Eze-Lap diamond hone before finishing up with the needle files.

The Dremel is a fantastic tool but I find that when using one to make picks I often slip and gouge it, or otherwise remove too much material. I realize that it’s just my clumsiness and not the tool’s fault though. My methods are probably slower than others, but I find that I get more satisfaction watching the pick gradually take shape. Sometimes while going along at an easy pace I’ll get ideas for subtle design changes as I work, and the slow pace allows me to change course mid project.

[Stray]

Personally I use 4 "tools": Grinder, dremel, files and sand paper. But seeing as I've never made a pick (other than bogotas) without a grinder, and I have made a few picks without a Dremel....

I can live without a dremel, but a grinder just saves so much time on removing excess metal...

[josh0094]

so looks like about 50 50!. but however it does seem like grinders are more dangerous then a dremal

[criminalhate]

dremels are just as dangerous if not more dangerous then a grinder. If either are used improperly they can cause alot of damage to your items or your self. A dremel is handheld and depending on the bit used you can do far more damage to yourself if you slip (diamond coated grinding bit, It slips and now you your girnding your leg because you didn't want to put the piece in a vice). Remember any tool is safe as long as they are used properly and treated with care.

[Jaakko]

but however it does seem like grinders are more dangerous then a dremal

Well, grinders don't jump and tear away flesh as they touch your hand.

[linty]

Gotta say, grinders seem far more dangerous to me than dremels.

Grinders are predictable, they don't move, and the wheels don't shatter.

I've contacted my grinder wheel many times (lightly) with no injury but I doubt a dremel would be as forgiving. It has a smaller surface area (so it would cut deeper faster) and rotates about 8x as fast at full speed.

[linty]

On second thought, the RPM probably isn't relevant since a 1" dremel at 10000 rpm would have a moving surface of 31400 inches / second and a 6" grinder at 3500 rpm would move at about 66000 inches / second.

But I think the smaller contact area here still makes the dremel a more dangerous tool.

[zeke79]

Grinder is by far my favorite tool for making picks if I have to choose between just a dremel or a grinder.

I use a grinder for rough shaping and small files for the medium shaping and medium finish work and a few grades of sandpaper for final finish.

It takes too much time to make a pick from a dremel, the bits are pretty expensive when you look at them in relation to how long they last. So once again, if I could only have one of the two tools for making picks, it would be a grinder.

[josh0094]

hmmm. see ive never sliped when using a dremel. i mainly use the grinding wheel attachment and theres no sighns of ware on it after 10 + picks

[therealmuffinman]

i use a dremel because that is the only tool i have, im going to buy a set of files to make some bogotas like rai but besides that im gona stick with my dremel, is a bench grinder that good to where i should buy one? or am i fine with my dremel?

[josh0094]

ide say fine with dremel but im just a noob.