Which Wealden bit to use for Dremel inlays/engraving?

[Sawdust=manglitter]

I would like to get a better bit for use with my dremel 3000 for engraving / inlay work, and I'll be ordering a couple of bits from Wealden so I'd like to get one from them. Also thought I'd add that it'll be mostly used with the plunge/router base for the dremel!

Does anyone have any recommendations for what bit to get?

 

[Normancb]

I don't think you have a lot of choice. If my memory is correct it's only their spiral flute solid carbide bits which come with 3 mm shanks - pretty much all of their cutters are larger shanks for "proper" routers.

The choice will be up versus down cut and I guess down is best for engraving - slower cut but cleaner top surface

 

[oakmitre]

For engraving, how thin do you want the line to be ?

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks both for the replies.

Normancb - Yes, that's what I was thinking of was the spiral flute bits, but I wasn't sure which type. Do you have any experience of using a smaller down cut bit?

Oakmitre - I dont expect to be able to get any thinner than 3mm. I've done a lot of engraving by hand, so would finish off edges/corners with chisels, but wanted to try out the dremel for removing most of the material, and maybe even see how tidy an edge I can get with the dremel without having to clean up with chisels.

 

[oakmitre]

I only use the larger Wealden router bits, which are very good,

However -

The Chinese 3.2mm shank end mills fit into my Dremel 3000. Below is a small freehand squiggle using a 1mm end mill next to a penny ( I did this with the Dremel 3000) . I don't have the Dremel base.

I find a swipe with a 400 grit sand paper - or anything similar removes the whiskers which poke above the surface.

Freehand is safe using the 1mm bit in the Dremel - but don't do this with a bigger bit or a router.

The are fairly cheap from China in packs of 10 (about 60-70p each) and can last if you stick to a shallow depth, up to 2mm. Using a base and going slow would make them much less likely to snap.

The main problem is, the Chinese sellers stock end mills, and pcb drills and very often they send the drills (which are of no use) instead.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks oakmitre. Would you mind posting a link to the specific ones you bought please? Sound worth a punt!

 

[oakmitre]

Sorry for the delay. I was at work.

I got the last batch, which are actually 1.8mm and possibly a more practical size ( not snapped as easy ) from

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_no ... s=end+mill

( the seller is 'candy lighting') - however looking at the smaller sizes - they seem to be those dredded PCB drills and not end mills.

If you want a couple of the 1.8 mm with 3.2 mm shank ( fits the dremel ) send me a pm and will post them free of charge - I haven't used them for a while - I wouldn't want to see you waste money on something unsuitable.

Also, are you filling your engraving with resin ? I have earth pigments (more than I will ever use) which can be mixed with clear epoxy if you want to infill with those colours.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Hi oakmitre.

I'll send you a PM now... you're a star!!

Well the extent of my engraving/inlays so far is by hand with carving chisels which was this...

Which I inlayed with some natural turquoise stone which I crushed up and separated into different grades with differing sieves. I also have a little left over which I could send you to try too if you like. It sands up nice...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Droogs]

check out SPTA on Amazon They do a huge range of bits for the .125"/3.2mm shanked rotary tools

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aag/main?ie ... &sshmPath=

I just ordered about £100 worth of mills and micro router bits from them, have had a play and they seem to be pretty good

also GYROS

http://www.gyrostools.com/Cutter-&-Rout ... index.html

 

[whiskywill]

Do you have any experience of using a smaller down cut bit?

I have 1.6, 2 and 2.4mm downcut spiral bits which give a very clean cut if used reasonably slowly.

 

[yetloh]

I've been using the Proxon bits from Axminster which go down to 3.2mm which are OK but expensive compared with the Chinese ones. However the size of the bit is only part of the story. I wanted mine to cut shallow 3.2mm grooves in ply but My Dremel won't cut a groove narrower than 4mm due to run out in the shaft or collet - don't know which or whether this is typical. I use my Dremel in the Veritas plunge base which I can thoroughly recommend. In the end, I got my 3.2mm grooves with my Record no 044 plough plane - slower but much quieter and more satisfying.

Jim