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Electric Drills and Transformers: In Britain, many eggcrafters use the Minicraft range of small craft drills with a fixed one-speed transformer. They would find the cutting eggs easier if they used the variable-speed transformer, because it has a higher voltage output which makes the drill spin faster. Most eggcrafters find that the faster the bit spins, the easier the egg cutting becomes.

Straight Cutting on Goose Eggs: For straight cutting on goose eggs, I prefer to demonstrate the Nr. 11 Diamond disc. Others prefer the BS27D or BS27E. The important thing to remember is to use these discs ONLY for straight cutting, NOT curves. Cutting curves with these may damage the diamond disc or chip your egg.

Cutting Curves on Goose Eggs: For curves, you need the smaller diameter discs. For gentle curves, the BS27F will do, but as the curves become tighter, change to the smaller types, such as the BS27G. For very tight curves, use the BS27H.

Filigree Work on a Goose Egg: For filigree work, or cutting unusual shapes, the BSIB pointed diamond comes into its own. This burr comes to a point; as there is not much diamond grit on the point, don't use it for making holes in the egg, or you will find yourself "punching" a hole in the egg and breaking it. The rule is to always drill a small pilot hole where you are starting. The Tungsten Carbide pilot hole burr 137/1 is ideal for this. Drill your pilot hole at an angle rather than perpendicular to the egg surface.

Special Burrs for Goose Eggs: If you blow your own goose eggs, the BS8 will be useful. As with all pointed burrs, use the 137/1 pilot hole first. If your design includes petal shapes, there are three sizes of Jean Bennett Flying Saucers available: Small, Large and JUMBO.

Tools for Air Drills: Because air turbine drills go so fast, it is better to use Tungsten Carbide bits, as diamond bits don't like the high speeds and will wear out quickly. Ninety percent of the time, you should use a tungsten filigree bit such as the 1169L. Now and again, the BH48 is useful in tight corners. For straight cutting, the BH515A & 515B are handy. There is now available a Jean Bennett Flying Saucer specifically for cutting petal shapes with the air drill. If you blow your own eggs, the BS4 is worth having, but again, as it comes to a point, drill a pilot hole first. The 1169L is ideal for this.

Cutting Ostrich Eggs: Ostrich eggs are very thick and strong, so cutting tools can easily overheat. The golden rule is to stop frequently to clean the egg dust off the cutting tools. For straight cutting, a strong disc such as the BH86 is required. For gentle curves, use the BS27F. For sharper curves, one technique is to cut the design out with a BS27G, but this will cut only half way through the shell. Complete cutting all the way through with the BS1B. If your design includes petal shapes, use a JUMBO Jean Bennett Flying Saucer.

--Colin Haywood