Wonder wheel

[Pictures in wood]

I would like to know everyone's opinion on the wonder wheel?

 

[don in brooklin on]

I have one and it is great to add texture to intarsia.  Feathers, fur, etc.  I don't do a lot of intarsia but it is on my todo list.

Judy has a couple of videos on using.

It takes a bit of practice not to burn the wood.  You also have to make sure the you true it up with a dresser to a point.

https://youtu.be/kQXL-wcquX4

Judy has a couple of videos on using.  Note light touch.  Easier said then done.

https://youtu.be/QCHXawMBG4k

 https://youtu.be/EHR-Obj59ak

 

[JimErn]

Don, what does the wonder wheel appear to be made of?  I looks as if it is a very fine grinding or polishing wheel.

In that one video it looks like that is a diamond sharpening stove being used to dress the wheel. thoughts?

[planeur]

Jim,  as you , I am interested in that wheel so as you probably saw , I just found that information from JGR

https://intarsia.com/pages/wonder-wheel-help

 

planeur

[tgiro]

The JGR Wonder wheel is a 1/2" thick fiber metal polishing wheel. It has some abrasive material in it. Judy has them made specially for her. You can find wheels like that at Grainger or McMaster Carr, but they will be 1" thick. The wheels work best spinning at 3600 RPM.

You "sharpen" the edge of the wheel to a fine point, using a diamond wheel dressing tool.

I use the wheel to cut fur texture into animals, grass texture into landscape, needle texture into pine boughs - things like that.

A while back, I put a post in the WIP forum, making a Koala bear project. At the end of it I have some explanation of how I used the Wonder Wheel to add the fur texture  --

I was going to add Judy's Wonder wheel link but Planeur beat me to it

[JimErn]

Tony, thanks so much, that was an excellent tutorial.

I understand that Judy sells the wonder wheel at a 1/2" thinckness, but does it really matter?  I mean if you are going to dress it to a wedge shape anyway it would just mean a different angle.  Hmmm would waste more of it though during the dressing, so I guess it might depend on price Judy vs another that is thicker.

[Rolf]

You would be surprised at how tough the wheel is. Shaping a thicker wheel to the edge that you want would be tougher on a thick wheel. 

I really enjoy the capabilities that the wonder wheel gives me.

[Bpardue]

I bought the wonder wheel when I 1st started and did not care for it. I have better control by using my power carver and a cutoff wheel that way I can see what I'm doing. it is just easier for me 

[JimErn]

10 minutes ago, Bpardue said:

I bought the wonder wheel when I 1st started and did not care for it. I have better control by using my power carver and a cutoff wheel that way I can see what I'm doing. it is just easier for me 

 I wondered about that aspect, I watched the video's of using the wheel, and while she made it look easy, I'll bet it takes time to learn it, with a lot of oops events.  I'm not there yet, needing that kind of texturing I mean, but who knows

[tgiro]

3 hours ago, JimErn said:

 I wondered about that aspect, I watched the video's of using the wheel, and while she made it look easy, I'll bet it takes time to learn it, with a lot of oops events.  I'm not there yet, needing that kind of texturing I mean, but who knows

Actually, the Wonder wheel is an easy tool to use. While I have used it for leaf veining, I don't try to drag long lines with it. As I said in the tutorial, it's mostly a tapping process. You'll readily pick up how deep to make your lines or cuts or taps - - - .

Shaping the edge is pretty easy, also. You'll pick up pretty quickly when that sharp edge you put on it starts getting dull - grooves get thicker. I have actually rounded the edge one time when I wanted a wide grooving than usual.

It's pretty versatile. Just don't be too quick throwing away small ones as they wear down. When you get to shaping concave surfaces that need the Wonder wheel - those little ones can get in some tight places.

There are places where I fall back on my Dremel tips, like around toes, or fingers and such.

[planeur]

6 hours ago, Bpardue said:

I bought the wonder wheel when I 1st started and did not care for it. I have better control by using my power carver and a cutoff wheel that way I can see what I'm doing. it is just easier for me 

Brian do you think those cutoff wheel could be  small enought to fit on a 1/8" shaft of a Dremmel , like those ?

In fact I just saw that your power carver look like my Dremmel. I am still looking for larger wheel....at least 2 " in dia.

Thanks

planeur

[amazingkevin]

This is news to me thanks for the tips an tricks!!!

[Frank Pellow]

I used one with moderate success to Judy Gale Robert's Beginner course.  And I purchased a Wonder Wheel before I left. 

But, so far, I am more comfortable using a Dremel with carving  tip.  I do hope to get better with the Wonder Wheel but I do find it aggressive and a little scarry. 

[Bpardue]

On 2/17/2020 at 4:10 PM, planeur said:

Brian do you think those cutoff wheel could be  small enought to fit on a 1/8" shaft of a Dremmel , like those ?

In fact I just saw that your power carver look like my Dremmel. I am still looking for larger wheel....at least 2 " in dia.

Thanks

planeur

yes they should