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Looking to start making scales and I'm wondering if a Dremel in a stand would be accurate enough to drill holes in scales. I'm not really wanting to buy a bench mounted drill as I'm not planning to do all that many (famous last words!) Would the Dremel be good enough to get going? I don't think drilling by hand would work for me, I'm not that skilful.
Thanks
Simon
Hi Mate, do you have a Dremel now ?
I couldn't find a Dremel drill press at the time, so I bought a "proper" bench-drill press for less
than AUD$100.00.
The good thing about this is you can drill out (unpin) a pivot without damaging the scales as well as
drilling holes in new scales.
Brad Maggard (forum name "Undream") is highly respected here and has made
an entire series of vids on restoring a straight from start to finish.
Check out this vid :https://www.youtube.com/v/Hkz1xHkLlhw
Food for thought :)
Cheers. I don't have a Dremel yet but from what I've seen it looks like I would be able to do lots of other razor related jobs with it. I have a cheap Dremel copy but it won't fit the stand.
Yeah, me too !!....A drill press with a drum sander is very handy as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by CMOT
A dremel stand is good enough to get started. But small drill presses can be had for reasonable prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by CMOT
If you're a beginning restorer, I don't advise dremel for sanding, because I can guarantee you will get oopsies.
You can buy used Dremels, very inexpensively, on EBay or at flea markets. I have bought them for a low as 2 bucks, if you are looking for one to keep in a drill press set up. Do buy a variable speed. I have 3-4 set up for various processes. I keep 2 on the bench with the bits I use most, it is faster than changing bits.
Sam’s club has a nice variable speed knock off kit, with flex shaft for $20. Variable Speed and Flex Shaft are the way to go.
If all you want is drill holes for scales, a pin vise or drill bit with Hex head attached $3 at Lowes, will easily drill through a 1/8 in scale in seconds. The hole does not need to be “dead” straight and actually should be a bit larger than your pin stock and a bit tapered.
Don’t be intimidated or over think the pinning process. It really is as easy as it looks. Now getting the head smooth and even does take a bit of work, light taps and rotating the scales so you are tapping straight down on the edges.
Watch the videos of Factory pinning, it’s almost comical how we over think it.
Attachment 205946
A Dremel can be a useful item. The newer drill stands for them are not as accurate as the older ones which had the table go up and down for feeds. Matching the two is where the fun comes in. I think i've bought about eight Dremels at various times and have router table, drill stands, extra hands, and other Dremel stuff. The Dremel drill chucks are worth the money for quickly changing bits.
Most anything dealing with scales and renewal can be done with them.
The reason I got involved with the Dremel line was some of the guys I deal with have small apartments and can only spread a tarp to work in the living area.
Yes, the cheaper drill presses are a good way to go also. Buying a cheap set of sanding drums make scales a lot easier.
YMMV
~Richard
As Richard says they can be usefull at times,if mounted on a press type stand and the travel is accurate,it should be fine for scales.
I never use a drill press for removing pins,do it all by hand with a simple pinvise,Takes alot more time but far less chance of an issue.JMO
I use the dremel stand for all my scales drilling - it helps to ensure that you are at 90 degrees in both horizontal and vertical planes. If you keep the scales taped together it also ensures the holes are positionally matched. It's a good idea to drill both the pivot and wedge ends before you start final shaping - this way, the scales are still flat.
The advantage to the dremel is that it's not just a drill press - you can turn it up to 90 degrees either way for profiling and other jobs.
One thing I don't use the Dremel for is sanding or cleaning blades - like others have said it's just too easy to skip off and create deep scratches or worse.
If you’re thinning scales on a budget, a cheap block plane (5-10 dollars, used) with a sharp blade, can thin a scale blank quickly, finish with a card scraper if needed.
Make a shooting board with a flat piece of MDF and some thin, wood stops glued to the board, (Popsicle or a piece of a free paint stir stick), the thickness you are trying to achieve, to hold the scale piece. A couple dabs of rubber cement or strip of thin scotch, double sided tape, will hold the slab in place if needed.
Thin stock to thickness, before you cut to shape.
The whole process can easily be done with hand tools. Charlie Lewis (Spazola) has a great video, making a pair of scales from start to finish with hand tools, in just a few minutes.
Thanks guys. Lots to think about. I quite like the idea of doing everything by hand if super precision is not necessary. I make mistakes more slowly with hand tools.
You need to be very accurate when drilling pivot holes.not so much so when removing old pins by hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by CMOT
Found this inexpensive drill guide. Works like a champ for me.
