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I use a Dremel Tool.......

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Sidney Smith

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There I've said it.......I'm sure some purist builders are cringing right now, however I don't care. I live in the 21st century and am going to use 21st century technology to build my 18th century guns. Ha......Besides, Mr. Dremel makes it so easy to gouge out the lock mortice areas for the bridle, springs etc.....
 
Hi Sidney,
I do too for the same purpose. It makes hogging out the lock mortice and cleaning it up much easier and faster.
jqb6QQZ.jpg

However, I know what I am doing and am very careful with the tool. You can ruin a lot fast if you aren't paying attention.

dave
 
Most definitely. I too know what I'm doing and have used a Dremel for many projects, over many, many years, and not just for gun building......One of the best tools ever invented IMO.
 
Gotta agree....great tool ! I have a couple of them hanging by my bench and they get used regularly.
 
There I've said it.......I'm sure some purist builders are cringing right now, however I don't care. I live in the 21st century and am going to use 21st century technology to build my 18th century guns. Ha......Besides, Mr. Dremel makes it so easy to gouge out the lock mortice areas for the bridle, springs etc.....
I also use a Dremel with a router attachment to make the lock mortise.

That said, Mr Dremel's tool can almost instantly turn a expensive stock into something that is only good for a pile of kindling in a blink of the eye.
 
I have used them too. But I used a template in conjunction with the router attachment. I also used a router to cut the barrel channel, also in conjunction with a vise made of angle iron that has stops to keep the router on track.
 
I have to laugh. I told my son about this thread I started tonight, and his response was "Wallace Gusler didn't need a Dremel tool".....To that I said, "and he's a Craftsman with decades of experience, who started building guns long before Dremel tools were invented."
 
I have to laugh. I told my son about this thread I started tonight, and his response was "Wallace Gusler didn't need a Dremel tool".....To that I said, "and he's a Craftsman with decades of experience, who started building guns long before Dremel tools were invented."
Dremel tools are like guns - in the hands of an experienced person, they can be used safely. In the hands of others, it can be a train-wreck....
 
" long before Dremel tools were invented."

I know that was ment as a humerous comment but I'll bet a few don't know Dremel tools have been on the market since 1932. I had one circa 1955 and it was a number of years old then.

Should we consider forming a support group for those who feel they have to use them in place of traditional tools? Dremels anonymous? :) Actually they are a very versatile and handy tool, I don't know how I would get along without mine.
 
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Actually, I did not know Dremels have been around that long...

I use chisels for the fine work, but for removing wood quickly, you can't beat the dentist's drill(aka Dremel)......
 
I'm sure some purist builders are cringing right now, however I don't care.
Yeah, right.
I've used one too for years, and for a lot of other things then just gun building.
But,, like you and I'm positive many others here, the learning curve needed to use a Dremel/moto tool precisely for inletting anything on a wood stock has caused all of us going through that learning process to absolutely destroy several of our first attempts. Whether it was a simple cut of a bolt, grinding steel to shape or even polishing Aunt Ema's old silver platter. (or wonder why the wood is smoking!)
We've all made some bad mistakes while learning to use the high speed power tool.

Several power tools are used for builds today, they are mentioned here all the time.
I think the general consensus about the Dremel here in the Gun Builders section is avoiding "learning" how to use one when one is making a first attempt at a gun build.
 
During my 5 yr tool and diemaker apprenticeship I learned how to use hand power tools and for certain jobs they do cut down on time req'd. But.... when using a Dremel while building LRs

, I use it for very specific jobs....especially the inletting of the innards of a lock and don't use it for anything that "shows". Not because I screw up, but because on those jobs I just like to use traditional tools.

W/ hand held rotary power tools w/ cutters, direction of rotation has to be constantly observed....no "climb" cutting because you'll lose control. Also caution has to be foremost when w/ drawing the tool from a cavity....Fred
 
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I seriously doubt anybody is an expert when they pick up any tool the first couple of times.I've never heard of a "natural" when it comes to Dremels, it takes practice. In my case it'll take years or I may never get there!
 
Used to use a dremil router, I now use a milling machine for lock inlets. For the dremil you need to select the cutter correclty.

This type of cutter will result in disaster:

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-561-M...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00004UDIB

These are a disaster waiting to happen too:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/191564057363-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

These are OK and will not run away:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/252053574557-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

Running the tool freehand will make a mess.
 
Used to use a dremil router, I now use a milling machine for lock inlets. For the dremil you need to select the cutter correclty.

This type of cutter will result in disaster:

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-561-M...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00004UDIB

These are a disaster waiting to happen too:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/191564057363-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

These are OK and will not run away:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/252053574557-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

Running the tool freehand will make a mess.
Totally agree. I mostly use those bits that you list as OK to use. I like them because you can slowly plunge cut, and also use them as mini milling cutters. I also use the cut off wheels if I need to cut some length off of a screw, or piano wire material when making pins.....If I have to get fairly precise cuts, I have the cable attachment and the dentist's drill looking affair. But for lock mortices, I find the standard Dremel motor in the hand is fine.

Now I also agree I would never use the Dremel to outline an inlet anywhere its going to show. Much too easy to take off just a bit too much, but for underside areas like lock mortices where you're taking away material to allow internal parts to function, or for the sear hole, or even the trigger well, they work like a charm to remove material quickly. I think it would have taken me a week or more to remove the material I removed last night in the lock mortice, That only took me about two hours of careful grinding with the Dremel.
 
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