{"id":3007,"date":"2017-10-23T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f13o71x-delta-9er5er.com\/blog\/2009\/12\/22\/choosing-power-carving-bits\/"},"modified":"2019-10-01T13:42:10","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T17:42:10","slug":"choosing-power-carving-bits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcarvingillustrated.com\/choosing-power-carving-bits\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Power Carving Bits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Make smart purchases with a basic understanding of the cutters available<\/h3>\n

by Chuck Solomon and Dave Hamilton<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos of bits in use courtesy of Foredom<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

This article was first published in issue 48 of\u00a0<\/em>Woodcarving Illustrated.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Wood<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.
\n<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Shank Diameter<\/h3>\n

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 \u00bc”, 1\/8″, 3\/32″, and 1\/16″. Flexible shaft machines accept any of these diameters when equipped with the appropriate collet. Micro motors typically accept 1\/8″- and 3\/32″-diameter shanks, although, optional collets can be purchased for alternate size shanks. Air turbine machines use only friction bits with a 1\/16″-diameter shank. Generally, the larger the size of the bit’s 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.
\n<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Head Shape and Size<\/h3>\n

Bits are grouped into a few general shapes. The shape of the bit’s 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.<\/p>\n

Many of the shapes have very specific purposes, but we tend to use the ball, cylinder, flame, and pear-shaped bits the most.
\n<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"bullnose\"<\/a><\/td>\nBull nose\/ball nose:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Combines a ball with a cylinder<\/li>\n
  • Use to make concave cuts and hollow out areas using the top<\/li>\n
  • Use the side to cut flat areas and round edges<\/li>\n
  • Creates a cut similar to a U-gouge with the top and a knife cut with the side<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"cylinder\"<\/a><\/td>\nCylinder:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to cut flat areas, round edges, and make stop cuts and V-cuts<\/li>\n
  • Creates a cut similar to a knife or straight chisel<\/li>\n
  • Hold the tool at an angle and use the top corner to make V-cuts<\/li>\n
  • Smooth-end or safe-end bits are the most useful<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"flame\"<\/a><\/td>\nFlame:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to make concave cuts and V-cuts, and to recess areas<\/li>\n
  • Creates a cut similar to a U-gouge when using its side and a V-tool when using the tip<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"largetaper\"<\/a><\/td>\nLarge taper:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to round edges, make concave cuts, and access hard-to-reach areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"smalltaper\"<\/a><\/td>\nSmall Taper:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to access hard-to-reach and angled areas<\/li>\n
  • Create feather barbules and hair<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"oval\"<\/a><\/td>\nOval:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to round edges, create lumps and bumps, and make concave cuts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"ball\"<\/a><\/td>\nBall:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to create concave cuts and to hollow out areas<\/li>\n
  • Creates a cut similar to a U-gouge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"invertedcone\"<\/a><\/td>\nInverted Cone:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to make V-cuts for feather barbules and hair<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\"disc\"<\/a><\/td>\nDisc:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to undercut feathers and make channel cuts<\/li>\n
  • Cut off thin pieces of unwanted wood<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\"pear\"<\/a><\/td>\nPear:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Use to round edges and create lumps and bumps when bird carving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grits and Materials<\/h3>\n

Bits are made from a variety of materials. These materials vary greatly in cost, cutting speed, durability, and the smoothness of the surface they leave behind. The most coarse and longlasting bits feature aggressive carbide points bonded to a metal shaft. These bits remove wood fast, but leave a rough surface. The finest cutting bits are man-made stones which produce a smooth surface. Coarse bits work best at slower rpm and finer bits work best at higher rpm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

\"Carbide<\/p>\n

\"Carbide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Carbide-point Bits<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nTyphoon, Saburr Tooth, Kutzall
\nAverage price per bit: $15 to $20
\nShank diameters:\u00bc”, 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability:High: we have several bits we have used for more than ten years without a noticeable change in their ability to remove wood<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Most aggressive bits available<\/li>\n
  • Used for rapid stock removal when roughing out both hard and soft wood<\/li>\n
  • Produce a relatively rough surface<\/li>\n
  • Typhoon, Saburr Tooth, and Kutzall Extreme make cleaner cuts, collect less debris, and are easier to clean because the points are structurally aligned<\/li>\n
  • Kutzall bits cut fast, but leave a rougher surface and can be difficult to clean<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, acrylic, plaster, and fiberglass<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\"Carbide-grit<\/div>\n

Carbide-grit Bits<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nDura-Grit
\nAverage price per bit: $15
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″
\nDurability: High: tough carbide grit stays sharp and won’t tear loose, but wears out faster than carbide cutters and carbide-point bits<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Available in several grits<\/li>\n
  • Available in most shapes including cutting wheels<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, laminates, fiberglass, gourds, and ceramics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\"High-speed<\/div>\n

