One lazy man to another thanks for posting this. I've dreaded doing flags because I didn't want to hand scribe the stars. Subbed for the great tip. Thanks again!
Just starting into flags and was really concerned about using the plastic stencil with the dremel . You relieved my concern over that so, THANKS! Because I was worried about using the plastic stencil , I bought the metal set from Amazon, 3 sizes for $50. I also plan on making wavy flags too so the metal won’t work as well as the plastic I’m sure. I’ve been woodworking for many years but flags are going to be my new signature project I hope . Really liked your video.
I like the smoothness and simplicity of this method that you shown us. I’m going to try this on my own as well. Thank you for the detail information that you added with the visual finish.
I did my first wavy flag and I put off doing the stars because I knew it was going to be a pain and I was right! I took my Dremel Stylo and put in a 105 bit and even with cheaters on I couldn't really see when the tiny tip was going to hit the wood, fortunately they came out great but it took me almost 2 hours to do a 1776 with the 13 stars. The flag came out amazing and already sold it but what a process! Too bad Dremel doesnt have a router attachment thats only about 3/4" round so it could follow the curves.
Glad to hear it. I have yet to try a wavy flag, so scared to go through the work and then screw up one star! You just made me think...look at the Dremel router base...what would happen if you cut the wide piece off and just used the two-sided center portion as the base/stop? Just a thought.
@@danob653 I just bought a Dremel 4300 kit and tried your way with a 107? bit but if tore up my stencil so I put in a 105 bit and got it to just past the stencil and it was easier but left a lot of rounded edges but I need some practice with it I guess. I usually use my Dremel Stylo with a 105 bit and free hand it just fine but always looking to speed things up if I can. That flag was completed today and have about 8 hours into it so yeah it's a time sucker.
Thanks for the video! I'm getting ready to build a concealed weapon flag with a RFID card opener for my AR-15 and Glock pistol. This is always the one thing I don't look forward to do lol, but I think this idea will help out for sure. Definitely will try it, thanks again!
I’ve been looking at ways of making the wavy flag and came accross your video about doing the stars. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and show us a way to do it. I have the same dremel with that base and the extension. I made asian character wall plaques and it was very tedious and time consuming. While watching your video I thought, if someone had the time or wanted to make many flags, why not make a jig to cut out most of the star with the dremel with regular cutter like a router template, THEN to get the corners of the stars sharp, use a chisel to get the corners on a line from one point to the other and so on. Thanks again for your video!
You did a great job of carving the stars, I sprayed mine which didn’t come out so good. I do have the plastic and the medal stencils… I might try the medal next and see how it comes out.
I run a metal fab shop in FLA and I have several different Union patterns I cut on my laser out of .125 or .063 aluminum and use the dremel router attachment in this same way for about a year now. Definitely makes it quicker and easier to carve stars.
@@bmac6721 a friend of mine made it. I have 2 different sizes. They are the best!! I've had him make a couple for others and mile them to them if your interested?
Great video. I'm one who would always traced then removed stincel. Always thought the bid would burn it. I use a router base for my 3000 with a fan blade attached above the bit. Keep the tips coming. I will definitely be doing it like this for now on.
They are listed in the description. Bit is the 106 and the depth limiter/tile cut assembly is also listed. There is a link to the stencil I used as well.
From 1flag maker to another...that looks clean and crisp! Please don't take this the wrong way. It's not a criticism I just want to bring your attention to it. You're making content and you want to attract users. You said the word um 4,256 times. Of course that's an exaggeration but you insert the word um so often it becomes impossible to listen. Not a criticism but just wanted to mention that.
Thank you for posting!! It might of been your first video but it was great. You showed what was the easiest and honestly the best way to do this. I e tried other ways that I’ve seen and this way is the best! Thank you.
Awesome video!!! Ive been using the dremel stylo with the dust fan and 106.. dont get me wrong it works and works great. Just time consuming but after watching this method i went out and got your setup cause i want to do more of the router method than freehand
Great video, just starting on some flags and was trying to come up with way for the stars other than freehanded 48 and missing up the 49th. Will be heading to the big box hardware store tomorrow. Thank again for fixing my head ack before it started.
