How to roughen a screen in 5 min. w/o much effort

[inkidu]

I had a hole saw that fits onto my rockwell sonicrafter. http://www.sonicrafter.com/ There are cheaper ones on the market.

"What is the Rockwell SoniCrafter?

The Rockwell SoniCrafter is a small, hand held multiple purpose tool. The SoniCrafter features Microsonic™ technology,

which creates a high frequency oscillation motion. The tool is adapted for a wide variety of applications by attaching

specially designed accessories on the end of the oscillating shaft. The SoniCrafter by Rockwell Tools is excellent for sawing, sanding,

scraping, cutting, rasping and removing grout."

I will post a picture once I can get access to a camera I am snowed in by storm of Feb. 6 2010

I had more than one type of hole saw and the other I tried doesn't fit and the other oscillating tools probably have different ends too

so shop around to find the right fit.

It makes the job much easier.

Hope this helps.

[inkidu]

If you do it this way you might never do it by hand again. This took a few minutes

[worley]

Great idea, I've seen those advertised, looks like it's done a great job, did it tear anywhere? I presume you had to hold it pretty lightly.
Tom.

[inkidu]

Thanks

I had it on the highest setting and it tore only once because I wanted to to test its limits.

Only have roughed up a few screens (complete amateur)

The process was fairly forgiving for at least one reason.

I was so easy.

[kcress]

So that thing just vibrates the hole saw? It doesn't rotate?

[inkidu]

They use the word oscillate but you could describe the motion as vibrate. I use the tool more than

I thought I would for small precise jobs it does what other tools can't do. It is very controllable where other

tools,sawzall or grinder, could grab and move around on you the small movement lets you get into small areas

where there are other things around that you don't want to touch. This article compares them well.

http://www.protoolreviews.com/buying-gu ... comparison (http://www.protoolreviews.com/buying-guides/oscillating-multi-tool-shootout-comparison)

To summarize the Fien is the best but it is also around $400

The rockwell has great durability without breaking the bank. Buy the bigger package the attachments are very

expensive if bought one at a time. The blades also wear out quickly limiting this tool to small jobs

The Chicago Electric Tools Multi-Function tool from Harbor Freight is only $40 but It feels like it.

It might be useful as a mostly screen roughening tool. I never seen where the attachments connect on the

Chicago Electric tool to know if you could attach a holesaw. This is something I did on my own. Disclaimer this is not how

the tool is supposed to work. So be careful although it is a safe tool. You can actually touch the moving blade.

I am sure this is not factory recommended.

Hope this help.

[kcress]

Thanks for the info.

[Amphiprion]

That's good to know for any future projects. I know it took about 5 different occasions of screen roughing with a hole saw bit, not counting the initial setup, to get my screen where I wanted it. I figure each one of those was probably 20 or so minutes in duration. Waaaay more time than I want to take to do that, basically. If this can shave that down some, I'm happy.

[rygh]

That strategy worked GREAT!
I put a hole saw on my Fein Multimaster, and was done in no time.
Simple to install, simple to do.
And very good quality as well. The control is much better, so you can get it rougher, without shredding the screen.
Many thanks for that tip.
I would not buy the tool just for this, since it is pretty expensive, but I already had one.

PS: The tool (with normal blade, not hole saw) can be used for detailed acrylic cutting as well, as long as you cool the blade.

[worley]

Good to know others have had success with this method, I've been looking at getting one of these tools for a little while now.

[Rossco]

http://www.fein.de/schleifteller/au_cam ... 1927098537 (http://www.fein.de/schleifteller/au_campaign/?adword=google%2FFein+Brand_+Schleifteller_AU%2FBr and_AU%2Ffein%23&amktid=14109001927098537)
I've been using one of these for years. Great tool.
I roughed my screen up in about five minutes by dragging a serrated knife on edge across it in different directions. Just a thought.
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss357/rosscopeco/P1310001.jpg
Don't get me wrong, I've worked in the US and I love my power tools.

[SantaMonica]

Try a hand towel drop-test, with the screen at 45 degrees, and see if the screen catches it.

[Rossco]

It's a little slimey now. The surface is easily rough enough to catch the fibers on a hand towel. If it were pasta it would be al dente.
Another good hand tool would be a handsaw with hardened teeth. The hardened steel gives the screen sharp cuts all over that make a towel stick to it like velcro.
If you look at the photo you can see the area that did not get scraped. The rest of the screen is fuzzy with cuts

[SantaMonica]

You mean this....


http://www.radio-media.com/fish/ScreenHoleSaw.jpg


http://www.radio-media.com/fish/CanvasCompare.jpg

[Rossco]

The teeth are hardened but not as sharp as a hand saw or the like. I have an extensive range of tools at my disposal and the skills to use them.
I never noticed that you were using the hole saw by hand( my bad) and struggled to understand how you kept control of it. Go figure.
If you are rubbing the hole saw on the screen you are doing the same thing really as dragging a saw or knife on edge.
Most people don't have expensive hole saws handy but they do have cheap serated knives in the kitchen. This was easier than going to the garage for me.

[mrbncal]

Another idae that has worked great for me is a tool made for removing wallpaper. Its handhelp and has a rotating dealy with two serrated wheels that spin as you move the thing in a circular motion. It is cheap and easy to use I will be starting a build thread shortly and I have a pic of teh tool I will post. Below is a link to one like it though

http://www.lowes.com/pd_64100-1748-2023 ... =wallpaper (http://www.lowes.com/pd_64100-1748-202301_0_?productId=3036950&Ntt=wallpaper) tools&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=wallpaper tools

[SantaMonica]

You mean this?... it looks like it would snag the canvas. Might give it a try.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_64100-1748-2023 ... Id=3036950 (http://www.lowes.com/pd_64100-1748-202301_0_?productId=3036950)

[Rossco]

It does look cool at the least. I've used a similar heavy duty version before. They stab hundreds of little holes in the paper so the steam can get behind it. As long as it gives the GHA something to hold on to as it gets pretty sodden and heavy when it grows out.

[mrbncal]

You mean this?... it looks like it would snag the canvas.


Not so much. . . .I didnt have any trouble. I havent used a hole saw yet so I cant compare teh difference in the amount of
"damage" to the screen but teh one I did feels pretty "cactusy". We will see. I used it on a horizontal version (made of white cutting board stuff) I am making for my tank and it felt really rough. I am making a 5 gallon bucket scrubber (your original design with screen) to give to a friend and I will let you know how the screen works if you want feedback on it.

[inkidu]

This is so much easier than roughening a screen by hand with a hole saw

that I thought ii was worth a bump.

Hope this helps.

[dota]

sorry im a newbie,
do you hv to rough the screen surface ?

coz, im using a nylon screen. which is so thin, i just worry if i scratch too much, it will break.

[SantaMonica]

Yes it has to be very rough or the algae will let go.

BTW I tried the wallpaper too. Barely works at all, compared to a hole saw in your hand.

[dota]

Yes it has to be very rough or the algae will let go.

BTW I tried the wallpaper too. Barely works at all, compared to a hole saw in your hand.

oo..ok, no wonder, my ATS been running about 10 days, but the algae seem so little..
after i red alot bout u scrubber, i just realize dat my screen are not good enough
i think i need to buy the "plastic canvas" n rough it up..
Thx lot santa, U the man ! :mrgreen: