Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Dremel Power Carving Bits Choosing The Right One

    Uploaded by

    cherryup
    92 views6 pages
    Illustrated reference of Dremel drill bits

    Original Title

    Dremel Power Carving Bits Choosing the Right One

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Illustrated reference of Dremel drill bits

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    92 views6 pages

    Dremel Power Carving Bits Choosing The Right One

    Uploaded by

    cherryup
    Illustrated reference of Dremel drill bits

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 6

    Choosing

    Power Carving Bits


    Make smart purchases with
    a basic understanding of
    the cutters available
    By Chuck Solomon and Dave Hamilton
    Photos of bits in use courtesy of Foredom

    In power carving, the bur or bit is the part of the tool that does
    that actual wood removal. The power carving tool, such as a
    flexible shaft machine or micro motor, spins the bit at a high
    speed and the cutting surface or abrasive on the bit removes
    the wood. Power carving bits go by names such as burs, cutters,
    carvers, stones, and discs.
    Bits are manufactured from a variety of materials and are
    available in many shapes, head sizes, and shank sizes. The sheer
    volume of bits available can be overwhelming. By breaking
    down the categories and taking a look at the performance of the
    different types of bits, you can choose the best bit for the job.

    SHANK DIAMETER
    The shank is the backbone of the bit. One end of the shank
    is inserted in the rotary power carver. The head of the bit
    is formed around the opposite end of the shank. The most
    common shank diameters are ", ", 332", and 116". Flexible
    shaft machines accept any of these diameters when equipped
    with the appropriate collet. Micro motors typically accept
    "- and 332"-diameter shanks, although, optional collets can
    be purchased for alternate size shanks. Air turbine machines
    use only friction bits with a 116"-diameter shank. Generally,
    the larger the size of the bits head, the larger the diameter of
    the shank. Use the largest bit you comfortably can for the area
    you are carving. When inserting the bit into your rotary power
    carver, make sure the shank is as far into the tool as it will go.

    HEAD SHAPE AND SIZE


    Bits are grouped into a few general shapes. The shape of the bits
    head determines the contour of the cut. The larger the head,
    the more wood it will remove. Larger bits are generally used for
    roughing out a piece and smaller bits are used to add details.
    Many of the shapes have very specific purposes, but we tend
    to use the ball, cylinder, flame, and pear-shaped bits the most.

    80 Woodcarving Illustrated | FALL 2009


    Bit shapes
    Ball: GRITS AND MATERIALS
    t6TFUPDSFBUFDPODBWF
    cuts and to hollow out areas Bits are made from a variety of materials. These materials vary
    t$SFBUFTBDVUTJNJMBSUPB6HPVHF greatly in cost, cutting speed, durability, and the smoothness
    of the surface they leave behind. The most coarse and long-
    lasting bits feature aggressive carbide points bonded to a metal
    Cylinder:
    shaft. These bits remove wood fast, but leave a rough surface.
    t6TFUPDVUGMBUBSFBT SPVOEFEHFT BOE
    NBLFTUPQDVUTBOE7DVUT The finest cutting bits are man-made
    t$SFBUFTBDVUTJNJMBSUPBLOJGFPS stones which produce a smooth
    TUSBJHIUDIJTFM surface. Coarse bits work best at
    t)PMEUIFUPPMBUBOBOHMFBOEVTFUIF slower rpm and finer bits work best
    UPQDPSOFSUPNBLF7DVUT at higher rpm.
    t4NPPUIFOEPSTBGFFOECJUTBSFUIF
    most useful

