These are some of the hand tools I use most often on my gourds. I use what I sell!
Tools, Power Tool Accessories and Supplies
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NEW! CARBIDE Gourd Cleaners
I'm pleased to add these fantastic new carbide gourd cleaning tools to the Arizona Gourds website. Unlike other gourd cleaning tools, these tough carbide cleaners will last a lifetime, and will not crack, peel or wear out! You'll never need to replace these tools, but you may find it useful to have more than one shape or grit.
These are solid metal tools with extra tough carbide grit! If you know how expensive even small carbide carving burs are, you'll realize that these are very reasonably priced.
Each carbide tool is mounted on a heavy duty 3/8" steel shaft which is about 8" long. These tools work in a regular size drill, and work most efficiently at low speeds. The 2" mushroom head cleaner is a good general purpose shape, and is available in both medium and fine grits. The smaller 1 1/2" birdhouse tool is perfect for cleaning gourds with very small openings, and works great on gourds with small necks or in hard to reach areas. It is also available in medium and fine grits. The donut cleaner has a larger head (2 1/2" wide) and is great for bowls and gourds with larger openings. Available in medium grit.
Mushroom Cleaner - Fine Grit - $35
Out of Stock
Out of StockMushroom Cleaner - Medium Grit - $35
Birdhouse Cleaner - Medium Grit - $25
Donut Cleaner - Medium Grit - $35
Insta-Cure+
Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue)
The best gap-filling super glue for inlaying heishi and stones, and has many other uses! Lots of uses. Fast setting (5-15 seconds) and thick enough to stay where you put it. Comes with a fine applicator tip and instructions.
$3 for a 1/2 oz. bottle
Insta-Set Glue Accelerator
Just spray a bit of this fast acting catalyst on your project and the glue will set immediately! $5 for a 2 oz. bottle
Out of Stock
New: Extra screw on tips in case the tip gets clogged or damaged. $.50 each
P-C Petrifier Wood Hardener
A great way to salvage weak or thin shelled gourds. Sandable and Paintable. This product is a non-toxic, water based, liquid epoxy. The liquid formula allows for deep penetration and rapid absorption into the soft gourd pulp. Product dries to a rock hard finish overnight. $6.50 for an 8 oz. bottle
10pc 3mm x 180mm Riffler File Set
Originally designed for woodworkers, rifflers are great for rapid smoothing of carved areas! The curved ends fit into tight corners, and each file has a different shape. Coarser than sandpaper, these will remove material quickly, and leave a smooth finish.
Packaged in a handy vinyl pouch. $10
140mm Rifflers - Same great rifflers, shorter size for smaller hands. $8
Hole Saw Set
These high carbon steel hole saws will drill perfectly round holes in gourds! Use them to cut round openings for lids, birdhouse openings, etc. This set comes with a plastic storage case and includes a hex wrench, two mandrels and 8 sizes of saws that will create different sized holes from 3/4" to 2 1/2" wide.
Hole saws are should be used with a full sized cordless or electric drill; a variable speed drill allows for good control and efficient cutting. *Please note that these saws are too large for use in a Dremel type tool.
Hole Saw Set - $11
*Looking for Mini Saws and Transformers? To make each page load faster, these items have all been moved to their own page:
New Items: Dremel Flex Shaft Attachment - Brad Point Drill Bit Sets - Carbide Gourd Cleaners
Note: Carving Burs now moved to their own page
Safety Equipment
Protect yourself when working around gourd dust or mold
3M 9211 Respirator with Exhalation Valve This three-panel flat fold respirator features an innovative design. The low profile provides a good, comfortable fit (even for people with small faces!) and allows for better visibility than the common cup style mask. The exhalation valve prevents fogging of eyeglasses. This is a government-approved N95 particulate respirator.
$3.50
Sanding Sticks and Replacement Bands
A perfect complement to riffler files, this sanding stick is wonderful for getting into tight areas that can't be smoothed with normal sandpaper, especially flat background areas and tight corners. Use this tool to do your final smoothing after carving. The spring loaded design maintains belt tension, and allows you to rotate the abrasive belt 360 degrees for complete and ecomonical use. Comes in assorted colors and includes one sanding band.
Additional sanding bands Sanding Stick - $6 5 pack of assorted grits. $7.50 Three different surfaces for sanding - tapered/angled end, flat side and rounded end. The stick is 1/4" wide x 6" long Assorted Colors
This mini Hand Drill has two double ended collets so you can use many different drills and accessories. (The second collet is stored in the handle near the swivel end.) Perfect for starting holes for weaving and other times you want to drill small holes but don't have access to power tools. I use mine when I travel.
$5
Mini Abrasives Cleaner Stick
Use one of these handy little cleaners to extend the life of all your abrasives - works great on mini disc sanders, drum sanders, and belt sanders. Just hold it against the spinning abrasive surface and the cleaner will remove all the fine particles that clog the sandpaper. $3
Sanding Strips
These are what we use in all of my classes. These extra firm 120 grit sanding strips keep their edge and stay stiff so they can be used for sanding nice, sharp edges. Great for smoothing carved ripples and last a long time!
12 strips in a package - $2.50
Brass Brush - Great for cleaning burs. Put your dirty or clogged burs in a small jar with a bit of acetone or other solvent and soak them for a while. Clean off any remaining residue by brushing the burs with this brass brush - it cleans great but isn't too harsh on the burs. $1
*Looking for Carving Burs and Rotary Tool Accessories? To make each page load faster, these items have all been moved to their own page: Carving Burs
Hole saws work great for quick, perfect round openings!
Brad Point Drill Bit Set
These specialty drill bits were designed for woodworkers and are fantastic for drilling into gourds. Unlike the common twist drill sets, these burs have a sharp spike that seats the point firmly into wood or gourds, eliminating the need to pre-punch centers. No more bits "skittering" around on the gourd surface and misdrilled holes!
Made from high speed steel, the set includes 5 piece bit sizes - 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8mm (approximately equivalent to 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16)
Brad Point Drill Set - $5
Fine Grit
Mushroom Cleaner
Medium Grit
Mushroom Cleaner
Medium Grit
Birdhouse/Neck Cleaner
New! - Dremel 225 Flexshaft Attachment
Add a Flex-Shaft Attachment to your Dremel tool for more comfort and ease when carving. The 36" flexible shaft attaches easily and the 1/2" slim grip ergonomic handpiece is comfortable to hold during long carving sessions. It features an integrated shaft lock button for easy accessory changes. Can be used with a keyless chuck for faster bur changes!
For use on models 275, 285, 395, 398, 780 and 800. Includes a square collet drive nut. Simply remove all collets and the black plastic endpiece from the end of the Dremel. Screw on the square collet drive nut, then insert the flexshaft and screw it directly onto the end of the Dremel tool. Bulk Packing
Dremel Flex Shaft Attachment - $26 Out of Stock
The Keyless Chuck (Dremel 4486) will eliminate the need for wrenches and collets! It will accept all accessory bits with 1/32" to 1/8" shanks. They work with Dremel models 275, 285, 395, 398, 750, 770, and 780. Also use with Dremel attachments and flexible shafts 212, 225, 575, and 961. They may also work on other models and brands, but it is not guaranteed. $9
