The "Rotary Tool Cluelessness" Thread

[jpcwon]

Hey guys,

So this is my first ever time using my new Craftsman cordless rotary tool. I am attempting to modify a GD66 (ordered 10 of them to play with), but I have NO clue what I'm doing!! (as evident by the pics)... The look I'm going for is sort of a shoulderless, "Dovo Bismarck" kind of shape, but I'm finding it difficult to fit the sanding drum into the little crevasses of the razor without taking too much of the edge off. As such, I have ended up with what you see here!! (not good)...

So my question is; how do you guys go about making the grinding on both sides even? Do I just have to progressively work away at it and hope for the best? I would appreciate any feedback you guys might have. Again, this is my FIRST ever time attempting anything like this. I can hone no problem, but have never tried to modify anything before now....Thanks in advance!!

 

[life2short1971]

Yep just take a little off and compare. If you take too much then take more off the other side or be happy with what you have.

 

[oakeshott]

JP,
Most of the people on this thread are better at modifying than I am, but since only Scott's chimed in, I'm going boldly add where no one has added before. Nearly all my work is done either with a dremel and one of a myriad of attachments or by hand. I've got one bit of advice. Buy or build something that will hold your rotary tool for you. If you're free handing both tool and razor, it's very hard to be precise in grinding. Not impossible, just harder. Plus, a single slip can wreck the whole business and that's more likely without at least one of the items being solidly held for you.

I got a "drill press" from Dremel that also allows one to rotate the dremel up from the vertical 90 degrees. Use it for removing bad scales, rust removal and rough polishing, grinding out cracks, drilling out pins and reshaping heavily worn blades. Used to use it for shaping scales, but since buying a dremel scroll saw, I get them so close to the desired shape now that only hand sanding is required for finishing.

If there's a similar item for the craftsman, it's probably well worth the money. Mine was.
mark

p.s. Of course eye protection is a must.

 

[jpcwon]

Great advice, Mark! I am currently using a vise to hold the blade, but I think I would do better if the dremel were being held stationary instead of the blade. Never thought of doing it that way, but it makes total sense....

I will continue to grind away, and will be sure to post my results once I finish. I have some nice horn scales that I've designated for this project, so hopefully It'll look halfway decent when I'm done!!

 

[life2short1971]

Iy put a protective layer on a magnet you can use a dremel fairly safely and get up to the edge without the blading catching the pad. Still wear protective eye wear and be careful as nothing is fool proof. The magnet is on top of a jewelers block wrapped with Duck tape.

 

[jpcwon]

Thanks for the tip, Scott! I am not only using protective eyewear but I'm wearing a mask too as I don't want to breathe in steel dust if I can help it....You know, I really should look into getting a jeweler's block; they seem like they'd come in handy. The magnet thing is a great idea too, but I think I'll just use my little hobby vise that I have for now...seems to work well..

Thanks for the tips though, much appreciated....I am a complete noob when it comes to this stuff, so this is all good information!!

 

[life2short1971]

Your welcome Jp. The magnets also help dissipate heat which I failed to mention earlier. If you happen to come across some of the littlerectangle ones for a buck pick up a few. They are also great for holding the little bits in place so they are handy and don't scatter.