Router Woes

A trim router will have a lot more power than a Dremel. They take only 1/4” shank bits, but Grizzly has several 1/4” shank bits with 1/8” straight cutters. They will have carbide cutting edges, which will last much longer than the steel bits for the Dremel.

For what you are doing, you might also look at Grizzly’s combination trim router (straight router plus plunge base), for about $80. The plunger is better for the mazes you are cutting (if I understand you correctly). I have one, and I really like it.

-- I admit to being an adrenaline junky; fortunately, I'm very easily frightened

I’ve looked at carbide bits, do they make them in the smaller shaft sizes?

Carbide bits are readily available in 1/4” shank sizes. Steel bits dull fast, it sounds like a lot of your problems stem from dull bits. Carbide bits will stay sharp 10 times longer.

-- Bondo Gaposis

That’s pretty heavy work for a Dremel tool, and they sure do crank out the rpms.
Try a small router as has been suggested.
Bill

-- [email protected]

I’ve never had any luck with Dremels I agree with the idea of a small router or perhaps a power carver.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWP611-Torque-Variable-Compact/dp/B0048EFUV8/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1513435403&sr=1-2&keywords=dewalt+router

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OV9BJU6/ref=oh_aui_bia_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yay! Answers!

Thanks friends.

I was starting to suspect some of the advice you’ve given and it’s very nice to have it explained straight out to me and confirmed before I go spend $100 on tools.

What I’ve learned:

The dremel isn’t the right tool for the job. A trim router is.

Steel bits are not strong enough to do the job I want them to do. Carbide is the right way to go, but requires something (Trim Router) that takes a 1/4” shaft.

Here’s what I managed to do with just a dremel and a cutter bit. You can see where it started to leave burn marks in the center. Not the heart, that’s just the wood, but all the little dots below the heart are because my bit was about worn out.

On the reverse side I’ve been trying to do it with 1/4” bit and having a hell of a time. Cuz you’re right, those steel bits don’t hold up.

I’ve looked at carbide bits, do they make them in the smaller shaft sizes?

Carbide bits are readily available in 1/4” shank sizes. Steel bits dull fast, it sounds like a lot of your problems stem from dull bits. Carbide bits will stay sharp 10 times longer.

- bondogaposis

+1 What Bondo said. I have several 1/4 inch shank router bits with 1/8th inch end mill – both upcut and down cut. I also bought one that is 1/16th in diamet on a 1/4 inch shank.

Down cut – good for carving plywood up to 1/2 inch deep cut.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KZM3F1E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And upcut
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K29JK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1/16th inch end mill
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M9FF9M4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these bits in a Bosch 1617 EVSPK router with a 1/4 inch collet mounted in a CNC.

I also have a compact DeWAlt that has the 1/4 inch collet. It has been a proven performer for me doing handheld operations flush trimming and cutting dadoes in cabinet sides.

Good luck.
Mike

-- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas

I bought the dewalt linked above and a carbide bit and couldn’t be happier. It’s exactly everything I was looking for. Thanks again!

@OP -that’s impressive stuff that you’ve created! Well done.

The wide variety of skill and artistic vision is what brings me back to LJ. This place is like an both an artists’ collective and DARPA, and the oddball aspect of woodworking at the heart of this thread is both new to me and the freshest idea that I’ve seen here in a while. Again, OP, well done.

-- - Crud. Go tell your mother that I need a Band-aid.

Really? Huh. Well I’m putting the finishing touches on side 2 today. Maybe I’ll do up a proper post.

That is one awesome cookie, my friend. Did you use any kind of pattern?
Now that you’re set up with the router and carbide bit, let’s see more of that carving.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Nope. Just free handed it. It looks better now that it’s stained, but I got impatient staining the troughs and hit it all with the same color, kind of, so there’s not much contrast. Side 2 will be better.

My dad milled the cookie for me, he’s just got a chainsaw jig and it’s not very even. I hand planed it and sanded it a lot before carving.

I regard just about everything I do as a rough draft and this is no exception. Hopefully he’ll get me a second round of cookies and we’ll do a better job. I’ve got all the tools now. I’ll make a full post on this one some time.

I made a post: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/352769