[jillsy]

Hey Everybody,

Well, I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but here goes. What exactly are microtools that everyone talks about? Are these just knives and gouges that do really fine detail work? Being that I carve alot of miniatures, are these something that would benefit me?

Thanks,
Jillsy

[Ashbys]

Hey Jillsy

There are no stupid question, just some that are easier than other to answer.
A mirco tool is a small tool bit designed to fit a mirco motor high speed grinder. Some of these grinder produce very high speeds allowing for a bit to move almost like a solid tip. If you look at engraving motors and tools you will find many of these referenced. I know one that is being advertised at 500000 rpm. The tools are often made in carbide as they are often used in working metals.
Mirco bits are usually ordered in standard sizes of 1/64 or larger . but I have seen them as small as a pin tip of .010 thus the reason they are called mirco.

When people talk about them they are usually referring to them attached to the grinder.

Opps Jillsy , I wasn't thinking of the mirco carves, they are just carving tool in miniture. Think tiny, tool points, and cutting splinters with a chisel .

Hope this helps
Ash

[Mitchell]

I changed your title a bit to be more descriptive....

Ash relayed micro tools for power carving. There are micro hand tools also (see the link below). They are just as you guessed - smaller versions of the larger tools for doing finer detail work.

Need opinions - micro tools

As far as being beneficial and/or necessary - it's hard to say. Carving is very subjective and what works for one will not always work for another. I carve lots of small carvings and rarely use what is described as a "micro" tool. I have a few, but don't really use them that often. IF you are power carving, I can see a benefit of the smaller bits.

[jillsy]

Thank you, thank you. I'll have to research these alittle further to see if they'd be beneficial. With Christmas coming, it might give my hubby some ideas!