Official Luthiers Forum!

Some time ago I asked my dentist if he had any "extra" drill bits that I might be able to use for inlay. Nice guy that he is, he gave me a half dozen new ones. Each came wrapped in it's own little plastic packaging. At first glance they were too small for my Dremel, and so I put them to the side, until I snapped a downcut 3/64" bit while doing some inlay on a fretboard. Well, necessity being the mother, etc. I took a closer look and these fit very well with my smaller collet in the dremel kit.

These things are SHARP, and tough. I dont know what they cost for a dentist, but I', very happy with how well they cut ebony. In fact, I've had to be very careful with them, they cut so well.. way better than the downcut bit that I snapped in the first place.

I am still using the box of dental burrs my dentist gave me back in the 80's.
They still work like a charm.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Me too...and used ones are fine if they are fresh out of the autoclave...they stay sharp forever! I don't ask for a sticker after a checkup anymore...just the bits!

_________________
http://www.presnallguitars.com

I bought some off eBay a few years ago and love 'em. Hey, I wonder if they'll fit in John Hall's little drilly thingy.

_________________
"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

I use them too. I received about 200 used ones from a friend about 4 years ago. Last month someone on another Forum recommended end mills and I decided to try them. I bought 5 and with shipping they cost me about $ 50.00 +. They arrived last week, just in time to try on a rosette inlay. I was really expecting good things, but after the first ring I was not happy with the result. I've gone back to my used dental burrs - Mike.

_________________
guitarsbygiltzow.com

How do they cut abalone shell and pearl shell. Which ones should a guy buy.

_________________
http://goatrockukulele.com

I haven't tried them on abalone or pearl yet, but if they're intended for drilling teeth.....

I haven't bought any - got em from my dentist.

Stew Mac sells them, they are much less expensive than "down cut" carbide end mills, so I tried a 5-pak.
They cut great, but in resin-y rosewood they fill up pretty quick, but I guess can be cleaned.
Now to find someone online who sells them really cheap by quantity, and throw them out.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

My sister gave me some when she was working for a dentist. I have used them on pearl and they work great. I even ingrave the pearl with them.

I love that stuff and use it a lot

best
fric.

I use dental burs in a high speed air powered handpiece--a "Presto" that is made for the "push in" 1/16" dental bits. You can also use them with a 1/16" collet in a router or spindle if your machine will take one of these. Dental burs can be bought new and inexpensively from Lasko Diamond Products--I get the carbide ones in various sizes. They're way cheaper than end mills--about a buck and a half apiece from Lasko. The downside to them is that in wood they don't eject chips quite as nicely as an endmill and tend to burn the wood if you run them too fast. But hey're great for cutting pearl and other hard materials up at the Presto's speed (250-300K rpm).

Yeah - you definitely want the straight ones. (or at least that's all I use) Ballbanjos has a line on supply - but I get a handful of mine from my dentist - free. I don't do that much inlay but they've lasted me a year.

The Boss gave me a 1/2 dozen or so .023 tapered bits. I use them for cleaning fret slots in new builds and re frets they work great for that. I also use them is inlay after the initial cut and fitting the pearl or whatever using.

My dentist is going to get me a 100 of them at about $.80 a bit. I will never need to buy more. The six I have had over a year and still have 4 left. Used ones work better for me in the fret slots.