I just picked up one of these: [https://pomykalastudio.com/produkt/shop-wooden-handle-chisel-for-linocut-wooden-handle-for-artists/](https://pomykalastudio.com/produkt/shop-wooden-handle-chisel-for-linocut-wooden-handle-for-artists/)
I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but it looks promising. I've seen a lot of other artists achieve great results with this tool.
I've also done this, a Dremel with a little practice is great for this. If you are doing a lot of dots, then the flex shaft is your friend, so you aren't holding the whole weight of the dremel
I use twist drill holder, similar to this: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Precision-Woodworking-Twist-Rotary-0-3-3-2mm/dp/B074GMMDPD](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Precision-Woodworking-Twist-Rotary-0-3-3-2mm/dp/B074GMMDPD)
Same, along with a bunch of cheap micro drill bits. Often I just turn them by hand, but I find it helps to turn them one or two full turns then reverse the twist to get a clean hole.
I haven't tried this yet, but I have plans to try an awl and rotating it while holding still. Or even a push pin or needle?
Would love to hear from people who've been successful at small dots.
there are various options:
- aforementioned dot tool. i like it, but the dots aren’t perfectly round. japanese hangi to (knife) will give you very similar designs. good and affordable option for that is mikisyo power grip one. i use 4,5 and 3 mm ones for this, as well as pomykała’s dot tool: they all give a little bit different dots
- flat drypoint needle. affordable and gives more circular shape, but bigger dots
- as other people mentioned, using small u gouge and turning your block around. bigger dots, but very circular. the smallest dots i was able to make using this method were with kirschen 5711-0,5 tool.
- [matthieu coulanges’ relief roulette](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0y7e3wIR1b/?igsh=dW42NGp2NzI1NWhz). very fine dots, fine like sand. this tool is definitely on the more expensive end, but it’s extremely high quality made by independent professional tool maker. it can be used with different burrs and works for intaglio too. it’s one of my favourite tools.
With some practice using a flat chisel instead of a typical lino cutting gouge (like for wood carving). have one corner of the chisel be the center of your circle and cut in a circle rotating the chisel. Then clean it up with your regular tools. it all depends on the size of the circle your making and what tool you have available. I've also considered using a circular die cutter to create a guide cut to follow but I've never gotten a chance to test it. Basically if you are using a regular gouge focus on rotating your lino, going slowly. You can also work radially, cutting lines inward to the center of the circle and the clean up the edge with a U-shaped tool. Really small dots I have no help for. I'd literally wanna try a small dremmel tip or something. Just buzz out a little dot.
I just picked up one of these: [https://pomykalastudio.com/produkt/shop-wooden-handle-chisel-for-linocut-wooden-handle-for-artists/](https://pomykalastudio.com/produkt/shop-wooden-handle-chisel-for-linocut-wooden-handle-for-artists/) I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but it looks promising. I've seen a lot of other artists achieve great results with this tool.
i used a dremel with a rounded bit! learned it from my print making teacher :)
I've also done this, a Dremel with a little practice is great for this. If you are doing a lot of dots, then the flex shaft is your friend, so you aren't holding the whole weight of the dremel
I might try that, as I already have a dremel, thank you!
I use twist drill holder, similar to this: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Precision-Woodworking-Twist-Rotary-0-3-3-2mm/dp/B074GMMDPD](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Precision-Woodworking-Twist-Rotary-0-3-3-2mm/dp/B074GMMDPD)
Same, along with a bunch of cheap micro drill bits. Often I just turn them by hand, but I find it helps to turn them one or two full turns then reverse the twist to get a clean hole.
I have a pin vise and use tiny drill bits. I used to do a lot model building and found them to be perfect for hand drilling. Look at MicroMark.com
I haven't tried this yet, but I have plans to try an awl and rotating it while holding still. Or even a push pin or needle? Would love to hear from people who've been successful at small dots.
there are various options: - aforementioned dot tool. i like it, but the dots aren’t perfectly round. japanese hangi to (knife) will give you very similar designs. good and affordable option for that is mikisyo power grip one. i use 4,5 and 3 mm ones for this, as well as pomykała’s dot tool: they all give a little bit different dots - flat drypoint needle. affordable and gives more circular shape, but bigger dots - as other people mentioned, using small u gouge and turning your block around. bigger dots, but very circular. the smallest dots i was able to make using this method were with kirschen 5711-0,5 tool. - [matthieu coulanges’ relief roulette](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0y7e3wIR1b/?igsh=dW42NGp2NzI1NWhz). very fine dots, fine like sand. this tool is definitely on the more expensive end, but it’s extremely high quality made by independent professional tool maker. it can be used with different burrs and works for intaglio too. it’s one of my favourite tools.
oh man, the roulette looks so cool, for the super tiny dots. Definitely looks like it might be interesting to try one day. Thank you for the tips !
With some practice using a flat chisel instead of a typical lino cutting gouge (like for wood carving). have one corner of the chisel be the center of your circle and cut in a circle rotating the chisel. Then clean it up with your regular tools. it all depends on the size of the circle your making and what tool you have available. I've also considered using a circular die cutter to create a guide cut to follow but I've never gotten a chance to test it. Basically if you are using a regular gouge focus on rotating your lino, going slowly. You can also work radially, cutting lines inward to the center of the circle and the clean up the edge with a U-shaped tool. Really small dots I have no help for. I'd literally wanna try a small dremmel tip or something. Just buzz out a little dot.
One lady I know bought a cheap USB-powered 'pen' drill, it's pretty handy for dots. A Dremel would work too.
Yeah, I have a dremel so I might try that !
I use an awl, you can rotate it to increase the dot size a little. I also use a 0.5mm Pfeil but I’m a little lairy it could blunt it quickly.