The Dremel brand engraving tool features a rotating head with interchangeable drill bits for cutting and engraving a variety of materials. If you want to engrave designs or letters on a piece of wood, a Dremel engraving tool can easily scrape wood and create intricate lines. Start by selecting a design and moving it onto the piece of wood you want to work with. Use the various drill bits that come with the Dremel engraving tool to carve out the design until you are happy with how it looks. When you're done engraving, sand up any rough edges and add finishing touches to make the design really stand out.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Moving the Design onto the Wood
Step 1. Choose a softwood blank to make it easier for you to carve
Softwoods are less likely to crack or chip while being carved so they are easier to work with than hardwoods. Look for pine, basswood, or butternut if it's your first time carving with a Dremel tool to get used to the process. Make sure the wood doesn't have any dents, knots, or blemishes as these are more difficult to carve.
- If you have experience carving wood, use a hardwood such as oak, maple, or cherry. Hardwood is easier to break. So, work slowly to prevent damage to the design.
- Make sure the wood is clean and dry before carving.
Tip:
Prepare a few extra pieces of wood to carve so you can practice before carving the design.
Step 2. Draw the design directly onto the wood if you make your own design
Use a pencil to draw the design so the marks can be easily erased once you're finished carving. Start by drawing the entire outline of the design so that the surroundings can be traced as you engrave. Mark large areas to be carved with a slash or an X so you know which part to work on later.
- Draw the design lightly with a pencil so the marks can be erased and you can make adjustments if necessary.
- If you are using dark wood, use a white pencil.
Step 3. Trace the outline of the design on the carbon paper when you transfer the finished design onto the wood
Search the internet for a design you want to engrave or create your own on a computer that is the same size as the one you want to work on the wood. Print the design on a piece of paper and tape it to the lighter side of the carbon paper, then glue it with tape. Place the paper on top of the wood with the darker carbon paper facing down. Trace the outline of the design with a pencil to move the design onto the wood.
- You can buy carbon paper from a stationery store.
- Don't let your hands rub the paper as this will stain the wood making it difficult to see the design.
Step 4. Clamp the wood firmly to the table surface in a bright workplace
Place the piece of wood on the edge of the workbench in an even position. Clamp the wood to the tabletop with C clamps so it doesn't get in the way of the design you want to carve. Make sure the wood doesn't move when clamped so it doesn't slide around when you're carving.
You may need to use several C clamps, depending on the size of the wood
Step 5. Put on safety glasses, dust mask and gloves before working
Dremel carving tools produce a lot of sawdust and wood chips when used. Wear safety glasses that cover your entire eye and a dust mask that covers your nose and mouth. Wear gloves to protect yourself, in case the wood punctures or breaks while you are carving.
Part 2 of 3: Carving Designs
Step 1. Attach the flexible cable shaft to the engraving tool to make it easier for you to hold
This flexible shaft has a cord that is coiled around it to take some of the weight of the tool off the hand. Take the end of the flexible shaft and pull the cable that is inside. Plug the cable into the end of the Dremel tool and secure it by turning it clockwise. Insert the end of the cable into the tool to secure it securely.
- You can purchase flexible cable shafts from your local hardware store.
- You don't have to use a flexible cable shaft, but this tool will make it easier for you to work with more complicated details.
Step 2. Hold the Dremel tool like you would a pencil
When holding it, keep your finger at least 2.5 cm away from the tip of the rotating tool. Position the appliance so that the power switch is facing up for easy access. Hold the tool at an angle of 30° - 40° toward the wood for maximum control while carving.
Do not touch the rotating parts while the Dremel engraving is on as you could be seriously injured
Step 3. Work in slow, short strokes in the direction of the wood grain
The Dremel carving tool has a small motor so it cannot carve wood for a long time because the tool can be damaged. When you use the Dremel engraving tool, gently press the tip against the wood and pull in the same direction as the wood grain for no more than 5 - 10 seconds at a time. Don't be in a rush when engraving your design as you can easily make mistakes and scratch where you shouldn't.
Start by pressing the tool lightly against the wood surface to avoid accidentally wasting too much of it. You can always carve deeper into the wood, but obviously you can't bring back the pieces that have been wasted
Step 4. Carve out a large area with a sabretooth drill bit
Sabretooth drill bits have sharp teeth or grinders that can tear and scrape wood quickly. Attach the sabretooth drill bit to the tip of the Dremel tool by turning it clockwise. Turn on the tool and gently press it against the wood to carve it. A sabretooth drill bit will leave a rough-looking finish, but it can scrape wood very quickly so you can carve large areas.
