I'm new here.....

[Laura L.]

Hi Everyone,

I am brand new to this site. I'm really impressed with all the advice and support that members give each other. I'm hoping to engage in the same!

I am a tile artist and have previously worked only in clay. Clay is much more forgiving than wood when it comes to carving and mark making. Any advice for an artist who wants to do low, detailed relief work? I'm excited to get started.....

Thanks!

Laura

[Mark Dellinger]

Laura,

Hello and welcome. Good to have you with us.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[Boydman]

Hi Laura,

We make polymer clay and cold cast relief carvings and scrimshawed jewelry....be glad to help you along with your ideas.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

[breezly]

Welcome to the forum

[FARMALL RON]

Welcome to the forum..............Ron

[Laura L.]

Thanks everyone! I am wondering, first off, what the best dremel tool is for fine detailed carving? And then I'm wondering if using a dremel for carving is even preferred. The work I'm trying to do is very elaborate and detailed and the idea of accomplishing it all with chisels is a little daunting. Cheers!

[mgarlit]

Welcome to the forum. Back issue # 52 has two good articles on relief carving. As far as Dremel goes, they have four or five bits that carve wood fairly well. But there are several other brands of carving burs you can buy that will fit the Dremel. You just have to be sure of the shaft size. These brands offer a wide variety of choices, from large burs that remove a lot of wood to the smallest bits for fine detail, like hair or feathers. And get yourself a few extra collets. You don't want the burs wobbling or loose for fine detail. Whenever I work in fine detail, I keep the speed just fast enough to cut without tearing. I also have a small pillow I rest my forearm on at the bench. It gives me a little more control. I think using a flex shaft attachment also gives better control as you don't have to contend with the weight of the Dremel itself. You'll develop your own methods for power carving and find favorites among burs. The main thing is, have fun.

Good luck
Mike

[Boydman]

Hey Laura,

I would agree with Mike. I use a line of Lynx burs out of Germany. I order from Rio Grande, the 344302 is 0.05mm. They sell handles also. The power is better for larger cutting, I use a Foredom flex-shaft for heavy work and the Dremel flex-shaft for lighter work. For the really fine work I have machined points or make my own. If you have magnification, you can use your rotary tools to sharpen different points with a standart diamond shapener...hope this helps.....enjoy!

[idigjars]

Hello and welcome to the forum Laura. Paul