I've made some of lags out of barn wood but I cut the stars out and hit glue them on. I have bought some stencils and will try your method, just wondering if you've tried it on a wavy flag with the stencil?
Kind of the same concept but I used a chisel and actually notched the edges of the stars and popped them out like that but you just have to be careful..lol
The edges actually do have a decent edge with the just the Dremel. If you go a hair shallower (I went a tiny bit too deep on this one) it will look the best.
Yes. I use it after I burn the wood. It removes the top layer and comes out nice and clear and smooth so it avoids the lines you get from the dremel and it’s easier to Control the depth
Great video, I was looking for a way of doing this uniformly. I didn't want to just put stickered stars on mine. Just a little nitpicking; but as you go along making more videos, try to catch yourself when you pause between thoughts/sentences with "um". I'm one of those (character flaw of mine, I'm sure) that starts to focus on that, as the video goes on. If you watch other Maker's Videos; they all start out a bit rough, but learn as they go. I'm sure you'll improve with time! Again; thanks for the great tips! I have a Dremel setup like yours, and I never thought of using it this way.
I started using vinyl stickers made on my cricut machine, you can print any size union of all the stars.. very east, no carving and look great.. all I do is once I finish painting or staining the union, I put one coat of polyurethane spray.. I use clear gloss.. and vinyl sticks easily to it… then polyurethane 3-4 coats sanding in between.. so much easier than grinding with a dremil
I would like to try something like this....but pour pearl resin in the stars. what would be the steps to do this? The resin will have to be sanded or planed out flat. Is this the point in which the stain will be brushed on?
I've thought about that. They have adhesive sheets that you can overlay on the union. You would have to cut through that and the wood using the Dremel and stencil. I've seen it done very cleanly on a CNC, never seen it by hand but it should be almost the same. If so, you have a clean way to paint/fill with resin and not bleed onto the blue in the union. That's all I can think of as a decent option.
Can you give any detail on how you set up the depth of your bit to get the cut just below the template but also not cut the template itself? That's what I am concerned about.
Sorry it took so long to reply. I just eyeball it and then test on a scrap before I start. It's a little tricky to get it just right, as the Dremel doesn't have a real adjustment screw, you have to wiggle it to the point you need it.
Thanks for the great video Dan. I just received all the accessories so I thought I'd give this a shot. I set the ball of the bit just below the surface of the template and tested using the small template on both pine and ply. The bit does one of two things, either it hangs up on the wood and I can't move it or if I do get it to move it cuts beyond the star and into the plastic. I occasionally smell the wood burning. Any clue whatI could be doing wrong?
Are you sure you got the correct bit? If you are just below the surface of the plastic it should guide it fine. If it is too deep, it will hang because the bit cant travel farther than the shaft on the thin surface of the wood that's left. Make sure your speed is high on the dremel and don't use alot of force - let the dremel do the work. Hope this helps. Good luck! (in the video, I feel I was just a hair to deep, as you can see a bit of curling on the surface)
@@danob653 Thanks again Dan. The bit is a #106 and my Dremel is only one speed. Since there's several of us having this issue is there a chance you could make a supplemental video that only shows you setting up the Dremel from scratch? I really want to make this work as it'll definitely speed up the process.
I wanna know what stain people are using that doesn’t bleed deep into the wood. Because that’s been my problem. Seems no matter how deep I dremel down into the wood some spots have a blue tint.
How much do you sell these for? Is it cost effective putting in a total of 1-1.5 hours per flag? Great method, just wondering if it's worthwhile pursuing these as a project to sell or just for personal use/gifts.
I was able to get between $100-$150 per flag. Honestly I was looking at it for a project to sell, but the hype kind of died out, at least where I am at, and competitors were undercutting by simple painting and gluing craft store stars on a flag, and I refuse to do that...just think it's tacky looking. If I put my name on it, I want it to have some quality.
