Do you know of a cheap tool for cutting through plastic and thin metal?

nightrider1470 · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:09

Wondering if I can get something for about £25 or something. Looking for something that will cut through plastic and think metal, like the side of a PC case for adding a fan etc

Know of anything?

Cleeecooo · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:10

Cheap knock off dremel maybe?

Hacksaw?

Mickie · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:12

cheap jig saw

http://www.screwfix.com/p/direct-power-bp350e-420w-jigsaw-230v/78892

Heliospherez · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:17

Lidl did a "Dremel" type kit for no money a few months ago. In fact about 20% the price of a Dremel.

And here's the secret..... if you unscrew the no-name casing apart, it is actually a "Dremel" inside with the exact same parts and labels..... it's just re-branded

xarr · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:26

A pair of snips will do the job;

http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-xtreme-left-cut-aviation-snips-250mm/84109

Might want to get an old case to practice on first.

bitslice · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:35

Heliospherez said:
Lidl did a "Dremel" type kit for no money a few months ago. In fact about 20% the price of a Dremel.

And here's the secret..... if you unscrew the no-name casing apart, it is actually a "Dremel" inside with the exact same parts and labels..... it's just re-branded

Is it?

Oh cool, really glad I bought one now, and yes it is good :cool:

xarr said:
A pair of snips will do the job;

Wouldn't that also require arms like Popeye? :eek:

Dava · 4 Jul 2012 at 08:36

xarr said:
A pair of snips will do the job;

http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-xtreme-left-cut-aviation-snips-250mm/84109

Might want to get an old case to practice on first.

that would work, but they leave a rough edge and tend to bend the metal abit.

agnes · 4 Jul 2012 at 09:06

Dava said:
that would work, but they leave a rough edge and tend to bend the metal abit.

A bit aye, but can be sorted.

Evoss · 4 Jul 2012 at 09:11

Dremal/Budget version, pop to B&Q or similar hardware store

pioneer2000 · 4 Jul 2012 at 09:34

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good cheap (preferably cordless) dremel? There seems to be such a variety of them!

b0rn2sk8 · 4 Jul 2012 at 10:49

If you want a perfectly round hole, then use a hole saw bit that goes on the end of a drill, there not expensive and widely available.

nightrider1470 · 4 Jul 2012 at 11:12

I Have a hole saw set.so good to.go there, I want to cut a square type hole though on the back of my fish tank to add 2x fans stuck 2gther on the back. the area is plastic.

So am guessing a dremel with a blade cutting thing on is the way to go?

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 4 Jul 2012 at 12:27

Does no one use a jigsaw nowadays?

Assuming you can get good and easy access to it then my first approach would have been a jigsaw.

Hostile-17 · 4 Jul 2012 at 12:59

ALDI or LIDL version of the dremel if its still on offer / sale?

danza · 4 Jul 2012 at 13:23

Don't bother with a cordless Dremel type tool, the battery won't last long between charges if you're cutting steel sheet. The motor is a lot more torquey in the mains powered versions too, so will make shorter work of it.

Lwills · 5 Jul 2012 at 09:55

If its metal and plastic then rotary tool (dremel etc.) is the way to go. if its just to cut sheet metal a nibbler might be good for you:Drill Mounted Nibbler. Really easy way to cut intricate shapes quickly.

Frozennova · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:03

I used a Qmax and a jigsaw for my case window. The Qmax basically punched a neat round hole in each corner then joined them with the jig saw.

shoes · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:05

angle grinder, variable speed, smallest cutting disc available @ slowest effective speed and go gentle.

That'll work for the metal, it would most likely screw up your plastics though.

Shadez · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:55

nightrider1470 said:
I Have a hole saw set.so good to.go there, I want to cut a square type hole though on the back of my fish tank to add 2x fans stuck 2gther on the back. the area is plastic.

So am guessing a dremel with a blade cutting thing on is the way to go?

then you want a square hole drill bit

schumi84 · 5 Jul 2012 at 13:20

robskinner said:
Does no one use a jigsaw nowadays?

Assuming you can get good and easy access to it then my first approach would have been a jigsaw.

When I cut the side of my old PC case to fit plastic to it I (read 'my dad') used a jigsaw and it was great, just needed a slight file on the edges to get rid of any burring.