Burrs are small rotary cutting tools used in a pendant motor or rotary tool to remove, shape and refine material. They’re used for a wide range of jobs at the bench, so choosing the right one depends on what you’re working on and what you need the burr to do.
The Bench Essentials by Cooksongold range includes burrs for working with metal and wax, with different profiles and sizes suited to different jobs.
In this guide, we’ll look at the different options available and how to choose the right burr for the job.
Which Bench Essentials burr should you choose?
The Bench Essentials by Cooksongold range includes burrs for working with metal and wax, with different profiles suited to different jobs.
All burrs within the range have a 2.34mm shank, so they fit most pendant motor and rotary tool handpieces.
Rather than choosing a burr based on its shape alone, start by asking: what do I need it to do?
Working with metal: when should you reach for a Round Burr?
Round Burrs are a versatile choice for working with metal. Their rounded cutting surface makes them well suited to enlarging drilled holes, creating small recesses and working on curved areas.
They can also be used for stone-setting work, such as opening up the seat for a round stone or making small adjustments to a setting, where metal needs to be removed accurately.
Carving wax: choose the shape for the job
When you’re working on a wax model, think about the shape you’re trying to create before choosing your burr.
This is where the different profiles within the Bench Essentials Burr range come in.
If you’re establishing a flatter surface, straighter area or groove, a Cylinder Wax Burr gives you straight sides that suit this type of work.
If you’re hollowing out a form or developing a curved area, a Pear Wax Burr is the better choice. Its rounded profile lets you remove material while developing curved and hollow shapes.
For curves, smaller areas or places where you need a more tapered profile, a Bud Wax Burr gives you another option, particularly when you need greater access as you develop the shape.
You may find yourself using more than one burr as a wax model develops. A shape that works well when initially removing material may not give you the same control when you move on to smaller or more detailed areas. Rather than trying to complete the whole model with one burr, change the profile as the job changes.
When would you choose a ceramic burr?
The Bench Essentials range also includes Ceramic Bullet, Cone and Cylinder Cut Burrs, which are designed for working with wax.
Where the standard wax burrs have cutting teeth for shaping, the ceramic burrs are abrasive and come in different grits, colour-coded as coarse (green), medium (blue) and fine (red).
This allows you to work progressively, using a coarser grit to remove material before moving to a finer grit to smooth and refine the surface.
A Ceramic Bullet Burr has a rounded, tapered profile, making it well suited to refining curved areas or working on smaller details.
A Ceramic Cone Burr is useful when you need to get into narrower areas. Its tapered shape allows you to work into spaces that are difficult to access with a wider profile.
For flatter surfaces, straighter areas and more defined edges, a Ceramic Cylinder Cut Burr provides a straighter profile.
Shape or size: which should you choose first?
A simple way to approach it is to choose the shape for the job first, then choose the size for the area you’re working on.
Once you’ve found the right profile, think about the amount of space you have to work in and the level of precision you need. A smaller burr can give you greater access when working on detailed or restricted areas, while a larger size will cover a broader surface more quickly.
Each Bench Essentials burr is available in a choice of sizes, so check the individual product pages to find the options available.
If you’re unsure, start smaller and work gradually, checking your progress as you go.
Which burr is right for the job?
For a quick reference, use the table below to match the job you’re working on with the most suitable Bench Essentials burr.
| The job | Burr to use |
| Enlarge a hole or create a recess in metal | Round Burr |
| Work on a curved area in metal | Round Burr |
| Flatten a surface or cut a groove in wax | Cylinder Wax Burr |
| Hollow or develop a curved form in wax | Pear Wax Burr |
| Shape curves or work in smaller areas of wax | Bud Wax Burr |
| Refine curved or detailed areas in wax | Ceramic Bullet Burr |
| Reach into a narrow area of a wax model | Ceramic Cone Burr |
| Refine flat surfaces and define edges in wax | Ceramic Cylinder Cut Burr |
Getting the best from your burrs
Make sure your burr is fitted securely into your rotary tool or pendant motor before you begin. Use controlled pressure and allow the burr to do the cutting rather than forcing it into the material.
Always wear eye protection, and tie back long hair and loose clothing before you start.
When working with metal, a burr lubricant can help reduce friction and prevent material from building up around the cutting edges.
When carving wax, work at a medium speed. Too much speed creates heat, which can melt the wax and clog the burr. If wax does build up on the cutting edges, stop and clear it with a stiff brush before carrying on.
Keep an eye on the condition of your burrs too. If one isn’t cutting as cleanly as it used to, or you find yourself having to apply more pressure to achieve the same result, it may be time to replace it.
Choosing the right burr comes down to the material you’re working with, the job you need to complete and the shape and size that will give you the access you need.
The Bench Essentials by Cooksongold burr range includes options for working with metal and wax, helping you choose a burr suited to the task at hand.
Discover the full Bench Essentials range at cooksongold.com/brands/bench-essentials
Harvey Wedgbury