The reference to the Bill Gates quote was actually from the true life story of the efficiancy expert Frank Bunker Gilbreth. His story inspired the book Cheaper by the Dozen.
Yes...get a piece of scrap and try it. The tip is just below - too deep and it won't work, at least with that bit, and if it's that deep on another bit you'll be burning the wood. Good luck!
I might have you beat on the laziness scale. I just found this dude on UA-cam that figured this trick out for me. Thanks, by the way!
Opened my eyes for some new possibilities with stenciling. Thank You!!
Best, most instructive video I've seen. Thank you very much.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad it was a help!
One lazy man to another thanks for posting this. I've dreaded doing flags because I didn't want to hand scribe the stars. Subbed for the great tip. Thanks again!
knocked it out of the ballpark! one of the best videos i have ever seen! keep it up !
I agree. 👍🏻
Thank you both
This life saver I used to trace the stencil then hand dremel each star and it would take me hours so thank you man
Just starting into flags and was really concerned about using the plastic stencil with the dremel . You relieved my concern over that so, THANKS! Because I was worried about using the plastic stencil , I bought the metal set from Amazon, 3 sizes for $50. I also plan on making wavy flags too so the metal won’t work as well as the plastic I’m sure. I’ve been woodworking for many years but flags are going to be my new signature project I hope . Really liked your video.
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Just finished a flag using this method. It was fast, easy and efficient. Took me less than hour to cut all 50 stars. Thanks!!
I like the smoothness and simplicity of this method that you shown us. I’m going to try this on my own as well. Thank you for the detail information that you added with the visual finish.
You are so welcome!
Thanks for the outstanding video! I'm doing my first flag at present time. I will be setting my Dremel up the same way. Thanks a million.
Glad it was a help! Good luck!
Awesome idea!!! I’m going to try it! I just got started in making wooden flags!!
For your first video you did a great job 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I did my first wavy flag and I put off doing the stars because I knew it was going to be a pain and I was right! I took my Dremel Stylo and put in a 105 bit and even with cheaters on I couldn't really see when the tiny tip was going to hit the wood, fortunately they came out great but it took me almost 2 hours to do a 1776 with the 13 stars. The flag came out amazing and already sold it but what a process! Too bad Dremel doesnt have a router attachment thats only about 3/4" round so it could follow the curves.
Glad to hear it. I have yet to try a wavy flag, so scared to go through the work and then screw up one star! You just made me think...look at the Dremel router base...what would happen if you cut the wide piece off and just used the two-sided center portion as the base/stop? Just a thought.
@@danob653 I just bought a Dremel 4300 kit and tried your way with a 107? bit but if tore up my stencil so I put in a 105 bit and got it to just past the stencil and it was easier but left a lot of rounded edges but I need some practice with it I guess. I usually use my Dremel Stylo with a 105 bit and free hand it just fine but always looking to speed things up if I can. That flag was completed today and have about 8 hours into it so yeah it's a time sucker.
You did a great job on your video ! I enjoyed watching !
good tips , thank you.
Just a friendly reminder for those who watch with ear buds in , please turn the volume down while machining when you edit.
Thank you!
Finally got round to having my first attempt at the stars .came out brilliant thanks Dan
Glad to hear it.
Thank you for sharing, I think your way is easier and looks better.
Wow! Awesome first video and a fantastic video period. Thank you for taking the time to record your thoughts and experiences.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome demonstration I'm trying it your way now. Great first video by the way..
Well, I'm going to try this out, that's for sure. Doing the Union is definitely something that keeps me from doing more. Thanks.
i totally agree. I made one for my grandson's room and that took me over 2 hrs to carve out the union. This is soooo much easier.
Great video on carving the stars ⭐️ thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the video! I'm getting ready to build a concealed weapon flag with a RFID card opener for my AR-15 and Glock pistol. This is always the one thing I don't look forward to do lol, but I think this idea will help out for sure. Definitely will try it, thanks again!
