How to start out with a Dremelly-type thing :)

[Grimnir]

I have a Dremel-type rotary tool with a flexible shaft and I was wondering if this was ok to use for power carving? I have a selection of bits, most of which came with either this tool or the one I had previously, but I don't really know which of them are any good for wood. I have a fair number of diamond bits, are these any good at all? What about the stone-looking ones that come in all the different shapes? Is it just a case of trying them out and hoping?

To be honest I like my knives and chisels but I have a fair number of blanks here I picked up from a turners suppliers and they are really hard going - in fact just plain really hard! So I thought maybe I could try power. I don't really have the money to go out and buy a whole load of what look to be quite expensive burrs though. What should I look for?

Finally, any tips for the newbie on this?

[Claude]

Hi, Raven.

Most of the burrs/bits that come with sets are worth much. The stone things are for sharpening other things, such as lawnmower blades... The diamond bits are great for doing final delicate work or final smoothing, but lousy for removing a lot of wood. For that you need a carbide burr. There are several brands that fit Dremel - basically, any carbide burr with a 1/8 or 3/32 inch shaft will work. Kutzall are structured carbide (looks like sand glued to a metal shaft). Monster makes great carbide cutters that look vaguely like a funny shaped drill bit. These can be dangerous as they'll grab the wood and fling it out of your hand, if you're lucky, and carve across your holding hand, if you're not. They do leave a smoother surface than Kutzall. Typhoon is another good brand, but I don't know if they make the 1/8 inch size, or just the 1/4 inch shaft, which Dremel can't use. Go to Wood Carvers Supply, Inc. and scroll down the left side to the Power Carving section and you'll find LOTS of the carbide burrs. In my opinion, don't waste your money on High Speed Steel burrs - get the carbide ones.

The dolphin on my web site was carved primarily with gouges and my Dremel, and it's walnut, so a Dremel can do some decent work (at least I think it's decent )
Claude

[FINGERS]

I'm with Claude. Dremel all the way. Just don't over apply pressure. If your using the 400 XPR you've got maximum versility with speed from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm. You may want to go dremel.com and see their stuff, match it to what you got.

I use Dremel's to demonstrate power carving and to convience carvers there's more than just knives. Being versitable keeps are interest in this old art form.

[Donsexton]

I agree with Claude, get your self some good carving burrs from wood carvers supply. Let us know the ones you may want and we will let you know how useful they are.

[John_C]

it would be good to know what you would like to carve. I hand carve and recently discovered a whole new world with power. I use power to carve delicate relief in hard woods that are typically to small to use hand tools and to hard on the palm tools. I started out with a set of diamond burrs from Woodcraft that cost less then 20 dollars American. yes you can get carbide burrs to fit the Dremel also Ruby bits which do a great job. the 1/4 in burrs are for larger projects and wasting away for smaller projects and you would need a larger shaft tool to use them. Foredom tools website will give you an idea of the burrs available.

[Dileon]

I think the dremel is good for small detail with good ruby and diamond bits, and get rid of fuzzies. It is not good for power carving. I have three now with flex shafts and burned out about five or six in the past years.... which brings me to the point, that I would have saved money just buying a good power carver in the first place. I bought a foredom SR but read and study books later,...found you need at least 1/3 horse power for hard wood which I have a lot of, so I bought another Foredom TX for my hard wood.... dremels are worthless with the hardwood, even light touch sanding heats them up...that is why I have three. My next buy is a micro motor ...which is expensive but everyone seems to like their big time... so I feel instead of trash canning dremels, I can use the good one. The good companies stand by their products, repairs, replacement parts and the works...it is worth the money... for a good product. And you will be surprised how much they can do! I am an artist that has worked in many mediums, got a piece of Kiawe that broke two of my old best chisels and ate my favorite knife as, it was that hard. I was using a power drill with router bits... talk about a tool that would almost break your arms off!!...smile.... you should see the muscles in my arms...smile...but now...You will see me now... in what looks like a space suit covered in sawdust happy as a cow in the stall, because my tool are working the way I like it to. Di

[GeneWebb]

I power carve for a living, I use the foredoms, and the nsk, but the optima micro tool cost alot less than the nsk.I wood be happy to help anyone with power carving questions and what bits to use on what woods.Feel free to call 865-660-1110.

[Grimnir]

Thanks for that Gene. Right now it looks like power carving is on permanent hold - I just don't have the option any more. No room really, I'd end up having to do it in my landlords living room and you can imagine what the landlord would say to that! To be fair though, he does let me carve in the house as long as I clean up the wood chips, but I think an inch of wood dust over everything might be a push too far

I'm just glad the guy likes my carvings! And we'll see where I end up in a couple of months, should have my own flat then.

[John_C]

Why are you restricted to power carving indoors? I often take my set up outside .see that way your contributing to a GREEN environment by letting your wood chips " go back to nature" as it were