    Flame:
    Carbide Cutters
    t6TFUPNBLFDPODBWF
    DVUTBOE7DVUT BOEUPSFDFTTBSFBT Brand names: Various
    t$SFBUFTBDVUTJNJMBSUPB6HPVHF Average price per bit:
    XIFOVTJOHJUTTJEFBOEB7UPPMXIFO
    $12 to $20
    VTJOHUIFUJQ
    Shank diameters:
    ", 18", 332", 116"
    Pear:
    Durability: High: long-
    t6TFUPSPVOEFEHFTBOEDSFBUF
    MVNQTBOECVNQTXIFOCJSEDBSWJOH
    lasting bits are nearly as
    durable as carbide-point bits
    t1SPEVDFBSFMBUJWFMZTNPPUI
    Bull nose/ball nose: Carbide-point Bits surface on woods
    t$PNCJOFTBCBMMXJUIBDZMJOEFS
    Brand names: Typhoon, t"WBJMBCMFJOGMVUFEBOE
    t6TFUPNBLFDPODBWFDVUTBOEIPMMPX
    PVUBSFBTVTJOHUIFUPQ 4BCVSS5PPUI ,VU[BMM cross-cut styles
    t6TFUIFTJEFUPDVUGMBUBSFBTBOE Average price per bit: t-BSHFCJUTXJUIEJBNFUFSTIBGUT
    SPVOEFEHFT $15 to $20 VTFGVMGPSSPVHIJOHPVUDBSWJOHT
    t$SFBUFTBDVUTJNJMBSUPB6HPVHFXJUI Shank diameters: t4NBMMFSCJUTDBOCFVTFEUPBEE
    the top and a knife cut with the side ", 18", 332" EFUBJMUPDBSWJOHT
    Durability: High: we t$VUXPPE BDSZMJD QMBTUFS BOE
    Large taper: IBWFTFWFSBMCJUTXFIBWF fiberglass
    t6TFUPSPVOEFEHFT NBLFDPODBWF VTFEGPSNPSFUIBOUFOZFBST
    DVUT BOEBDDFTTIBSEUPSFBDIBSFBT without a noticeable change in
    UIFJSBCJMJUZUPSFNPWFXPPE Carbide-grit Bits
    Small Taper: t.PTUBHHSFTTJWFCJUTBWBJMBCMF
    t6TFUPBDDFTTIBSEUPSFBDI t6TFEGPSSBQJETUPDLSFNPWBM Brand name:
    BOEBOHMFEBSFBT when roughing out both hard Dura-Grit
    t$SFBUFGFBUIFSCBSCVMFTBOEIBJS and soft wood Average price per bit:
    t1SPEVDFBSFMBUJWFMZSPVHITVSGBDF $15
    Oval: t5ZQIPPO 4BCVSS5PPUI BOE Shank diameters: 18"
    t6TFUPSPVOEFEHFT DSFBUFMVNQT ,VU[BMM&YUSFNFNBLFDMFBOFS Durability: High: tough carbide grit
    BOECVNQT BOENBLFDPODBWFDVUT cuts, collect less debris, and are stays sharp and wont tear loose, but
    easier to clean because the points wears out faster than carbide cutters
    Inverted Cone: are structurally aligned and carbide-point bits
    t6TFUPNBLF7DVUT t,VU[BMMCJUTDVUGBTU CVUMFBWF t"WBJMBCMFJOTFWFSBMHSJUT
    for feather barbules and hair a rougher surface and can be t"WBJMBCMFJONPTUTIBQFTJODMVEJOH
    difficult to clean cutting wheels
    Disc: t$VUXPPE BDSZMJD QMBTUFS BOE t$VUXPPE MBNJOBUFT GJCFSHMBTT 
    t6TFUPVOEFSDVU fiberglass HPVSET BOEDFSBNJDT
    feathers and make channel cuts
    t$VUPGGUIJOQJFDFTPGVOXBOUFEXPPE
    www.woodcarvingillustrated.com 81
    t4JOUFSFEEJBNPOECJUTGFBUVSF
