Dremel-less Slotting

[ChrispyCritter]

If you're only going to use the tool for slotting cartos, you can get a 'rotary tool', dremel knock off, from Harbor Freight for $25. I don't recommend their tools for real work, but slotting cartos, no problem.

I looked at those but didn't like the rating so I bought this kit for $39.99~> Wel-Bilt Rotary Tool Kit — 131-Pc. So far I'm very happy with it I really like holder and the flexible shaft..I will use it for other things besides slotting e cigs..looks like it's on back order right now though. I'm sure it won't last forever either but for $40 I'm sure it will last long enough..also looks like you can replace the brushes in it if they wear. If someone is only going to use it for slotting it's probably a good idea to buy that harbor freight $10 or $25 kit..but they get really bad reviews.

 

[mahv]

I use thin Hack Saw Blade for slotting, just moving the blade back and forth with my hand. For fixing a carto I use small vice attached to my kitchen table-that's it. ( I borrowed tools from my hubbys garage ) Before slotting I mark the distance with marker to get the slot exactly in the right place. The result is nice clean cut. At least it works for me and these blades are dirt cheap.

 

[markfm]

Mark has anyone tried standard boge's in it?

I've punched boge, ikenvape fusion, kanger. It really is just a matter of the carto not being ultra-wide. I picked the hub so it has just a little extra room compared to a carto diameter, that keeps the deformation down to almost nothing, you get a clean hole with just a little circular indentation immediately around it.

 

[Butters78]

Awesome Mark sorry about all the questions. Last one those screws they are standard Phillips right?

 

[markfm]

They're 1/4-20 sheet metal screw, hex head with either a Phillips or slotted interior, have a washer-like flare at the bottom of the head. I use the flat wrench since it makes it easier to count the two turns (You can actually finger tighten, or screwdriver, or cheapie wrench; the wrench I use is one of those things stamped out of metal, the kind that come with all the some-assembly-required items.)

 

[Bovinia]

I use Mark's carto punch now and love it...super easy! No more saddle valve pin sliding down the side of my carto, and no more going out to the shop and dragging out the dremel.

 

[donnah]

If you don't want to go the diy route, the carto punch here looks easy and is cheap. I have a saddle valve and it works great.

 

[iKN0WaGH0ST]

on sale for $9.99

Just for kicks and giggles.. "INSURE20" for 20% off making it $7.99

 

[markfm]

DIY in this case means you have to buy two parts, hub and screw, remove the existing set screw, insert the sheet metal screw.

The cov punch does look absolutely fine. I only did mine because they were originally just available in Europe, and it's nice to be able to replace the punch part easily, with a new cheap screw.

 

[classwife]

Moved to Tips and Tricks

 

[Sedateme]

I looked at those but didn't like the rating so I bought this kit for $39.99~> Wel-Bilt Rotary Tool Kit — 131-Pc. So far I'm very happy with it I really like holder and the flexible shaft..I will use it for other things besides slotting e cigs..looks like it's on back order right now though. I'm sure it won't last forever either but for $40 I'm sure it will last long enough..also looks like you can replace the brushes in it if they wear. If someone is only going to use it for slotting it's probably a good idea to buy that harbor freight $10 or $25 kit..but they get really bad reviews.

I just got a different kit for a similar price Amazon.com: MINI ROTARY GRINDER: Home Improvement. The flex shafts sell for $20-$30 alone so I figured even if the tool itself burns out I got my money's worth. I have no complaints so far. I don't use it for slotting cartos but it's better than dropping $70-$100 on a dremel with similar performance specs and no flex shaft.

 

[Barto]

I just got a different kit for a similar price Amazon.com: MINI ROTARY GRINDER: Home Improvement. The flex shafts sell for $20-$30 alone so I figured even if the tool itself burns out I got my money's worth. I have no complaints so far. I don't use it for slotting cartos but it's better than dropping $70-$100 on a dremel with similar performance specs and no flex shaft.

That looks like a good one Sedateme.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

I just got a different kit for a similar price Amazon.com: MINI ROTARY GRINDER: Home Improvement. The flex shafts sell for $20-$30 alone so I figured even if the tool itself burns out I got my money's worth. I have no complaints so far. I don't use it for slotting cartos but it's better than dropping $70-$100 on a dremel with similar performance specs and no flex shaft.

Looks like pretty much the same kit but with not as many bits and a different rotary tool itself..the one I got goes to 35,000rpm..so far I haven't had to go much over the 3 setting and that is probably under 20,000rpm and only 2 for slotting works great..not sure if it has the case and with shipping it costs a bit more..does it have the light and the tile cutting kit? Either way it's a better deal than a Dremel and if as it says you can replace the brushes it probably will last with "hobby use".

I have used mine for a few things so far and have been very happy..although I did somewhat screw up the collet for the shaft as I didn't notice that you had to use the tool to hold the shaft to tighten the bit so now the collet slips a bit..I'm sure a bit of sandpaper will fix this though or I can always get a new collet.

I probably will pick up the Rotary Tool Accessory Set — 208-Pc. for $15.99 eventually it has collets in the kit as it looks like a great deal. I will need the cutoff wheels because I have broke a few..not grinding but installing them because they are so brittle lol..well I'm sure I will learn to not break them...

 

[aziffel]

I have a cheap,rechargable dremel 4.8v I use to slot cartos and for me,so far,slots work better and it only takes a few seconds.
markfm's carto punch looks good too.The spendy carto punch deforms the carto too much,the carto can be hard to put in a tank.
also have tried the other punch listed above and to me,marks idea looks better,it looks like it may be deeper,offering more support for the carto.