How to Cut a Brass Shower-Drain Flange With a Dremel

Leaks around the drain and shower pan often require replacing the shower drain. Some shower drains are brass and thread into the drain below the shower pan. Over time though, sediment and lime build up, making it difficult to turn the brass shower drain. When this happens, it's necessary to cut a notch into the shower-drain flange -- so you're able to use a chisel and hammer to rotate the shower drain. Cutting a brass shower-drain flange with a Dremel makes quick work of this project.

Cloth
Pencil
Diamond-cutting wheel with mandrel

Instructions

- 1
  Stuff a cloth into the shower drain. This helps prevent loose particles of brass shavings from falling in. Make two marks with pencil on the shower-drain flange where you want to cut. The two marks should be at least 1 inch from each other.
- 2
  Insert a mandrel into your Dremel, and attach a cutting wheel to the top of the mandrel. The mandrel has a screw on the top end that secures the cutting wheel on most Dremels.
- 3
  Adjust the speed selector to the lowest setting, if you have a variable-speed Dremel. Turn on the Dremel and slowly apply the edge of the cutting wheel against one of the marks on the flange.
- 4
  Slide down the mark, applying light pressure. Make several passes over the mark, rather than attempting to cut through in one pass. This helps prevent cutting into the shower pan. Continue cutting through the flange until it bends slightly when it separates.
- 5
  Repeat for the remaining mark on the flange. Once both lines are cut, bend the notch portion out of the flange with a pair of pliers.

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