    EJBNPOEQBSUJDMFTCPOEFEXJUI
    QPXEFSFECSPO[FNBUSJY XIJDIBSF
    UIFOCPOEFEUPUIFNFUBMIFBE
    t4JOUFSFEEJBNPOECJUTDBOCF
    sharpened and reshaped slightly
    XJUIBEJBNPOEESFTTJOHTUPOF
    t1MBUFEEJBNPOECJUTDBOOPUCF
    reshaped
    Stump Cutters t6TFEUPUFYUVSFBOEDBSWFGJOFEFUBJMT
    t"WBJMBCMFJOTFWFSBMHSJUT
    Brand names: Various
    t"WBJMBCMFJONPSFTIBQFTUIBOBOZ
    Average price per bit: other bit
    Mini Saw & $9 to $11
    t6TFEGPSGJOBMTIBQJOH UFYUVSJOH 
    Carving Drills Shank diameter: 332" and detailing
    Durability:.FEJVN t$VUXPPE IBSEFOFETUFFM HMBTT 
    Brand name: Various
    WBOBEJVNTUFFMDVUUFSTMBTU DFSBNJD CPOF BOUMFS TUPOF BOE
    Average price per bit: $10 longer than high-speed steel QSFDJPVTNFUBMT
    Shank diameters: 18", 332" CJUT CVUOPUBTMPOHBTEJBNPOE
    Durability:)JHI.JOJTBXESJMMT or ruby bits
    BSFNBEFGSPNIJHITQFFETUFFM t4FSSBUFEFEHFTSFNPWFXPPE
    DPBUFEXJUIUJUBOJVNOJUSJEFDBSWJOH RVJDLMZ CVUMFBWFBTNPPUITVSGBDF
    ESJMMTBSFNBEFGSPNIJHIUFNQFSFE t$VUNPTUXPPET CJUTXFBSPVUGBTUFS
    TUFFM#PUIUZQFTPGESJMMTIBWFHSFBU XIFODBSWJOHIBSEEFOTFXPPET
    heat resistance and life
    t6TFEUPESJMMIPMFTBOEDBSWFPVU
    GSPNUIFIPMFTPOQJFSDFEUVSOJOHT
    BOESFMJFGDBSWJOHT
    t%JGGJDVMUUPDPOUSPMPOBO
    JOUIFSPVOEDBSWJOH
    t$VUXPPEVQUPUIJDL
    t$PNFJOBWBSJFUZPGTJ[FT Ruby Bits
    Brand names: Various
    Average price per bit:
    High-speed Steel Bits $9
    Shank diameter: 18",
    Brand names: Various 332"
    Average price per bit: Durability:.FEJVNMBTU
    $11 longer than stones, but are less
    Diamond Bits
    Shank diameters: 18", 332" EVSBCMFUIBOEJBNPOECJUT
    Durability:.FEJVNMPOH Brand names: Various
    t1BSUJDMFTPGSVCZCPOEFEUPB
    lasting, but not as durable as Average price per bit: NFUBMGSBNF
    carbide bits 1MBUFEUP 
    4JOUFSFEUP t3FNPWFXPPERVJDLMZ CVUMFBWFB
    t"WBJMBCMFJONPSFTIBQFTUIBO TNPPUIGJOJTI
    carbide bits Shank diameter:
    ", 18", 332", 116" t"WBJMBCMFJOGJOF NFEJVN BOE
    t6TFGVMGPSDVUUJOHHSPPWFTBOE coarse grits
    DPVOUFSTJOLJOH Durability: High: sintered
    EJBNPOECJUTBSFBMNPTUBTEVSBCMF t$VUTUFFM DFSBNJD XPPE TPGUBOE
    t-FTTFYQFOTJWF CVUMFTTEVSBCMFUIBO QSFDJPVTNFUBMT CPOF BOEBOUMFS
    DBSCJEF EJBNPOE PSSVCZCJUT BTDBSCJEFCJUTQMBUFEEJBNPOE
    bits are less durable than sintered
    t$VUXPPE CPOF BOUMFS QMBTUJD BOE
    EJBNPOECJUT
    TPGUNFUBMT
    t1MBUFEEJBNPOECJUTGFBUVSFB
    TJOHMFMBZFSPGEJBNPOEQBSUJDMFT
    FNCFEEFEJOUIFTIBQFENFUBMIFBE