I’ve been looking at ways of making the wavy flag and came accross your video about doing the stars. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and show us a way to do it. I have the same dremel with that base and the extension. I made asian character wall plaques and it was very tedious and time consuming. While watching your video I thought, if someone had the time or wanted to make many flags, why not make a jig to cut out most of the star with the dremel with regular cutter like a router template, THEN to get the corners of the stars sharp, use a chisel to get the corners on a line from one point to the other and so on. Thanks again for your video!
I love this flag. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for sharing this tip, now maybe i will get off my behind and make more.
I have built several flags by tracing stars and going back with dremel but this does look like a better time saving way i will try thanks 👍
Have fun!
Good job on the video. Think I will try your technique.
Great video!! Nice hints!!
I use a Dremel with the hand attachment. I like this way and will try it out. Great TipsQ
Great tip!
You did a great job of carving the stars, I sprayed mine which didn’t come out so good. I do have the plastic and the medal stencils… I might try the medal next and see how it comes out.
Good tip. Next time I make a flat flag I'm going to try it. Thanks
Nice work!!! I like the lazy man way 😄
Nice job for a first video like this. Great idea!
I run a metal fab shop in FLA and I have several different Union patterns I cut on my laser out of .125 or .063 aluminum and use the dremel router attachment in this same way for about a year now. Definitely makes it quicker and easier to carve stars.
My laser master 2 pro is on its way! Could I make a stencil with that?
@@schulte7806 Should be able to.
Want to sell some? 😂
I have made over 100 flags. I use the same method, but with a steel template. Worth the money. It'll last forwver!! Nice video.
Where did you get your template?
@@bmac6721 a friend of mine made it. I have 2 different sizes. They are the best!! I've had him make a couple for others and mile them to them if your interested?
@@caveijaweea how much?
$60 for the template. Plus shipping. Steel is high right now.
Excellent work thank you for a great video
Great job; keep on making videos my friend.
Very simple, but I've not seen this anywhere else. Awesome tip, thank you!
Im making one for my Son now.I hope he will love it from his Mom
I'm sure he will!
I really like your method of carving the stars. I will definitely try it. Thank you
FYI, you can use your CNC and some cheap panels to make your own stencils.
I wish I had the bigger CNC...mine wont fit the union for the size flag I generally make.
@@danob653 Cut it in tiles and put them together.
Beautiful project.Thank you for sharing your knowledge in making these beautiful flags.
You are so welcome!
Use stencil glue it doesn’t leave a residue and it works really well
That stuff is amazing. Turns your stencil into basically a post it note
Which one do you use?
The glue i use does leave a residue. What do you use?
great video my brother... by the way I dont believe you are Lazy person. your work is amazing Im going to give flag making a shot
Great video. I'm one who would always traced then removed stincel. Always thought the bid would burn it. I use a router base for my 3000 with a fan blade attached above the bit. Keep the tips coming. I will definitely be doing it like this for now on.
Also I subscribed and hit the bell. Don't want to miss anything.
Great idea with the depth limiter. My carvings always have odd depths this would help. Would love to see a list of items used in the description.
They are listed in the description. Bit is the 106 and the depth limiter/tile cut assembly is also listed. There is a link to the stencil I used as well.
Made a few with painted stars....seeing your way makes me want to try my dremel after all....good job
From 1flag maker to another...that looks clean and crisp!
Please don't take this the wrong way. It's not a criticism I just want to bring your attention to it. You're making content and you want to attract users. You said the word um 4,256 times. Of course that's an exaggeration but you insert the word um so often it becomes impossible to listen. Not a criticism but just wanted to mention that.
Really helpful video. Well done!
