Dremel: Scorching occurs when the teeth, grit or cutters fill up and can't get rid of the chips or saw dust fast enough then they act as a friction wheel, sort of like when you sand or saw too fast and burn the wood. If the teeth aren't cutting then they must be sliding, which creates heat. Slow it down or move the wood past the cutter, faster. I have had Dremels for many years and have just picked up a never used, still in the original box, a UNiMAT Lathe & Mill, with tools. I plan to do some serious turning this summer. I control my Dremels' and other motor tool speed with an old sewing machine, foot pedal, speed control unit. AC motor speed is control two ways, which we have like control of, by varying the current (not the voltage) to the motor or varying the number of motor field windings which use a switch to select different speeds. For those who care, the formula is: RPM= 120 x freq./no. of poles. When drilling, the speed should vary in different metal and wood. Some exotic wood have to be drilled with metal cutting bits while others can be drilled with regular wood bits. I ask my dentist for his "throw away bits" when he's through with them, they'll still work on wood and are great for drilling pilot holes for nails or screws. It take a lot of practice to control a Dremel in one hand and apiece of wood in the other. I usually anchor one or the other down. I find it easier if I strap the Dremel down and move the wood past the cutter. I do the reverse for drilling. Others will have different methods, but these are mine.

Dan in IL

Dremels: I couldn't live without my Dremel. I bought the flexible shaft for my Dremel, it makes it much easier to use, it's like holding a pen and it's much easier to control. I saw that someone else is having a problem with scorching, I think that your rotary tool may be too fast. My Dremel has 5 speeds and if I am shaping or sanding a piece with the speed too high the wood scorches

Kathy

The Dremel: This is a high speed low torque motor. By that expression of "low torque" means that it has not got brute power and if you apply too much pressure to the accessory in the tool you can stall the motor. The Dremel is made to get its work done by the use of the high speed capabilities. Light touch and high speed gets the job done. Caress the work with the drill functioning at the best speed for the job being done. Sanding can be high speed and light touch. Drilling if too slow a speed will stall the motor, too high a speed and you may burn the wood and lose the temper of the steel in the drill bit. Just like driving a car or cooking, the more experience the better you get, hopefully.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

I have used the Dremel metal circular saw blade and it has a problem in that it is so thin that it meanders all over the place and follows the wood grain instead of the cut line. Dremel has two new wood cutting circular blades. One is thin and rigid with diamond dust on it. It does a good job. The other is a much thicker kerf but rips and cross cuts like a gem The wide kerf mandates cutting on the waste side of the cut line. For cleaning out sanding drums and files. I use the metal wire wheel that is a metal brush. I hold it in my fat little hand while the sanding drum is rotated and it does a fairly good unclogging job. Same for files. I use the wire brush in the Dremel for files. I have yet in all my years used the dressing stone. May be its just old habits die hard.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

Dremel: I use it to drill holes to start screws, to lightly sand the "feathers" from my Dremel jig-saw. I have been making the 1/4" Debbie Young stores and use the cutting wheel to cut out the doors and windows. Much easier than trying to use and X-Acto knife. I buy the sanding discs from MicroMark because I can buy the peel and stick. In fact, you had better move when I have the little Dremel in my hand because you either get sanded, or holed.

Mary Ann

Birdcages: I found a site you might be interested in for the bird cages - they carry many shapes and sizes. http://www.diminutive-specialties.com/

Elizabeth Smith

The cardboard dolls house and ark: The lovely little cardboard dolls house that I remember posting about ages ago has, I see, just won the British Toymakers Guild Dollhouse Award 2001, I see. My great niece still loves to play with it while I play with mine. They also have a really cute wood and card Noah's Ark...Its worth a look on http://www.toykits.com I'm not associated with this site, just bringing it to attention.

Moira Lynch

Felt Animals: Mary Hoot http://www.maryhoot.com makes wonderful rabbits, cats, and other animals painted on cloth (velveteen maybe?).

Emily in MD

Felt Rabbits: Is it possible they rabbits aren't felt but velvet -- Mary Hoot does wonderful painted animals on velvet. She has been in minis for many years. I thought she wasn't in the business anymore, but last year I found her things thru a dealer, Wild Orchid. She has a website, http://www.maryhoot.com/index.htm -- you can go check it out and see if the animals look like hers.

Fay in St. Louis

Lighting: Adrian and others using or planning to use night lights, or Christmas Village lights for your displays. CAUTION!!! Be sure the bulb doesn't touch anything they DO GET HOT!!!! I figure if it burns my fingers it might burn my display. I purchased 4 very large enclosed bookcases from a mini store that closed and discovered very badly burned spots on each shelf from *Christmas type* bulbs. Of course the owners had the displays with the lights on for hours but still----would hate to think what might have happened if that wood had actually smoldered for a night. SAFETY FIRST PLEASE! I have used the fluorescent bar lights in roomboxes they come in a variety of sizes from 6", 9" and 12", I think. and they are made for bookcases. Come in white, black, silver and gold finish. They even have one that swivels.

Diane in SFBA