Guest jdllaugh Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 Anybody used a Dremel to cut 18-gauge sheet metal? I'm curious if their little cutoff wheels will actually cut metal that thick? I've been using my 4 1/2 inch angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut up my rusty floors, but it would be nice to have something to do finer cuts in tight quarters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 The cutting wheel has very limited wear, and is very fragile. It would not cut much sheet metal before disintegrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 I've actually cut through a 1 1/8" crankshaft with one before. It took about 6 cutting wheels. The hardest part was keeping the cut on the same plan as the disc. Once you start to get in a bind, kiss the wheel good bye. They shatter very easily. Eye protection is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 An el cheapo sabre saw with a metal cutting blade works perfectly on 18 gauge steel. I think 24 tpi. Or use a sawsall or air powered saw if you have either one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 Yeah, a dremel will work. But a better way to do it is to invest $30 in a cheap pawn shop die grinder. When the cutoff wheel begins to wear down, take it off and save it for tight cuts. Doing stuff like that with a Dremel isn't easy, since the disks shatter so easy. Of course, I guess you could use a reinforced fiberglass disk instead of the cheap oxide disks. It would cost more, but last a LOT longer. In any case, be careful. I've got a few friends who swear that Dremels bite them more than any other tool they own. Maybe they just pack too much power in too small a package to control easily, I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatbum Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 I agree with Scott on this one - get a grinder. I just chopped the top on my '78 280 about 2 weeks ago and cut out the wheel wells. So I have a little recent experience. I used a combination of: 1. Rotozip with cutoff wheel 2. 24V Bosch cordless Sawzall with numerous blades 3. $19 grinder from Harbor Freight with the 4.5" cutoff wheels. Although I really liked the feel of the sawzall - it ate blades and would "bounce" the metal in areas where there was open space - thereby limiting its usefulness. The rotozip would bite and just about tear my arm off - not to mention those tiny wheels just didn't last (I think it took about 4 wheels to make it 1/3 of the way around the wheel well:bonk: The grinder is still going strong - I killed 6 wheels but with a 10 pack going for about $11 - What a deal. My vote - grinder. And it was a whole kit for $19 - sanding pads, cutoff wheel, wire brush, etc. Just my $.02 and my experience. Teo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 Air nibbler. Opened the wheel wells on my 240 perfectly and it took all of 5 minutes for all 4. It took more time to draw the cut lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 Alright, who has the CNC industrial laser??? Don't ya just hate other guys alway having more tools than you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 Mr. Auri Goldfinger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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