Cutting plastic with dremel

[tranceFusion]

Which type of dremel bit should I use for plastic cutting? Thanks!

[dbartco]

its called plastic "melting" or plastic "burning".

 

If just making straight cts, just use the ceramic round discs. AN idea of what you are cutting and how neat it needs to be might help.

[tranceFusion]

its called plastic "melting" or plastic "burning".

 

If just making straight cts, just use the ceramic round discs. AN idea of what you are cutting and how neat it needs to be might help.

 

I want to cut up a large aquaclear filter to make a HOB fuge for my 12gaquapod. Not sure what it is made from? Acrylic? It doesn't fit on the back of my aquapod due to the filter bins so I was going to cut one slit between the intake and the return so it would fit over the bin divider. I was also going to cut a hole in the lid for a light (which I don't actually have yet - I guess it would be square).

 

So no, it doesn't have to be neat. I just don't want it to crack.

 

Thank you!

[gmubeach]

How are you going to control if the power goes out?

[tranceFusion]

How are you going to control if the power goes out?

 

not sure what you mean? If the power goes out, the intake will stop, which will stop filling the filter box, which means that it would just sit still in there and not overflow into the tank anymore.

 

This wasn't my idea I saw this link out there but they don't tell how they cut the lid:

 

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=23735

 

Anyway, I think there would be less cutting on the 24g since the filter will actually fit over bins 2 & 3.

[Guest webshout]

How are you going to control if the power goes out?

 

It's self priming and hangs on the back. It won't overflow. I supose that eventually the motor will burn out. I did the same for a 10g and 29g.

 

I can't find the link for the conversion right now, but it's pretty simple to do.

William

 

 

edit: nevermind tracefusin gives one. Trance: use the cutting disc of the dremel. Try to keep a steqady hand so the disc doesn't break.

Edited March 13, 2008 by webshout

[tranceFusion]

ok I bought a black and decker ripoff of the dremel. Seemed to do the trick just fine. Ran it on medium with the cutting wheel. I was amazed how well it worked. The only downside was that I cracked the plastic a bit since my slit wasn't quite big enough and being lazy I tried to force it. oh well, nothing superglue can't fix

 

i broke one of the cutting wheels just trying to get it on the saw - I am a bit nervouse that if it breaks while I am cutting that I will suffer some serious pain..

 

here is another link that seems good:

 

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...mp;pagenumber=1

Edited March 13, 2008 by tranceFusion

[Guest nickman]

I cut up an overflow box and an acrylic display case by using a small cutting attachment. it wasnt an abrasive disc, more like a tiny curcular saw blade. I gave up on the discs after almost losing an eye and drawing blood from my lip (my highschool shop teacher would be so proud). it worked well as long as i kept it moving otherwise it heated up to much and melted acrylic built up on the bit. i got some pretty clean cuts with it considering the size of the job was far bigger than the tool.

 

-nick

[flowerseller]

ok I bought a black and decker ripoff of the dremel. Seemed to do the trick just fine. Ran it on medium with the cutting wheel. I was amazed how well it worked. The only downside was that I cracked the plastic a bit since my slit wasn't quite big enough and being lazy I tried to force it. oh well, nothing superglue can't fix

 

i broke one of the cutting wheels just trying to get it on the saw - I am a bit nervouse that if it breaks while I am cutting that I will suffer some serious pain..

 

here is another link that seems good:

 

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...mp;pagenumber=1

 

At least your eyes would be safe since I'm sure you wore SAFTY GLASSES.

 

Enjoy your new fuge.

kngfisher used an HOB filter as his skimmer collection container and it works great and is easy to empty.

[gmubeach]

What stops the green stuff from imparing the impeller? Burning it out or worse causing a fire:(

[tranceFusion]

What stops the green stuff from imparing the impeller? Burning it out or worse causing a fire:(

 

most people silicone a baffle in there. I am going to try to just use one side of the media basket popped in there. Then use the bottom grating of the media basket to cover the return so everything doesn't fall back out.

[tranceFusion]

I cut up an overflow box and an acrylic display case by using a small cutting attachment. it wasnt an abrasive disc, more like a tiny curcular saw blade. I gave up on the discs after almost losing an eye and drawing blood from my lip (my highschool shop teacher would be so proud). it worked well as long as i kept it moving otherwise it heated up to much and melted acrylic built up on the bit. i got some pretty clean cuts with it considering the size of the job was far bigger than the tool.

 

-nick

 

why did you injur yourself? i would be afraid the teeth on the saw blade would crack the plastic?

 

and yes, i did wear safety glasses, but the rest of my was feeling quite vulnerable.. i don't know if i want half of one of those cuttoff discs lodged in, say, my neck

[Guest webshout]

why did you injur yourself? i would be afraid the teeth on the saw blade would crack the plastic?

 

and yes, i did wear safety glasses, but the rest of my was feeling quite vulnerable.. i don't know if i want half of one of those cuttoff discs lodged in, say, my neck

 

I've broken a couple of discs as well. Safety glasses are a must. I've never had a broken disc do serious damage. Maybe a scrape. Your skin is pretty tough, and the disc is not heavy enough to penetrate. Even your neck will survive.

 

William

[gmubeach]

Could you time 4 dremils into a little car:)