Xmas Bit Selection

[Dennis Taylor]

I currently have a Dremel & a Foredom, that I use mostly for sanding, but have recently gotten into Scrolling/Carving items, from a article in a recent issue of Scrollsaw Magazine, really neat to do, but would like to use some power tools to 2 things, begin the rough out carving and also clean up carving to prepare for final sanding....my Foredom can use any of the 3 size burrs in the handpiece.
I understand that the 3 common burr's are a taper/ball/flame, could someone recommend a few burr's for relief type carving and maybe small in the round type items, Santa looking for a list!

Dennis

[Donna_T]

Dennis,
Help us out a bit by telling us what kinds of carvings you do--and what size. That will determine what bits we recommend.

I use carbide Kutsall or Typhoon (cylinders) bits to rough out and move lots of wood--even sanding drums work well. Then I sand/smooth out with flexible sanding drums (Marsh sanders) to clean up a piece before detailing it. Then I usually switch to diamond bits to do preliminary detail--and white or blue stones to finalize details. Again, it depends on the type of carving, type of wood, and size of the project. I use fine sanding "Guge" bits to clean up cracks and crannies.

I have 2-3 different flame bits in diamond, same with ball shaped bits, and cylinder shapes. I use them mostly on birds, fish, and animals up to 15" or so -- and their habitat.

Donna T

[Dennis Taylor]

Quite ironic that Mirro posted the pix of the National Park, that is the type of work I have been doing, Mirro emailed that he uses ruby burrs for the cleaning up before sanding...I have a few larger dremel bits that I can use for roughing, but the clean up work I lack in...trying to get a small list together for just that same type of work, it is wonderful, and I have completed 1 project, with handtools but not with the detail...most of my carvings are small to medium, caraciatures(sp) and wood spirits, in the round and walking sticks.....I would like to get a small assortment of burrs to complete Mirro stype of work and to work with on the others!....tks...Dennis