High-speed Steel Bits<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nVarious
\nAverage price per bit: $11
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability: Medium: longlasting, but not as durable as carbide bits<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Available in more shapes than carbide bits<\/li>\n
  • Useful for cutting grooves and countersinking<\/li>\n
  • Less expensive, but less durable than carbide, diamond, or ruby bits<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, bone, antler, plastic, and soft metals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Diamond<\/p>\n

\"Diamond<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Diamond Bits<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nVarious
\nAverage price per bit: Plated: $7 to $10,
\nSintered: $20 to $25
\nShank diameters: \u00bc”, 1\/8″, 3\/32″, 1\/16″
\nDurability: High: sintered diamond bits are almost as durable as carbide bits; plated diamond bits are less durable than sintered diamond bits<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Plated diamond bits feature a single layer of diamond particles embedded in the shaped metal head<\/li>\n
  • Sintered diamond bits feature diamond particles bonded with powdered bronze matrix, which are then bonded to the metal head<\/li>\n
  • Sintered diamond bits can be sharpened and reshaped slightly with a diamond dressing stone<\/li>\n
  • Plated diamond bits cannot be reshaped<\/li>\n
  • Used to texture and carve fine details<\/li>\n
  • Available in several grits<\/li>\n
  • Available in more shapes than any other bit<\/li>\n
  • Used for final shaping, texturing, and detailing<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, hardened steel, glass, ceramic, bone, antler, stone, and precious metals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\"V<\/div>\n

V Stones<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nForedom
\nAverage price per bit: $3 to $5
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability: Medium: last longer than ordinary aluminum-oxide stones, but less than ruby bits<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Made from a vitrified self-sharpening aluminum-oxide grain<\/li>\n
  • Cool-running and long-lasting abrasive stones<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, metals, acrylic, glass, and marble<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\"Carbide<\/div>\n

Ceramic Texturing Rods<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nVarious
\nAverage price per bit: $22
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability: Medium: last longer than white stones, but are less durable than diamond bits<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Used to create feather barbules, fur, or hair<\/li>\n
  • Available in three grits: 300, 800, and 1200<\/li>\n
  • Entire 2″-long rod can be dressed or shaped for texturing, giving the rods longer life<\/li>\n
  • Cut them in half and dress the four ends with different shapes and sizes<\/li>\n
  • Our top choice for creating fine detail for feathers and hair<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\"Cushioned<\/div>\n

Cushioned Sanding Drums<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\nVarious
\nAverage price per bit: $16 to $17
\nShank diameters: \u00bc”, 1\/8″
\nDurability: Low: the drums are very durable, the sandpaper cover lasts as long as ordinary sandpaper<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Mandrel with soft rubber backing and a slot for the sandpaper to be wrapped around the rubber backing<\/li>\n
  • Work best with cloth-backed sandpaper<\/li>\n
  • Includes a metal template which allows you to cut any grit of sandpaper to size<\/li>\n
  • One of our most-used tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\"Defuzzing<\/div>\n

Defuzzing Pads & Radial Bristle Brushes<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\n3M, Scotchbrite
\nAverage price per bit: $0.80 per 6″ x 9″ sheet: $1.50 per bristle brush
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability: Low: synthetic steel wool pads and synthetic or horse hair bristles wear out quickly<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Pads require a mandrel, clamp one or two squares on the mandrel<\/li>\n
  • Pads used to remove fuzz before texture is carved<\/li>\n
  • Brushes used to remove wood fuzz and clean area between barbules and hair before painting<\/li>\n
  • Create your own pads by cutting 1\u00bd” to 2″ squares of synthetic steel wool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
\"Radial<\/div>\n

Radial Bristle Discs<\/strong>
\nBrand names:
\n3M, Scotchbrite
\nAverage price per bit: $1.25 per individual disc
\nShank diameters: 1\/8″, 3\/32″
\nDurability: Medium: last as long as 3M ceramic aluminum-oxide sandpaper<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Require a mandrel, usually stack in groups of three to six on the mandrel<\/li>\n
  • 3M Cubitron ceramic and aluminum-oxide particles are embedded in the bristles<\/li>\n
  • Disc diameters range from \u00bc” to 3″<\/li>\n
  • Disc grits range from 80 grit to 1 micron (14,000 grit)<\/li>\n
  • Use slower speeds for control, faster speeds for aggressive wood removal<\/li>\n
  • Useful for defuzzing<\/li>\n
  • Cut wood, precious and soft metals, and ceramic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Maintenance\"<\/div>\n

Maintenance<\/h3>\n

Over time, you will accumulate a number of bits to meet your carving needs. It makes sense to keep the bits sharp and in good condition in order to protect your investment. We recommend the following tips to prolong the life of your bits:<\/p>\n