power tools - Thread - Letterboxing USA Archive

RE: power tools

From: Bob Degen (legerdemaine@hotmail.com) | Date: 2001-11-27 23:35:20 UTC

I have enjoyed experimenting with different mediums, tools, and methods. All in all, I'd say Tom's evolutionary quip probably works for all of us. I'd like to think that the general trend is toward improvement with experience. As to carving with power tools, tried that, and found the results to be satisfactory. I would agree that a firm medium should be used; the gummy types won't work. I used very small electronic/jewelry type drill bits in a rotary tool, and was able to accomplish fairly fine detail. A steady hand is a must,and a magnifying lamp helps. I did have a problem with the fine cuttings clogging the work. Attached is a scan of a stamp made using this method (this is legedemaine #16).

The best tools I've found are ones that I've made using medical contraband. Scapel blades come in assorted shapes and sizes, and are much finer, thinner, and sharper than X-acto blades. But the best of all are hypodermic needles, which also come in a variety of sizes. These are very sharp and fine, and you can do very detailed work with them. In fact, the degree of detail is more limited by the medium than the tool. To make any of these, simply use a two part epoxy to mount them in a wooden handle. A dowel or shaft of bamboo of approxiamtely 1/4" diameter and 4-6" long is about right. The hard part, of course, is finding a way to get your hands on some without having to go through medical school...

legerdemaine

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RE:power tools

From: Bob Degen (legerdemaine@hotmail.com) | Date: 2001-11-28 02:38:49 UTC

I should note that the scale on the stamp attachment in my last note is
blown up. In the actual stamp, the caterpillar is about 1 1/2" long. The
individual stripes are on the order of 1/32". This should give you some
idea of the detail I was able to achieve using the rotary tool with a fine
bit.

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Re: [LbNA] RE: power tools

From: Dick Newman (bertram1@xtn.net) | Date: 2001-11-28 06:12:12 UTC-05:00

Thank you for the reply, Bob. Dick Newman

Bob Degen wrote:

Re: [LbNA] RE:power tools

From: Dick Newman (bertram1@xtn.net) | Date: 2001-11-28 06:16:00 UTC-05:00

Again thanks. A very neat carving. I am a long time carver, but never have
tried anything on such a small scale. I'm thinking of trying some acrylic.
At least it sounds like a hard surface.

Bob Degen wrote:

> I should note that the scale on the stamp attachment in my last note is
> blown up. In the actual stamp, the caterpillar is about 1 1/2" long. The
> individual stripes are on the order of 1/32". This should give you some
> idea of the detail I was able to achieve using the rotary tool with a fine
> bit.
>
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