[mik1947]

After reading Hugh's post re: carving his santa with hand tools and then finishing with power, I think I would like to give that approach a try. I'd like to stay away from having to install a sophisticated exhaust system and use the power tool for finishing up a piece. My question is: What tools would those in the know recommend to accomplish this? Thanks, Mike

[Paul_Guraedy]

I use power at the beginning and the end of most of my carvings. The agressive bits (typhoon, etc.) get rid of the excess wood and get me down to where the carving starts.

I then usually switch to hand tools (or power for spots that are much simpler to do with power). Once, I have most of the details in place, I return to power (I carve birds of prey primarily and am now switching to include animals).

For the animals I have been using a #11/1 & 2 mm to rough in the fur, then using the edge of a very small white, cylinder stone to put in the hair (top this off with some burning).

With birds, I usually put the feathers in with a "V" tool, then go to power and use a 1/4" diamond ball and finally but in the barbs (soft feathers) with the edge of the white stone mentioned above. Hard feathers are smoothed down with diamonds and then gone over with one of the foredom "blue" ceramic stones. Then the barbs are burned.

With either animals or birds, or even a piece that has been burned but not had stones on it, I go over it very thoroughly with scotchbrite held in a "screw type" mandrel.

[GILLY]

Hey Paul, do the stones cause any "fuzzing"? or do they cut clean.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Gilly, the simple answer is generally yes you do get fuzzing with power bits. But, using the foredom ceramic stones and a light touch there is little to no fuzzing.

I don't really consider the fuzzing a problem, just something that you have to work with, like sharpening a gouge. My dentist knows that I use a power brush; but, that I use the free toothbrushes for my carvings and gives me a couple with each visit. I use these to brush away the fuzz that obstructs my view of what I am doing.

Then the scotchbrite is what I use for final removal of fuzzies and charred wood from burning, etc.

[decoycarve]

I use these three bits to clean up all the nooks and cranys left from the knives and chisels. The football shaped one is my favorite. I use the inverted cone to cut crowsfeet at the corners of my santas eyes and the ball comes in handy for texturing the fur around santas hood. I then hit with a brass brush(toothbrush style of brush not the ones that you can get for power) then I use scotchbrite bads in my mandrel and go over the whole carving. These are fine grit diamond bits.
Goody

[GILLY]

Good info boys, thanks.

[mik1947]

Paul and Goody -
Thanks for all the helpful info on the bits you use and how you apply them to your work. I think I will test the waters with an inexpensive tool like a dremel and see how it works out for me.