Hammer5573 Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 I've had a lot of difficulty attempting to cut stringing grooves in highly figured wood (crotch mahogany etc) using a grooving tool. I've never tried using a Dremel in these situations, can I expect better results if I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 How wide is the groove? I've used both a dremel tool (with base) and a 1/4" router to cut inlay channels. At 1/8" groove, I find the router to be more stable for following a pattern free hand. Dunno if you can get router bits much smaller, but another recent post mentions using a dremel with 1/64" bit to do inlay work on guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Freud sells 1/4 shank bits that are 1/16". I use them for inlay. I have never used a router for running stringing. Always a scratch type tool. What tool are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brendon_t Posted June 17, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I have 1/4" shank bits down to 1/16th. Due to the rotating nature of a router bit, dropping a channel for stringing in figured wood wouldn't make a difference at all. I know some ppl use a palm router for stuff like that but I like the mass of a full sized. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I can't think of a easier wood to work than mahogany even figured.I think you should double check your took is sharp and technique is correct. Do this before offering up you precious wood to the whirring cutter on a Dremel. Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 What Brandon said. I also prefer a large router for its mass and stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I use a Dremel with 1/64" spiral bits when inlaying guitars - I also use bigger ones up to 3/16" in the Dremel. Stringing with a Dremel is a good way to go. Get the base for the Dremel and cutters from StewMac. You sometimes need to get a collet adapter as the shank on some of them are smaller than the regular Dremel collet size. Again StewMac sell them too. Down spirals will produce a cleaner cut at the surface but only take shallow cuts as they can overheat quickly (especially at these small diameters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
360_Glen Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I've plowed many miles of stringing using a trim router and spiral router bit. You can get 1/4" shanks bits at a 1/16" diameter (size I generally use), but the reach or tip is short. If you're working with a pattern, you'll need a longer cutting tip. For that I go to inlaybandings.com for 1/8" shank bits with 1/16" cutting diameters. You'll also need a collet adapter to use it in a router. And, it helps to turn down the speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer5573 Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Thanks for all of the great advice....I recently picked up some highly figured walnut veneer and I'm considering using it on this project ( still in planning stage). I have a Veritas stringing tool and it works great on most wood types; however, it occasionally creates large defects when cutting figured wood. That's why I was inquiring about the Dremel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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