[Fuzzy OneThree]

I am just wondering why a good amount of people use Dremels for case work. What makes them so much better than a simple power drill.

And has anyone had success with step drill bits?

 

[-=Germania=-]

Some materials need high speed.

Power drills are unweildly for detail work. Plus, the amount of tips for dremels makes it a true multitasker.

Drill presses are better than the other options most of the time.

Stepped drill bits are the bees knees when it comes to drilling aluminum when I have used them. Made my life easier, especially with a drill press.

 

[Nemo de Monet]

A power drill is all fine and dandy if you want to make round holes.

I've never bothered with step bits; my philosophy is "if you can't put a hole in it with a $10 set of hole saws, it wasn't meant to have a hole in it".

IMO, Dremels are popular with people because they're the immediately obvious choice for putting holes in most things, and the tool-of-last-resort for putting holes in things that a panel-nibbler can't/won't cut.

There might also be that "a Dremel is a hobby tool, but heaven forbid I buy a real drill, lest people think I know how to fix stuff" thing going on, as well.

 

[tintin47]

I have a nice "real" drill and a lot of bits, but half of the time I need to use it, I find myself thinking "man this would be easier with a dremel." Especially casework.

 

[csroc]

I did the hole work for my Millet Starving Student with a standard power drill, a set of drill bits and a stepped drill bit. I was a bit rusty with a stepped bit and wound up with one hole being a small bit bigger than I needed when I didn't pull off soon enough but it still worked out just fine. I used a small round file for making adjustments where needed. All in all though it made working with the aluminum box quite a bit easier although I still would have preferred using a drill press (I just got bored and decided to do it myself at home rather than bug some people I know to see if I could use their presses).

I personally would not want to use a dremel for such things because I find it would be harder to control, steady or guide than a drill. I have seen a dremel press contraption which might make it a decent tool for case work but I don't know how big of a hole you can realistically cut with a single pass with a dremel.

 

[TimmyMac]

Dremels are great for ruining the finish on your nice anodized aluminum front panel

Seriously though, they're alright for that last 10% when you need to make a square hole for something like an IEC input module.

Step drill bits are absolutely amazing and since I bought one for building by Bijou (needed 7/8" holes in heavy gauge steel...) I've found countless uses for it. Amazing for creating recessed jacks and whatnot in wood where you need a hole that's a given size at the front but gets bigger to accommodate the part as the hole goes back.

 

[digger945]

^Totally agree on the step-drill bit.
I paid a lot for a couple of Erwin bits, but really worth it when you need it, and seems to remove material so effortlessly.

 

[compuryan]

They're great for smoothing edges. And cutting square holes. And any place a drill doesn't easily fit. Very handy little tool.

 

[Ech0]

The only thing I use a Dremel for re: casework is to help grind out some of the rough spots when I'm making a square or rectangular hole fininshing out w/a file. Drill press w/stepped bit for the rest. Erwin's are kinda expensive but they last longer and make a cleaner hole, imo.

 

[Punnisher]

Dremels are great when you don't have the right tool for the job.

 

[Uncle Erik]

My corded powe drill does the heavy work, but I clean up with a Dremel. The flexible shaft attachment really helps got into tight spaces, too. But for final finish work on aluminum, nothing beats a set of files and some sandpaper.

 

[bhjazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punnisher /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dremels are great when you don't have the right tool for the job.

Just like a hammer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif My corded power drill does the heavy work, but I clean up with a Dremel.

That's what I do as well. Sometimes the parts don't fit like I think they can, so rounding out holes with a Dremel can work well. But only if I can be sure that any wayward grinding can be properly covered by the parts (washers around isolated RCA jacks, etc.)

 

[KT88]

there's the right toll for every job. Just like you wont use a router to do the finish on a wooded part, you don't use a power drill or fine details.

I own a Dremel, a regular drill, and a standing drill (+ a few others). While compared to the regular drill, the Dremel was very accurate, I hardly use it anymore since I got the standing drill, its very accurate, just for small details, and round cuts/traces.

 

[adamus]

for detailed metal work i now use an abra file (tension file).

makes a perfect job.

 

[Heady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by compuryan /img/forum/go_quote.gif They're great for smoothing edges. And cutting square holes. And any place a drill doesn't easily fit. Very handy little tool.

How does one use a dremel to cut a square hole? Would like to learn this.