Cutting stony corals and plugs without power tools?

[MoshJosh]

I’ve only fragged corals a couple of times and when I did I just used a chisel or pliers to break them apart/break the rock apart. This has worked fine, however, I have a few encrusting corals that have completely taken over the plugs they are on and I’d like to cut the plug into fourths and make 4 new plugs. . . Can this be done without a band or jigsaw?

 

[JGT]

Dremel with a diamond cutting wheel. Will cut through that like butta.

 

[Jeffcb]

I have a 2 head torch that is now a dozen plus. I do have bone cutters but a Dremel tool sounds like a good Idea. Should be a nice clean cut. Put that on the list....

 

[JGT]

I have a 2 head torch that is now a dozen plus. I do have bone cutters but a Dremel tool sounds like a good Idea. Should be a nice clean cut. Put that on the list....

I have found that the Dremel is much cleaner and you are less likely to snap or crack other parts of the skeleton like you may do with a bone cutter. It’s also much less jarring than a bone cutter.

 

[Jeffcb]

I have found that the Dremel is much cleaner and you are less likely to snap or crack other parts of the skeleton like you may do with a bone cutter. It’s also much less jarring than a bone cutter.

One more reef tool on the list lol

 

[Reef and Dive]

I like to use a strong Metzenbaum surgical scissor. Works well for frags.

 

[MoshJosh]

Thank you for all the replies! But I was thinking more along the lines of handtools, though I will look into getting a Dremel. With something like a very small hacksaw or jeweler saw work?

 

[JGT]

Yep, more work and not as clean as a Dremel but it will work.

 

[Jeffcb]

Thank you for all the replies! But I was thinking more along the lines of handtools, though I will look into getting a Dremel. With something like a very small hacksaw or jeweler saw work?

You may want to look at Xacto razor saws. Not shure it would work or not.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I use a dremel tool with a flex shaft attachment with diamond cutting blades.
Be sure to use eye protection as bits of coral skeleton will go flying as you cut.

 

[Dburr1014]

I’ve only fragged corals a couple of times and when I did I just used a chisel or pliers to break them apart/break the rock apart. This has worked fine, however, I have a few encrusting corals that have completely taken over the plugs they are on and I’d like to cut the plug into fourths and make 4 new plugs. . . Can this be done without a band or jigsaw?

Bone cutters

 

[o2manyfish]

If you are looking for an inexpensive handtool to cut the corals apart a pair of Dykes (not the Biker Babes - the wire cutters) from the hardward store will cut thru frag plugs and some pretty tough coral structures. The smaller the dykes the more manueverable and control you have. The bigger the pair the more leverage and the bigger coral/stone/skeleton you can cut thru.

Dave B