"Tools of the trade" for carving

[Jamie]

to right glenda,

drills can be very dangerous, a mate of mine snapped his wrist with one, was lucky he didnt break his jaw and know himself out, ended up with a couple of pines in his arm/wrist.

as it has been said, be careful and show a lot of respect with power tools!

jamie

ps, i know what it feels like to drill through into ya hand, i have the scars to prove it

[alpineart]

Hi Lorreta ,didn't offend me either . I just thought i would mention "trees" Twice just to keep the topic on track .Tman is right , tools bite. The ozito is no toy and with the base removed it a leathel weapon as it doesn't have a guard as such. A die grinder is basically the same principal so too the dremel however the dremel is easier to handle even for me .I fitted a drill side handle for a secure hold on the machine .Cheers Alpine

[senseijames]

G'day peoples, well I can't make up my mind what to buy in regards to a rotary tool so which one should I choose, please give me your opinion, A Dremel 300 ser w/- 55 acc + a Flexdrive; the unit is a 240v $119.40 incl frt ( normally $179.00 +Frt $10.50 ) or a Ozito for $39.50 + frt or I pick up, I probably wont do a hell of a lot of carving though, what do you think. ???
James
Edit: I keep thinking the Dremel is a once in a lifetime offer though ??

[Bretts]

I would say the dremel James. If you are not planning on alot of carving then this seems the best choice to me. The router type is more about bulk wood removal and the dremel is more about detail work so if you get the router you will be wishing for something smaller to finish off.
Plus that is about as good a deal as you will get on the dremel with a flexi shaft. Then I reckon if need be you will scrape up $40 for the router at a later stage

[alpineart]

Hi James , if you have the cash to splash for a rotary tool then go the Dremel it may well go the distance . If things are tight go the Ozito rotary tool , whilst i dont actually have one "Ozito rotary tool" i have tested both ROC and GMC . GMC has the flexy shaft is wearing out cutters and grinders with no sign of dying , the ROC stopped for no apparent reason after polishing the Old Triumph i had . Both get hot and slow down after 15-20minutes continuous use however both tools i purchased for one off jobs , paid $19.99 for both tools .

I have also cooked a air die grinder {yes it was oiled} quicker than the cheap electric ones .

The Ozito router has the grunt for chopping the big stuff , i tested it out for good measure today carving 150-200mm trunks .With numerous router bits as cutters it took some handling , no real control over the machine until i fitted the drill handle which needs to be angled as its too close to the cutters for my liking . With various cutters tested {most 10mm tungsten tipped} it is a hand full , i know the cutter i'm looking for {maximum of 5-6mm cutting edge } to do the job safer/smoother i just don't have one .

I have spoke to Shannon and he will machine down to 6mm a few Endmills to suit the Router . I will use them for detail work on larger trunks . Cheers Alpine

[senseijames]

I would say the dremel James. If you are not planning on alot of carving then this seems the best choice to me. The router type is more about bulk wood removal and the dremel is more about detail work so if you get the router you will be wishing for something smaller to finish off.
Plus that is about as good a deal as you will get on the dremel with a flexi shaft. Then I reckon if need be you will scrape up $40 for the router at a later stage

Thanks Brett

[senseijames]

Hi James , if you have the cash to splash for a rotary tool then go the Dremel it may well go the distance . If things are tight go the Ozito rotary tool , whilst i dont actually have one "Ozito rotary tool" i have tested both ROC and GMC . GMC has the flexy shaft is wearing out cutters and grinders with no sign of dying , the ROC stopped for no apparent reason after polishing the Old Triumph i had . Both get hot and slow down after 15-20minutes continuous use however both tools i purchased for one off jobs , paid $19.99 for both tools .

I have also cooked a air die grinder {yes it was oiled} quicker than the cheap electric ones .

The Ozito router has the grunt for chopping the big stuff , i tested it out for good measure today carving 150-200mm trunks .With numerous router bits as cutters it took some handling , no real control over the machine until i fitted the drill handle which needs to be angled as its too close to the cutters for my liking . With various cutters tested {most 10mm tungsten tipped} it is a hand full , i know the cutter i'm looking for {maximum of 5-6mm cutting edge } to do the job safer/smoother i just don't have one .

I have spoke to Shannon and he will machine down to 6mm a few Endmills to suit the Router . I will use them for detail work on larger trunks . Cheers Alpine

Thanks Alpine

[Glenda]

I have access to my husband's dremel, but what kind of bits do you use? He has one cone-shaped bit he says he can't get anymore, and has threatened me with death if I touch that, so I makes me wonder what bits do you use to carve out trees?

Glenda

[Jamie]

gday glenda,

http://www.dremel.com/en-au/Attachments ... ed+Cutters

here is the bits that are of most use for bonsai, i have 199, 192, 134, 144. thats all the bits i have anyways

jamie

[Rod]

James I have most of the rotory tools that are being discussed , I have found the dremel a good tool to use. I would also like to add I also use a super cheap rotary tool I also find it a good tool to use,though I doubt it last the same time as a dremel will last . I think a good idea is to always go for the variable speed tool , it will give you more control on the tool bits you use . A bit that should never be written off is the rotary wire brush , they can carve soft wood and finish hardwood to a more natural apperance. With the dremel bits I go for the more coarse ones I find they cut better , clog and burn less. I find the ozito router great when doing large jobs, it can remove large amounts off wood in a short time. I would also like to say this is a very dangerous tool to use, because the guide has been removed so be careful.
Cheers Rod

[Taffy]

I have a set of 10 carbide burrs and I've found them brilliant to use. The ones I have, all have 6mm diameter heads (not 3mm as stated on this page on their website. The company - Gemcuts Pty Ltd is in Ballina NSW:

http://www.gemcuts.com.au/category82_3.htm

There is another set of 10 with the smaller heads and half the price:

http://www.gemcuts.com.au/category82_2.htm

I found they work best on the 3rd speed setting on my Dremel.

[alpineart]

Hi Taffy , thanks for the info , been looking for a good set for my GMC {dremel} .Will send an email to them and order a set .Cheers Alpine

[Pup]

G,day guys some of you might know that I have a daughter who has a restricted electrical licence, and works in a tool shop repairing them. So I do get mine cheap now.

However when I was first starting in Bonsai, 25+ years ago. I bought a dremel, it is still going and has outlasted all of my friends with the cheaper ones.
I do have a second one now, as the flexi shaft of the later models, do not fit the older models.

I also use the flexi shaft with reciprocating chisels. It is called a Wecheer shaft, and fits the new dremels. I got mine from Timbercon. Tiffany could not get me one though work .

Also the Arbortech rotary cutters on a 100mm grinder, plus the adaptor for the 50mm cutter, and the reciprocating chisels.

I have borrowed my mates elctric chainsaw as well. I find that with most tools get the best you can they will serve you well if looked after, like all electrical tools replace the brushes at regular intervals before they wear down and cause problems.

Always treat tools with respect. Clean sharp tools, are safer than blunt dirty ones, even your poor old Bonsai tools.

Cheers Pup

[alpineart]

These are a few of the router bits/cutters and Burrs that i have tested for carving trunks .

100_5641.jpg

100_5642.jpg

100_5644.jpg

The Burrs are by far the safest and surprising the amount of material that the round burr can remove .All are 6mm - 1/4 inch shanks and fit snug in the router collet .Not designed for high speed.

The box/spade cutter HSS was the safest , easiest and best performer of all the cutters i used .It is available in Tungsten carbide tip so i might just lash out and buy one .Cheers and safe operating of all machinery .Alpine