ATTN: stuff-making brain trust

[sistawendy]

LJ Hivemind: What tool would you use to cut a complicated shape out of a thinnish sheet of steel? Assume that there's no budget for a jigsaw. The shape's maximum linear dimension is under 2' (60 cm). Would a Dremel tool do the job?

Comments

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

it depends on how complicated you were going. a Dremel could do it with the right cutting head. Or, if the steel is thin enough, a good set of metal sheers.

[ionan.livejournal.com]

A dremel could work, but I just don't like them for anything delicate. I'd go with a jeweler's saw + blades. You could also ask Fish for help + tools.

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have moderate skills and could do it with a jeweler's saw.

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see the outline.
It's hard to cut curves with a dremel, particularly inside curves. I'd use aviation snips to rough it out and maybe a dremel or a jeweler's saw to get it right to the shape you want, and then a round file to finish it off.

An idea that works well: plot your shape on a laser printer 1:1 and then rubber-cement it to the metal and use that as the cut pattern. That's how jewelers traditionally do piercing-work: it gives you great accuracy and cleans up beautifully.

[neuro42.livejournal.com]

Me, I'd send it to the waterjet place on Vashon, or have a friend plasma cut it, or it might fit in the laser cutter at Metrix. But a jeweler's saw will work. Eventually.

[dianala.livejournal.com]

If it is thin enough an aluminum, you can use a die-cut machine like they have at craft stores (ie Ben Franklin). But that assumes a shape that they have a die for. What shape is it?