Fragging LPS with a Dremel Tool
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=67420
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Topic: Fragging LPS with a Dremel Tool
Posted By: aceofspadeskb
Subject: Fragging LPS with a Dremel Tool
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 7:57am
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There are plenty of youtube videos showing how to frag with a dremel tool, but they don't do a very good job of keeping their hands/tool out of the way of the cutting area so you can't really see what they are doing. I'm needing to frag a couple of large Duncan and trumpet colonies and looking for some pointers: What dremel attachment to use? How to treat the new frag? What NOT to do? I'm totally new at this...HELP!  Thanks in advance! |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 8:27am
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I've had a lot of experience with Trumpet but not so much with Duncan coral. Cut the skeleton as far from the polyp heads as possible. These corals especially the Trumpet coral which is a Euphyillia sp. same as frogspawn, torch and hammer corals, can be broken apart at the stalks, often by hand. Wire cutters (dikes) and/or bone cutters can be used on the rare solid stalk. Closer to the polyp heads, as with Duncans, use the dremmel to score the skeleton and snap apart. No special treatment needed. Superglue or Epoxy the stalk to a rock/plug. Remember that Euphyllia hydrate and swell up to an inch back down the stalk so give them as much stalk as possible. Hope this helps. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Softplan
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 8:50am
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I use the cut of wheel and attachment from the general purpose accessory kit. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-General-Purpose-Set-52-pcs-687-01/100342854?N=grZ12ky%3FNao%3D48%26NCNI-5#.UnfB1vmko2s" rel="nofollow - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-General-Purpose-Set-52-pcs-687-01/100342854?N=grZ12ky%3FNao%3D48%26NCNI-5#.UnfB1vmko2s
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Posted By: tink
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 8:52am
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I didn't mean to frag my hammer but when I was pulling it off the frag plug the skeleton broke almost in half(vertical) and took some of the head with it. 4 months later the Bigger piece now has a new head the smaller piece did die though. Just to through that out there and give a example to what Mark said. ------------- Creating my own ocean |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 8:58am
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Use the cutoff wheel, especially for the Duncan. Their skeletons crush easily, and you'll probably crush it if you use the bone cutters. If the skeleton is especially thick, submerge the coral about every 10-20 seconds of cutting to cool it back down. The cutting area will get quite warm otherwise. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 9:07am
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Posted By: Krazie4Acans
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 9:09am
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You can get small Diamond cutting wheels at Harbor Freight for very little money and they cut cleaner and with much less heat than the cut off wheels. The cut off wheels are also made from abrasive materials that are glue'd and pressed together. I'm not sure what the materials are but I know that they wear down while cutting. I'm not sure if they are toxic in the tank or not so the Diamond ones seam safer to me because they are metal and don't really wear down. They last forever.
------------- My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63568&title=krazies-nano-paradise" rel="nofollow - Tank Thread: |
Posted By: Softplan
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 9:12am
Nice, I'll have to go get me one of those before my next cutting.
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Krazie4Acans wrote:Posted By: aceofspadeskb
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 9:17am
| I love me some Harbor Freight! Thanks all! |
Posted By: Krazie4Acans
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 9:18am
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They come in a four pack so you'll have to find a storage spot for the others or share them with your friends. ;) ------------- My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63568&title=krazies-nano-paradise" rel="nofollow - Tank Thread: |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: November 04 2013 at 7:44pm
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Diamond wheel works great and if it is Dremel brand it uses a special shaft so make sure you get that. Dremel EZ Lock. I've had good luck with bone cutters too but you have to cut a little at a time or it will crush the stem like Nikki said.
Mike -------------  |