Large Scale Central

Dremel Cordless

Tools and Tips
#1

When you’re putting down flex track, there’s lots of rail cutting to do. I had been using a hacksaw, which certainly works, but wasn’t very happy with it. So, I ordered a cordless stylus from Amazon. Love that free shipping!

It sits in the recharger and is ready whenever I need it. What I really like though are the EZ lock cutoff wheels I got with it.

You just put this special shaft in the tool and press and twist - voila - ready to go. No screws needed. And, it’s very sturdy as well. So now, rail cutting is a breeze!

#2

Kewl, I need to replace my old cordless one as the batteries are approaching the end of their useful lives. All the ones I have found include the kit with 10,000 accessories that I never use. I need to check this out !

#3

Those wheels look sweet! I spend 20% of the time cutting and 80% changing broken/worn down discs.

Have not seen them in Home Despot yet, but will start looking!

Regards, Greg

#4

Bruce,

I agree with the others, looks good. I too have to replace a worn out battery Dremel. Do you have a model # for the tool or the kit?

Thanks

Ward

#5

Dremel EZ406 1 1/2" EZ Lock Rotary Tool Cut-Off Wheel & Mandrel Metal Cutting Starter Kit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FBLRVA/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-0934945-0193634?ie=UTF8

Dremel 1100-01 Stylus Cordless Rotary Tool http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E64WKO/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/002-0934945-0193634?ie=UTF8

Dremel EZ456 1 1/2" EZ Lock Rotary Tool Cut-Off Wheels For Metal - 5 pack http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-EZ456-Rotary-Cut-Off-Wheels/dp/B000FBLRVK/ref=pd_sbs_hi_2/002-0934945-0193634?ie=UTF8

They also have cutoff wheels for plastic…which I don’t understand at all…

I’m really getting my money’s worth out of this tool…

#6

When I use the carbide cutoff wheels on plastic, they tend to gum up and melt the plastic. Maybe Dremel has come up with something that works better?

Regards, Greg

#7

Hehe…I just scribe the plastic and snap it…

Used the Stylus a LOT today as I completed a loop of track. I REALLY like it. Still on my first cut off wheel…

#8
Bruce Chandler said:
Hehe...I just scribe the plastic and snap it...

Used the Stylus a LOT today as I completed a loop of track. I REALLY like it. Still on my first cut off wheel…


The big statement in this is “as I completed a loop of track”.

I guess that means the Jackson and Burke is flying, again?

#9

I normally scribe flat stock too! I used the cutoff wheels to remove coupler tangs from a USAT hopper this weekend to give clearance for body mounts. That’s where the melted plastic can grab and shatter the disk.

Visited your website, nice inspection car. Is the layout plan on the site what you are working on?

Regards, Greg

#10

Well, it’s the reverse loop that’s complete.

Though I didn’t have time to put a train on it. I was whupped. :wink: - and the 'Skins were getting ready to start playing… It looks like I have just enough track to put in the passing siding and the “green” track - the one that gives me a continous loop. Not sure when I’ll get to it…but I’ll probably wait for that to put the train out…if only this were a 3 day weekend… I’ll have to try that cutoff wheel on some plastic - I, too, use it for those coupler tangs…forgot about that!

#11

Bruce,

I was wondering how you are making out with your Dremel Stylus?
I was on line comparing the Stylus with the 10.2 V Dremel. The Stylus seems to be more for fine work and the grip looks like it might be awkward for some jobs like cutting rail.

Are you still happy with it??

Ward

#12

Very happy, still. I typically do not use the pistol grip when cutting rail; I just hold it by the main “body”. Still on first wheel! The motor does stop when it binds during a cut, but that’s really not an issue. It is very handy for cutting the rail - even my NS stuff. The AMS brass is a lot easier to cut.

#13

Can you get the blade close enough to the rail to do a 90 degree cut? My old corded dremel is too thick to get right down against the rail. Or do you have to cut once, then do a cleanup cut afterward?

#14

I don’t think it’s 90…but it MAY be close. I hate to say it, but I’m just not that particular. I trim the rails smooth, but not at the perfect angle. Once I connect them, it’s hard to tell… :wink:

#15

Those new quick lock cutoff wheels are much larger in diameter than the original carbide cutoff wheels. That, combined with the fact that they don’t wear down as fast (read: get smaller in diameter) makes them the cat’s meow for cutting rail.

Home Despot now carries the wheels and the special mandrel.

Regards, Greg

#16
Greg Elmassian said:
Those new quick lock cutoff wheels are much larger in diameter than the original carbide cutoff wheels. That, combined with the fact that they don't wear down as fast (read: get smaller in diameter) makes them the cat's meow for cutting rail. Home Despot now carries the wheels and the special mandrel. Regards, Greg
I bought a quick-lock set this morning for a rail-cutting job. Yes, they are much more efficient than the old cutoff wheels, and it looks like they're less likely to shatter into flying shards.
#17

Sounds like a trip to Home Despot is in order for me.

#18

Went to the Depot yesterday. The Dremel Stylus looked great for fine work but I wanted something a little “stronger” so I went with the 10.8 V cordless Dremel. Also picked up some of the EZ Lock Metal Cutoff wheels and the EZ Lock mandrel. Didn’t see the Plastic Wheels but will pick up some of those next time to see how they work with plastic.

Bob,
I have been using some 2" cutoff wheels I found at a train show with the Dremel Flex Shaft on my corded Dremel 400 XPR to get 90 degree cuts, which is one reason I chose the 10.8 cordless model. The flex shaft can be attached to it. And the cordless model is smaller in diameter than the corded model so I may not need the flex shaft to get close to the track.

I just measured the work end of the flex shaft. It is 1" diameter so with the EZ Lock Metal Cutoff wheels being 1 1/2" diameter you should be able to get a 1/4" deep cut while keeping the tool at 90 degrees. It won’t get you through code 332 rail but pretty close. With the 2" blades, a 90 cut won’t be a problem.

Ward

#19

I have an old craftsman “dremel” with a flex shaft. The flex shaft handle is much smaller than 1 inch, and that’s what I normally use for cutting rail. Using the old carbide disks, took about 2 disks per rail.

Regards, Greg