Carving wood with dremel
Wood carving is one of the oldest human skills, based on cutting a piece of wood with a chisel or knife. Today, you can find wood carving tools from the Dremel company that make it easy to do home repairs or create interesting sculptures.
If you want to carve different shapes out of a piece of wood, then you should know that a Dremel router is capable of easily cutting through hard and soft species, creating straight and intricate lines. However, there are some aspects that you should consider before starting with wood carving.
Select carving wood
If you are interested in carving wood, but you do not have much knowledge, it is advisable to start with a material belonging to the group of softwoods , which are usually softer and more flexible, such as pine, basswood, horse chestnut, willow, etc. among others. Once you gain experience, then it is possible to use a hard carving wood that offers a more rigid consistency, such as maple, walnut, birch, cherry, apple and olive species, as these can give more patterns and colors. attractive, which offers better finishes in the designs.
On the other hand, it is good to buy the wood to carve in a craft store, since in general the pieces offered in this type of store have been treated to offer surfaces without growth rings or knots, which are natural deformations that the woods have. trees. This is especially important for people who are just starting out in carving, since it is more difficult to carve wood if it has a lot of warping. For this reason, it is necessary to have a clean and smooth material that provides an easier practice.
Choosing the necessary tools for carving
The Dremel company currently manufactures many models of woodcarving tools, mainly rotary equipment such as routers, so it is necessary to choose a model that suits your needs. Dremel woodcarving typically uses Multi Tool kits, which typically have a swivel head with interchangeable bits, to cut and carve on a wide variety of materials, allowing for versatility.
Also, it is recommended that you have a small ax and a carving knife, which usually have a thin blade and long handles for handmade wood carvings. Also, at the time of use, the blade is likely to lose its edge, so it may be necessary to have a ceramic whetstone on hand, which allows you to keep your woodcarving tool in optimal condition.
take safety precautions
Among the most important safety aspects is the use of gloves , especially on the hand that is not holding the carving tool, since it is precisely this extremity that is most exposed to impacts and cuts. In this sense, leather gloves are very appropriate, since they prevent moisture, but are also flexible and resistant to constant use, which favors a long useful life.
If you are an allergic person, then you should have a mask to help you not inhale the dust that can be created when sanding, cutting, polishing or carving the wood. In this case, the best option may be an FFP mask capable of optimally covering the nose and mouth area.
Regarding sight, it is necessary to have safety glasses that help protect the eyes from the splinters that are usually shot, since the most common accidents that occur during wood carvings usually have to do with vision.
Draw the design before starting
It’s important to decide what design to make before you begin, as this way you can have a more precise pattern when carving. Therefore, with a pencil you can make various drawings for carving on wood. They do not have to be perfect, since the details are obtained during carving.
You can start by drawing the entire outline directly on the material, and then add slanted lines or an X in the areas you want to remove or drill later. To facilitate the work, there are templates for carving wood that can be very useful. On the other hand, if you are working on very dark wood, it is necessary to use a white chalk that provides a better contrast.
Properly hold equipment
When carving wood, keep your fingers at least 2.5 cm above the rotating end of the tool, in this way, you reduce contact with the cutting area . You should also hold the device like a pencil, keeping the on/off switch at the top for quick access. Also, it’s a good idea to use the tool at 30-45 degree angles to the wood, as this gives you more control.
Use the bits according to the design
Among the Dremel accessories for wood, drill bits stand out, which can be used in different areas. In this sense, if you want to cut large surfaces, then a saber tooth bit may be the most appropriate option, since it allows you to quickly rip the wood. However, it is important to mention that this type of drill will leave a rough finish that must be sanded later.
On the other hand, for contours and details you can use a fluted carbide bit, which is made up of small vertical flutes with sharp edges to leave a smoother, cleaner finish. During use you must make slow movements to avoid accidental removal of pieces of wood. To sand the edges there are diamond bits, which have a rough texture that simulates the surface of sandpaper, so they are able to smooth the sharpest edges of the design.
When finished, you just have to clean the sawdust from the work surface and the piece of wood. Also, you can add a thin transparent layer of varnish with a natural bristle brush, in this way, it is possible to protect the piece from possible damage and bumps.
