Using the Maplin (Dremel clone) for cutting tool steel

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

It has been suggested that this type of hobby saw can be used for cutting (or at least nicking) tool steel to length prior to breaking off using the hammer & vice technique but my experience has not been a happy one. This I think is because I am not using the right type or size of saw blade. Can anyone recommend a suitable choice of cutting off blade and from where they may be obtained. The Maplin hobby saw itself appears to meet the requirements although I feel it does requires a lot of patience and the use of very light loads to make any serious progress.

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Forgot to add that the size of tool steel in question is 1/4" x 1/4"

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

This I think is because I am not using the right type or size of saw blade. Can anyone recommend a suitable choice of cutting off blade.

Are you talking saw blade with teeth or a cut off disc 'cos it's the disc you will need. You will need to cut through at least a 1/8 of the way through from each side then fix in vice, cover with old towel / tee shirt & give it a whack with a 2lb hammer, it should snap off easily. The discs that come with some of the kits are quite useable, iirc they are a dark brown / black in colour. I have used these discs without any probs, but you will need patience, if too much pressure is applied you run the risk of shattering the disc.

George.

Edited By mechman48 on 19/11/2019 22:19:51

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Agreed discs not saw blades or diamonds. Discs come in two thicknesses as far as I'm aware and the thicker ones are more robust for this sort of duty. As stated the thin ones will shatter unless very very careful.

pgk

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

If you are referring to a 1/4" lathe tool blank in a hardened state, it can be cut with an angle grinder (or Dremel) with a thin cut-off grinding disc. Tool steel is a general term for carbon steel that can be used for making tools, etc (eg. silver steel, + ) and is normally supplied in a soft, annealed state and can be easily machined prior to hardening.

Paul.

 

Edited By Paul Lousick on 20/11/2019 00:13:55

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

It's also necessary to run the cutting disks at the maximum speed the Dremmeloid is capable of. If it isn't throwing sparks, it's going too slow.

For a 35mm disk, 30,000 rpm is close to the right speed

Edited By Mark Rand on 20/11/2019 00:31:41

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The on the left will do but are fragile, reinforced ones on the right are more forgiving. Or the quick change ones do the job but a bit more expensive if you don't need the quick change.

Angle grinder will do too.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

+1 on the angle grinder with 1 mm disks rather than a Dremel or clone.

I find the extra weight of the angle grinder makes it far easier to do a smooth straight cut. Goes through quicker too which helps. Dremel style machines put the cutting disk rather far out front and its a one handed hold with the wrist in a rather weak plane. Dremel is great when holding an abrasive drum, disk or whatever against the job for fine shaping where you want light touch and sensitive control. Not so good at cutting straight.

As ever horses for courses.

Not greatly enamoured of cutting disks indie grinders either for much the same reason.

Clive

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

I have found the Dremel SpeedClic by far superior to the standard ones and they are very easy to fit. Used them yesterday to cut off the damaged ends on tool clamp bolts in a Colchester QCTH.

Colin

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

I have been putting my Maplin Mini-Grinder to use in recent days and two querries have arisen to which other users may well have the answers. Q1. I have noticed that when left plugged in at the mains but with the motor off, the body of the unit appears to run warm. Can this be possible as it is certainly comes as a surprise to me.

Q2. Using the tool to carry out light grinding operations and inevitably applying some light loading on the front bearing I wondered how substantial the tool is under these conditions and just what care should be taken to avoid causing any permanent damage. Having said that it is a very useful device and I would not like to be without it.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Greensands

The power supply for the Maplin appears to be in the grinder itself, not a separate unit. On the separate supply ones the power unit runs all the time its switched on. The switch on the grinder just handles the low voltage supply to the speed control and motor.

If your power supply is integrated into the main body and arranged the same the power supply will be running all the time the mains supply is turned on so it will get warm even when not using the grinder. Its arguable that such is a good way of doing things but I'm not completely convinced. Suppose it it would make it harder to switch the grinder on at the mains and have it start running immediately.

All these multi-tools are made to take light side loads on the bearings. The operative word being light. Generally the higher end makes will put up with a heavier light than the cheapies. But appropriate care is needed. As I don't need one much I bought cheap (LiDL) and consider it disposable.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 07/08/2020 18:54:13

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