Just got a dremel for an unrelated job and thought I should do something fun with it. Got a large bundle of cheap off brand bits as I don’t really know which ones are going to be most useful.
Using a scrap offcut of wood, there are still some rusty nails in it! This morning I wanted to practice carving straight and curved lines in the wood. It isn’t quite as easy as I thought, the wood grain changes the amount of resistance to movement and can push it to the side or slow down how fast its cutting.
The board is about 1.5cm thick, I also tried using one of the cutting discs, it seemed to cut alright but broke in half when I turned the dremel off. Got over 100 of them though. This board might be a little thick to use with these small cutting discs, pretty sure I would need the larger ones but I don’t see any in the set I bought.
Once I feel more confident in holding the dremel steady I would like to try making something decorative. Probably start with a coaster as that is something small to get started with. Then look at oils for it too. Leaning towards plywood as it is more affordable, although this scrap wood is free and hasn’t rotten too much yet. Might be worth sanding it to see what it feels like.
I’m not a woodworker, per se, but I am a regular Dremel user for work. Here’s my advice, complete with pictures
Use up your “disposable” bits as you like, and never buy them again. Sanding drums, composite cutoff wheels, etc. For cutoff wheels use a quick exchange mandrel and a diamond cutoff wheel. I guarantee you’ll spend more on composite wheels over the life of your tool than one diamond wheel. Same is true for any grinder tbh
You would think fluted bits like the one below would be great for wood, and they’re okay for soft wood, but not hard wood, nor plunge cuts. Always cut from the edge of your workpiece, or an existing plunge hole in the middle of the work. I find a sawing motion helps keep the bit from overheating in wood
For detail carving in harder woods I actually like a carbide metal cutting bit, and I hate them for metal. In metal they throw tons of tiny hot metal splinters, but in wood they make sawdust. Take care not to overheat the bit, but they’re great in oak and maple for surface carving or a quick plunge cut.
While I don’t normally need them, these purpose built wood carving bits are very versatile for wood projects. I wouldn’t use them on plastic or soft metals, however
For cutting metal this is my go to bit. The crosshatch cutting pattern makes metal dust instead of splinters. Always use a cutting lube when using them with steel or aluminum. Steel will overheat the bit, and aluminum will ball and clog the cutting surface. They do remarkably well in brass with no lube tho
And if your ready to get into the deep end with lots of fine work, this extension is amazing
Happy carving!
good advice! dremel REALLY charges a premium on their bits; i get most my stuff from bench jewelry supply companies! vintage or used medical/dental bits can also be a great source, but mostly only for tiny stuff.
e: also if the flex shaft really appeals to you, go for a foredom! there’s a reversible high torque model that i’ve used for everything from jewelry repair to stone carving, they’re fantastic tools ^^
Damn, I use a dremel several times a year for random tasks, and these are some damn good tips. Never occurred to me to look for longer lasting diamond wheels instead of the rapidly disintegrating cutoff wheels. Sometimes I end up burning through a half dozen wheels on one job.
I wish I could afford Lemmy Gold but alas my father is a banjo.
Thanks, that is a lot of info!
I think the SC544 grinding wheel is designed specifically for wood, although a multipurpose one would be good if I look at a mix of materials. Either way a better grinding wheel is on my list for things to get when it’s time to upgrade to more expensive bits. Those power carving bits are probably another one.
But first I think I need to make some things to justify further tool expenses XD
But first I think I need to make some things to justify further tool expenses XD
Ha! Didn’t I know it lol
Like I said, I don’t do a ton of woodwork. Most of my experience using the Dremel is installing door hardware and modifying wood or steel frames for various reasons. That’s how I learned the fluted bit sucks at plunge cuts but does well with side cuts
My partner just had a go at carving her name into some wood and she is pretty interested in doing more. I think woodcarving might become a couples activity.
I saw some broken fences on my way home from work, about 1km down a bike/bus only route… How many fence boards can I fit on my bike?
Know anyone who might lend you a bike trailer?
Now that could be tempting. Though I went past it again this morning on my way to work (and getting some wood oil) and it looks more rotten than I first thought it was.
Still, got an allotment and twice a year they give us a skip to dispose of waste in. Next drop is coming soon and there may well be a few bits of wood ending up in there.
you missed a trick not carving the cool S
Dremels are really fun! The very first power tool I got when I was a kid was a dremel, and I still have the same one 23-ish years later. Careful with the thin cutoff wheels, though. Especially the cheap-y ones because they like to fuck off into low earth orbit if you make a wrong move while cutting
I did use eye protection, just as I fitted the cutting wheel on the dremel I looked at it and thought if that breaks off while spinning it could go anywhere.
Looks like SC544 would be a better bit for cutting wood if I need to do a lot of it. Just keep away from fingers. Though might not be quite as finger choppy as some of the circular saw attachments.
If it makes you feel better, I hsve had cutting wheel shards hit me without breaking skin, or damaging my glasses.
Not that I have used my dremel in years, its rare I do anything where a dremel is the most useful tool.
