Is it me or what?!

HatMan · 12 Sep 2013 at 13:34

I had my right hip replaced 5 weeks ago. Today, bored out of my mind, I decided to surf for modding images and see what's new. Nothing as usual. so figured I would turn to YT to find some interesting videos of folks modding. one tool I keep seeing used is a rotary tool like a Dremmel, well in fact a Dremmel. I have made myself clear in the past that water cutters and laser and CNC is not what I consider hands on modding, and that the mighty file, drill etc rule.

I must make it clear that I am not belittling the use of any tool. This thread is not a flamers paradise.

Why is the Dremmel used for cutting straight lines, holes etc. In fact why it is it used anywhere near a PC? I presume everyone knows a jigsaw with a metal blade cuts better, I presume everyone knows holesaws exist. A 4.5" angle grinder with a 0.8mm stainless slitting disc is cheaper than a Dremmel and 'can' cut straight lines. So what is the fascination with the humble rotary tool?

Having just watched a video of a guy using a Dremmel with a 40mm cutting disc cut one of the worst holes I have ever seen, only to spend another 30mins filing it, was bewildering! So whilst it is a free world and each to their own, I guess my question is why to folk struggle with what I believe are inappropriate tools?

Uncle Petey · 12 Sep 2013 at 14:05

Heh, I cut my side window with a nibbler

Only because the side panel had awkward 'humps' that made it impossible to use a jigsaw though...

Hyburnate · 12 Sep 2013 at 17:05

Dremel is useful. For making the start hole for the Jigsaw.

Something Else · 12 Sep 2013 at 17:45

Perhaps dremel is less bulky? I can cut straight with a dremel

HatMan · 13 Sep 2013 at 11:04

Yeah don't get me wrong, there is evidence that the Dremmel can do everything, but I would wager in say a competition environment where the aim of the game was to cut and drill several different PC related things, the Dremmel would lose. Because of that I wonder why they are soooo popular.

Uncle Petey, I have a DeWALT nibbler and it is cool, but too big to be useful. How much strain does the manual one you use put on the old arm?

davido_labido · 13 Sep 2013 at 11:09

I have a (fake) dremmel already, I don't have the other things (well I have access to them if really needed, but it would mean borrowing them from my father) so I use the dremmel. I do well with it, it works, it costs me nothing extra.

Frozennova · 13 Sep 2013 at 11:34

They're cheap, can be used indoors which lets face it you can't an angle grinder. They're a relatively multipurpose tool due to the number of different attachments available, and I'd wager due to the smaller size I'd wager you can do a lot of things more accurately with them.

Uncle Petey · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:29

HatMan said:
Uncle Petey, I have a DeWALT nibbler and it is cool, but too big to be useful. How much strain does the manual one you use put on the old arm?

Tbh, it can be a bit of a forearm workout when you're cutting large areas

Hyburnate · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:32

My Dremmel is light, not used it much -__-. They have their place and any modder should have one. I do need to buy a work mate (my uncle has all the tools I inherited and we're not on talking terms) to use my Jigsaw though...

Hakanese · 13 Sep 2013 at 15:16

I'm guessing the Dremmel is the "Swiss Army knife" of tools and modders, as it's an easy fill in for those people who haven't access to a good range of tools.

Uncle Petey · 13 Sep 2013 at 15:18

Yep, nibblers are for tightfisted ghetto bodgers like me.

HatMan · 14 Sep 2013 at 10:10

Your rig, Uncle Petey, doesn't look bodged to me.

Uncle Petey · 14 Sep 2013 at 22:47

It helps if you take pictures of it in the dark

Cheers though

Hyburnate · 14 Sep 2013 at 23:01

Doesn't matter what the case is like as long as it performs

adolf hamster · 14 Sep 2013 at 23:22

possibly because the dremel has many non computer uses that would be why people have them? I originally bought mine back in the rc days mostly for engine porting, but because I still have it I would use it if I ever got into case modding, I agree for many things it isn't ideal but that doesn't make it useless.

and of course if you don't have the need for bigger kit such as an angle grinder it wouldn't make sense to buy one specifically to cut a hole in a case and nothing else.

HatMan · 16 Sep 2013 at 12:07

Glow Plug engine porting? Didn't even know that was done! Sweet. the next allegedly essential toy i want is an electric scroll saw.

adolf hamster · 16 Sep 2013 at 19:16

HatMan said:
Glow Plug engine porting? Didn't even know that was done! Sweet. the next allegedly essential toy i want is an electric scroll saw.

not glow plug, petrol engine back when I had a hpi Baja :cool:

though if you think computers are money pits you aint seen nothing, had a few nitro's but never bothered porting them its simpler to just buy a better engine

Mark A · 16 Sep 2013 at 20:07

I have all the tools you listed in the op and more, yet I still find 100s of uses for my Dremel. They are great tools and very versatile.

I guess the reason some people use them for jobs that would be done better with another tools is because they can't afford to buy lots of power tools, so make do with the Dremel as an all rounder.

HatMan · 17 Sep 2013 at 11:08

(AH) Oh a real engine. Sweet. I bet those days were a blast.

I do own a Dremmel clone but I only use it for routing 1/8" plywood and glass engraving. I guess the old saying, "each to their own" is more correct than I thought.