Me too. Makes the final polishing & smoothing mistake free. Can't accidently go too deep. 
Dremel cutting and grinding bits
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 8
From: Cataumet MA
Dremel cutting and grinding bits
I am just about to start to start port matching my big block TM-1 intake to the intake gaskets. The heads were already done at the factory using the GM recommended intake gaskets. I have a duplicate set of gaskets that I will use to do the intake. There is quite a bit of material to be removed from the manifold, but there is plenty of metal there to allow the porting. I am upgrading a crate ZZ454 where this manifold will be fitted. The Question: What cutting and grinding bits will I need for the aluminum manifold? I imagine the the first cuts will need a more aggressive cut, then switch to something finer to finish the job. Are there part numbers, or a special kit that Dremel sells for this type of job?
Thanks for any input. This is one job (porting) that I haven't done before, so any other tips, other than being real patient, will be appreciated.
Thanks for any input. This is one job (porting) that I haven't done before, so any other tips, other than being real patient, will be appreciated.
Last edited by Kfmorgan; Jun 22, 2007 at 04:08 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 6,375
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Get a high speed air grinder and high speed burrs for the job. Dremel is a a little hobby tool intended for balsawood and model railroad stuff... you need to cut some metal, so get the real tool. Eastwood has some good stuff, although it's pricey. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
A Dremmel is to light for the job you are planning. You need a cutter with a 1/4 inch shank. I believe this Harbor Freight die grinder is the best bargain out there for a weekend warrior. The price is now $39, but it regularly goes on sale for $29.http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...nder&Submit=Go
Eastwood has nice sets of carbide burrs for porting, but you can get away cheaper with a rotary file. ACE is one place to look for 1/4 inch shank rotary files at about $6 each. They also come in different shapes. When working with aluminun you will need to put some parifin on the cutter to keep aluminum for building up on the blade. Parifin is available in any supermarket for about a buck.
http://eastwood.resultspage.com/sear...46&submit.y=11
Be sure to marke your gasket correctly and not cut beyond the scribed line. Bigger is not necessairly better, have fun.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 8
From: Cataumet MA
Thanks to both you and Lars, it looks like I'll be adding another tool to my collection. I guess with the Dremel, it would have taken me a month!
Originally Posted by Rehttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/44100-44199/44141.gif[/IMG
A Dremmel is to light for the job you are planning. You need a cutter with a 1/4 inch shank. I believe this Harbor Freight die grinder is the best bargain out there for a weekend warrior. The price is now $39, but it regularly goes on sale for $29.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...nder&Submit=Go
Eastwood has nice sets of carbide burrs for porting, but you can get away cheaper with a rotary file. ACE is one place to look for 1/4 inch shank rotary files at about $6 each. They also come in different shapes. When working with aluminun you will need to put some parifin on the cutter to keep aluminum for building up on the blade. Parifin is available in any supermarket for about a buck.
http://eastwood.resultspage.com/sear...46&submit.y=11
Be sure to marke your gasket correctly and not cut beyond the scribed line. Bigger is not necessairly better, have fun.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...nder&Submit=Go
Eastwood has nice sets of carbide burrs for porting, but you can get away cheaper with a rotary file. ACE is one place to look for 1/4 inch shank rotary files at about $6 each. They also come in different shapes. When working with aluminun you will need to put some parifin on the cutter to keep aluminum for building up on the blade. Parifin is available in any supermarket for about a buck.
http://eastwood.resultspage.com/sear...46&submit.y=11
Be sure to marke your gasket correctly and not cut beyond the scribed line. Bigger is not necessairly better, have fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
A Dremmel is to light for the job you are planning. You need a cutter with a 1/4 inch shank. I believe this Harbor Freight die grinder is the best bargain out there for a weekend warrior. The price is now $39, but it regularly goes on sale for $29.http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...nder&Submit=Go
Eastwood has nice sets of carbide burrs for porting, but you can get away cheaper with a rotary file. ACE is one place to look for 1/4 inch shank rotary files at about $6 each. They also come in different shapes. When working with aluminun you will need to put some parifin on the cutter to keep aluminum for building up on the blade. Parifin is available in any supermarket for about a buck.
http://eastwood.resultspage.com/sear...46&submit.y=11
Be sure to marke your gasket correctly and not cut beyond the scribed line. Bigger is not necessairly better, have fun.
Lubricate the rotary files with Pam cooking spray when working on aluminum so they will not get clogged up.
-Mark.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,391
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
with all due respect to some of our forum members, a dremel is quite capable of porting a set of heads or an intake manifold. i'd rather use a quality tool like the dremel than some halfazzed cheapo hand job like that thing from harbor freight. the following is what i did just a few months ago on my late model roller motor with a dremel that is over 10 years old.
i got good quality carbide bits from a local industrial supply house called mcfadden-dale. they or a similar shop can be found in any major city. all totaled i spent about $30 in bits and didn't wear any of them out. the only thing about the aluminum though is that there may be better bits out there for it but i used the carbide bits. i just had to stop every couple minutes and clean out the teeth.
i got good quality carbide bits from a local industrial supply house called mcfadden-dale. they or a similar shop can be found in any major city. all totaled i spent about $30 in bits and didn't wear any of them out. the only thing about the aluminum though is that there may be better bits out there for it but i used the carbide bits. i just had to stop every couple minutes and clean out the teeth.
