Dremel 400

[Robweja]

I am currently looking at the Dremel 400 digital as a first step into power carving.
Any advice offered would be appreciated.
I did have a Dremel tool given to me years ago after it had suffered for a lot of years in the hands of a heavy handed tradesman friend. He felt it was useless as it used to bog down but I feel he didn't have the idea of using the tools speed to do the work rather than it's power etc. After 5 years of me using it for everything it finally burned out and was just way too far past redeming.
The kit I am looking at comes with flex shaft and about 80 of the 5 second tools that tend to come in the kits and also has a lawn mower blade sharpener (who the heck sharpens mower blades?).
I frightened myself looking for and finding Tungsten Carbide Burrs. At close to $50 a pop delivered I really need a "hint" on what might be the best choice for burr shape i.e Sphere, Long Round Nosed, Cone.
I hope I am making sense here?
ANy help would be humbly accepted.

[Donsexton]

You mentioned that you have already looked at burrs and by the price that you quoted sounds a little expensive. The ones that you looked at were cut or double cut carbide?
Have you looked at the structured carbide burrs like Saburr Tooth they are less expensive but very effective. You mentioned a cone shape I have never got much use out of that shape. I tend to use the long round and the ball and the long cylinder.

[Robweja]

Originally Posted by Donsexton

You mentioned that you have already looked at burrs and by the price that you quoted sounds a little expensive. The ones that you looked at were cut or double cut carbide?
Have you looked at the structured carbide burrs like Saburr Tooth they are less expensive but very effective. You mentioned a cone shape I have never got much use out of that shape. I tend to use the long round and the ball and the long cylinder.

Thanks Don. We are talking Aussie dollars here. Everything seems much more expensive. The particular burr I refered to was a vicious looking thing covered in spikes. I have seen the Sabre Tooth (I think they call them miner burs or some such?) but I haven"t priced them yet. I thought the long thin cylinder with rounded nose might just be a good choice so I guess I am starting to bark up the right tree.

[Donsexton]

That one is a wise choice and one I use alot.

[mpounders]

Make sure the burr you are looking at has a shaft compatible with the Dremel. A lot of the larger burrs may have a 1/4" shaft which probably won't fit. And beware of those burrs! You'll find they remove flesh as easily as wood and some gloves sure come in handy. I still have my old Dremel, but have not used it much since getting a rotary shaft tool with a foot control and standard hand pieces. I 'll probably save up for a micromotor tool or may look at another Dremel. Look for my post in here for an inexpensive flex shaft, but I'm not sure if you can get it where you are. I use a burr similar to the one above and I like the flame shaped ones a lot.

[Robweja]

Originally Posted by mpounders

Make sure the burr you are looking at has a shaft compatible with the Dremel. A lot of the larger burrs may have a 1/4" shaft which probably won't fit. And beware of those burrs! You'll find they remove flesh as easily as wood and some gloves sure come in handy. I still have my old Dremel, but have not used it much since getting a rotary shaft tool with a foot control and standard hand pieces. I 'll probably save up for a micromotor tool or may look at another Dremel. Look for my post in here for an inexpensive flex shaft, but I'm not sure if you can get it where you are. I use a burr similar to the one above and I like the flame shaped ones a lot.

I stand corrected about the Saburr burrs as that is exactly what I was looking at and just didn't know. Yup the price is around $50 each posted here in Aus. I will look elsewhere and do better.
I guess now it is a matter of :- First get the tool and see how long the standard burrs take to blunt on the projects and then get one Tungsten burr at a time till I am set up.
I have comitted to not wearing gloves for carving. I got a carving glove and cant stand the lack of feel as I am just so used to working bare handed. I came from an industry that insisted that power tools not be used with gloves and the habbit just stuck. Yup wearing gloves with power tools was a sackable offence in my day.

[Sharon of the Dell]

I wore a fish carving glove on my non carving hand and the burr on my dremel got caught in the glove.wound up and spun, darn near broke my fingers.I don't wear a glove usually, if I do its leather.

[Robweja]

Originally Posted by Sharon of the Dell

I wore a fish carving glove on my non carving hand and the burr on my dremel got caught in the glove.wound up and spun, darn near broke my fingers.I don't wear a glove usually, if I do its leather.

Sharon that particular type accident is exactly why we weren't allowed to wear gloves or wedding rings.
I once saw a finger "de glove" from a wedding ring caught in a conveyor belt. Having seen this once I hope to never see another. I am glad that didn't happen to you with the filleting glove. I would expect all the little wires in a filleting glove would make a darned fine "finger garotte" should they be given the chance. I shiver to think.
I get the message from both you and Don. Respect your Dremel Tool or loose skin! Just cause they are little doesn't mean they can't hurt you.