Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: said7 on June 26, 2003, 03:58:10 pm

Title: Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: said7 on June 26, 2003, 03:58:10 pm
Anyone buy this before?

Is it woth it and are the bits effective. Which bit is best used for t-molding slots?

I dont wanna drop 150 for a router when i can get an attachment for only 25..
Title: Re:Dremel Rotary attachment
Post by: Pixelhugger on June 27, 2003, 12:33:40 am
I've got a dremel and a router. I routed my tmolding channel with a 3 wing cutter and judging from my experience I wouldn't go the dremmel route - no pun intended. You should be able to get a decent router for $40 bucks somewhere, no? You don't need much HP or the plunge capability. It shouldn't be that much more than the dremel bit methinks. On the other hand if your cash is suuuper tight, I guess the dremel could work if you go slow and steady.
Title: Re:Dremel Rotary attachment
Post by: Chris on June 27, 2003, 09:24:34 am
Anyone buy this before?

Is it woth it and are the bits effective. Which bit is best used for t-molding slots?

I dont wanna drop 150 for a router when i can get an attachment for only 25..
By "rotary attachment" do you mean "router attachment"?  I have one of these, but haven't tried it out yet; I should be doing my T-molding channel this weekend.  Of course, I'm only doing a CP, not a whole game...

--Chris
Title: Re:Dremel Rotary attachment
Post by: said7 on June 27, 2003, 09:32:40 am
Yes my mistake....

I meant router attachment.

I think the cheapest router i found at home depot was like 70 bucks and thats without bits  :o

Let me know how it goes and tell me what bit you used. Im very curious. Thanks
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: Chris on June 27, 2003, 09:46:39 am
The best bit for the job, I'm told is the one at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=51199&dept=5428&product_id=1215240&path=0%3A5428%3A51199%3A4093%3A55338%3A55341 :

(http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/08/05/96/01/0008059601157_215X215.jpg)

If you're doing a whole cabinet, though, it'll take forever, as you'll need to keep stopping to let that tiny little motor cool down!

People keep saying that you'll always find great uses for a router, so it may be worth looking at http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47937 .

--Chris
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: said7 on June 27, 2003, 10:01:06 am
Yeah I saw that same bit at HD.

Thanks for the link it looks like a great deal. Maybe I should just bite the bullet having a router would be nice.

Whats the difference between a standard and a plunge router.
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: hyiu on June 27, 2003, 10:15:56 am
I bought a dremel and later, a router...
I have to say... if I have a chance to do it again...
I will just buy a router.... (actually... I got a plunge router...)

dremel is good for small task.... but if you're cutting t-molding slots... and so on... ROUTER rules !!...

ok... if you have steady hands, dremel will also work....
but I would say router makes it much easier...

as for plunger router and router.... plunge router has a mechanism so that the whole motor part (and the drill bit can sink in after you positioned it correctly....
hmmm.... I don't think I can explain clearly....

try reading this thing.... and you'll be clear....
http://www.wood-worker.com/articles/router_guide.htm

good luck....
 ;) ;D
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: locash on June 27, 2003, 10:26:08 am
On a plunge router the motor and the base assembly are connected by a sliding rail system.  This helps to make controled depth cuts in the middle of a piece of wood.  You set a stop for a certain depth, place the router base down on the hole location, start the motor, and "plunge" the bit down into the wood.  Great for routing out recesses for joysticks.

Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: AlanS17 on June 27, 2003, 10:36:53 am
Given the choice I think I'd rather have a regular router than a plunge router. I've found most plunges to be sticky. They don't plunge smoothly. On top of that, if the arms aren't lines up properly you get a really funky pseduo-sideways cut. Even worse, if one of the arms loosens while you're in mid-cut you'll screw your world. Happenned with the one I had. One arm just let go. Luckily I was using test wood. ust took the whole thing back to Sears and got a refund. Plunges really do kinda suck. Every once in a while they have their place, but there isn't much you can't do with a sturdier regular router.

(My 1/50 of a buck.)
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: SS427 on June 27, 2003, 10:40:06 am
I tried the dremel with the attachment and the same bit in the previous post.  Three words...GET A ROUTER.  Using the dremel was very slow going, not to mention that you have to go even slower or make multiple passes to keep the dremel from overheating.  Mine overheated before I had even got a 1 foot lenth finished (thought I had ruined it, but worked after cooling off).  The dremel just isn't made for that type of abuse.  

Might try ebay for a router, I have seen numerous ones on there even for the buy it now option that were much cheaper than 70.  Just my 4 half pennies.

SS
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: said7 on June 27, 2003, 10:40:32 am
I check out the Dremel section and found this....

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/att_template.asp?SKU=963-01&Color=99CCFF

I see it working similar to a plunge router and its only 25 bucks.
I just read this feature....

Removable tool insert (Remove insert to use standard size rotary saws)
So i guess it will work the same bits giving you more options.

My main dilema is this thing worth it or am i better off just buying a real router?
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: AlanS17 on June 27, 2003, 10:44:10 am
Well, as some people have posted, you're gonna choke your Dremel if you push it hard. It wasn't made for that kind of abuse. I've heard of some places that rent tools, though. May wanna check with local hardware stores.

If you don't mind being underhanded about it, Sears has a great return policy. I took back my all-in-one cuz it was genuinelt busted, but then didn't ask any question. They really didn't even look at the thing. I kept a 1/4" collet just in case I need it for the future. *whistles innocently*  ::)
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: said7 on June 27, 2003, 11:37:00 am
The Dremel does have a 5 year warranty so if i blow it i can always get a new one.

Hmm decisions decisions.....
Title: Re:Dremel *edit* Router attachment
Post by: hyiu on June 27, 2003, 12:16:56 pm
well.... 5 yr waranty for the dremel is of course a good thing...
but if you ruin your piece of wood during the cut....
I doubt that is worthed or waranteed...