Thread: Wand making

Probably just an ordinary fixed blade stanley knife.
If you have a dremel you could use small burrs.
That should be fine to drill with.
Better learn how to attach photos.

Ps, welcome..
Pps, interested to know how the rose goes. I've thrown a lot into the green bin, not thought of working it.

Russ

This might help with attaching photos.
Uploading photos as attachments
Welcome to the forum.

thank you!
So burs like these? IMG_6222.jpgthey'll be better than drill bits?
Here's the stick - I intend to drill into the fat end. IMG_6212.jpg Will a fixed blade stanley knife work for carving into the wood too?

You have also got these but they won't fit in a Dremel so you would need something with a 1/4" chuck. I think the burrs you show might clog up fairly quickly as the teeth are very fine. Probably be okay on dry wood.
An ordinary drill bit will be okay for drilling but if you only have the Dremel you will be limited to only quite small sizes.
If you are wanting to carve patterns in the stem you would be better of with dedicated carving tools like these but then you need to be able to resharpen and maintain them so if only making one wand, not really an option.
Is this type of wand what they actually used in Harry Potter? I have turned what I would call normal wands for my daughter's friends on the lathe when Harry potter was all the rage.

I only want a small size hole. The wood is very dry, so those burs might work? Which is better for making the hole in the middle of the stick - drill bits or burs?
I’ll go take a pic of the carving tools I have already to see if they’d work.

So it’s inspired by Harry Potter but isn’t going to be like most available online. I won’t be turning it or rounding it out. I’ll just smooth and sand it but keep the natural shape. All Harry Potter wands have a core of a magical animal, but most sold online don’t add that bit. The crystal idea is purely my own.

I have a kit of Lino cut knives - will those work? I might just go to bunnings and see what they suggest.

With the burs - should I use slow or fast speed with the dremel? I’m guessing slow if it’s likely to clog?

I would suggest a drill bit for drilling.. I was thinking the burrs would work for carving. A stanley knife also for carving

Find a spare stick and give it a go. Find what works for you.

My experience with lino cut tools wasn't great. I think they (cheaper ones at least) are very soft and so blunt quickly.
Lino is much softer than wood.





Russ

If you are going to drill into the end of a small stick, wrap it tightly with duck tape, or put a hose clamp around it, to stop it splitting as you work.

Some wands I've made, most of them at least partly on the lathe:
Wand - turning, sewing & CNC