[Woodcarver] Re: rotary carving bits

Ramsey ron at carvedbyramsey.com
Fri Nov 19 20:26:29 EST 2004


Over the years I have used about every rotary carving bit made.  For 
fast stock removal for rough out the carbide rotary chisels from 
Creative Technologies cut twice as fast as Kutzall bits and never 
load up.  In fact, due to their design it's impossible for them to. 
They far and away the best product on the market.  Well worth their 
high price.

For medium stock removal, high speed steel cuts much faster and 
cleaner than carbide.  The reason is that carbide is much harder, 
hence more brittle.  This requires a wider flute to keep the edge 
from breaking off.  High speed steel is softer but has more tensile 
strength allowing for a sharper flute that slices cleaner.  The 
downside is that high speed steel wears out much faster than carbide. 
It's cheaper though.  I buy my bits by the dozen and when they start 
to dull I send them in to be re-sharpened.  I have my bits custom 
made at Rico Tool.  They are pretty reasonable.  The key is to order 
bits with 11 flutes. These are more coarse than standard rotary burrs 
allowing for better chip removal and faster cutting.  It's amazing 
how fast they cut compared to carbide fluted burrs. They also leave a 
very smooth finish unlike Kutzall bits.  The advantage to Kutzall 
bits is that they are less likely to follow the grain in wide grained 
woods.
-- 
Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


Be sure to look at the incredible nature inspired art jewelry hand 
fabricated by my wife, Karen Olsen Ramsey.  It's worth the time to 
take a look!
http://www.artjeweler.com


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