AusBonsai

Guys, buy a tool appropriate for the bits you plan to use. If you are going with high diameter bits you should for the sake of safety have a variable speed grinder. If safety does not bother you (at 25000rpm it should!!!) then any old grinder should do.

I was just wondering where is the best place to source the tungsten burs. I'm after the ones with teeth. I have air die grinders and have a few carving jobs coming up. Any feed back would be much appreciated.

You don't want the kind of burrs that you use on metal. I love the Dremel 9985 Round Structured Carbide Cutter - 1/4 inch Shank - it just chews through wet and dry wood. I buy all my carving bits from widget supply in the US - even with the crap exchange rate they are much cheaper than Bunnings.

I have been on the look out for a die grinder. I cant seem to source any AEG die grinders in oz. And the ozit are hard to find also.

Looks like a makita unless anyone else have seen them recently or other recommended brands.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

I've got a makita laminate trimmer which is basically a 750W variable speed router. It takes 1/4 inch shank bits, has anyone had a go carving with something like this? Unsure if it would be unsafe...

I was actually looking for one with a power cord instead of a battery powered one but what do you think of this?

25,000RPM.....

https://www.cltoolcentre.com.au/makita- ... ArKZ8P8HAQ

plus it has a 3 year warrenty

Makita DGD800Z - 18V Cordless Die Grinder Long Nose Skin

Features:

Long nose type
Solid aluminium bearing box with 43mm diameter neck to attach various accessories
Easy to grip motor housing with small circumference
Round collet nut reduces the risk of damages/scratches to workpiece
Rubber cover for heat insulation with nonskid surface for sure grip
Battery capacity warning lamp
Anti restart function with warning lamp

Specifications:

Max Wheel Size - 38mm
Net Weight - 2.0kg
No Load Speed - 25,000rpm
Overall Length - 400mm
Capacity - 3 - 6.35mm
Voltage - 18V

Have you ever used a die grinder before homer ? I have used one in my trade but for first timer they can be very scary and dangerous. Perhaps before you outlay some hard earned coin you should have a go and see if you have 10 fingers afterwards ? They do have very sharp bits whizzing around at 25,000 rpm.

Hi Bougy, no i have never used one before. Im sure I'll be fine using it, ill just be very careful.

What other option do i have? Hand carving?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Hi Homer
As Andrew Legg stated get a grinder with variable speed it's safer if you're going with bigger cutting tools ( but alas they're pricey ) if you get a fixed speed grinder stay with smaller cutters to start with such as the typhoon bits. always hold with 2 hands and hold it fairly firmly especially your leading hand which is the hand closest to the cutter , never be tempted to hold the tree with one hand and cut with the other and yes I've seen people do it . I use grinders fairly often with my work so have some experience in their use albeit not enough with carving trees , I've never used a battery grinder but suspect that it might get heavy after awhile if you've carved for an hour or 2, Oh yes always wear safety glasses and a dust mask . Cheers
peterb

Unbelievable,
As i understand a SKIN means no battery, no charger, no accessories whatsoever.
Maybe be cheap, but i do know quality long lasting battery and charger will cost almost double that price.
Kevin

I only use my die grinder for heavy work which isn't that often - thus why I bought a cheaper unit (which I am very happy with) Most of the work I do is with a Dremel and a 561 multi purpose bit and then a wire wheel. The electric die grinder is for bulk removal on bigger trees.

Great info guys....really appreciate it. So, it looks like I need a variable speed machine.

I have seen other posts on here regarding the ozito router -:

http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-850w-router_p6290281

Very cheap and may break but a 3 year warranty is great. I would only use it a couple of times a year.

Any negatives regarding this machine excluding the poor quality? It looks like the core router can be removed from the housing.

Thanks

Kevin wrote:Unbelievable,
As i understand a SKIN means no battery, no charger, no accessories whatsoever.
Maybe be cheap, but i do know quality long lasting battery and charger will cost almost double that price.
Kevin

Correct...