How to use a Dremel?

[Damsel in Distress]

I was contemplating purchasing a dremel to help frag my encrusting monti and cypastria (sp?) that have been growing really fast. I've never used a dremel before. I see that Costco has a nice dremel kit, along with a kawasaki kit.

So, 2 (rather dumb) questions:
1) How do you guys (and gals) use a dremel to frag your corals? Are you holding your coral with your hands while you are using the dremel? Seems kind of dangerous that way? But if you are clamping it down to something, won't you injure your coral?

2) Which one? A Dremel or the Kawasaki with ooodles more attachments and costs less that the Dremel kit?

Thanks a bunch!
a Damsel

[rfosgategt]

just wear gloves and cut, make sure you are using a cutting disc, you could always get some bone cutters a little cheaper than a dremel.

check this out...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3728+12028+18487&pcatid=18487

[rbursek]

Plier's and snap!!

[pledosophy]

I use a dremel with a drill bit and make the bit the cutting tool. :D

[Mofo84]

I use a Diamond Cut-off wheel

[mfp4073]

if it makes the wheel go around, it will do what you need. Its not like a dremel brand is better spin 20000 rpms "better" than another non-dremel brand

[Roy G. Biv]

I only ever used the dremel for really thick things.. For montis, acrcos, candycane, etc.. I use the cutters on the far bottom. You wouldnt believe the quality for that price.


http://www.thefilterguys.biz/frag_supplies.htm

[Roy G. Biv]

Also going the dremel route... Buy a variable speed one. Makes a world of difference!

[Damsel in Distress]

Thanks for all the helpful hints!

I"m trying to frag my encrusting cypastria and my encrusting monti, so they've pretty much encrusted and covered a larger piece of live rock. So, it isn't just like breaking a plating monti or a candycane. I can't just break the live rock in half.

I also heard a variable speed Dremel is good. I'm also looking at the surgical tools that the first poster suggested. Bone cutters! Looks scarey! :eek1:

a Damsel

[mfp4073]

I have also used tin snips, you get get those almost anywhere pretty cheap.

[vtminter]

If it all possilbe use bone cutters or something of the like. A dremmel will burn the membrane of the coral a little. It won't kill it, but its less stressful. Use a diamond dust tiped cutting blade.