Dremel for assembling wargaming miniatures

Karilmat

Hello folks,

I have been offered the opportunity to get a Dremel as a gift. I do a lot of cutting with pewter models, and using a jeweler's saw and files isn't always the most efficient method. I don't want to get anything too expensive since it is a gift and I don't want to take advantage of the giver, but I want to get something that will do the job.

This seems to be a pretty decent deal:

Amazon link

Multiple speeds, corded, and inexpensive. Is there something I'm missing where this won't do the job I'm looking for? Note that this is for "brute force" types of jobs where I'm just looking to either hack something big apart or grind an area down until I get to the point where I can use files to finalize the details.

Thanks!

Metalbourne

I know this is hard to do over the internet, but the two things you want in a dremel tool are a variable speed and something that fits well in your hand.

Beyond that, the tools (the cutting part) is where you're going to see the difference. Research and find the best tools for the job and it'll save you a ton in frustration and wasted peices.

Additionally, save a bunch of scrap to practice on before doing anything.

L Ron Howard

I don't think it's possible to have a "wrong" Dremel, as long as it's variable speed, and fits well in your hand, as Metalborne said. I mean, really, I don't think it's possible.
As for the different tools, if the one(s) you need aren't included, they are sold in hardware stores. Or tool stores, the more hardcore version of hardware stores.

Ziac45

I think a warhammer friend of mine bought that for similar purposes, he seems to enjoy it but I am not sure its the same exact one.

Echo

Dremels and -lookalikes are for chopping minis up. This is for assembling and pinning:

Karilmat

Echo wrote: »

Dremels and -lookalikes are for chopping minis up. This is for assembling and pinning:

Sorry, the title is a bit misleading as to what I want to use it for. I'm looking to use it to chop things up and file things down when brute force is needed. I have my jeweler's saw and files for the detailed work.

Incidentally, I think I have that exact pin vice.

EDIT: Also, thanks for the advice folks! I think that's the one I'm going to go with unless someone has had a bad experience with that particular model.

Echo

Karilmat wrote: »

Incidentally, I think I have that exact pin vice.

GW buys tools in bulk, rebrands and marks up 50-80%. :P

Metalbourne

dremel's pretty much the middle of the road when it comes to rotary tools. But, like I said, the cutting tool is where all the magic happens.

And incidentally, where all your money is going to go.

Karilmat

Echo wrote: »

Karilmat wrote: »

Incidentally, I think I have that exact pin vice.

GW buys tools in bulk, rebrands and marks up 50-80%. :P

A buddy of mine gave me his when I was getting started since he was leaving the hobby. I don't really like it very much, honestly; I'd rather have one with the ball-like handle so I don't end up with brutal hand cramps.

dremel's pretty much the middle of the road when it comes to rotary tools. But, like I said, the cutting tool is where all the magic happens.

And incidentally, where all your money is going to go.

Middle of the road is what I'm looking for right now. Relatively inexpensive but gets the job done nicely.

Echo

I have some 20-dollar Dremel knockoff, and it's... eh. The grinder and drill stuff works decent enough, haven't tried cutting yet.

Pandion

I used my dremel sometimes for taking edges off or cutting up my warmachine minis. It's good but you need to be very careful due to the speed and heat that it will generate. I would never use it to drill, like for pinning, because the darn thing would just tear right through the pewter.

My honest opinion is to just stick with the hand tools as dremels can easily face melt your minis if your attention is diverted even a little.

Echo

+1 on heat. Mine goes slow enough to use the grinder on plastic, but I don't want to drill with it.

Karilmat

I only really plan on using it for big metal jobs; plastics are easy enough to do by hand. I'm just sick of spending an hour cutting per model by hand.

I'd heard about the heat problems before, which is why I've put off picking one up for so long. I have a huge pile of un-built minis to put together, and all the cutting/grinding is daunting. The opportunity to get one as a gift put me over the edge to finally take the plunge. I'm also happy enough to do pin-drilling by hand; it doesn't take too long and I need to be precise so I don't end up off-center or all the way through the model.

Metalbourne

Speed and dull tools are what generates heat, so slow the tool down.

Also, stay away from those grinding tools if you're taking off a lot of material. Those generate heat because the material they take off is tiny, and heat is carried in those chips that come off your work when you're working it. It's kinda like cooling down by sweating: sweat a little, cool down a little. Sweat a lot, cool down more.

But, frankly, my experience comes from college classes and a job I had where I modified plastic fixtures for a physical vapor deposition process. If you want good advice on what tools to use for a pewter or plastic miniature, I'd ask on a miniature building forum.

Echo

Luckily, there's a thread right around the corner!

JohnnyCache

the best dremels we've found for mini work are actually made for working on finger and toe nails.