Dremel Speed to Avoid Melting?

One AM · Post by **One AM** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:08 pm

I have never attempted to drill windows with a Dremel tool, but I have heard of the plastic melting problem. The Dremel I use has a minimum speed of 5,000 RPM, is that slow enough to avoid the melting? I have searched through the forum and haven't found the answer. I'd be using a 1/32" bit.

EDIT: I would try it myself on a piece of sprue, but I don't have the bit chuck yet, and would rather avoid spending $12 on something I don't have to.

Scott Hasty · Post by **Scott Hasty** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:23 pm

At 1/32", I'd drill with a pin vise.

Scottie

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:30 pm

Corded Dremels are too fast, even at the lowest speed setting. If you've got a battery-powered one, at the "low" setting you might pull it off. If not, do as Hasty said: go with a [hand-operated] pin vise OR get a electric screwdriver with a chuck (that's what I do).

Woody · Post by **Woody** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:00 pm

I'd stick with a spiral action pin vise.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:50 pm

As mentioned above, the regular corded Dremels spin way too fast for plastic. The little battery-powered MiniMite Dremel on "Low" speed works great for plastic, but is very limited in the other jobs it can do. My battery always seemed to die before I was finished with the task, too. My favorite is the trusty single-speed Dremel coupled with a separate, variable-speed control. I can dial it down slow enough to cut plastic without melting, and let it scream at full speed for wood and metal. Dremel used to sell a foot-pedal controller, but I think it has been discontinued. The speed control I use is a tabletop type from Harbor Freight. But understand that the variable-speed Dremels do not work with speed controls-- you need the basic one-speed or two-speed models.

All that being said, you'll snap a 1/32" drill bit in a heartbeat with just about any Dremel tool unless you use a drill press fixture. Go with a pin vise and prepare to get sore fingers

NNYGamer · Post by **NNYGamer** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:55 pm

That small I'd use a pin vice, I do have a variable speed "dremel" but I also used an old sewing machine foot pedal as a speed controller. I just make sure I set the tool up on high, about 3/4 max and then use the pedal for control.

UltraMagnus · Post by **UltraMagnus** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:01 am

if you have alot of windows to drill, have you thought about using a normal, electric hand drill?

i hate battery powered tools myself, but its the only think i know that will spin slow enough

personally i would just use a pince vice though, it would be too easy to miss with an electric tool

One AM · Post by **One AM** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:18 am

Okay, thanks very much. A pin vice it is.

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