Drill Guide Attachment for 1/4-Inch or 3/8-Inch Drills
Attachment 205974
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._detailpages00
I would suggest not getting that Dremel drill press. I got one thinking it would be a fine middle ground.
There are pros and cons we could go through, if you want I could list them, but for now I just gotta say that after using it EVERY TIME I WISHED I HAD SAVED THE MONEY AND GOT A REAL DRILL PRESS.
I'm sorry for the caps.. just really had to get that off my chest.. wow okay I feel a bit better now :)
It's so great to have a real one, I saved and searched and finally got one the quality is way better.
It's good to have the Dremel press, I'm sure I'll use it for something.. haven't yet, but will, I think. but just should've got that proper tool from the begging...
I find the Dremel drill press set very versatile for many a str8 project.
I have used mine on scale materials as a mini mill, thicknesses, inlay cutter, pivot hole borer on old str8s, and for drilling scale pins new and old.
You must be aware though that the drill is not true and vertical or square to the base.
Well mine definitely isn't anyway
If you allow for this all is good.
I drill press would definitely be better for this and drilling holes bigger than 1/16"
Yup, accurate "enough" is a good choice of words. It's not super sturdy & a lot of plastic in it allows some movement but if you centre punch the job & go easy it'll work fine. I've used one since 2009 for restores & am on my second set of motor brushes. Not having a lot of workspace I've found my Dremel invaluable.Quote:
Originally Posted by CMOT
To each their own! At my age i am planning ahead to where I will be in an apartment situation with a tarp on the floor and Dremel stuff to do everything that I may need to on razors.
I've got a small machine shop in my basement all the common stuff. mill, lathe, band saws, scroll saws, small circle saw, belt sanders, drill presses, home made special fer razors machines, wet grinders, couple buffers, hand power tools,flex shafts, sandblast cabinet, compressors, torches, layout stuff; and a buddy or two that have what I don't.
And I still use my Dremel stuff/ accessories a lot. I know what I can do with Dremels and have had a lot of practice.
I use what I have that works for me as the best tool for a particular job at hand.
~Richard
Good point, to each his own, depending in situation and use, and what you like.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geezer
I don't use my Dremel "drill press" but I use my Dremel in other ways a lot. For drilling accurate holes, if space is not an issue, I would save and get a better one, i found the Dremel drill press lacking. But it has other uses too besides just a drill press so...?
A whole bunch of ideas about it :) good luck.
A dremel can do this Job, I have do it man Times on that way. But beter is spent some more $ and buy good tools, it works so easyer.
If can fix alot with duct tape and coat hangers. But it aint pretty.
I used a dremmel for a press and it works.
A drill press is the right tool for the job....IF you have the money and space for it.
First time I used my drill press. I was sad because the job was done so fast and it was perfect, no stress.
Dremmel has a place.
I say I hate restores, I refuse to make anymore scales.....
I have at least 5 sitting around my faux shop. Cant beat good tools.
I Think a point most people miss is:Buy the proper tool that will do the best job,Good tools are a liftime investment,(buy once,cry once)
I use this little press for scales. It is not professional equipment. I have one full size press and 3 bench mounts. The HF press is just fine for scales.
Tab Coupons
I doubt this would be cost effective to ship to you, but it might be worth checking.
I found out it is best to buy the repair/replacement warranty they offer. If you return it before it expires you can walk out with a new one. The employee told me to bring it back even if it works. I mark the date on the box and put the receipt inside. I have done this 4 times now. you can even buy the plan again and get another new one in a year.
I would definitely check flea markets and estate sale.
A press makes it a lot easier.
For drilling scales I use a very dense sponge. It allows for the scales to be stable. I just hold the scales with a little pressure on the sponge. This keeps them from moving and works well
The little HF drill press is a winner for light work. Only problem is that it has only five speeds and none of them are really what I want at any given time. Still, a lot of bang for the buck specially with a coupon.Make sure the chuck spins around exact center...no drill wobble. If not, take it back!
Attachment 206051
Also, take the time to assure that the table is exactly perpendicular to the drill spindle. I forgot when i got a new one. Not enough to notice by Mk I eyeball but enough to screw things up in thicker stock.
~Richard
PS. they have a 90 day warranty out of the store. Get to now your HF people; people!
Amazon has it on sale for $60 as well. It's very tempting
Last tool I bought that wasn't quality, I was 20 my dad then told me that good quality tools don't really cost you , they save you money or make you money. O getting the right tool that is of good quality , does save time money and lasts for a long time ,, but remember that the highest price isn't always the best quality. Tc
I've used my Dremel drill press many times for restoration work and it does work. As mentioned before, though, there are better tools.
