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The Dremel is an extremely handy rotary tool and you can use a variety of different attachments on it. I love to use it for intricate projects, and I’ve put together a list of my favorite different Dremel wood carving projects for beginners.
Make sure you’re using one of the best dremel tools available, as cheaper alternatives might not have enough power and precision for some of these ideas.
Contents
- Before You Get Started
- 1. Flower Pattern for Dremel
- 2. Wooden Heart Using Basic Dremel Attachments
- 3. Wooden Dremel Ring Design
- 4. Power Carving a Flower With Your Dremel
- 5. Wooden Owl Design with a Dremel and Foredom
- 6. Carved Letters Using a Dremel
- 7. Simple Bird Pattern for Beginners with a Dremel
- 8. Carving Celtic Knots with Your Dremel
- 9. Power Carved Eyes Using a Dremel Tool
- 10. Wooden Dremel Engraved Sign
- 11. Carving Leaves with Your Dremel
- 12. Pumpkin Carving with a Dremel
- 13. Wooden Dremel Skull Carving
- 14. Engraved Leather Phone Case Using a Dremel
- 15. Leather Engraving on an Axe Sheath
- 16. Glass Engraving with a Ball Sphere on Your Dremel
- 17. Etched Owl Design Onto Glass Surface
- 18. Etching a Wine Glass with a Micro Dremel
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Get Started Practicing Your Dremel Skills Today
Before You Get Started
If you’re a beginner at using a Dremel tool, it’s important to go over the basics and the safety precautions you should be taking. The Dremel is a relatively small power tool — but it can still be dangerous if you’re not careful.
Many of these Dremel projects for beginners require the rotary tool to have a specific attachment. This is pretty typical with the Dremel, but most of the projects use similar attachments.
1. Flower Pattern for Dremel
Flowers can be a popular choice when it comes to wood carving with your Dremel. You can freehand your design or you can find a downloadable one on the Internet. This particular design has a good amount of detail, so take your time with it.
Watch the video tutorial here: youtube.com
Using a pattern such as this can be a great learning experience for beginners — as you’re able to create a beautiful piece of the woodwork without having to freehand anything that you’re not comfortable with yet.
2. Wooden Heart Using Basic Dremel Attachments
If you need wood carving ideas and you don’t have a collection of Dremel bits yet, this might be your project. You’ll need a small section of wood that you can draw your heart pattern onto. You can even use a saw to cut out the basic outline if you don’t have the proper Dremel attachment.
Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com
Then, you’ll use your Dremel to sand down the heart and shape the corners. You can choose to paint or otherwise engrave the heart once you’re finished and make it into a thoughtful gift for someone in your life.
3. Wooden Dremel Ring Design
I love this Dremel wood carving project, as it makes a wonderful gift for a girlfriend or boyfriend. In this video, you’ll find a tutorial for creating a pattern for the ring and then carving it out of a small block of wood.
View the project tutorial here: youtube.com
This is a great project for beginners, as you only need a small section of wood to begin. This means, you can mess up several times and you won’t have to worry about having to toss a large section of expensive wood.
You’ll need different Dremel attachments to shape, carve, engrave, and then sand the ring down. You can skip the engraving if you would like to, as you’ll still end up with a beautifully finished product.
You can make this ring into a necklace, or drill a hole in your Dremel carved ring and attach it to something.
4. Power Carving a Flower With Your Dremel
For this Dremel wood carving project, you’ll need a couple of different carving burs to power-carve your flower. This is a unique way to carve with your Dremel — but it’s a popular option for many woodworkers. You can lay your original pattern over the wood before you get started so that you have an outline to follow along with.
Watch the project tutorial here: youtube.com
This project requires some undercutting to get the leaves to have a 3D effect — meaning you’ll need to start with a thicker section of wood. This carving style has different layers to it, giving it a complex finished look without actually being a complex project to take on for a beginner.
