Vibration Cutter (Keep it clean guys!)

[Lemosteam]

   I bought a full size vibration cutter last year and the thought occurred to me that maybe a miniature version would work for some of my projects. The idea is to provide a more controlled,cut than using a rotary tool.



This idea is dedicated to Richie Dost as he shared a similar idea to convert a mini battery operated screwdriver into a wall wart driven micro pencil drill that is indispensable to me.

As proof of concept, I cut off the brush end of an extra replacement brush for my Philips Sonicare rechargeable toothbrush. The toothbrush handle moves the brush by magnetic attraction, so there is no mechanical connection here, more on that issue later.





After cutting off the brush head, I drilled and tapped a hole to mount a Gyros cutting wheel to the end perpendicular to the shaft of the brush. The cutter is actually a miniature saw blade.  I settled on this cutter after trying various other cutters, such as a diamond wheel, a Dremel hard cutting wheel snapped into a triangle (to get some point to dig into the material).



So far the concept will only work on hydrocal and Durhams Putty.  It will cut into plastics too, which is what I intended it for, but not very effectively. I think this is due to the lack of mechanical connection, so I am going to try some other handles that have a direct connection.





Ideas, comments? I think the idea has promise especially for those who have slipped with a rotary tool only to discover that the slip left a gouge or some other damage.

[peteski]

Excellent concept John!  But like you said - you will need more torque! 

[C855B]

Interesting idea. I also have an oscillating cutter; it doesn't cut fast, but it cuts accurately and has a great amount of control. Biggest complaint I have with it is the weight.

There is, or was, a kitchen tool called a "SonicScrubber". It's like a large electric toothbrush, but has a lot more torque, which is what you need here. We bought one on clearance about four years ago at the local supermarket and I haven't seen another since. If they're still available it might be worth checking out.

[glakedylan]

http://www.amazon.com/SONIC-SCRUBBER-KITCHEN-HOUSEHOLD-CLEANING/dp/B004EBTOM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412217705&sr=8-1&keywords=sonic+scrubber

[C855B]

A quick surf... SonicScrubber left the US market in 2012. I think I recall it was initially one of those TV infomercial gadgets, but apparently made the crossover into B&M retail.

[up1950s]

Thanks John . Maybe that Dremel cutter thing we see on TV for cleaning grout would have more power for plastics .The only thing I can think of is that could be an automatic small bell ringer for sound effects on the layout . Would take a lot of tests to see what size bell and how ridged its mounted for the sound and speed wanted . Is that thing noisy ?

As a 'nother use I see shots of model steam locos with a plume of smoke in the photo . Not sure if it's done by wiggling cotton or something while the shot is taken , or some less crude more modern method . So maybe if this fang cleaner was hidden behind the loco with the cotton attached , then the camera mounted on a solid something , timer , and a slow shutter speed would the result be good ? 

[C855B]

Richie, that Dremel tool ("MultiMax") is the same sort of 1:1 tool John mentioned; I have Rockwell's version of the same idea. For N scale modeling they'd be like swatting flies with a Buick.

[PaulP]

I agree Mike
We use a Fein brand at work and I see no use for it in our nscale world unless it would be with benchwork.
I did use it to cut out dividers in plastic  drawers for a carrying case and it didn't like to cut plastic very well.
So I wouldn't think a miniature one would work any better on styrene.
They do work pretty nice on fiberglass and larger wood projects.

Paul

[Lemosteam]

I have that scrubber.  I have enough heads to attempt an approach, but it may prove difficult to attach the blade.  There are other brushes out there with a d shaped shaft, that might work.  I did have to used a diamond grinder to open up the hole in the blade, so I could attempt a d shape with a nut. 

I does cut plastic, the blade points work nicely, on it, but it bogs down when the blade is buried. 

[Lemosteam]

@thomasjmdavis , I finally tried to mount a thin circular saw blade on the end of my mechanical toothbrush on my Sonicare that I use for me detail sander and the results were less than stellar.  maybe the teeth (see blade above) are too coarse, but the blade kept sticking and stopping the vibration and preventing a nice straight cut.  Crap. maybe a much finer blade would doo the trick.  I did not try an abrasive disc or cut off wheel but those would be easy to snap off in a kerf.

Sigh.

[jugtown modeler]

Great idea.
Although, as mentioned, I think torque is the main issue.

Plastic in particular can be a challenge with other cutting tools as it can/will melt and bind even (small) tools engineered for cutting. I.E. jewelers table saw, etc.
My experience is take small bites at a time rather than expect it to eat all the way through in one motion.

I could see this more as a sanding device. At least, that is what I was planning with my old electric tooth brush until I inherited an unwanted (finger) nail oscillating buffer device that does a nice job on resin and metal getting rid of blemishes.

Good luck. Anxious if you find a solution to improve its cutting ability.

[Lemosteam]

Great idea.
Although, as mentioned, I think torque is the main issue.

Plastic in particular can be a challenge with other cutting tools as it can/will melt and bind even (small) tools engineered for cutting. I.E. jewelers table saw, etc.
My experience is take small bites at a time rather than expect it to eat all the way through in one motion.

I could see this more as a sanding device. At least, that is what I was planning with my old electric tooth brush until I inherited an unwanted (finger) nail oscillating buffer device that does a nice job on resin and metal getting rid of blemishes.

Good luck. Anxious if you find a solution to improve its cutting ability.

@jugtown modeler you mean like this? https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50861.msg687136#msg687136

[Maletrain]

Wondering if an Xacto blade would cut plastics better than a toothed blade.

MicroMark has this: https://www.micromark.com/Wondercutter .  I saw it cut at an Amherst workshop, and it seemed pretty slick, although it can make the cut material warm if used too forcefully or long.  But, at $400, I have not bought one.  If you guys can come up with a worthy competitor that uses old tooth brushes, I'd go for that.

[jugtown modeler]

you mean like this? https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50861.msg687136#msg687136

Excellent.
I am just behind as usual.
Although I need to check my toothbrush for mechanism now.
Several sitting in disrepair as I also thought the no contact battery charging worthy of inspection...

(How do I "like" or "respect" a post? Is it post count related?)

[wazzou]

(How do I "like" or "respect" a post? Is it post count related?)

Yes, just 13 more to go.