Need help choosing a bit!

[Sieren]

Hi!
I am new to this forum, but I have been carving with a foredom flexshaft for about a year now. I mainly carve small earrings intended to be worn in stretched piercings (so about 2"x3" at the largest, with many small details). I usually use very hard exotic woods, like Pink Ivory, Lignum Vitae, Argentinian Lignum Vitae, Olivewood and Black and White Ebony.
I cut out my designs with a scroll saw, and then usually use a large drum sander to rough out the design more. I also have one of those carbide-type bits with all the random bumps on it (it is silver--I don't remember what brand--got it at Woodcraft) that is a long pointed flame shape, which I got with the intention of using it to rough out the tight spaces. The problem is that it leaves such a rough surface, and by the time I get all the ridges smoothed down with a diamond bit it not only takes FOREVER, but then the size of my earring is off (too small)! I also tried one of those "Marsh sanders" with the coiled sand paper, but those seem to only work at slow speeds, and don't remove much wood.
My question is: Does anybody know of a bit that is shaped like a long, narrow flame, that would be good for removing a medium amount of wood, but would leave a relatively smooth surface? Basically, I like how the drum sanders work, but I need something long and narrow with a pointed tip.
Thanks in advance!

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum!

I bought a set of diamond burr sets at Woodcraft last summer - I think it was this one:

Buy Carving Burr Set, Industrial Grade, 1/8" Shank, 30 Piece at Woodcraft.com

and it came in 4 different grits from 120 up to 600. I didn't see grit size in the online catalog, but they had them in the store. Perhaps the 120 grit would work.

Your silver burr sounds like Kutzall. Their red ones are extra coarse, silver is coarse, and they have a gold burr that is fine. KUTZALL Tungsten Carbide Burrs - Woodcraft.com

Another possibility is here: Stones-Diamond 1/8"-Wood Carvers Supply They have a small set of diamond burrs at 50 grit.

Hope this helps...
Claude

[Sieren]

Thanks, Claude!
Yup, I'm pretty sure my silver bit is a Kutzall--I remember they had a gold one too, that was "fine" grit.

I have a big set of diamond bits already--not sure what grit they are, though. How would the 120 grit diamond bits compare to sayyy.....a coarse grit sanding drum in terms on how much material they take off? I want a bit that will be able to get off at least as much material as a coarse sanding drum would take off, but something that is more slender. With the diamond bits I have right now, I end up burning the wood long before I get much material removed. Plus it takes FOREVER to get anywhere! So I'm guessing they are a finer grit--I'll have to check when I get home. I mainly use them for finishing and smoothing.
What do you think about the "Typhoon" bits? I've read some good reviews on them. I was thinking about getting a fine, long flame shaped one. I've read that they leave a smoother surface than the Kutzall ones--is this true?

[John T]

Sieren I don't know if this helps but check into ruby bits as they take off wood and leaves a nice finish

[susieq]

Hi Sieren,
On the woodcarverssupply.com website they also have sets of burs that are very tiny and fit into 3/32 collet. The sets are about $5 ea...give or take a few cents. Each set has several different profiles...some pointed, some rounded. They leave a smooth finish and would be ideal for working in tiny details. I have two of the sets and use them for getting in between tiny details and smoothing the back ground...

[Sieren]

So, I'm thinking of getting a coarse grit diamond bit, a coarse grit ruby bit, and a finer grit typhoon carbide bit and trying them all out to see which one (or combo of the three) works best. Thanks for all the suggestions!