5. Wooden Owl Design with a Dremel and Foredom
If you’d prefer to work with a more rustic piece of wood instead of a flat surface, you can choose a small section of a branch for this project. Use your Dremel to carve the owl into the center of the wood, giving it a three-dimensional final look.
Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com
You can choose to paint the owl at the end to give it a more realistic look or you can leave it plain. Either way, this project is an impressive showcasing for your new tool. You’ll need several types of different burrs and a finishing oil or a wood stain for the finishing touch.
6. Carved Letters Using a Dremel
A popular choice for many beginners is to carve their name or favorite word into a section of wood. If you have a favorite font, you can print it out and use it as a pattern and outline for your work. You may need to resize the font before you stencil it onto your surface — to ensure that it fits properly.
You can view the tutorial here: youtube.com
This tutorial shows you how to carve letters using either positive or negative space relief, depending on your preference. You’ll want to take your time when you’re carving out your letters, as you don’t want to miss any details. This is great practice for beginners to get used to how your Dremel feels and how powerful it is.
This is similar to carving patterns with a scroll saw, but you’re using a handheld tool instead.
7. Simple Bird Pattern for Beginners with a Dremel
Maybe letters aren’t your thing — in that case, you can carve out this beginner-friendly bird pattern. You’ll want to print the design out and transfer it to your wooden surface before getting started. This video will go over how to hold your Dremel and carve out the details on the bird.
Watch the project tutorial here: youtube.com
It’s important to have steady hands when you’re using a Dremel, as you’ll have greater control when working on the corners and the smaller details of the pattern. This pattern has a lot of gently curved lines as well as straight lines, which makes it ideal for beginners.
8. Carving Celtic Knots with Your Dremel
If you enjoy the design of Celtic knots and how they interlock within each other, you can choose this pattern for your next Dremel project. You’ll want to keep your lines sharp to keep the knots clean-looking.
Watch the detailed tutorial here: youtube.com
Grab a small section of wood with a moderate thickness, as you’ll be carving the knot using both negative and positive space relief. This video shows you how to carve the Celtic knots using only two-bit attachments.
9. Power Carved Eyes Using a Dremel Tool
If you have small Dremel bits, you can grab a small cylinder of wood and carve out the eyes. This is a creative project and you’ll be able to practice your detailed work. You’ll need a few taper burrs and a sphere burr for this project.
Watch the creative project tutorial here: youtube.com
You can also choose to finish the piece with a wood stain to give it a more polished look. This is a great practice opportunity if you’ll be interested in carving characters later on — as the eyes can be a difficult feature to get right.
10. Wooden Dremel Engraved Sign
If you want to create a customized sign with your Dremel, this is a good place to get started. You can use the sign for an upcoming party — such as graduation or wedding reception. This will become a keepsake that will last for many years.
View the detailed project idea here: homebeautifully.com
You can use a Dremel 100 tool as well as some sandpaper (fine grit) and a finishing stain or some paint. This is a quick and easy project for beginners, as you can lay your pattern over the wooden surface to guide your Dremel.
11. Carving Leaves with Your Dremel
If you want to use a pattern or even go freehand, leaves are a great option as they’re very forgiving. This video shows you how to use your Dremel tool to carve your different shapes of leaves into your wooden surface.
View the tutorial here: youtube.com
You’ll lightly sketch or trace your design onto the wood so that you have a pattern to work from. Eventually, you’ll end up with several layers of leaves and it will create a multi-dimensional final look.
Maple and oak leaves are used in the video, as these are simply designed to carve out and they’re both individual looking — so you can see the variety at the end of the project.
12. Pumpkin Carving with a Dremel
Why stick to the traditional way of carving pumpkins with a knife when you can add far greater detail if you use your Dremel? Show off your skills this Halloween by tracing a design with your rotary tool and then carving it out.
View more project ideas here: doitbest.com
You’ll have much greater carving control when compared to using a serrated knife and your design will surely win the competition. Dremel tools can be used on different surfaces — not just wooden ones.
