This is what I have after the scroll sawing. I mark the back side before I start carving for a good reason...After I take off the pattern on the front side I might see where the band saw might save a bunch of time so I mark the back side of the pieces so I don't start carving the wrong side of the smaller pieces I cut with the scroll saw. There are lots of ups and downs and I have wasted lots of time cutting the wrong side before I got smarter...

 The front side still has the pattern on and as I take off the pattern I will roughly draw out what I want to grind away or leave...Just a guessing game and I sure wish some of you guys would start carving like I do so I can have something to judge if I am at least in the ball park with every one???? I know you all would rather sit in your easy chairs and eat popcorn and do nothing but read others post...I'm learning so I think some competition would help me get better... A person don't even have to follow the line when sawing for it all blends in with the pieces around it so come on.

  I am changing this picture in to a sitting clock instead of the hanging one I started with...no big deal for nothing has to be symmetrical just draw up something..

  The majority of the bits I use I bought in 2016 when I decided I wanted to grind up wood instead of making square boxes or tables so the expense is not bad especially after they stated making the bit out of long lasting material... 

   To keep the bits looking like I just bought them I soak the in lacquer thinner the use this stainless steel very fine bristle brush only I do like the one on the left side for I stick a long bolt in it with two wide washers where only a small portion of the bristles are sticking out. This was they don't get folded back into themselves and become useless. the wire brush came from McMasterCarr.com. Its the thinnest wire gage they sell.  They are 1/8" shaft bits. These six bits do leave a rough surface then I use the Ruby or Diamond bits before the finish goes on..Not a lot of hand sanding with these bits..

   I only use this wire wheel to beat the crud out of the bits and don't ever try to use another rotary tool on these bits.

  I use a backer board to glue all the pieces back together. I attach the backer board with a bunch of counter sunk screws before the sawing starts and I do try to position the screws where the scroll saw blades won't hit. But sometimes I do and then have to change that blade. Then later before it all goes together after the finishing is done I might still put a few more screws in after the glue has set up to make sure it all stays together...

    After the outside is cut out then the BACKER BOARD COMES OFF for all the INSIDE cutting.

  The maple is about 1/ 1/8" thick so lots of thickness to get wild on the ins and outs. And sometimes I glue more pieces on in different places for more height..

 

You do need a glove in case you are like me and get wild with the wire wheel thingy.

 I do use 1/4" bits with my air grinders when lots of wood needs to be ground away.

No I'm not any part of Wood Carvers Supply, Inc but just a customer....but they do sell good bits. I don't buy any full sets of bits anymore for some  never gets used.... Well the very first order I did order two sets and this is how I realized what I just said to you.

Thanks, Jesse. All the bit and burr info is appreciated. Don't stop. And, more of your carving techniques and procedures is always a big plus.  

I'm starting to shape some pieces and using the big grinder to lower some of the pieces before I start the Dremel. Flowers on the top are starting to take shape.