Miniature Woodworking with 

a Dremel Tool

 

Using the router bits with a built-in follower bearing, you can create edges on just about any wood.  This photo shows a decorative edge put around a small display base. 

 

I do this by, quite literally guiding the wood edge through the bit.  My first couple passes are done such that the bit doesn't completely penetrate to the follower.  This removes most of the stock but the edge will be rough.  The last pass, however, is done by making sure that the follower is held tight to the follower and if you do that, you get results as shown. 

 

If you need to do this on a very small piece, build a 'handle' for the piece.  Attach it using double-sided tape.  When deciding what handle you need, keep in mind that you want to keep your fingers away from the bit AND that you want to be able to apply pressure into the bit as you push the piece from right to left into the bit. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how I use a #199 bit to cut tenons on the ends of a furniture piece.  There are several things worth noting. 

 

1) Notice that the fence is just a piece of wood.  I raise the bit and then slide the fence in place, cutting a space for the bit.  This gives you a nearly seamless entry and exit from the bit. 

 

2) Notice the slide block that rests against the fence.  This is used to push the part being machined through the bit.  I hold the part to the slide block with finger pressure.  In this case, the bit is about 2" from my fingers so there is little chance of being hurt. 

 

3) The bit is raised to remove enough stock on each side to produce a tenon.  Likewise, you need to stand the piece on its edge and remove stock on top and bottom to complete the tenon.  Though this means 4 separate passes per tenon, the process goes very quickly so doing a bunch of tenons doesn't take long. 

 

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Notice the slot in the edge of the piece.  This was also done on the router table using a small diameter bit.  I set up the table the same way and push long sticks along the fence to create these slots in wood that's been appropriately sized.  Then I can cut stock to length for the furniture pieces.