Recommendation for Dremel Metal Cutting Disk

[mike_lawyer]

I am in the process of cutting down some Kato Mikado frames for kitbashes, and my old reliable Dremel Cutoff Disk broke.  Does anyone have a good recommendation for a good metal Dremel cutoff disk for cutting away loco frame material?  Thanks.

Mike

[woodone]

Try some diamond coated wheels. They last a lot longer and do not break. I also recommend using a jewelers saw.
You can remove sections at a time with out getting the frame so hot you can not hold it.

[dangerboy81]

I use this. It has done a few frames for me.
https://www.amazon.ca/Dremel-199-High-Speed-Cutter/dp/B00004UDGP
 Something like this to smooth out any rough spots.
https://us.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/accessories/194-high-speed-cutter
Oh, I should be clear, this is what I used for diesel frames to fit speakers. Not sure if they would be too rough for what you need.

[randgust]

Get used to buying and replacing the abrasive disks and lay in a good supply.  You will wear the edge off of the diamond one fairly quickly, and then it won't cut at all, but the sides are still excellent

And if ever there was a tool and project that requires eye protection, this is it, as one slip with an abrasive disk and they will shatter.  And what you are cutting will likely get hot enough you'll want a good pair of leather gloves.

This is another project I always do OUT of the regular train room, usually outside, as the spray of metal gets everywhere.

Yeah, I wish I had a real milling machine, I used to have a local friend that let me borrow his.

[peteski]

Randy has some good safety advice there.

Yes, there is a reason those Dremel cutoff disks are sold in a tubs of 36 pieces:  they will wear down and often shatter, especially when the cut gets deeper, and both the tool and the item being cut are held in hands (not fastened securely to a solid surface).  If slightly askew, the disk will jam in the cut slot, and shatter.



I have multiple mandrels, and save some of the partially worn disks for jobs which are done in tight quarters.  One of the mandrels has 2 disks on it. I did that to make a wider slot.

[mike_lawyer]

Eye protection is always a must for these projects, I have safety goggles that have worked well for years.

I tried a couple of diamond-coated disks but those did not cut through locomotive frames as well, so I wanted to see what everyone else was using.  Looks like the standard Dremel cutoff disks might be best.  I just ordered a pack of 36 of them.

[metalworkertom]

I use saws over cut off discs wherever I can. Jewelers saws work good , they take a little practice and blade breakages are common learning. Scroll saws work good on many metals as well as wood .
When I do have to use a cutoff wheel (we call them death wheels ) I use a face shield and safety glasses as well. I buy the best wheel possible fiber reinforced not the abrasive only bonded . Just food for thought.

[Sumner]

....Yeah, I wish I had a real milling machine, I used to have a local friend that let me borrow his.

I like my mill ....



.... but most of the time I'll use....



the Dremel type tool with a flex shaft.  Assortments of die grinder bits are ....



... cheap for it on eBay and Amazon.

I have a video on YouTube showing how ease it is to use it....

Granted it doesn't do as pretty a job as the mill and you end up taking off maybe a bit more weight but it is a lot faster and cheaper than buying a mill if you don't have the need for one for anything else.  At my age I'll give up some 'pretty' for a little more speed in getting a project done so that I can finish more of them.

As has been mentioned a good jeweler's saw is my first go to If I can use it in an area. 



It is fast and efficient.  I've found one like above to work better than most you find where they adjust the tension on the blade using only the bow by sliding it at the top of the frame.  The one above has that method of setting the tension but also has the thumb screw at the front of the saw where you can do a final tension and get the blade really tight.  I find it helps to speed the cutting and cut down on broken blades and the saw is only $12.

More videos, links and other info on the above here....

http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Decoder-1/Decoders-Index.html

Sumner

[MK]

I buy the best wheel possible fiber reinforced not the abrasive only bonded . Just food for thought.

Same here.  The fiber reinforced ones last longer and more importantly don't shatter if you look at them the wrong way.  Their kerf is larger but you can always factor that in.  If you want the thinnest kerf for difficult areas then the abrasive only discs that come like 3 dozen to a pack or so is your only choice.

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-EZ406-02-Cut-Off-Mandrel-Cutting/dp/B000FBLRVA