I searched but couldn't find anything on this.

Can slotted/dimpled rotors be turned? O'Reillys said they don't feel comfortable doing it, and I wouldn't want someone to turn them if they're not sure about it anyway. They also wanted to charge me $86 EACH for the rear blank rotors they sell. Fuck that, we can get slotted ones cheaper. I also don't want slotted rotors if they need to be replaced everytime the pads are changed, but I doubt that's the case.

slotted/dimpled can be turned...slotted/drilled cant be turned...take em to a machine shop and they should do it for 10$ each. My machinist did em for 10$ each at least....

Cool, I was hoping to hear that. I read on an Altima website that they can't be turned. They also said that the slots and cross drilling are there to help remove the brake dust. :rolleyes So I didn't believe much of what they said.
Another funny thing is that a guy at Autozone tried to warn me about slotted rotors. He said that even though it aids in cooling it removes some of the contact surface and they can shatter. He's right about the contact surface, but I can't see them shattering when full blown race cars use slotted rotors plus they aren't there to aid in cooling.

The slots and such are there to let Gases escape. These form from the constant contact and wear on the pads with heat and friction.

Yes the cheaper ones can Crack, they wont shatter instantly. It happens gradually and hairline cracks form as indicators before failure ( in most cases).

Most shops dont have the know how of machines to turn them. Keep in mind that they already have some material gone ( slots and dimples) so removing more will weaken our already thin rotors.

I turn mine. The only difference is I dont take as deep of a cut on each pass. On my personal ones I remove no more then .004 each pass and I do a slow cut.

Terry

iv never heard that about SLOTTED rotors....but iv heard its best to avoid cross drilled (esp cheap ones) because they have a tendency to get stress cracks between the holes.

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
I turn mine. The only difference is I dont take as deep of a cut on each pass. On my personal ones I remove no more then .004 each pass and I do a slow cut. Terry

Yeah, if you try to cut them to agressively you wear the bits out faster too.

Exile Racing Technologies
http://www.exileracing.com
Go that way, really fast, if something gets in your way... turn.

Originally posted by Chamuko
The slots and such are there to let Gases escape. These form from the constant contact and wear on the pads with heat and friction. Yes the cheaper ones can Crack, they wont shatter instantly. It happens gradually and hairline cracks form as indicators before failure ( in most cases). Most shops dont have the know how of machines to turn them. Keep in mind that they already have some material gone ( slots and dimples) so removing more will weaken our already thin rotors.

Yeah, I knew that about the gases for some time now. It's just amazing all the different opinions you hear about slotted, dimpled, and cross drilled rotors. I admit that I used think they were there for cooling, but you'd think that an auto parts store employee would know better.
Also, most of the better slotted and cross drilled rotors are guaranteed not to crack anymore.
I work at a machine shop, unfortunately not an automotive one, and can probably find a way to turn them myself when the time comes. The company I work for frowns upon government work, though. But I do work nights when there are no "chiefs" there, so I can get by with doing some of my own shit. :)

Originally posted by DSMxTSi
you'd think that an auto parts store employee would know better

Hehehe. Yeah, you'd think.....


Brian

Why can't you cut them? (besides reasons stated by Chamuko) There have to be some guide lines otherwise they will just go bad and will vibrate.

BTW the expensive ones crack also... except the do it on race track under torturing conditions

Originally posted by gramozeka
BTW the expensive ones crack also... except the do it on race track under torturing conditions

That's what I'm betting on. I've never had any kind of slotted or drilled rotors and am curious to feel the difference. Since they won't see anywhere near the torturing effects of road racing, I hope they last for a long time. We're close to finally installing the turbo kit on the 2gnt and have wanted to upgrade the brakes beforehand. I just hope Jen likes them, she's not crazy about all the money we're dumping into the brakes.

Originally posted by gramozeka
Why can't you cut them? (besides reasons stated by Chamuko) There have to be some guide lines otherwise they will just go bad and will vibrate. BTW the expensive ones crack also... except the do it on race track under torturing conditions

They can be cut but you have to obsearve the amount you cut and measure them when they are done. If you have to cut too much they will become too thin and crack.