Dremel for binding channels ??

[ken cierp]

On occasion I get asked about using a Dremel tool to route binding channels -- my stock answer is that it is underpowered for the job at hand ---- life is too short to mess with the wrong tool for the job -- can you imagine how long it took to complete the rebates on this guitar using a make shift copy of the KMG attachment?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68CQS138 ... re=related

[Bob Matthews]

Got to agree with you Ken, the only time I use a dremel type tool is with a flexi shaft and the StewMac fret polishing wheels.
I suppose it could be used for inlay work and for the soundhole rosette, but I still would prefer a laminate trimmer or router. I've always seen the dremel as a bit of a toy.

Bob

[Robert Hosmer]

Don't know if it was my failing eyesight or poor monitor performance, but I couldn't tell for sure if he was making a successive pass for the binding cut or making a purfling cut. At any rate, it took nearly two minutes to do one bout. Lotta noise for a lotta time for little result.
Add the cost of the SM attachment and jig, plus accelerated wear on the tool itself due to improper application (most manufacturers would classify such use as abuse), and prudence certainly suggests use of a real router for this application.

A rotary tool is very handy to have, but I believe too many people overestimate the ability of it.
I too was guilty of overcapitalizing on the versatility.
Originally used one with the cutoff disks to quickly cut thin tubing and small screws. So then I thought it would be good to use for cutting thicker steel plate- was I ever wrong there! Not only did I use a gazillion disks, but impatience got the better of me and the tool suffered for it.
Learned my lesson when I tried some of the little circular saw blades, too.

The tiny sanding drums, polishing felts, etc. were great for small detail projects.
Carving bits for tiny woodcarving projects (knife handles, fishing lures, etc.) came in handy.
Works fine for just about anything where a light touch and high speed will suffice, but forget it if you need more than a modicum of application pressure and torque from the tool itself.

I've got enough irons in the fire that I wouldn't be without a rotary tool.
I seldom use the Dremel anymore since I have a Foredom. The Foredom definitely has enough power to easily handle something like binding cuts on a gutar, but I'm not particularly interested in devoting time to develop a method of stabilizing the handpiece.

As to using the small rotary tools (Dremel, Proxxon, whatever) for guitar bindings/purflings, etc., I tend to approach the situation as I would any other by asking two questions- "Can it be done" vs. "Should it be done"


Rob

[TonyinNYC]

It takes long enough to build a guitar. Adding a couple of weeks to that by cutting the binding channels with a dremel seems crazy to me.

[Kyle Barbour]

There were points when I thought the video stopped. Man, I thought I moved slow with guitar building.