Unable to remove stem off frag plug using bone cutters and dremel

[dennis romano]

Go to a home improvement store like Home Depot. Go to the tile department and get a pair of ceramic tile nippers. They are used to make fine cuts on tile. They snip the stems right at the base.

 

[ryanjohn1]

I'm having trouble removing the stems off frag plugs. I've tried bone cutters and a dremel. Any tips on how to remove the stem? They are zoas so I'm a bit hesitant on removing the zoas and gluing them onto a new plug.

Tile nippers. Lowes or Home Depot. Go to flooring/ tile section

 

[JPM San Diego]

I note several responders found the price to be high. Is it?
A brief look on BRS found standard T shaped plugs to be 30 to 40 cents per plug.
The real reef rock is 50 cents a plug, is the color of my rock work, and does't require transfer.
Each piece has at least one predrilled hole for the base of the frag.
You won't get this hammering cheap dry rock, or at the beach.
Since I don't generate a lot of frags, my bucket has lasted several years and is still half full.
No - I don't get a kick back for promoting this product. I just like it.
I wish I could buy my coral on this, or something similar, that I could just glue or epoxy down.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Is it a ORA frag plug? Those are the worst.

Yesssss... those things are made out of Titanium or Adamantium... virtually indestructible!!...the WOAT!!

 

[tbone28]

I ended up trying a few more methods, none of which worked... stood on bone cutters, bought tile nippers, and new cutting pliers. I gave up and ended up just wedging the frags into crevices. Not exactly where I want the zoas, but close enough and I'm tired of trying to figure out how to cut these plugs.

The plugs are stamped. They are Reefing Art plugs. They are the white ones in this link:

Reefing Art Ceramic Coral Frag Plugs 30 Pack Tiles for SPS LPS

100% AQUARIUM SAFE Kiln fired ceramic, no curing needed 7/8" crown with 3/8" base plug, for most coral frags (SPS, LPS, Zoas) SOLID MATERIAL will not create ceramic grit like other products HEAVY WEIGHT, each plug weights 8.5 grams (1/4oz), provide solid / stable base for coral NEW SURFACE...

reefingart.com

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

This may sound unbelievable....

The diamond cut off disc didn't work. It started to heat up the plug to the point where the zoas started to melt, so I stopped. I have cutting pliers at home, didn't work. Bought the BRS cutter, no bueno. At this point, not sure what to do

Is it a wet type saw? You’ll want to use something that has water running through it to keep the heat down

 

[tbone28]

It's a dremel with a diamond cutoff blade. I didn't use water because I thought it would be quick

 

[merkmerk73]

@tbone28 What did you end up doing?

I have the purple ones and they're made out of unobtanium.

My dremel tool couldn't handle it, not even the little diamond blades - pretty wild.

 

[tbone28]

@tbone28 What did you end up doing?

I have the purple ones and they're made out of unobtanium.

My dremel tool couldn't handle it, not even the little diamond blades - pretty wild.

Nothing I tried worked. I ended up placing the frags into crevices within the rock, so some of the frags did not end up where I really wanted them. I emailed the seller asking what type of plugs they used and offered the suggestion to switch brands. Got no response. Made a mental note to myself to never order from them again.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm having trouble removing the stems off frag plugs. I've tried bone cutters and a dremel. Any tips on how to remove the stem? They are zoas so I'm a bit hesitant on removing the zoas and gluing them onto a new plug.

Ive had easy success with large bone cutters

 

[tbone28]

Ive had easy success with large bone cutters

I did not, even ordered a new set just for this purpose.

 

[MoshJosh]

We get it @Cell you are the strongest person alive! No need to show off!!!

 

[merkmerk73]

Nothing I tried worked. I ended up placing the frags into crevices within the rock, so some of the frags did not end up where I really wanted them. I emailed the seller asking what type of plugs they used and offered the suggestion to switch brands. Got no response. Made a mental note to myself to never order from them again.

Yeah, I would recommend anyone avoid the "reefing art" plugs. (that is the plug you had and I have)

Not sure what they're made out of but it's not ceramic - even though they claim it is.

I've never seen ceramic make a metal/diamond blade spark and stink of burning metal.

 

[Cell]

We get it @Cell you are the strongest person alive! No need to show off!!!

Just trying to show it can indeed be done! Lol. I guess it was the wrong plug brand. I have reefing art plugs somewhere though so now I want to try them.

 

[tbone28]

Yeah, I would recommend anyone avoid the "reefing art" plugs. (that is the plug you had and I have)

Not sure what they're made out of but it's not ceramic - even though they claim it is.

I've never seen ceramic make a metal/diamond blade spark and stink of burning metal.

You and I have had the exact same experience with this plug and its dominance over a diamond blade lol

 

[edd59]

i have cut everything from mild steel to tool steel with a wizzer wheel, but it wont cut these purple plugs

 

[merkmerk73]

I'm telling you guys - these things are made of some kind of insane alien alloy right out of XCOM UFO defense

 

[BeanAnimal]

This may sound unbelievable....

The diamond cut off disc didn't work. It started to heat up the plug to the point where the zoas started to melt, so I stopped. I have cutting pliers at home, didn't work. Bought the BRS cutter, no bueno. At this point, not sure what to do

gym membership - more protein or ask your wife or GF to do it...

 

[Cell]

Ok so the Reefing Art plug was definitely a bit tougher than normal plugs, but still popped right off with my cutting pliers.

 

[merkmerk73]

Ok so the Reefing Art plug was definitely a bit tougher than normal plugs, but still popped right off with my cutting pliers.

Video or I don't believe you.