so I may need to cut a small piece of metal in a very confined space (inside truck dash). would a dremel tool do well? they don't look all that expensive so I figured I'd pick one up...

what should I get (tool/tool kit wise)?
amp/voltage?
accessories, etc (something to cut metal)?

I'd rather have a cordless, but it's not a requirement

[Edited on April 7, 2010 at 10:06 PM. Reason : damn m key]

4/7/2010 10:03:23 PM

The cordless, even dremel brand, last about 5 minutes on a charge. Avoid.

Dremel brand is noticeably better, but if you're not using it often the chinese ones work fine. I picked one up at big lots that has a long cable pen attachment, it works wonderfully but overheats during long uses. They're all pretty weak and have no torque so don't expect to cut very thick steel.

Wear glasses. I'm serious. Those damn dremel attachments explode all the time on me.

4/7/2010 10:23:07 PM

i'd find somebody with a pneumatic die grinder and borrow it instead. dremels and the cheap imitations all suck in my experience. they might be ok for arts and crafts with your grandma, but they're not really useful in a shop.

4/7/2010 11:26:31 PM

what exactly do yhou have going on. we can steer you in the right path

4/8/2010 12:23:06 AM

jab saw FTW

4/8/2010 7:47:50 AM

Get one of those knockoff fein multmasters. I think harbor freight has 'em for like $30

4/8/2010 8:02:33 AM

thanks for the replies. I'm putting in a new HU and apparently you've got to cut off some metal tab in the truck's dash to fit the new HU. I'm going to wait and see if I really need to cut it off or just bend it some, but figured I'd be prepared to cut it (as in, now what to get). it's not a very thick piece of metal; it's just a small tab welded onto a support bar. I'll try to get some pictures this evening.

the jab saw really work that well?

4/8/2010 8:23:45 AM

If that's all you need to do, you can just borrow mine rather than shell out $$ for one. Lemme know.

4/8/2010 10:13:29 AM

^thanks. I'll get a picture of what I need to cut. I'll probably need it next Friday/Saturday (if everything ships on time)

4/8/2010 2:55:17 PM

i also have a cordless dremel that you could borrow but from my experience the metal cutting disks don't' last long at all.

4/8/2010 3:16:37 PM

upon further inspection, I may be able to bend it out of the way, depending on the clearances (I'll find out when the new HU gets here).

pictures:

4/8/2010 6:39:48 PM

dude just take a hammer and a chisel and knock it off of there

[Edited on April 8, 2010 at 7:03 PM. Reason : vice grips, channel locks, etc.]

4/8/2010 7:00:09 PM

yea it looks like there's not much holding it on

4/8/2010 9:51:49 PM

I disagree, smc.

I picked up one of the lithium battery cordless Dremels (branded) and it lasts a shit long time, even at very high speed/high load situations. Not having a cord and being able to throw it in your trunk is also pretty sweet.

Unavoid.

4/10/2010 3:47:57 PM