    82 Woodcarving Illustrated | FALL 2009


    V Stones Ceramic Texturing Rods
    Brand Name:'PSFEPN Brand names: Various
    Average price per bit: Average price per bit: $22
    $3 to $5 Shank diameters: 18", 332"
    Shank diameter: 18", 332" Durability:.FEJVNMBTU
    Durability:.FEJVNMBTU longer than white stones, but are
    MPOHFSUIBOPSEJOBSZBMVNJOVN MFTTEVSBCMFUIBOEJBNPOECJUT
    PYJEFTUPOFT CVUMFTTUIBOSVCZCJUT Aluminum-oxide Stones
    t6TFEUPDSFBUFGFBUIFSCBSCVMFT 
    t.BEFGSPNBWJUSJGJFETFMGTIBSQFOJOH Brand name:WBSJPVT fur, or hair
    BMVNJOVNPYJEFHSBJO Average price per bit: t"WBJMBCMFJOUISFFHSJUT  
    t$PPMSVOOJOHBOEMPOHMBTUJOH $1.50 to $2.50 and 1200
    BCSBTJWFTUPOFT Shank diameter: 18", 332" t&OUJSFMPOHSPEDBOCFESFTTFE
    t$VUXPPE NFUBMT BDSZMJD HMBTT  Durability: -PXMFBTU PSTIBQFEGPSUFYUVSJOH HJWJOHUIF
    BOENBSCMF durable bit rods longer life
    t"WBJMBCMFJOWBSJPVTHSJUT t$VUUIFNJOIBMGBOEESFTTUIFGPVS
    t3FE DPBSTF UPHSJU
    BOE FOETXJUIEJGGFSFOUTIBQFTBOETJ[FT
    XIJUF GJOF HSJU
    BSFNPTUMZ t0VSUPQDIPJDFGPSDSFBUJOHGJOFEFUBJM
    used for wood for feathers and hair
    t3FEVTFEGPSGBTUXPPESFNPWBM
    t8IJUFVTFEGPSGJOFUFYUVSJOH TVDI
    BTCJSEGFBUIFSTPSNBNNBMGVS
    t4UPOFTDBOCFSFTIBQFEBOE
    TIBSQFOFEFBTJMZUPFYUFOEUIFJSMJGF
    t$VUXPPE NJMETUFFM BOETPGUNFUBMT

    Sanding Bands & Discs


    Brand names:%SFNFM 
    'PSFEPN .$VCJUSPO
    Average price per bit:
    CeramCut Blue Stones Silicon-carbide Stones ESVN TBOEJOH
    CBOETUP
    Brand name:'PSFEPN Brand names:WBSJPVT
    Shank diameters:
    Average price per bit: Average price per bit:
    ", 18", 332"
    $2 to $3 $2 to $3
    Durability:.FEJVN
    Shank diameter: 18", 332" Shank diameters: 18", 332"
    UPMPXPSEJOBSZBMVNJOVN
    Durability:.FEJVN Durability:-PXMBTU PYJEFTBOEJOHCBOETMBTUBTMPOH
    last longer than other MPOHFSUIBOBMVNJOVN BTPSEJOBSZTBOEQBQFS .$VCJUSPO
    stones, but less than PYJEFTUPOFT CVUBSFMFTT DFSBNJDBMVNJOVNPYJEFCBOETMBTUBU
    ruby bits EVSBCMFUIBO$FSBN$VU least twice as long
    t.BEFGSPNDFSBNJDBOE #MVF4UPOFT
    t3FRVJSFBSFVTBCMFNBOESFM
    BMVNJOVNPYJEFGPSTUSFOHUIBOE t4JMJDPODBSCJEFNJYUVSFCPOEFEUPB PSSVCCFSESVN
    cutting speed TUBJOMFTTTUFFMIFBEBOETIBOL
    t"WBJMBCMFJONBOZHSJUT
    t3VODPPMFSUIBOPUIFSTUPOFT XIJDI t.PSFBHHSFTTJWFUIBOXIJUFTUPOFT
    t%SVNTBWBJMBCMFJONBOZTJ[FT
    NBLFTUIFNMFTTMJLFMZUPCVSOXPPE CVUMFTTBHHSFTTJWFUIBOSFETUPOFT
    t$BSUSJEHFBOEUBQFSFESPMMTBWBJMBCMF
    t-FBWFBTNPPUIGJOJTI t6TFEUPDSFBUFMVNQTBOECVNQTPO
    GPSTQMJUNBOESFMTJOWBSJPVTTJ[FT
    t$VUXPPE NJMETUFFM TUFFMBMMPZT BOE CJSEDBSWJOHT XJUIBMJNJUFEBCJMJUZUP
    and grits
    GFSSPVTNFUBMT create feathers and hair
    t$VUXPPE BMVNJOVN CSBTT HMBTT 
    BOEHFNTUPOFT

