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!
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.
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 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.
@@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?
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
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!
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.
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.
Check out the video I made for setting the depth! You'll also want to see the pinned comment. th-cam.com/video/NeFzNH1ccMg/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=WoodworkingTipswithDan
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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 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.
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.
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.
When ever I've faulted a star it becomes California, and I don't mind the slow process I play star spangled banner with ever flag, I've listened to many patriotic tunes repeatedly, I'll sing along, I'll take breaks etc...I've never sold online, usually word of mouth, 4 yrs running, with a full time job it takes 2 weeks to do 2 large flat flags, or one wavey version.
I like the idea, it doesn't make you lazy, just innovative. I make many of these flags, made 2 of them today but, I cut out the stars by hand with my Dremel wand. I like your idea but, I noticed in the close up that it damages the stencil, the star is now out of shape. Do you use a new stencil for each flag or just accept the slight damage as part of the destressed concept? I have several stencils, I think I may try this because it takes me almost 2 hours to do the stars my way.....Uuuuugh!
Cool idea. Need to update my Dremel to a model that accommodates the cutting base. Do you run into any problems with the cord getting in your way? Seems like a cordless model would be more convenient but batteries don’t appear to last long based on some review.
No issues at all with the cord. I do have a cordless one (Dremel Micro) that I use for my dog's nails (got it because it was a bit quieter and didn't spook her as much), but I've noticed the cordless tends to bog easier and doesn't have the horsepower in my opinion. If it meets too much resistance, it dies and you have to turn it on again which can be a pain no matter what you're doing, and as the battery depletes, it happens more frequently. The model I have also will not accommodate the router base the corded one will. But if you have one that does, give it a shot and let us all know how it works.
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 might have you beat on the laziness scale. I just found this dude on TH-cam that figured this trick out for me. Thanks, by the way!
Best, most instructive video I've seen. Thank you very much.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad it was a help!
Great video!! Nice hints!!
Just finished a flag using this method. It was fast, easy and efficient. Took me less than hour to cut all 50 stars. Thanks!!
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!
This life saver I used to trace the stencil then hand dremel each star and it would take me hours so thank you man
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!
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 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you for sharing, I think your way is easier and looks better.
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.
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!
knocked it out of the ballpark! one of the best videos i have ever seen! keep it up !
I agree. 👍🏻
Thank you both
Finally got round to having my first attempt at the stars .came out brilliant thanks Dan
Glad to hear it.
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!
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!
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!
I use a Dremel with the hand attachment. I like this way and will try it out. Great TipsQ
Great tip!
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.
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.
Awesome demonstration I'm trying it your way now. Great first video by the way..
Great video on carving the stars ⭐️ thanks for sharing!
Great tip but now what am I supposed to do with the extra 2 hours every day?
You did a great job on your video ! I enjoyed watching !
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.
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.
I really like your method of carving the stars. I will definitely try it. Thank you
Excellent work thank you for a great video
Beautiful project.Thank you for sharing your knowledge in making these beautiful flags.
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
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!
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.
Made a few with painted stars....seeing your way makes me want to try my dremel after all....good job
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!
Good job on the video. Think I will try your technique.
Thank you for the video. I make my own templates and this technique works great on all of them.
Nice work!!! I like the lazy man way 😄
Good explanation. Thank you
Great job; keep on making videos my friend.
Check out the video I made for setting the depth! You'll also want to see the pinned comment. th-cam.com/video/NeFzNH1ccMg/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=WoodworkingTipswithDan
Done and done awesome tip!
Really helpful video. Well done!
Good tip. Next time I make a flat flag I'm going to try it. Thanks
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? 😂
Im making one for my Son now.I hope he will love it from his Mom
I'm sure he will!
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.
Thanks for sharing. Will definitely try
Well done,... going to get the attachment now.
Great video, thanks.
Hope it's a help!
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
I do my stars like this but with out the attachment ! Good idea ! Like your video
Cool, thanks
Thank you that's super easy to do.. I was having problems doing the stars
You’re 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! Thanks
You bet!
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.
Very good info. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice job brother. Thanks for the tip.👍
Good video, good info. Thanks
Glad you liked it, hope it helps!
Awesome video! I am going to give that a try
Please do!
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.
Definately going to try this method.
Awesome thank you
nice tip and good job on your first video keep up the good work
You and I would get along! 👍🇺🇸
Thought you did a great job......thanks for the tip!
The plastic stencil does not get tore up.
Awsome thank you I'm fixing to start making them and try to sell them on face book.
Go for it!
What's the overall size of the flag? Size of stripes as well as stars. Enjoyed the video
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.
I’m pretty sure I was the one who put them upside down. I did it to two flags. My stencils now have arrows on 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.
Very nice video, especially for your first! Also, I take offense to "lazy", I prefer efficient !! LOL
You and me both!
Thank you....Great job. Where do you buy your stencils 😊
Amazon - link in the comments
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.
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.
Good job!
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.
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!
Cool video!
I'm trying this.
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.
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.
I will try this!!
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.
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.
When ever I've faulted a star it becomes California, and I don't mind the slow process I play star spangled banner with ever flag, I've listened to many patriotic tunes repeatedly, I'll sing along, I'll take breaks etc...I've never sold online, usually word of mouth, 4 yrs running, with a full time job it takes 2 weeks to do 2 large flat flags, or one wavey version.
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.
At what speed did you set on the dremel?
cool man
I like the idea, it doesn't make you lazy, just innovative. I make many of these flags, made 2 of them today but, I cut out the stars by hand with my Dremel wand. I like your idea but, I noticed in the close up that it damages the stencil, the star is now out of shape. Do you use a new stencil for each flag or just accept the slight damage as part of the destressed concept? I have several stencils, I think I may try this because it takes me almost 2 hours to do the stars my way.....Uuuuugh!
On that one, I went a little too deep at first. If you get it just right, it goes very smoothly. I have backups, but I have used that stencil before.
Great way to grind the stars on a flat flag.
Cool idea. Need to update my Dremel to a model that accommodates the cutting base. Do you run into any problems with the cord getting in your way? Seems like a cordless model would be more convenient but batteries don’t appear to last long based on some review.
No issues at all with the cord. I do have a cordless one (Dremel Micro) that I use for my dog's nails (got it because it was a bit quieter and didn't spook her as much), but I've noticed the cordless tends to bog easier and doesn't have the horsepower in my opinion. If it meets too much resistance, it dies and you have to turn it on again which can be a pain no matter what you're doing, and as the battery depletes, it happens more frequently. The model I have also will not accommodate the router base the corded one will. But if you have one that does, give it a shot and let us all know how it works.
Great video. Can you give me the link for the bit you are using. Thanks.
Great idea. Thanks for posting. We are always looking for another way. Congratulations on your first upload. I am still nervous about posting.
How much due u normally charge for a basic flag with maybe just one logo on it? Those are nice
Dan, a little constructive criticism. When making videos, you want to be careful of how many times you say um. Otherwise, great first 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.
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.
have you tried razor knife to score outline of star first,might help to make star not splinter
Good thought, although I may be too lazy for that! :)
Good information, I can’t set and listen to someone using awww, hmmm every other word, Drives me crazy.