Cutaways with a Dremel: Doable, not, or just a bad idea?

[sisk]

I've got a shutter lock that I'd really like to see inside. I don't think it's anything special (5 standard pins), but it feels a little strange picking it, like maybe one of the driver pins is within micrometers of being too short, long enough to bind but short enough for the plug to move a bit before it does.

Anyway, the tools avalable to me for such an endeavor are a hacksaw, a Dremel, and an assortment of pen files. I've no doubt that I could file down to the springs with the pin files and turn it into a practice lock, but I was thinking that a cutaway would be nice to have since I've already made three practice locks and bought a 4th (mostly for the pins it came with, if you're wondering) The problem I'm having with the idea of making a cutaway is....well, not the lack of a milling machine on my list of available tools. So how practical is it to use a Dremel in place of a milling machine? Is this a case of "It can be done if you have a steady hand" or simply "What kind of hairbrained idiot would even try that"?

[blue60]

give it a shot, whats the worst that can happen? you break a cheap little lock.
I have seen some great work done with nothing but basic tools.
just dont rush, enjoy the process and you will make something you are proud of.

[GWiens2001]

Have made cutaways with a hacksaw and files. I agree with Blue60 - go for it.

Gordon

[ltdbjd]

I've tried using a cut-off wheel and using a grinding wheel. Both worked, but as long as I cut straight, I found the cut-off wheel looked cleaner. I also tried using a bandsaw, but I found even with a lot of blade tension, I still couldn't cut very straight. There was just too much play in the blade.