    www.woodcarvingillustrated.com 83
    Cushioned Defuzzing Pads & Radial Bristle Discs
    Sanding Drums Radial Bristle Brushes
    Brand name:
    Brand names: Various Brand name:.  . 4DPUDICSJUF
    Average price per bit: 4DPUDICSJUF Average price per bit:
    UP Average price per bit: QFSJOEJWJEVBM
    Shank diameters: ", 18" QFSYTIFFU disc
    Durability:-PXUIFESVNTBSFWFSZ $1.50 per bristle brush Shank diameters:
    EVSBCMF UIFTBOEQBQFSDPWFSMBTUTBT Shank diameters: 18", 332" 18", 332"
    long as ordinary sandpaper Durability:-PXTZOUIFUJDTUFFMXPPM Durability:.FEJVNMBTUBTMPOHBT.
    t.BOESFMXJUITPGUSVCCFSCBDLJOH pads and synthetic or horse hair DFSBNJDBMVNJOVNPYJEFTBOEQBQFS
    and a slot for the sandpaper to be CSJTUMFTXFBSPVURVJDLMZ t3FRVJSFBNBOESFM VTVBMMZTUBDLJO
    XSBQQFEBSPVOEUIFSVCCFSCBDLJOH t1BETSFRVJSFBNBOESFM DMBNQPOF HSPVQTPGUISFFUPTJYPOUIFNBOESFM
    t8PSLCFTUXJUIDMPUICBDLFE PSUXPTRVBSFTPOUIFNBOESFM t.$VCJUSPODFSBNJDBOE
    sandpaper t1BETVTFEUPSFNPWFGV[[CFGPSF BMVNJOVNPYJEFQBSUJDMFTBSF
    t*ODMVEFTBNFUBMUFNQMBUFXIJDI UFYUVSFJTDBSWFE FNCFEEFEJOUIFCSJTUMFT
    allows you to cut any grit of t#SVTIFTVTFEUPSFNPWFXPPEGV[[ t%JTDEJBNFUFSTSBOHFGSPNUP
    TBOEQBQFSUPTJ[F and clean area between barbules t%JTDHSJUTSBOHFGSPNHSJUUP
    t0OFPGPVSNPTUVTFEUPPMT and hair before painting NJDSPO  HSJU

    t$SFBUFZPVSPXOQBETCZDVUUJOH t6TFTMPXFSTQFFETGPSDPOUSPM GBTUFS


    to 2" squares of synthetic steel wool TQFFETGPSBHHSFTTJWFXPPESFNPWBM
    t6TFGVMGPSEFGV[[JOH
    MAINTENANCE t$VUXPPE QSFDJPVTBOETPGUNFUBMT 
    BOEDFSBNJD

    Protect your investment with


    proper bit maintenance.

