A Dremel tool has a rotating head with interchangeable bits that you can use to cut and carve a variety of materials.If you want to carve designs into a piece of wood, a Dremel tool will cut through the material and make intricate lines.Pick a design and transfer it to a piece of wood.Use the bits that come with your tool to carve out your designs.Sand the edges of your design to make it pop.
Step 1: To make carving easier, pick a blank that's soft.
Softwoods are easier to work with than hardwoods because they are less likely to chip or break.When you first start carving with a Dremel, look for pieces of wood made from pine, basswood, or butternut.The wood can be more difficult to carve through if it has warps, knots, or defects.If you have experience carving wood before, you can use hardwoods such as oak, maple, or cherry.Work slowly to prevent any damage to the design because hardwoods are more likely to chip.Before carving, make sure the wood is clean and dry.
Step 2: If you want to make it freehand, draw your design on the wood directly.
When drawing your design, use a pencil to erase any leftover marks.If you want to trace around your design while carving, begin by drawing the full outline.If you want to carve out large areas with slanted lines or X's, make sure to mark them.When starting your design, use your pencil lightly so that you can make adjustments if necessary.If you are using a dark piece of wood, use a white pencil.
Step 3: If you want to transfer the design, you have to trace the outline on carbon paper.
If you want to carve a design online or make one on your computer, make it the same size as you would for your carving.Attach the design to the light side of the carbon paper with tape by printing it on a sheet of paper.The dark side of the paper should be face down on the wood.To transfer the design onto the wood, go around the outline with a pencil.Office supply stores have carbon paper.If you rub the paper with your hand, it will leave smudges on the wood that will make it hard to see your design.
Step 4: The wood needs to be securely fastened to the work surface.
Place the piece of wood near the edge of the work surface.The wood should be secured to the surface with a C-clamp.Make sure the wood doesn't shift while you're working on it.Depending on the size of the wood, you may need to use multiple clamps.
Step 5: Before work, wear safety glasses, a dust mask, and gloves.
Dremel tools create a lot of sawdust when they are used and they can cause wood to splinter.A dust mask that goes over your nose and mouth is a must.If the wood kicks up or splinters, you should wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 6: To make it easier to hold the tool, put a flexible shaft attachment on it.
A flexible shaft attachment has a cord with a spring around it to relieve some of the tool's weight from your hand.Pull out the rod that is inside the flexible shaft attachment.The Dremel tool has a back end that you can slide the rod into.Attach the tool to the end of the attachment.The flexible shaft attachment can be purchased from the hardware store.It is easier to put in intricate details with a flexible shaft attachment.
Step 7: The Dremel tool should be held in your hand.
Keep your fingers up from the Dremel tool's rotating end.The power switch faces up if you position the tool in your hand.To get the most control, hold the tool at a 30- or 45-degree angle to the wood.You could hurt yourself if you touch the rotating bit on the Dremel tool.
Step 8: In the direction of the wood grain is where the work should be done.
Dremel tools can't carve through wood for a long time because they have a small motor.Press the end of the Dremel tool lightly into the wood and pull it in the same direction for no more than a few seconds at a time.You can easily make a mistake if you rush your design.Press lightly on the wood to make sure you don't remove too much of it.You can remove more wood, but you can't put it back.
Step 9: Carve out larger areas of wood with a bit.
A sabretooth bit has sharp teeth or burrs that can quickly tear through wood and remove material from the blank.The Dremel tool has a sabretooth bit in it.Slowly press the tool into the wood to carve it out.The bit will leave a rough finish, but it will shred through the wood quickly so you can carve out large areas.If you want to know what to expect with your design, use a sabretooth bit on a scrap piece of wood first.If you damage the tool, make sure the bits you use are meant to cut through wood.
Step 10: Take a look at outlines and details with a bit.
A smooth finish is possible because of the small vertical channels with sharp edges around the bit.Put your Dremel tool's end into the wood and lightly press into it to carve out your outlines.Follow along the outlines slowly so that you don't accidentally remove wood from the design.You are less likely to make mistakes if you work in slow, fluid motions.Dremel bit kits have a number of fluted bits you can try.When you need to add intricate lines and details, use larger flabby bits.
Step 11: Smooth your cuts by using a diamond bit.
A diamond bit has a rough texture and can be used to make the design softer.Put the diamond bit in the tool and turn it on.Work slowly and carefully around the edges of your design to clean up any rough areas.If you use only diamond bits, the bit may wear out quicker.
Step 12: Take breaks to get rid of sawdust.
Working with a Dremel tool can create a lot of sawdust, which makes it difficult to see what you already carved.You can see which areas you need to work on if you stop the Dremel tool every 5 minutes.The back of the wood piece is where the sawdust can be knocked loose.If you blow the sawdust off of your design, it will get airborne.
Step 13: To smooth your carving's edges, sand it with 150-grit sandpaper.
Once you've carved out your design, fold a piece of 150-grit sandpaper and rub it over the surface of your wood.If you want to get rid of rough areas, focus on areas that still have sharp points.When you finish, the wood will have a smooth texture.If you used a diamond bit in your Dremel tool, you don't need to use sandpaper.
Step 14: If you want, you can add texture to the wood with a ball bit.
A textured background is created by people who carve wood.If you want to leave a circular mark, use a ball-shaped bit in your tool.Continue pressing the bit into the background of your design.If you want your design to have a smooth finish, you don't need to texture the background.
Step 15: If you want to lighten the wood, use a wood burner.
A heated iron on the end of a wood burner makes it look more interesting by making it burn and singe.Allow the wood burner to heat up completely if you want to dark certain areas.Press the end of the burner into the wood and pull it in a certain direction.A wood burner can be purchased from a hardware store.It can cause severe burns if you touch the end of a wood burner.You won't be able to remove the burn mark from the wood.
Step 16: If you want to recolor the wood, apply a coat of stain.
Pick a stain color that you want to use for the whole piece of wood.To spread the stain on the wood in a thin layer, use a paintbrush or rag.Leave the stain on the wood for 15 minutes and then wipe it off with a clean rag.Add any additional coats after the stain has dried for 4 hours.The stain can look darker in areas you carved out and lighter on raised edges.
Step 17: Finish or put a clear coat on the design.
Look for a clear coat on your wood.Make sure the coat is thoroughly combined by mixing it with a stir stick.To paint a thin layer of the clear coat onto your design, use a natural-bristle brush.It has time to set if the coat is left to dry for 24 hours.If you shake the clear coat before applying it, you could get bubbles in it that will leave an even finish.