Pros vs Cons: Dremel vs Band Saw

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Ah nothing like the spray of acan lord on your face in the morning! Ok not really but this pretty much sums up my first band saw fragging experience. Funny though the experience is pretty identical to the time I used a dremel to frag acans except with less control!

Both the dremel and the band saw will do the job of fragging different corals and one may be better fitted for one and not the other.

Let's talk about the pros and cons of both of these coral fragging methods and why you choose one over the other.

 

[Mufasa31]

Dremel con - heat

 

[landlord]

Dremel

Con: Depth of cut is limited. Without the Diamond blade using cutting wheels will try anyones patience.
Con: More Heat
Pros: Chances are this item is easier to find in your garage or the neighbors garage vs a bandsaw

 

[returnofsid]

Dremel is less expensive and more portable, but less precise, less controllable, creates much more heat and more time consuming.

I've used Dremels before, and hate it...lol. Then I purchased a wet tile cutting saw, which can only make straight cuts but was still preferable to the dremel.

I now have a band saw and will never look back!

 

[Pappy]

Following along in this great topic!

 

[Loki]

I have yet to use either. I do have an inland band saw sitting on my table I borrowed from a friend. Just trying to decide what to cut . Now that it's here I am having a hard time deciding what to cut up....

 

[Dtech07]

Are we talking dry or wet band saws?

 

[PolandSpring]

bump...interested to know more!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Bump!

 

[captc07]

Definitely interested in this topic. Following along. Also interested to hear what types of band saws people are using.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Have only used the dremel. Heat can be an issue, sometimes cutting depth and also seams to be less controllable (frags go a flying) but like the maneuverability of it. Looking into getting a bandsaw and want to hear some experiences here first. Great topic rev!

 

[Jlobes]

haha...thats like asking if Id rather use a spoon or a knife to cut something.

use the appropriate tool for the intended purpose. water cooled saw for cutting coral, tile, glass. dremel for other stuff.

 

[mrbee2828]

Other than the casing color, what's the difference between the old gray vs the new black Inland Reefkeeper?

 

[Railcar79]

I ahve used tile saws, dermel, Gryphon band saw and even a letherman for fragging. Band saw is by far the best, less heat, smaller kerf, far more control, and far less tissue damage. After using a saw, I will never ever again consider cutting one of my acans with a dremel ever again.

 

[mnat]

I have the gryphon saw and omg, that saw is amazing. It is a wet style blade with an amazing top motor and nice cutting tray. I have seen the inland in action and the gryphon, and the gryphon is the best. I have the dremel with the diamond blade, but am afraid to cut with it considering how nice the gryphon cuts.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Just got a band saw for Christmas! It's not an inland or gryphon (it's a Skil), but I figure if a dremel can be used for fragging, then a regular band saw would do better than that as far as damage to the coral (less heat, more depth, more control...).

 

[BeardedReefer]

Other than the casing color, what's the difference between the old gray vs the new black Inland Reefkeeper?

Pretty sure you're in the wrong thread.

 

[NeveSSL]

Just got a band saw for Christmas! It's not an inland or gryphon (it's a Skil), but I figure if a dremel can be used for fragging, then a regular band saw would do better than that as far as damage to the coral (less heat, more depth, more control...).

Make sure you use a diamond blade and not the stock blade!

Brandon

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Make sure you use a diamond blade and not the stock blade!

Brandon

Yep. Still gotta get the blade for it.

 

[NeveSSL]

Is it a wet saw?

The Inland saws mentioned here are not only wet saws, but are also designed to be used with saltwater. I wouldn't recommend cutting frags with just any bandsaw. You're asking for it to fail.

Brandon