    Over time, you will accumulate a number of bits to meet your carving ONLINE BONUS
    Download this article from our
    needs. It makes sense to keep the bits sharp and in good condition in website for easy reference.
    order to protect your investment. We recommend the following tips to woodcarvingillustrated.com
    prolong the life of your bits:

    t4UPSFZPVSCJUTJOBIPMEFSPGTPNFTPSUUPQSFWFOU t6TFBXFUXIJUFXIFUTUJDLUPDMFBOEJBNPOECJUT
    UIFNGSPNCBOHJOHJOUPFBDIPUIFS t6TFBOFPQSFOFSVCCFSCBSUPSFNPWFEVTUGSPN
    t%POUBQQMZTPNVDIQSFTTVSFUIBUZPVCVSO SVCZCJUT TUPOFT TBOEJOHEJTDT TBOEJOHESVNT 
    ZPVSCJUT BOEDVTIJPOFETBOEJOHESVNT
    t$MFBOZPVSDBSCJEFQPJOUCJUTXJUIBCSBTTCSVTI t3FTIBQFBOEDMFBOTUPOFTXJUIBEJBNPOEIPOF
    t3FNPWFTUVCCPSOTBXEVTUXJUIPWFODMFBOFS PSESFTTJOHTUPOF

    84 Woodcarving Illustrated | FALL 2009


    THE RIGHT BIT FOR THE JOB RECOMMENDED STARTER SET
    8FSFDPNNFOEUIFGPMMPXJOH
    bits as an initial investment:

    Small carbide point bits, from


    left: fine cylinder, coarse
    flame, coarse ball, fine ball

    A defuzzing pad and soft


    bristle brush

    Every carver has his or her own favorite bits.


    Experiment with bits of different sizes and
    materials to get a good feel for their capabilities. Regular-grit diamond or ruby
    When selecting a bit for a specific purpose, power bits from left: pear, safe-end
    carver Jack Kochan asks himself the following tapered, medium flame,
    questions to help determine which bit to choose: small flame, small tapered
    t)PXGBTUEP*XBOUUPSFNPWFXPPE
    t)PXNVDIXPPEEP*XBOUUPSFNPWF
    t)PXTNPPUIEP*XBOUUIFXPPEUPCF
    XIFO*GJOJTIUIJTTFDUJPO
    t8 IBUTJ[FCJUJTCFTUTVJUFEGPSUIFBSFB
    *XBOUUPDBSWF Texturing bits from left: small
    taper green stone, small ball
    The bits that work best are those that will help Two cushioned sanding green stone, small tapered
    complete your carving in the most efficient drums (large and small) with stone with a rounded tip,
    manner. Your comfort in using bits develops assorted grits of sandpaper blue ceramic rod
    after you have used them several times and they
    continue to work successfully for you.

    further reading In addition to the bits


    BCPWF DIPPTFDBSCJEF
    From an overview of the basic tools to point bits with EJBNFUFS
    skill-building projects, Chuck Solomon and Dave TIBGUTGPSSPVHIJOHPVU
    Hamilton present a continuing series of articles
    for anyone interested in carving with power.
    An Introduction to Carving with Power: Issue 46
    Choosing Power Carving Equipment: Issue 47
    Order individual back issues ($6.99 each + $4.75 s&h, up to $30),
    available from Fox Chapel: 800-457-9112, 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg,
    Pa.,17520, www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.

    About the Authors


    Chuck Solomon (left) and Dave Hamilton
    are avid carvers and instructors. They have Smaller carvings require
    co-authored The Art of Stylized Wood smaller and fewer For large carvings, use large
    Carving, Carving Hummingbirds, and carbide-point bits, from carbide-point bits, from left:
    Carving North American Hummingbirds, left: fine cylinder sleeve, fine cylinder sleeve, fine cylinder,
    all available at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com. coarse cylinder fine ball, coarse ball

    www.woodcarvingillustrated.com 85

    You might also like