Proxxon variable speed rotary tool along with the converter it needs. Also get a set of diamond grinding bits. The diamond bits can be found on amazon for around $10 or so.

Is there a way to further reduce minimum rpms with the Multi-Functional Controller in the D550E model, or I am possibly getting it all wrong?

I just tried it turned all the way down and it seems quite slow. Also, laying a finger on the chuck slows it down quite easily, so the plastic's resistance to the bit may well be a factor. I've never melted plastic with it unless I accidentally left it set too high.

Dremel tool for sanding plastic By jonwinn, May 2, 2022 in Tools 'n' Tips  Share Followers 4 Reply to this topic Start new topic Recommended Posts jonwinn Posted May 2, 2022 jonwinn Full Blown Model Geek Members 1,078 posts Gender:Male Share Posted May 2, 2022 I have a Dremel tool but haven't used it much. I tried sanding plastic a few years ago and it seemed to want to melt more than sand. I need to remove some molded parts and replace them with PE. It is a tight spot....maybe 1/2 in square. What Dremel tool bit and at what speed would do the job? Thanks. jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites habu2 Posted May 2, 2022 habu2 Livin' in sin with a safety pin Members 8,357 posts Location:Follow the Money Share Posted May 2, 2022 You need a rheostat / speed controller to dial the bit waaaaaay down, too fast melts the plastic as you've noted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites Gwen Phoenix Posted May 2, 2022 Gwen Phoenix Head in the Clouds Members 378 posts Share Posted May 2, 2022 Couldn't you use any chisel instead? Most Dremels I know are too fast to grind plastic; mine is the old 3980 series, and its lowest speed is way too fast to grind or cut plastic. I manage to grind plastic/resin by using milling/grinding burrs, but the contact of the burr and plastic/resin needs to be kept at minimum, like half a second or less. If you work slowly, you may stand a chance to use a Dremel for that job, but sometimes I've found easier to use chisels for that job. UMM USA has got some tiny, micro chisels which I find awesome for that type of job. Incidentally; it's a pity that Mission Models haven't restocked their flat and round chisel blade spares much before the WuFlu scandal started out. Cheers,   Gwen  Quote Link to post Share on other sites jonwinn Posted May 2, 2022 jonwinn Full Blown Model Geek Members 1,078 posts Gender:Male Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Like this? jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites jonwinn Posted May 2, 2022 jonwinn Full Blown Model Geek Members 1,078 posts Gender:Male Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Thanks Gwen, I just ordered Micro Mark chisels....but don't think they will remove all i need to and sand smooth. jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites airmechaja Posted May 3, 2022 airmechaja Endeavoring to Persevere Members 1,209 posts Gender:Male Location:Mpls., Mn Share Posted May 3, 2022 Check out the Dremel Lite. Works very good for modeling and cordless.  Quote Link to post Share on other sites chukw Posted May 3, 2022 chukw chukw Members 1,870 posts Gender:Male Location:Whideby Island, WA Share Posted May 3, 2022 I can highly recommend these tools:   Quote Link to post Share on other sites jonwinn Posted May 3, 2022 jonwinn Full Blown Model Geek Members 1,078 posts Gender:Male Author Share Posted May 3, 2022 WOW! Thanks Chuck. jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites chukw Posted May 3, 2022 chukw chukw Members 1,870 posts Gender:Male Location:Whideby Island, WA Share Posted May 3, 2022 No prob, Jonn!  I use my old Dremel for mostly household jobs now, and the router and sander live on bench now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites Gwen Phoenix Posted May 5, 2022 Gwen Phoenix Head in the Clouds Members 378 posts Share Posted May 5, 2022 Hi @chukw, I've been snooping on Davidunion's web page with regard to their D550E router, and the specs inform a minimum speed of 5000 rpms, which is what I get from my Dremel variable speed tool. That speed is enough to start melting down plastic. Is there a way to further reduce minimum rpms with the Multi-Functional Controller in the D550E model, or I am possibly getting it all wrong? Thanks a lot. Cheers,   Gwen Quote Link to post Share on other sites caudleryan Posted May 7, 2022 caudleryan not so opinionated member Members 2,072 posts Gender:Not Telling Location:Prattville, AL, USA Share Posted May 7, 2022 Proxxon variable speed rotary tool along with the converter it needs. Also get a set of diamond grinding bits. The diamond bits can be found on amazon for around $10 or so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites chukw Posted May 8, 2022 chukw chukw Members 1,870 posts Gender:Male Location:Whideby Island, WA Share Posted May 8, 2022 On 5/5/2022 at 10:58 AM, Gwen Phoenix said: Hi @chukw, I've been snooping on Davidunion's web page with regard to their D550E router, and the specs inform a minimum speed of 5000 rpms, which is what I get from my Dremel variable speed tool. That speed is enough to start melting down plastic. Is there a way to further reduce minimum rpms with the Multi-Functional Controller in the D550E model, or I am possibly getting it all wrong? Thanks a lot. Cheers,   Gwen I just tried it turned all the way down and it seems quite slow. Also, laying a finger on the chuck slows it down quite easily, so the plastic's resistance to the bit may well be a factor. I've never melted plastic with it unless I accidentally left it set too high. Quote Link to post Share on other sites vonjhn68 Posted May 9, 2022 vonjhn68 MCPO Members 152 posts Share Posted May 9, 2022 Proxxon requires a power converter to bring the voltage down from 220 to 110, right?  I have heard that they are great, but if it requires a converter...I wasn't too sure if I wanted to make the investment.   Regards, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites Gwen Phoenix Posted May 10, 2022 Gwen Phoenix Head in the Clouds Members 378 posts Share Posted May 10, 2022 On 5/8/2022 at 9:20 PM, vonjhn68 said: Proxxon requires a power converter to bring the voltage down from 220 to 110, right?   Hi John, Power supply voltage is 220 volts down here, so  I hear that the Micromot 60EF is the one to get + the transformer? How much it is for both items, I wonder?  The one suggested by @chukw is $150 complete. I also heard that there's a lot of run going on with the Proxxon tools when using the keyless chuck? Ah, decisions, decisions... Cheers,   Gwen  Quote Link to post Share on other sites vonjhn68 Posted May 10, 2022 vonjhn68 MCPO Members 152 posts Share Posted May 10, 2022 Thanks for the info Gwen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites dogsbody Posted May 15, 2022 dogsbody Step away from the computer! Members 602 posts Gender:Male Location:Northern Alberta, Canada Share Posted May 15, 2022 I've had this set-up for years now. The flexi-shaft lets me handle the unit better for close-in work and the speed control slows it way down, so it won't melt plastic.     Quote Link to post Share on other sites 2 weeks later... WarLycan Posted May 25, 2022 WarLycan Snap-Together Members 15 posts Gender:Male Location:Omaha, NE Share Posted May 25, 2022 I just bought the DavidUnion 400 a month ago and I love using it. Make short work of areas that used to take hours. You can melt plastic with it if you aren't paying attention to the sandpaper grit you are using and the speed of the sander. It has a variable speed and using double sided tape you can use any grit even though they supply 200, 400 and 600 grit sheets. It comes with a variety of head shapes for different areas. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement but it really has saved me a lot of time sanding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Reply to this topic... ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead   Only 75 emoji are allowed. ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply  Share Followers 4 Go to topic listing

