Inlay Bits

[Steve Hinde]

Any other options for inlay bits other than Stewmac?
Are the custompearlinlay.com bits upcut or downcut?

Steve

[rmoss]

Try ebay

I get all my inlay bits from there. They are slightly used but they look and cut like they are brand new. I got 15 .0675 bits for like $10.00 and 50 .04 bits for $30.00 all work perfectly.

[Joe Mendel]

Call your dentist and ask him to save some old dental bits for you, or get some new dental bits if using used ones grosses you out. My dentist autoclaves them for me before giving them to me.

[oldwave maker]

Dave Nichols are downcut and shorter in the cutting part, so maybe stronger.

[thistle3585]

Try RLSchmitt. Much cheaper than anywhere else that I have found plus they take PAYPAL which is a plus in my book. rlschmitt (http://www.rlschmitt.com)

[Links]

Dittos Joe. My wife was a dental hygenist and brought me dozens of dental bits of all types. They work fine!

[John Gardinsky]

I believe Luthiers Mercantile may sell them. The upcut spiral bits work well but are pricey. Dentists will generally only use a carbide bur only once or twice before they are too dull for enamel. They would still be plenty sharp for ebony. Avoid burs that appear scorched. Don't use diamonds on wood, only carbide. Beware- many dental burs create an undercut to create retention, look for one with parallel walls. Taurodont

[Steve Hinde]

Are the RL Schmitt ones down cut?
I've tried the dental bits. The spiral downcuts are my preference for now. The problem is breakage in the tiny ones. I know they will break, but my patience does when they cost 15+ each. I use 1/16 most of the time, but I use the 1/32 for the final detail cuts and script inlays. I say OUCH every time I go a little too quick and the bit snaps off. Cleaning the edge is not so hard on the bit as the closed cuts and the chatter from the Dremel bearings.
I'll try out the Nichols ones, and maybe a couple from Schmitt. Any other sources?

Steve

[Paul Hostetter]

My faves are solid carbide bits from Truebite, Inc. out of Vestal, NY. Here: www.truebite.com (http://www.truebite.com/drill_degrout). They are sold for people working porcelain - dollmakers, dental folks, tilesetters, etc. - but they work extremely well on hardwoods.

[Gavin Baird]

Dave Nickols for sure...Don't worry about saving a few dollars, it's not worth it. Go with the best option to achieve what it is you want to do and pay the $. After all it is the satisfaction you get from what you do that is the real profit...Gavin

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

I find MSC industrial supply a good source. www.mscdirect.com They have about anything you would need, and if you watch their sale flyer, you can get double ended 1/16" and 1/8" end mills for about $7 sometimes. I've bought sizes all the way down to 0.020" MSC has really fast service too. I'm exploring dental burrs right now. I think they are a 1/16" shank. My dentist gave me a catalog from his supplier. small carbide burrs end up costing about $15 for a pack of 10. That's a real deal!

Lynn