What size dremel bit for shield inlay

[AVigil]

I have my shields and template.

What size dremel bit is recommended?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You can use a variety of sizes.
One needs to be smaller than any corner or point. This is for finishing the cut. Use a fine cut burr here.
One can be about 20% of the total shield width, and is used to remove material efficiently.
Of course, it also depends on the material being removed, Go with a smaller bit on brittle or sensitive stuff like MOP or ivory. Wood and stag can take a bit more aggressive burrs.

I use a 3mm straight burr for roughing and a 1mm for fine trimming. I often follow the final trim with a reverse cone burr to undercut the bottom of the recess. This makes for a better seat as well as allows some resin to hold from the sides if using epoxy to set the escutcheon. I also put some cuts back and forth in the open areas of the recess to allow some resin to collect there. If the shield is a perfect fit for the hole, all the resin will squeeze out , and sometimes prevent the shield from going all the way in.

 

[AVigil]

Great info, thanks Stacy

 

[Randy3000]

Where do you get the tiny cutters stacy?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I use Stuller, but they are a wholesale only company to jewelers. MSC, Rio Grande, Dremel, etc. should have the burrs. Also, luthier suppliers have very nice down-cut inlay bits. If you find them in carbide, it is worth the extra cost.

I use carbide bits and the router jig from StewMac for many inlay projects and relieving saya. The set will do most every task.:
https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Too...d_Bits/Carbide_Downcut_Inlay_Router_Bits.html
https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Too...s_and_Bits/Routers/Precision_Router_Base.html