Learned a lesson today

**Zephyr** · 01-30-2011, 10:02 AM

I recieved a C.V Heljestrand MK6 a few days ago, the razor looked to be in pretty good condition except some pitting.
I started to sand it down by hand, but soon realized that the pitting was deeper than I forst thougt, and decided to use the Dremel to take down the worst pitting on top of the blade, near the spine. BAD IDEA!

I used a 220 grit sanding disc, being very carefull just barely touching the metal, all went well until....
At some point my mind started wandering, right now I can't even remember about what, but during this mental breakdown I have moved the disc down the blade, to the edge, and obviously applied some pressure, cause when I came to my senses the blade was destroyed, the edge was curly, and as this as flake gold.

Note to myself: STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

**rockviper** · 01-30-2011, 10:04 AM

Eeeep!

But now you get to make a 4/8 blade, right?

**Harvitz81** · 01-30-2011, 10:05 AM

Dremels are bad. Just stay away from them - sorry about the loss

**sffone** · 01-30-2011, 10:11 AM

I feel your pain. Sorry to say, I've ruined more than one vintage razor by not staying focused on the task at hand. And I'm missing the little finger on my right hand because of letting my mind wander while using a radial-arm saw to rip some 2X4s.

**Wid** · 01-30-2011, 10:24 AM

That sucks!

**Zephyr** · 01-30-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Harvitz81

Dremels are bad. Just stay away from them - sorry about the loss

I've used the Dremel for polishing, but never sanding, I was fully aware of the risk, but did it anyway

At least I know have a spare set of scales in good condition

**honed** · 01-30-2011, 03:50 PM

I guess now isn't the right time to tell you how rare the MK#6 is...

It hurts me just looking at the pic

**Zephyr** · 01-30-2011, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by honed

I guess now isn't the right time to tell you how rare the MK#6 is...

It hurts me just looking at the pic

Nope, not the right time!

When I had calm down a little afte this accident I sat down and took a closer look at the blade, and what I saw actually was comforting.
Despite the heavy grinding there were still some really bad pitting all the way down to the edge, so the blade was probably ruined anyway.

It makes me sad though, I was really looking forward to get this one in shape.

**Drybonz** · 01-30-2011, 05:28 PM

Man, that really stinks.

**Legion** · 01-30-2011, 05:57 PM

In another thread someone asked me why using a Dremel on a blade is a bad idea. This is why.

There might still be enough blade to cut it down if you wanted to.

**onimaru55** · 01-30-2011, 06:06 PM

Don't blame the dremel. It's like any other power tool. It does what you tell it to tho sometimes a little can be lost in translation

**mdunn** · 01-30-2011, 06:08 PM

Ouch!

Try and save her, lose a bit of width and put down the dremmel!!!!

**maxman** · 01-30-2011, 06:28 PM

Egads. that's not good at all.
I've only used a dremel on brush handles.

**luvmysuper** · 01-30-2011, 07:04 PM

Sorry for your loss.
looks like it's time to
breadknife.jpg

**honed** · 01-31-2011, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Don't blame the dremel. It's like any other power tool. It does what you tell it to tho sometimes a little can be lost in translation

**Zephyr** · 01-31-2011, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Don't blame the dremel. It's like any other power tool. It does what you tell it to tho sometimes a little can be lost in translation

And sometimes the one using it forgets to tell it anything at all......

**onimaru55** · 01-31-2011, 05:25 PM

Some would be surprised that I have done 3 years worth of restorations with a dremel & flap sanders but I never sand the blade face without it firmly attached to a jig.
It does look like you went a bit hard on the pressure tho. Just remember it is dangerous & demands full attention.
We all lose a few for whatever reason. Don't worry razors are like buses just wait for the next one

**takedeadaim** · 02-01-2011, 09:31 AM

I find the dremel to be good for only a few things, mainly grinding rivet heads off and cutting small things with the cut off blade. Other than that I consider everthing else taking a chance on a tool that is a lot more powerful than it looks.

**superbleu** · 02-01-2011, 09:35 AM

Be weary of which direction the wheel/sanding drum is spinning. This along with the use of a magnetic sanding block and a glass of ice water and the dremel can be your friend and ally.