Brice bubble bits. The bits have a 3/8” inch shaft, so adapters are usually needed to fit it to a die grinder. (image courtesy of Steve & Heather Brice)
updated 8/7/23 when restored to the site, mostly I moved stuff around and added some minor updates
bubble bits
If you look at photos of the sculptures from the World Ice Art Championships, you’ll notice a myriad of differently textured and detailed surfaces on the various sculptures. The level of competition is so high that competitors are constantly trying to come up with ways to make their sculptures stand out. If you watch the “tools” section of the “World on Ice” DVD (probably hard to find right now) about the World Ice Art Championships, one of the mentioned die grinder bits is a “bubble bit.” The bit makes little domes or “bubbles” on the surface of your ice.
When I first looked around for a bubble bit, years ago, I eventually found them on Steve and Heather Brice’s site. Once I got one (the medium sized bit), I looked around for an opportunity to experiment with it. Not much experimentation was needed; the bit was very easy to use and I regretted not trying it immediately.
Sometimes you have to remove unwanted ice between the produced bubbles with an ice pick or small chisel, but in my limited experience with the medium size bit, this isn’t much of a problem. I first used the bit on a sculpture below, a stiletto heeled shoe. If you look closely, you can see a bottle of vodka in the shoe. The party was a launch event for Stiletto Vodka and the sculptures were a big hit, largely, I believe, because of the detail that I was able to add with the bubble bit.
Heather Brice had previously sent me a photo of an egg that Steve Brice had used a larger bubble bit on and I’ve included it below as well.
“bubble egg” (image courtesy of Brice & Brice ice sculptures)
here’s the stiletto heel that I first tried a bubble bit on; worked great!
WARNING: These are specialty ice sculpting tools. In many cases, these bits are modified versions of standard tools, and as such, they may behave in unexpected ways. You should always protect yourself with appropriate safety equipment. Keep in mind that these tools are potentially dangerous, and can put you at risk for serious injury or worse. If you choose to use these tools, for sculpting ice or otherwise, you do so understanding and accepting the risks.
I think this bubble detailing was on an ice bar that I did a LONG time ago.
some technical stuff
Initially, I tried the medium sized bit (nickel-sized). Due to its success, I then ordered the larger bit (quarter-sized), which I probably now use the most often. I recently ordered very small bit, probably the dime size, but I think its uses are more limited. For one project, I used the larger bit in combination with the medium bit to make “grapes” on sculptures for a wine themed event. I also use the medium bit to add “Mardi Gras beads” to various New Orleans-themed sculptures.
You will likely need an adapter or even a new shaft for your die grinder to make a bubble bit work. The Makita die grinder accepts 1/4” shaft bits, but the bubble bits have 3/8” shafts, because, as you might have guessed, they’re made from spade-type drill bits. (This accounts for the number on each bit.) And I have to be honest, I’ve lost track of the various shafts and adapters that go onto die grinders as of late and I’ll have to reeducate myself on what’s currently out there before I can give definitive answers.
I’ll have to take it apart to make sure, but I believe I currently have a two part adapter on the die grinder I use for my bubble bit. The second adapter accepts the 3/8” shaft of the bubble bit. It’s not an elegant looking solution, but it works very well in practice.
Bubble bits aren’t cheap. They’re each made by hand, after all. I think you’ll find that they average $150 or more right now and that doesn’t include any adapters you need. But they’re well worth the price for the unusual look that they give your ice and I use them all the time!
links and stuff
This post is listed on the ice sculpting techniques page and the ice sculpting tools page. Plus, you could also find photos and info from this entry on the ice sculpting secrets Instagram account or the facebook page. You can comment there as well as below. And if it won’t LET you comment below, then definitely comment on fb and/or IG. Thanks!
