Carbide burs are tools that work like rotatory filers or you could say as grinders. They are chiefly used for carving, shaping, trimming, and grinding, giving hard and heavy objects a cleaner look. Carbide burr drills are also available. It is used for the purpose of drilling.
Let’s look more deeply into the purpose and facts of carbide burs.
Multipurpose
Carbide burs are multipurpose. They can shape, contour, trim, carve, and grind any hard object.
Can be used on many varied materials:
They can be used on several materials, such as:
- Steel
- Carbon Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Wood
- Titanium
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Gold
- Platinum
- Silver
- Ceramics
- Cast Iron
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
- Plastic
- Polymers of plastic
- Brass
- Copper
- Bronze
- Zinc
Used in many industries:
Carbide burs are used in many diverse industries like;
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Dental
- Metal sculpting
- Metalsmith industries, etc.
Carbide burs are useful for metalwork, model construction, wood carving, ornaments making, welding, sculpting, toolmaking, chamfering, molding, deburring, filing, and barrel head porting.
Carbide burs have different cuts:
Carbide burs have a pair of cuts. One is a single cut, and the other is a double cut, which is also known as cross-cut or diamond cut.
Single cut carbide burr: it is mainly used for the cutting, shaping, milling, deburring, and cleaning of materials. Few to name are hardened steel, stainless steel, copper, iron, cast iron, etc. These carbide burs cut out longer chips.
Double cut carbide burs: double cut or diamond-cut carbide burs give off a cleaner finish as compared to single-cut burrs. They cut out shorter chips, which results in a more clear-cut shape. This is because they consist of two flutes. Also, these sorts of burrs are used on materials such as aluminum, soft steel, and even on plastic and wood, and more non-metallic materials. They do the same job as any burr like milling, cleaning, trimming, and deburring.
Carbide burs are of various shapes:
- Ball-shaped burrs:
This sort of carbide burr is great for concave cutting. It is used mostly by woodcarvers, stone shapers, and for the purpose of metal engravement.
- Tree-shaped or cone-shaped carbide burs:
These are used for rounding and trimming the edges. The pointy edge of these is used to reach areas on a more acute angle.
- Inverted cone-shaped carbide burs:
These burrs are used to make v-shaped cuts. They are also used for chamfering.
- Cylinder-shaped carbide burs:
These burrs are used for finishing purposes. Mostly to clean the contoured material.
- wheel-shaped carbide burs:
These are chiefly used for shaping. Also, wheel-shaped burrs are good for channel working.
- Countersink-shaped carbide burs:
These consist of many different angles. And are ideal for boring, bevelling, chamfering, and accessing work areas with sharp angles.
Advantages of Tungsten carbide burs:
- Longer longevity
- Versatile
- Use for longer bearing runs
- Heavy stock removal
- Used for tough material
- Used for different materials
- Has multiple purposes.
Pointers for using Carbide burs:
Never use it without proper handling. Don’t leave it jammed in one spot as it can damage or create scratches in the material. Always finish with a stroke that is upwards for a smooth finish. Make sure to apply light pressure as too much pressure can damage the burr and also maintain the speed depending on the material being used.
And follow these precautions.
- The user shouldn’t lose focus while using a carbide burr.
- Ensure proper insertion of the shank and clamping.
- Clamp the material to the bench so it doesn’t move.
- Wearing goggles for the protection of eyes from flying debris.