I am interested in doing some carving on my turnings and would like to add a power carver to my arsenal. If any of fellow members are using a power carver I would be interested in hearing about your experiences and any suggestions on a carver would be very helpful.
-
Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details) -
AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
-
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Anyone using a power carver
- Thread starter Tom Cadwalader
- Start date
John Jordan
In Memorium
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 506
- Likes
- 976
- Location
- Cane Ridge (Nashville), TN
- Website
- www.johnjordanwoodturning.com
For the reciprocating type, the Automach (Ht30 I believe) is by far the best-it also cost the most, around $300.
John
John
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I agree with John. I have used that carver. I have the old discontinued Ryobi reciprocating carver and it works but had excessive vibration. I plan to purchase one of the Foredom handpieces and try it out since I already have the flex shaft machine.
It really depends on what type of carving you plan to do. I did all of my initial carved pieces with a Dremel and lot of patience. I don't think I'm carving any better today, just a lot faster and with more control and less tedium. I still use the Dremel a lot when I have details to do that don't require much power.
The flex shaft machine has more power and the shaft is lighter than the Dremel but sometimes the shaft gets in the way. I really like the footpedal because it gives me much more control over the speeds. It will hog off material much faster than the Dremel and since you can get a handpiece that takes 1/4" shanks you can work with larger cutters and sanding drums.
I have the Arbotec mini cutters that I use on an angle grinder. They are really nice and take off a lot of wood quickly. The downside is that it cuts so easily it is very easy to remove wood that you did not want to remove. It's good for reaching into areas that are hard to access with other tools.
Die grinders both electric and pneumatic work and may fit in your shop. I use them occasionally when I need a not of power but usually my other tools will do the job.
The larger 4" cutters that fit on angle grinders are really good if you want to remove a large amount of material. I have the chainsaw version but in my opinion the Arbortec is much better and more controllable.
Don't rule out woodburners for carving. Look at Dixie Biggs work and you will see some incredibly detailed pieces that are done largely with a woodburner.
I don't have much experience with the high speed grinders as they are out of my price range and the style of work I do I would not use them often.
It really depends on what type of carving you plan to do. I did all of my initial carved pieces with a Dremel and lot of patience. I don't think I'm carving any better today, just a lot faster and with more control and less tedium. I still use the Dremel a lot when I have details to do that don't require much power.
The flex shaft machine has more power and the shaft is lighter than the Dremel but sometimes the shaft gets in the way. I really like the footpedal because it gives me much more control over the speeds. It will hog off material much faster than the Dremel and since you can get a handpiece that takes 1/4" shanks you can work with larger cutters and sanding drums.
I have the Arbotec mini cutters that I use on an angle grinder. They are really nice and take off a lot of wood quickly. The downside is that it cuts so easily it is very easy to remove wood that you did not want to remove. It's good for reaching into areas that are hard to access with other tools.
Die grinders both electric and pneumatic work and may fit in your shop. I use them occasionally when I need a not of power but usually my other tools will do the job.
The larger 4" cutters that fit on angle grinders are really good if you want to remove a large amount of material. I have the chainsaw version but in my opinion the Arbortec is much better and more controllable.
Don't rule out woodburners for carving. Look at Dixie Biggs work and you will see some incredibly detailed pieces that are done largely with a woodburner.
I don't have much experience with the high speed grinders as they are out of my price range and the style of work I do I would not use them often.
John Jordan
In Memorium
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
- Messages
- 506
- Likes
- 976
- Location
- Cane Ridge (Nashville), TN
- Website
- www.johnjordanwoodturning.com
The Foredom handpiece is near worthless-not nearly as good as the rotary handpiece and motor. I bought one last year at AAW, used it for ten minutes and sold it. It seems the Wecheer handpiece is better, but I would remove the spring from it-that allows a lighter touch for fine carving.
John
John
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Thanks John I'll look at the Weecher. I have an older Weecher flex shaft and it isn't nearly as good as my Foredom but then they may have improved the Weecher since mine was built. My Foredom isn't the newest either but runs smoother and has a lot more apparent power than the Weecher.
Thank you
Thank you everyone for the replies.
I hadn't thought of woodburning to carve. I went to Dixie's website, she sure has some wonderful pieces. She is a very talented artist (turner/carver).