13. Wooden Dremel Skull Carving
If you want to follow along with the Halloween theme, you can carve a wooden skull using your Dremel rotary tool. This video uses walnut wood but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Watch the video tutorial here: youtube.com
For this project, you’ll want a “Little Terrier” carving bit to block out larger sections and then a sphere burr for the more detailed work. This can be a fun project for beginners, as you’re practicing with different types of attachments and getting used to how the Dremel feels in your hand.
14. Engraved Leather Phone Case Using a Dremel
For this project, you’ll want a leather phone case on which you can carve your design and a Dremel multi-tool. This is an easy project for beginners because the leather will cut easier than wood and you’ll be able to practice on a softer surface.
You can view the detailed tutorial here: dremel.com
You can trace your pattern onto the phone case before you start. Then use your Dremel bit to trace over the design so that it’s left on the leather surface.
If you’re really bold, you could try your hand at carving with a Dremel on a metal phone case. You shouldn’t need to make any metal cuts with the Dremel, thankfully.
15. Leather Engraving on an Axe Sheath
If you enjoy using your Dremel on a leather surface, you can get creative and choose whatever piece of leather you’d like to engrave next. This video shows you how to engrave an axe sheath, by adding a decorative pattern with leaves.
Check out the video tutorial here: youtube.com
This adds character to your leather accessories and allows you to personalize them as your own. When you’re first learning to use your Dremel tool, it’s great to practice on items that you already have.
If you’re carving on an ax, you might be interested in some chainsaw carving ideas.
16. Glass Engraving with a Ball Sphere on Your Dremel
Many people have old glass bottles lying around, waiting to be recycled. If you want a cheap surface to practice on, you can engrave it on an old wine or oil bottle. You’ll need a small sphere bit for your Dremel, as this works best on the fragile glass.
Watch the project video tutorial here: youtube.com
Choosing a floral pattern is a great option, as you can practice your curved lines and you may even find yourself using the bottle as a decorative centerpiece once you’re finished.
Did you know Dremels can cut everything from acrylic to plastic to metal? They are a very diverse tool!
17. Etched Owl Design Onto Glass Surface
If you’re ready to upgrade from the wine bottle idea, you can choose a small glass pane to work on. You can choose any type of pattern that you’d like — simply print it out and place it underneath the glass surface.
Watch the tutorial here and learn how to achieve this project: youtube.com
This video uses a diamond dip for the Dremel to etch out an owl design onto the glass. You’ll want to work slowly and methodically, to not break the glass and ruin your design.
18. Etching a Wine Glass with a Micro Dremel
An engraved wine glass can make for a thoughtful and special gift for the newlyweds in your life. You can use your micro Dremel tool and etch in their initials — carefully and gently to not crack the thin glass.
You can view the tutorial here: youtube.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Start Wood Carving With a Dremel?
To start wood carving with a Dremel, you will need a Dremel rotary tool with a variety of carving bits, a piece of softwood or hardwood, and protective gear such as safety glasses and a dust mask. Sketch your design onto the wood, and secure it in a vice or clamp. Select the appropriate carving bit for your project, and adjust the speed and depth of the Dremel to match the hardness of the wood. Start with light pressure and work your way up, being careful not to apply too much pressure or go too deep too quickly.
Is a Dremel Good for Wood Carving?
Yes, a Dremel is a really versatile and effective tool for wood carving. First, Dremel’s have a lot of attachment options, which is essential for different types of wood carving. Second, a Dremel can operate at a variety of cutting speeds, which is important depending on how hard or soft your wood is.
Get Started Practicing Your Dremel Skills Today
Starting a new hobby can be an exciting venture and you’re surely ready to get started now. The Dremel is a relatively easy tool to get used to and after watching a few tutorials, you should have the basic handling skills at your disposal.
If you enjoyed these wood carving ideas, make sure to look at my tips for carving stone with a Dremel and carving bone with a Dremel.
