DREMEL cutting wheels?

[digital_blue]

If a dremel tool isn't ideal for making picks, can you tell us what is (aside from a computer-controlled milling machine)?

A dremel is useful for finishing off the detail work, but a bench grinder is far more effective and time efficient for cutting the meat away.

db

[mike-z]

and its also more relyable because dremals break ez-ly like my friend burnt out the moter of one drilling a peice of wood and ive broken many tips and grinding wheels trying to make picks
(sorry for the horrible spelling)

[Genicide]

said that the tungsten carbide cutting tip was much faster than cutting wheels. So I bought one..... and it can barely even scratch a hacksaw blade. Total waste of 9 dollars

The carbide cutting tip (if you got the one that has 1/2 an inch of teeth) sux for cutting but works great for shaping the pick (I find) and lasts much longer than the little grinding wheels or cutting wheels

[Peter Martin]

The best tools to use for making picks are a set of high quality (i.e. Grobet or another swiss company) needle files. I actually use a large/standard size fine cut file to rough the shape--leaving the head as a "blob". Otherwise the grinder is used to rough cut the general shape. Needle files are used for the head.

Either way, using my Dremel is a slow process.

[Chrispy]

That's what they use for impressioning.

[Wade]

aahh... thanks all

[Chance]

The Dremel has saved my skin hundreds of times. I swear by it.

Best tips for any Dremel-type work:

~Make sure your job is held securely to the work table. Vice it. The more stable it is, the better your results.

~Never push the tool. The cutter/sander should be allowed to work at it's own speed. Becoming impatient and pushing the job is the #1 reason for breaking bits and blades.

~Learn to correctly match the various bits with the metal types you are working. Dremel especially has a large selection of tips for different surfaces and metals. Then, rev up the tool to the maximum recommended speed.

~ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. And no, your regular reading glasses doesn't get it.

Chance

[Lowtech]

Yah, chrispy likes to make a good impressionn

[Chrispy]

First impressions last my friend.

[DrStu]

Dremel Fiberglass Reinforced Cut Off Wheels #426 comes in packs of 20

http://www.dremel.com/HTML/home_fr.html

Look under Accessories / Rotory Tool Bits / Cutting

[noorudeenshakur]

I use the dremel carbide cutter tips and shape street sweeper bristles with them. They are fantastic for making picks. If I'm using hacksaw blades I use a grinder for shaping them 95% of the way then the dremel for doing the fine detailing.

The carbide tips rock for making picks and if you can get your hands on some street sweeper bristles your in business. Just look in the side of the curbs, they are easy to find and make perfect picks.

Dremel sells carbide tip pack



it has everything you need to shape beautiful picks

[NKT]

Get a bench grinder. They are about £20 for a cheap one, and even if you grind loads of stuff you will not have to change the "blade" (inch thick grinding wheel) in forever unless you do something really weird. Even hardened steel stands no chance.

As for the Dremel, I tend to clamp the tool and hold the work. The blades are a bugger for wearing fast if you cut into the side, like on a dep cut if you twist the work a little, and they turn to dust in seconds if you "hammer action" them by letting your work judder or vibrate. They also go pop fairly often until you get used to them.

Files are great, but I don't tend to waste them on making picks. They are generally better for making money! I use them for making tools, cutting warding, bumpkeys, making things flat, etc. and if you modify them on your bench grinder you can get files that would otherwise cost a lot with little trouble. Just don't let the file get hot!

[Auto45]

I use the dremel carbide cutter tips and shape street sweeper bristles with them. They are fantastic for making picks. If I'm using hacksaw blades I use a grinder for shaping them 95% of the way then the dremel for doing the fine detailing.

The carbide tips rock for making picks and if you can get your hands on some street sweeper bristles your in business. Just look in the side of the curbs, they are easy to find and make perfect picks.

Dremel sells carbide tip pack


it has everything you need to shape beautiful picks

Nice set, I use them also to go over commercial picks, to fine tune them. my first cheep set I bought a year ago was a stamp set with sharp edges and where to big.
auto

[josh42]

In my opinion, the diamond carbide cutting disks are superior for all purposes. There about five or six dollars for a five pack from harbor freight, but it's worth it. It makes picks from hack saw blades, steak knives, spark guage, and windshield wipers quite well. Very long lasting.

[What]

If a dremel tool isn't ideal for making picks, can you tell us what is (aside from a computer-controlled milling machine)?

A dremel is useful for finishing off the detail work, but a bench grinder is far more effective and time efficient for cutting the meat away.

db

i use my bench grinder to make the entire pick, no more grinding and stuff needed.