Calnus Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 So, I'm looking to upgrade from my X-acto knife and flat cutters to some kind of power tool for doing conversions, maybe a dremel. Has anyone used some kind of rotary tool on GW plastics before? Are most of them too fast, and melt the plastic? Or should I find a little hand drill for that kind of work? I'd also like to see if anyone knows a good saw brand, or a good kind of tool to make long straight cuts. I keep wanting to use something like a hobby-scale jigsaw on a few of my projects, but my knife control doesn't work so well, and the small hobby saw I found is too large for tight spaces, and can't cut very deep. Any advice? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stercus Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 If you buy a dremel, try to get one with variable speed settings. They're a good tool, reliable and easy to get bits for, but the variable speed is worth the extra money. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3538395 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Variable speed is what I'd advocate too. If you are stuck with a dremel that spins too fast then there's not a lot you can do about it, with a variable speed you can start slow an up the rpm to what you and the mini are comfortable with. ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3538666 Share on other sites More sharing options...
irwit Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 I got a really cheap dremel fake and its awesome. Theres no variable speed but I just hold the spinning part with my fingers and control it that way. Its comes with loads of different parts and theres only really metal that it struggles to cut through. Here you go for the link. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Am-Tech-60Pc-Mini-Drill-Grinder/dp/B0012XFGVC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1388137865&sr=8-4&keywords=hobby+drill You can find cheaper on ebay. You may also want a set of drill bits, equally as cheap http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toolzone-20Pc-Microbox-Precision-Drills/dp/B002NH8MX0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388137908&sr=8-1&keywords=hobby+drill+bits Ive been tempted to get a proper dremel but so far havent found the need. Maybe I would try one out and realise why they are better but for now mine will do. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3554976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadespyre Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 You can get by with cheap but variable speed control is great, if you can turn it down to hardly moving all the better for drilling - it gives you much better control, will make your drill bits and so on last longer, and save you from melting plastic parts (yes, that is definitely a thing!). To be honest though if you don't work with metal you can do it all with a pin vise. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3558496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadGreek Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Variable speed Dremmel or similar. I use the faster speed with a cutting blade to cut through metal bits, and a slower speed with a round tip to smooth out the rough spots. Also, drill bit makes pinning easier, start slow to get a starting spot, and then gradually speed up to drill your hole. Variable speed is VITAL. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3559469 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stercus Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I got a variable speed dremel with a whole load of different attachments last Xmas for about £30 on a promotional deal in a well known British hardware concern (that may well be called "Branston and quentin's"), and its truly excellent. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3559608 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daevyll Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I use a Dremel Stylus, it is cordless with a pistol grip and has variabele speed settings. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3561937 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warsmith Aznable Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I use this Dremel tool, which I got because it was inexpensive and came with a few heads. As a CSM player it's almost necessary to have some type of rotary tool to remove Imperial icons as quickly as possible, more so if you're doing fortifications. This one is two speed, light enough to hold like a pen, and cordless. The cordless thing has positive and negative aspects, like for any cordless power tool. I like it because I can get up and walk out on the porch to do some grinding if I'm in the middle of a project without it becoming a game of 'where are my extension cords?' Of course, sometimes it becomes an episode of 'oops, forgot to plug the pack into the charger...' I'm sure there are better rotary tools than this one, but it's an inexpensive entry-level tool that can do basic work. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3562042 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Are there any bits that can be used on plastic? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3581631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phalanx Warder Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 The wife dragged me out shopping the other day and I saw one of these http://www.amazon.com/World-Pride-Electric-Manicure-Grooming/dp/B009CSJB56/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1391329025&sr=8-7&keywords=electric+manicure+set and instantly purchased it. Awesome for correcting mold lines and grinding down symbols and what not however I would not recommend it for jobs much bigger than that! just nice to have it on hand Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3584602 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilofix Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I've had to use a dremel with variable speed in order to cut off huge 'chunks' of flash and gates for Forgeworld stuff. I'm talking about stuff that's way too thick for an X-acto. There are usually plenty of bits available for all sorts of things from cutting to sanding even plastic. Only other thing I would suggest though is - get a mask, safety glasses and a large clean-up brush. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3592665 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phalanx Warder Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 The wife dragged me out shopping the other day and I saw one of these http://www.amazon.com/World-Pride-Electric-Manicure-Grooming/dp/B009CSJB56/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1391329025&sr=8-7&keywords=electric+manicure+set and instantly purchased it. Awesome for correcting mold lines and grinding down symbols and what not however I would not recommend it for jobs much bigger than that! just nice to have it on hand so per the quoted post and link here are some results: I removed the purity seals on the left side of the torso (as you look at it) The Breechers shield was given a nice sharp edge so he can remove "nuff heads" Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3611276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
shabbadoo Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 A DREMEL tool is not required to work on plastics, and will likely do more damage in the hands of the inexperienced than anything else. if you can not be dissuaded, at lest get one that has a very good speed control. If you must have a rotary tool, get one of the lower RPM models. These models will usually be smaller in size, and often cordless. they may beven be advertized as a "hobby rotary tool". DREMEL has few models that go down to 5,000-6,500 RPM, but why would you want that? Plastic is VERY SOFT, that's why. 5,000-6,500 RPM speed rotary tools will cut the out of plastic, and even resin, just fine (unless it is very thick, in which case you should be using some sort of hobby/jeweler's saw anyways). Also, a lower speed will give you a bit more control, which should be high on the list of desirable features for a rotary tool n00b. You very much don't want to lose control of any sort of power tool; especially one that you will likely be sitting down using, and using within a foot of your junk. (No, really, you do NOT want that to happen!) I recommend the DREMEL Mini-mite: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=7300#.Uze9G1fDX_E Not too expensive (amazon.com has good deal on them), it's rechargeable, fits in the hand nicely, and it gets the job done. Spend the money you save on more bits. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284170-power-tools-for-conversions/#findComment-3637464 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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