Power Carving Cutters

About the different types of cutters....

There are so many cutters made today that it's hard to know which ones to use. We've "whittled" down from a selection of thousands to the cutters on the following pages (just one of our many suppliers has over 1,200 different cutters to choose from!) All of the cutters we sell represent excellent value and long life if used properly. All cutters are first grade, true running, and have proven useful for bird and fish carvers. They fall into two broad categories: Abrasive cutters and Sharp cutters. For bird and fish carving, abrasive cutters are more commonly used than sharp cutters.

Abrasive Cutters

Abrasive Cutters are, as the name suggests, cutters that remove material by grinding it off in small particles (dust or small chips). They are generally easy to control, and they cut equally well in forward or reverse. Coarser abrasive cutters like the Typhoon burs can remove wood very quickly. Finer abrasive cutters like Ruby carvers cut slower but leave a smooth finish. Very fine abrasives include stones as well as sanders.

Typhoon™ Carbide Burs

Ideal for use on hard and soft wood, acrylic & fiberglass. Typhoon's unique structurally aligned tungsten carbide points leave a smoother finish than other types of tungsten carbide burs. They last longer and don't load up as quickly. Maximum speeds: 1/4" shanks 25,000RPM; 1/8" and 3/32" shanks 35,000RPM.

Dura-GRIT™ Abrasive Cutters

Tough tungsten-carbide cutters for tough jobs. Very agressive yet leave quite a smooth finish. We rate them between a Ruby Carver and a Typhoon bur. They're very controllable and they last and last. Grit will not tear loose and the edges stay sharp. All have 1/8" shanks. Most Dura-GRIT cutters are available in your choice of several grits.

Ruby Carvers

These are possibly the most popular rotary bit used by carvers. They consist of a metal core with small particles of ruby bonded to the surface. Originally designed for carving certain plastics, they work well on many types of wood including basswood, butternut, cedar, jelutong, pine, cedar and tupelo. They are durable, controllable and reasonably priced. 3/32" shanks.

Sapphire Carvers

These are the latest addition to the abrasive line. They last considerably longer than Rubies. Available in coarse only. 3/32" shanks.

Diamond Carvers

Just like the Ruby carvers above but instead of little bits of ruby for abrasive, they use small diamond chips. They cost a bit more than the rubies, but can last upto 5 times longer, making them good value for the professional. They can be used on wood, some plastics, many metals and soft stones (e.g. Soapstones). 3/32" shanks.

Dental Diamond Burs

High quality diamond points with 3/32" shanks made for the dental industry. Very sharp grit, easy to control and made to last. Excellent value. We carry two "safe-end" diamonds which have no grit on the ends. Perfect for layering feathers!

Ceramcut Blue™ Stones

Made from ceramic, they are very uniform and hard. They dress to a very nice shape, they cut better, and they last a lot longer than conventional stones.

Texturing Stones - stones are great for texturing and smoothing. The white (fine) stone works well on tupelo. The brown aluminum oxide stones are more aggressive than white stones but not quite as aggressive as green. They are great for texturing and smoothing on basswood and other medium soft woods. The green (coarse) stone gives good results on basswood, butternut, and harder woods like walnut or mahogany. 3/32" shanks.

Ceramic Sticks

Solid 3/32" diameter ceramic abrasive sticks will fit directly into your rotary tool. Each end can be shaped (dressed) with our diamond hone (item #10343) in much the same way as conventional texturing stones. Once dressed, ceramic sticks will outlast conventional stones by many times - and when the edge wears down, you simply re-dress the stick, making it a bit shorter. Because they are uniform in diameter, they are absolutely vibration-free and they cut cleaner and smoother than any other texturing tool. Ceramic sticks can be dressed down to a very fine point - much finer than any stone. Available in three grits - Medium (blue) 800 grit for general texturing and modest carving in most woods. Fine (orange) 1200 grit works well for fine texturing on softer woods (basswood to tupelo). The new 300 grit is quite agressive yet leaves a very smooth finish.

Sanding Cones

You'll wonder how you ever did without these handy miniature sanding mandrels and cones. They're quick, convenient, and economical. Best of all, they do an incredible job of fine sanding and blending in those hard-to-reach areas that all wildlife carvers encounter all the time. Available in two sizes and two grits in each size. The large cones fit on a split tapered mandrel (#M20 - our mandrel #M22 will also work). The small cones fit on a threaded mandrel #M100. They are all quick and easy to change, and the wrapped-paper design exposes new grit as the cones wear down. We recommend using them at lower speeds for longer life and more control. Sold in packages of 10 per size/grit.

Ceramic Sanding Bands

3M’s patented Cubitron™ ceramic aluminum oxide mineral sharpens itself with use, for an abrasive band that lasts 2 to 4 times longer than traditional bands. They provide faster stock removal with less heating and loading. Available in packs of 10 bands; 60, 80, 120, or 220 grit.

Razertip^® Cushion Sanders

Cut your sanding time in half or less! These sanders use cloth-backed sand-paper and give a super smooth finish. Intended for finish sanding - not designed as a carving tool. Supplied with paper, key and a spare foam pad, ready to go.

Scotchbrite™ Radial Bristle Discs

Are perfect for fine smoothing & polishing almost any material. Flexible plastic discs with embedded abrasive follow contours and smooth gently. Properly used, they will outlast most other abrasives. Great for de-fuzzing most woods as well as for polishing harder woods and metals. Best used with 3 or 4 discs stacked together. Available in 9/16" or 3/4" diameters, and in 6 different grits. Colour-coded for convenience. Use with M1, M6, or M10 Mandrels, sold separately.

Grande Micromotor

Digital controller controls supplied digital handpiece and optional brush type (5 pin) analogue handpiece. Max 50,000rpm, Torque control system, RPM digital display. Supplied with controller, handpiece, foot control, 1/8" collet, 3/32" collet adapter, 30 piece diamond bit set and 1 year unconditional warranty.

Keith Mueller Color Harmony & Dynamic Mixing Guide - The best tool for understanding colour & colour harmony, along with understanding how pigments work together to create colour. Complete with manual.

Razertip Catalogue

Download the lastest Razertip Pyrographic Tools Catalogue.