WARNING: The following article and above video talks about specialty ice carving tools. These tools are dangerous and can easily cause serious injury or even death to yourself or others in the vicinity. Should you choose to use the tools described, you do so at your own risk and Dawson List and icecarvingsecrets.com cannot be held responsible for injuries or damages associated with the use of these tools.

   This video is a quick look at 3 different bits: the 7 degree cone endmill, the 10 degree cone endmill, and the ice needle. The 7 and 10 degrees both have 1/4 inch shafts and fit standard die grinders (the Makita GE0600, for example). The ice needle has an 1/8 inch shaft and fits a Dremel tool (or a die grinder with an 1/8 inch collet). The 10 degree bit is large, aggressive, and quite dangerous. It works well for strong lines and shaping. The 7 degree bit is smaller and is my choice for most of my detail work and even some lettering. The ice needle is tiny and appropriate for small lettering or the finest details.  All three bits (especially the 10 degree endmill) can cause serious injury if used improperly and should be used with great care. Novice carvers should only use them under the supervision of an experienced carver. As of this writing (7/17/07), the bits are available at www.icecrafters.com. (10 degree endmill: $87; 7 degree: $62; ice needle: $21)

    If you have trouble viewing videos on this site, you can check www.youtube.com/icecarvingsecrets, as I post them there also.