Most of my carving thus far has been with a knife and palm gouges, so I was looking at flex-shaft rotary systems and thought the Mastercarver Flex-Shaft looked promising. It's a 1/3 hp 26,000 rpm set up and comes with a reciprocating handpiece. I also see a WEcheer with a 1/4 hp 20,000 rpm motor that looks pretty good. The woodcarvers supply catalogue describes the Foredom 1/6 hp as "perfect for light carving" ?
Thank you everyone for the replies.
I hadn't thought of woodburning to carve. I went to Dixie's website, she sure has some wonderful pieces. She is a very talented artist (turner/carver).
Most of my carving thus far has been with a knife and palm gouges, so I was looking at flex-shaft rotary systems and thought the Mastercarver Flex-Shaft looked promising. It's a 1/3 hp 26,000 rpm set up and comes with a reciprocating handpiece. I also see a WEcheer with a 1/4 hp 20,000 rpm motor that looks pretty good. The woodcarvers supply catalogue describes the Foredom 1/6 hp as "perfect for light carving" ?
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Tom Given the choice go with higher HP if everything else is equal. It's kind of like lathes. You can turn small things on a big lathe but not vice/versa. If you have more horsepower you can use heavier cutters if necessary. This cuts down on vibration or allows you to hog off wood faster.
Have to waist and see
Well,
I have a power carver on my wish list, have to wait and see what santa brings.
Well,
I have a power carver on my wish list, have to wait and see what santa brings.
If you get a chance - try a "micro motor" carver. Foredom, NSK and ? make them. I bought a Foredom after I tried one in a Mike Lee class at Arrowmont. Speed is from 0 - 50,000 rpm. It is quiet. A bit expensive but fun to use.
Hugh
Hugh
Odie
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
Is this sort of like a dentist's tool? Supplied by air pressure? ......or, am I thinking of much higher rotary speeds than 50,000?
This seems likely the way to go to me, but I speak not from experience.
I've had a Dremmel, and currently have a Wecheer........I've never been very satisfied with my power carving efforts.......:mad:
Tools that don't do what you wish they would do, are pretty darned frustrating!
ooc
Odie
Micro motors are not air driven. Comes with a transformer with a speed control built in. A power cord runs from the transformer to the micro motor which is like a Dremel like tool but is smaller and lighter and easier to control. Cost is too high if one is only going to fuss around with it though. The one I have has a lot of torque to go along with the speed. Try to find a friend who has one and try it if you can. Air driven grinders reach up to 500,000 rpm now. But the torque is not there and they only handle small bits.
Hugh
Micro motors are not air driven. Comes with a transformer with a speed control built in. A power cord runs from the transformer to the micro motor which is like a Dremel like tool but is smaller and lighter and easier to control. Cost is too high if one is only going to fuss around with it though. The one I have has a lot of torque to go along with the speed. Try to find a friend who has one and try it if you can. Air driven grinders reach up to 500,000 rpm now. But the torque is not there and they only handle small bits.
Hugh
power Carving Tools
If you are still undecided about what tools to purchase go to www.carving path.net/forum. It is a forum for carvers run by Janel Jacobsen , a first rate, world class carver. You can access the forum and discussion of various subjects without joining as in the AAW forum.
If you are still undecided about what tools to purchase go to www.carving path.net/forum. It is a forum for carvers run by Janel Jacobsen , a first rate, world class carver. You can access the forum and discussion of various subjects without joining as in the AAW forum.
Odie
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
Thanks for the clarification, Hugh......
Pardon me......With the exception of basic familiarization, I am speaking from a position of complete ignorance as to the capabilities of powered woodcarving tools.......
Off hand, it seems like if a dental drill can shape and carve your teeth......how come it needs more torque to carve wood well?
....or, am I assuming something you didn't intend?
ooc
Odie,
A dental drill will remove wood, bone, etc. The micro motor just does it a bit faster.
Hugh
A dental drill will remove wood, bone, etc. The micro motor just does it a bit faster.
Hugh
Odie
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
Carvers
Tom, I have the flex shaft Mastercarver and also the micromotor carver from Woodcarvers Supply. I have been very happy with both - good price and good functioning. The reciprocating carver works OK, but if you plan to do much much of that kind of carving, you will do better with a dedicated one.
Tom, I have the flex shaft Mastercarver and also the micromotor carver from Woodcarvers Supply. I have been very happy with both - good price and good functioning. The reciprocating carver works OK, but if you plan to do much much of that kind of carving, you will do better with a dedicated one.