Thank you for posting!! It might of been your first video but it was great. You showed what was the easiest and honestly the best way to do this. I e tried other ways that I’ve seen and this way is the best! Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Awesome video!!! Ive been using the dremel stylo with the dust fan and 106.. dont get me wrong it works and works great. Just time consuming but after watching this method i went out and got your setup cause i want to do more of the router method than freehand
Thank you....Great job. Where do you buy your stencils 😊
Amazon - link in the comments
Great video, just starting on some flags and was trying to come up with way for the stars other than freehanded 48 and missing up the 49th. Will be heading to the big box hardware store tomorrow. Thank again for fixing my head ack before it started.
Been there. It's even worse if you make the flag entirely out of strips, not having a seperate union. The strips add a challenge to the carving.
Good explanation. Thank you
nice tip and good job on your first video keep up the good work
The plastic stencil does not get tore up.
Awesome video! I am going to give that a try
Please do!
Great tip but now what am I supposed to do with the extra 2 hours every day?
Great video just wondering how do you not cut and ruin your star template?
Thank you for the video. I make my own templates and this technique works great on all of them.
I do my stars like this but with out the attachment ! Good idea ! Like your video
Cool, thanks
I've made some of lags out of barn wood but I cut the stars out and hit glue them on. I have bought some stencils and will try your method, just wondering if you've tried it on a wavy flag with the stencil?
I have never done a wavy flag. That is something on my list - they look really cool.
Thank you that's super easy to do.. I was having problems doing the stars
You’re welcome 😊
Well done,... going to get the attachment now.
Nice job brother. Thanks for the tip.👍
Done and done awesome tip!
Nice ideas! Might have to try this. Wonder if using a razor blade to cut a thin out line on each star first would make a cleaner cut?
Kind of the same concept but I used a chisel and actually notched the edges of the stars and popped them out like that but you just have to be careful..lol
The edges actually do have a decent edge with the just the Dremel. If you go a hair shallower (I went a tiny bit too deep on this one) it will look the best.
Good video, good info. Thanks
Glad you liked it, hope it helps!
At what speed did you set on the dremel?
i used to do this but found that using a wire brush attachment on my drill works so much faster and leaves a cleaner look to the stars.
What do you mean?
I’m trying to figure out how to load up a picture of what I’m talking about I’m sorry I can’t seem to figure it out
@@rascalyhorses are you saying your use the wire brush to remove the top layer of stain almost like sanding but over the stencil?
Yes. I use it after I burn the wood. It removes the top layer and comes out nice and clear and smooth so it avoids the lines you get from the dremel and it’s easier to Control the depth
@@rascalyhorses interesting. It doesn't tear up or wear down the plastic stencil?
Great video, I was looking for a way of doing this uniformly. I didn't want to just put stickered stars on mine. Just a little nitpicking; but as you go along making more videos, try to catch yourself when you pause between thoughts/sentences with "um". I'm one of those (character flaw of mine, I'm sure) that starts to focus on that, as the video goes on. If you watch other Maker's Videos; they all start out a bit rough, but learn as they go. I'm sure you'll improve with time! Again; thanks for the great tips! I have a Dremel setup like yours, and I never thought of using it this way.
Thanks for the feedback! Probably could have edited a bunch of those out.
@@danob653 Whats important is the content you give. Thanks again.
What's the overall size of the flag? Size of stripes as well as stars. Enjoyed the video
I started using vinyl stickers made on my cricut machine, you can print any size union of all the stars.. very east, no carving and look great.. all I do is once I finish painting or staining the union, I put one coat of polyurethane spray.. I use clear gloss.. and vinyl sticks easily to it… then polyurethane 3-4 coats sanding in between.. so much easier than grinding with a dremil
Thanks for the info!
Great video! Thanks
You bet!
Thanks for sharing. Will definitely try
Great video. Can you give me the link for the bit you are using. Thanks.
Definately going to try this method.
Great idea. Thanks for posting. We are always looking for another way. Congratulations on your first upload. I am still nervous about posting.
You did great thank you
Great video, thanks.
Hope it's a help!
Very good info. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
You and I would get along! 👍🇺🇸
Awsome thank you I'm fixing to start making them and try to sell them on face book.
Go for it!
How does that not burn the plastic stencil
It rides on the smooth edge of the bit. You really don't apply much pressure, just let the tool work.