I just bought the DavidUnion 400 a month ago and I love using it. Make short work of areas that used to take hours. You can melt plastic with it if you aren't paying attention to the sandpaper grit you are using and the speed of the sander. It has a variable speed and using double sided tape you can use any grit even though they supply 200, 400 and 600 grit sheets. It comes with a variety of head shapes for different areas. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement but it really has saved me a lot of time sanding.

Is there a way to further reduce minimum rpms with the Multi-Functional Controller in the D550E model, or I am possibly getting it all wrong?

I've been snooping on Davidunion's web page with regard to their D550E router, and the specs inform a minimum speed of 5000 rpms, which is what I get from my Dremel variable speed tool. That speed is enough to start melting down plastic.

Power supply voltage is 220 volts down here, so  I hear that the Micromot 60EF is the one to get + the transformer? How much it is for both items, I wonder?  The one suggested by @chukw is $150 complete.

Proxxon requires a power converter to bring the voltage down from 220 to 110, right?  I have heard that they are great, but if it requires a converter...I wasn't too sure if I wanted to make the investment.

I've had this set-up for years now. The flexi-shaft lets me handle the unit better for close-in work and the speed control slows it way down, so it won't melt plastic.

Couldn't you use any chisel instead? Most Dremels I know are too fast to grind plastic; mine is the old 3980 series, and its lowest speed is way too fast to grind or cut plastic. I manage to grind plastic/resin by using milling/grinding burrs, but the contact of the burr and plastic/resin needs to be kept at minimum, like half a second or less. If you work slowly, you may stand a chance to use a Dremel for that job, but sometimes I've found easier to use chisels for that job.

I've been snooping on Davidunion's web page with regard to their D550E router, and the specs inform a minimum speed of 5000 rpms, which is what I get from my Dremel variable speed tool. That speed is enough to start melting down plastic.

I have a Dremel tool but haven't used it much. I tried sanding plastic a few years ago and it seemed to want to melt more than sand. I need to remove some molded parts and replace them with PE. It is a tight spot....maybe 1/2 in square. What Dremel tool bit and at what speed would do the job? Thanks. jon

Incidentally; it's a pity that Mission Models haven't restocked their flat and round chisel blade spares much before the WuFlu scandal started out.