Dremel Keytop Trimmer

[Christopher D. Purdy]

>List:
>	I mentioned in a reply to Richard Moody the keytop trimming bit I put
>together for my Dremel tool.  It's a no brainer, really.  It works just
>like a laminate trimmer, ie., the cutters are straight and cut flush to
>the edges of the keystick.  I use the router table attachment to the
>Dremel and trim the keys upside down.  The cutting edges of the bit are
>just above the surface of the table, exactly the same height as the
>thickness of the keytop.  Unfortunately you can't get it close to the
>notch, so you have to finish that by hand.
>	I suppose one could do this just as well with the router attachment
>instead of the router table.  Just have to clamp the keystick to the
>bench.
>	Tomorrow I'll check to see what the dimensions of the bit are, as well
>as the bearing.  They are common sizes, so you should be able to find
>the bearing at a good supply house.
>	I did make a jig to lay the keystick on it's side, and used a straight
>router bit to trim the notch.  Since the bit has only two cutting edges,
>it did not cut very smoothly, and tended to pull at the plastic.  I had
>to recover one key that got away from me.  I don't think I will try this
>notching method again.
>
>	Paul McCloud

Paul,

If you figure out a good notching method I would be interested in hearing
it.  I trim keytops similar to your method but i use my router and table.
Actually, I thought I had invented something there, guess I'm not the only
one.  I still do the notching by hand but even so I cut my time way down
with the router.  Is the speed of the dremel fast enough to cut well?

chris

-Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.   School of Music  Ohio University  Athens OH

-purdy@oak.cats.ohiou.edu   (614) 593-1656    fax# (740) 593-1429