I would like to try something like this....but pour pearl resin in the stars. what would be the steps to do this? The resin will have to be sanded or planed out flat. Is this the point in which the stain will be brushed on?
I've thought about that. They have adhesive sheets that you can overlay on the union. You would have to cut through that and the wood using the Dremel and stencil. I've seen it done very cleanly on a CNC, never seen it by hand but it should be almost the same. If so, you have a clean way to paint/fill with resin and not bleed onto the blue in the union. That's all I can think of as a decent option.
Cool video!
Great idea! Can’t wait to try this.. when you burn the stripes and the stars is that after you apply stain or prior?
Stripes and union prior to stain, small torch on the stars after carving.
Very nice video, especially for your first! Also, I take offense to "lazy", I prefer efficient !! LOL
You and me both!
Can you give any detail on how you set up the depth of your bit to get the cut just below the template but also not cut the template itself? That's what I am concerned about.
Sorry it took so long to reply. I just eyeball it and then test on a scrap before I start. It's a little tricky to get it just right, as the Dremel doesn't have a real adjustment screw, you have to wiggle it to the point you need it.
Awesome thank you
Thanks for the great video Dan. I just received all the accessories so I thought I'd give this a shot. I set the ball of the bit just below the surface of the template and tested using the small template on both pine and ply. The bit does one of two things, either it hangs up on the wood and I can't move it or if I do get it to move it cuts beyond the star and into the plastic. I occasionally smell the wood burning. Any clue whatI could be doing wrong?
Are you sure you got the correct bit? If you are just below the surface of the plastic it should guide it fine. If it is too deep, it will hang because the bit cant travel farther than the shaft on the thin surface of the wood that's left. Make sure your speed is high on the dremel and don't use alot of force - let the dremel do the work. Hope this helps. Good luck! (in the video, I feel I was just a hair to deep, as you can see a bit of curling on the surface)
@@danob653 Thanks again Dan. The bit is a #106 and my Dremel is only one speed. Since there's several of us having this issue is there a chance you could make a supplemental video that only shows you setting up the Dremel from scratch? I really want to make this work as it'll definitely speed up the process.
@@Oakydokes Sounds good. I'll try to get that out soon.
I wanna know what stain people are using that doesn’t bleed deep into the wood. Because that’s been my problem. Seems no matter how deep I dremel down into the wood some spots have a blue tint.
It's Minwax water based semi-transparent stain. I cannot remember if it was Home Depot or Lowes that I got it at, but they do have to mix it for you.
How deep are you cutting into the wood
Just below the stencil. Depth of the tip of the bit.
Out of curiosity, doesn't the stencil get messed up if you hit against it?
On a 106 bit, you position the cutter just below the stencil, so the shaft rides harmlessly along the edge of the stencil.
Great job where do you get the template
In the description
How much do you sell these for? Is it cost effective putting in a total of 1-1.5 hours per flag? Great method, just wondering if it's worthwhile pursuing these as a project to sell or just for personal use/gifts.
I was able to get between $100-$150 per flag. Honestly I was looking at it for a project to sell, but the hype kind of died out, at least where I am at, and competitors were undercutting by simple painting and gluing craft store stars on a flag, and I refuse to do that...just think it's tacky looking. If I put my name on it, I want it to have some quality.
Thought you did a great job......thanks for the tip!
Where did you get the star template?
Link is in the description - Amazon has them. Came in a pack with the 13 stars and a 1776 as well as multiple sizes. Have fun!
The reference to the Bill Gates quote was actually from the true life story of the efficiancy expert Frank Bunker Gilbreth. His story inspired the book Cheaper by the Dozen.
Note: it curls due to the direction of the spin and grain
Away from you like a router table
How deep was your bit? it looks like the head of the bit is below the stencil is this correct
Yes...get a piece of scrap and try it. The tip is just below - too deep and it won't work, at least with that bit, and if it's that deep on another bit you'll be burning the wood. Good luck!