- Test the speed of the tool using a sabretooth drill bit on another piece of wood first so you know what will happen when the tool is used to carve the design.
- Make sure that the drill bit you are using is intended for cutting wood, otherwise the tool may be damaged.
Step 5. Trace the outline and design details with a fluted carbide drill bit
Fluted carbide drill bits have small vertical grooves with sharp edges all around which will leave a smooth looking finish. Attach a fluted carbide drill bit to the tip of the Dremel tool and gently press it into the wood to carve out the outline of the design. Work your way along the outline slowly so you don't accidentally scrape off too much wood. Work in slow, flowing movements so you don't err.
- Standard Dremel drill bit kits usually have 3-4 fluted bits that you can try while carving.
- Use a larger fluted drill bit to carve out a larger area and a smaller drill bit to carve out more intricate lines and details.
Choosing a Drill
Cylindrical drill bit suitable for creating even edges and V-shaped channels.
Round drill bit perfect for making rounded ends.
Pointed drill bit or sharp You can use it to make detailed lines and engrave round lines.
Step 6. Use a diamond drill bit to sand the edges and smooth out the cut
Diamond drill bits have a rough texture like sandpaper and are perfect for smoothing out sharp edges in designs. Attach the diamond drill bit of your choice to the Dremel tool and turn it on. Work slowly and carefully around the edges of the design to clean any rough areas while smoothing them out.
You can engrave designs only with a diamond drill bit if the medium is softwood, but the drill bit will wear out faster
Step 7. Pause to clean the sawdust from the design
Engraving with a Dremel tool will produce a lot of sawdust that makes it difficult to see the design and the parts that have been engraved. Turn off the Dremel tool every 5 minutes, wiping the wood with a clean, dry cloth so you can see where there is still work to be done. Turn and pat the back of the wood to remove any loose sawdust from crevices and tight areas.
Do not blow sawdust out of the design as it will fly off
Part 3 of 3: Sanding and Painting the Design
Step 1. Sand the engraving with 150 grit paper to smooth out any sharp edges
Once you've carved out your design, fold a sheet of 150 grit sandpaper and rub it over the wood surface. Focus on areas that still have sharp edges or rough textures that you want to smooth out. The sandpaper will leave a smooth texture on the wood when you're done.
You may not need to sand the wood if you've used a diamond drill bit on your Dremel engraving tool
Step 2. Add texture to the wood surface with a round fluted drill bit, if you wish
Many people who carve wood create a perforated or textured background to make the design more visually appealing. Take a round fluted drill bit from the engraving tool and gently press it into the recessed area to make circular strokes. Press and hold the drill bit into the background of the design in a random configuration.
You don't need to create a textured background if you want the design to have a clean and smooth finish
Step 3. Use a wood burner if you want to darken areas of the design
The wood burner has a hot iron on the tip to make the burnt and charred scratches on the wood look more attractive. If there's a particular area you'd like to darken, plug in the wood burner and let it get really hot. Press the hot tip of the tool into the wood and gently pull it in the direction you want it to create a burn-like streak.
- You can buy a wood burner at your local hardware store.
- Do not touch the tip of the appliance while it is switched on as this may result in severe burns.
- Burn marks that have been made on wood will not be able to be removed.
Step 4. Apply a coat of dye to the wood if you want to color it
Choose the paint color you want to use for the entire wood surface. Use a paint brush with natural bristles or a washcloth to lightly spread the dye over the wood surface. Let the dye sit on the wood for about 1 minute before wiping it off with a clean cloth to check the color. Allow the dye to dry for 4 hours before applying an additional coat.
The dye will appear darker in the concave areas you have carved and lighter in the convex areas
Step 5. Apply a clear coating or finish to the design to help preserve it
Look for a polyurethane finish or another type of clear coating to apply to the wood. Mix the clear coating with a stirrer to mix well. Use a paint brush with natural bristles to apply a light coat of clear coating over the design. Leave it for 24 hours until it dries.
Do not shake the clear coating before application as air bubbles can form which will create an uneven coating
Warning
- Wear protective eyewear when you work with a Dremel engraving tool to prevent sawdust or wood chips from getting into your eyes.
- Never touch the rotating parts when the Dremel engraving is turned on as this could result in serious injury.
