Dremel Metal Cutting Wheel/Disc

Hello everyone.

I own a HYPER TOUGH type Dremel tool. I'm looking for some metal cutting wheels/discs to use for cutting open oil filters. Can anyone please provide a link or links to where I might purchase such wheels/discs?

Thank You!

How thick of metal are you wanting to cut?  I can't see a dremel getting very far very fast on anything other than very thin pot metal(toys)

I have cut open a few oil filters with the cutting wheels provided with the tool. It usually takes about 8-12 of them to cut thru a filter. The housing that I have to cut thru is 0.015 inches thick (about the thickness of a credit card). I'm looking for a diamond type disc, or a metal cutting disc. Something that I don't have to go thru 8-12 of them.

My quick google-fu didn't find anything but I would look for a mandrel to adapt your 1/8" dremel arbor to use 1/4" arbor cutoff wheels like a regular air powered cutoff wheel.

Conversely, using an abrasive cutoff wheel to cut open oil filters to check for debris doesn't make much sense in my mind and I would recommend you get a tool made to cut open oil filters.

Possibly this 

https://www.amazon.com/Preamer-Cut-off-Mandrel-Holder-Dremel/dp/B075WVM3K9

So you can use these.

https://www.amazon.com/Arbor-Metal-Stainless-Steel-Wheels/dp/B06XK8FN7P/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=1%2F4+cutoff+wheel&qid=1582846744&s=hi&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFYNVdWTU1TSEhIRlcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2ODA4ODJCT0JQMVg3RUMxWksmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQ2MjgxMTJESFNINDdYMUZRTjcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Patientzero said:

My quick google-fu didn't find anything but I would look for a mandrel to adapt your 1/8" dremel arbor to use 1/4" arbor cutoff wheels like a regular air powered cutoff wheel.

 

Conversely, using an abrasive cutoff wheel to cut open oil filters to check for debris doesn't make much sense in my mind and I would recommend you get a tool made to cut open oil filters.

You must be having the same question I'm having about inspecting for metal in a filter that's just been shot full of grinding detritus...

I'm a member at an oil and lubricant forum [link removed by moderator]  There is an oil filter section where the members cut open oil filters and show the inside results. There are posts about the Motorcraft FL-820S having torn media when they cut them open. My son works for a Ford dealership and will be bringing me some used 820S oil filters to cut open. I want to see if the media really does tear. That's why I need a wheel/disc that can cut these filters open.

You could buy a Harbor Freight 4.5 angle grinder and wheels for what you'll pay for the Dremel stuff. And it will do the job with authority compared to the little tool.

Why not use a hacksaw?

Cousin_Eddie said:

You could buy a Harbor Freight 4.5 angle grinder and wheels for what you'll pay for the Dremel stuff. And it will do the job with authority compared to the little tool.

I own a DEWALT 4.5 grinder. I already have used it to cut open some filters awhile back. I just want to use my Dremel type tool now.

Shadeux said:

Why not use a hacksaw?

Too dangerous.

In reply to BLUEOVALFITTER :

I've never had a hack saw blade disintegrate at 12k rpms and buzz past my face. 

RevRico said:

In reply to BLUEOVALFITTER :

I've never had a hack saw blade disintegrate at 12k rpms and buzz past my face. 

 

Rev- 

Now you kind of have to, don't you?

I'm a fan of the EZ Lock reinforced cut off wheels. The EZ lock allows for tool-less blade swaps and the reinforced wheels last way longer than the standard ones. You sure pay for that quality though. 

RevRico said:

In reply to BLUEOVALFITTER :

I've never had a hack saw blade disintegrate at 12k rpms and buzz past my face. 

 

That's why I wear safety glasses and a full face shield. SAFETY 1ST!

Neat.  So who is going to adapt a can opener to cut open oil filters?

Sorry for the thread jack.

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, maybe an exhaust tailpipe cutter would work?  

Definitely get the reinforced wheels. The stock wheels are super brittle.

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-426-Fiberglass-Reinforced-Cut-Off/dp/B00004UDH9

Jegs has the oil filter cutter on sale for $37.

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/80532/10002/-1

Sometimes having the right tool for the job is the answer.

Patientzero said:

Possibly this 

https://www.amazon.com/Preamer-Cut-off-Mandrel-Holder-Dremel/dp/B075WVM3K9

 

 

So you can use these.

https://www.amazon.com/Arbor-Metal-Stainless-Steel-Wheels/dp/B06XK8FN7P/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=1%2F4+cutoff+wheel&qid=1582846744&s=hi&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFYNVdWTU1TSEhIRlcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2ODA4ODJCT0JQMVg3RUMxWksmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQ2MjgxMTJESFNINDdYMUZRTjcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

No. 
 

Dremels spin at 35,000 rpm. That wheel has a maximum of 25,000.  Plus, it's a 1/4" shaft. Dremels are 1/8" shafts. 
 

I think this is a bad idea. You are gonna mismatch the tool and the cutting wheels. Dremels spin fast, but they are very low torque. Anything of a diameter larger than about 1" is gonna have too much friction in the surface of the cut, and stop a dremel dead in it's tracks. 

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

No. 
 

Dremels spin at 35,000 rpm. That wheel has a maximum of 25,000.  Plus, it's a 1/4" shaft. Dremels are 1/8" shafts. 
 

I think this is a bad idea. You are gonna mismatch the tool and the cutting wheels. Dremels spin fast, but they are very low torque. Anything of a diameter larger than about 1" is gonna have too much friction in the surface of the cut, and stop a dremel dead in it's tracks. 

I concur. Also, I've had way too many of the little Dremel cutoff wheels explode on me over the years, the last thing I want is something 3" in diameter spinning on the end of that thing. If you're going to use a wheel that big, use a tool that's designed for it, ie, an angle grinder. With a safety guard.

BLUEOVALFITTER said:

RevRico said:

In reply to BLUEOVALFITTER :

I've never had a hack saw blade disintegrate at 12k rpms and buzz past my face. 

 

That's why I wear safety glasses and a full face shield. SAFETY 1ST!

Safety first doesn't mean sticking some glasses on your face when you are knowingly mis-using a tool in a dangerous manner. 
 

Use the right tool. 

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

Dremels spin at 35,000 rpm. That wheel has a maximum of 25,000.  Plus, it's a 1/4" shaft. Dremels are 1/8" shafts. 
 

I mentioned that in the post before and my dremel has a speed control.

For the record I am not in favor of this idea, I was just giving OP an option for what he wanted to do.

I use my dremel all the time (even though I own two angle grinders, which I admittedly use more), and the real secret to success is to buy a bulk bag of reinforced cut-off wheels as indicated above.  Don't go much larger than stock (a .25" isn't going to make a difference, but don't fit up a 3" wheel!).  The reinforced wheels are actually quite useful in places where the angle grinders won't fit or will rip up the material due to lack of speed control.

Throw away the stock discs.. I have no idea what they intend to do with those.  They're so brittle they're worthless.