Carving tools

[rixwoodwurx]

I’m curious as to what tools folks are using to power carve.

 

[hockenbery]

An outlier. I use ground glass and a sandblast gun to do sandcarving.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

An outlier. I use ground glass and a sandblast gun to do sandcarving.

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Cool. Do you use rubber sticky mat (don't know what it's called) to mask the bowl?

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Cool. Do you use rubber sticky mat (don't know what it's called) to mask the bowl?

I believe it's called "Resist".

 

[hockenbery]

Cool. Do you use rubber sticky mat (don't know what it's called) to mask the bowl?

I started a thread on resist.

Sand carving resist

I use a resist. That stretches and compresses a little. So it conforms to curves within limits. Anchor BlastLite Sandblast Stencil #T226, 22 mil from Uscutter.com Trent Bosch sells sheets Most sandblast resists are for flat surfaces (glass stone sign boards.). They will work on flatish...

www.aawforum.org

 

[Darryl Fective]

I had a Foredom for quite a few years, but it died. I thought it was the brushes and replaced them and cleaned it out, but it was still throwing a shower of sparks. I replaced it with a cheapo knockoff from Amazon for about $90. I liked it enough that I bought a 2nd one that I keep my reciprocating carver head on.

I also bought a cheapo micrcomotor that has worked pretty well so far. I haven't really done much carving with it yet, so we'll see how long it lasts.

 

[john lucas]

I use Dremels, foredom, Ryoby reciprocating carver, angle grinder with 2" arbortec cutter, angle grinder with Holey Callahan carver

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I use mostly my Micro-Pro Champion but also use the Wecheer version of Foredom, several Arbor Tech bits in the grinder, Dremel rarely (just don't like that whine).

 

[Matt Fawkner]

I’m curious as to what tools folks are using to power carve.

I use Arbortech tools for the majority of my carving (although I am relatively inexperienced with carving).
I have also purchased a Milwaukee M12 BLROT 0 which is cordless, lightweight and great for a lot of repetitive small work. What do other experienced carvers use?

 

[JeffSmith]

I bought a Weecher rotary tool set - the rotary tool with the small standard handset, a flex shaft and a riprocating carver handset several years ago to replace an aging dremel that was only used as a rotary tool. It came with a small selection of burrs and bits - just like every cheapo set on the market, and it sat in its blow-molded box seldom used for a few years until we moved. Out of curiosity, when work on the new shop was getting done, I started using the reciprocating carver handpiece on a few projects and have become hooked. I've got no idea how it would compare with the high-priced spreads available, but it is holding up very well under frequent use. Been going strong for 8 or 9 years now with no signs of giving up the ghost (yet). I have changed over to Flex-cut chisels...

It was a great buy at about $89 for the whole kit when it went on sale way back when. Someday I may upgrade to a foredom or one of the dedicated reciprocal carvers, but until this thing dies I'm going to take full advantage of it.

 

[Jaramiah Severns]

How is the Foredom different than a Dremel?

 

[hockenbery]

How is the Foredom different than a Dremel?

The foredom is a flex shaft carver that runs variable speed with a foot pedal controller or speed dial.. The 1/16 hp motor is designed to hang so the shaft can move about. The foredom reverses.

The dremel is a hand held tool to which you can attach a short flex shaft.


For short jobs the dremel is fine. For a long session I find the foredom more pleasant to use.


I think they can both use all the same cutters.

 

[Tom Gall]

I use a micro-motor tool for most of my carving/texturing. If I need more torque for larger burs/cutters (or reciprocating chisels) I have a MasterCarver (1/2 hp) flex-shaft hanging tool. Of course, it depends on what kind of carving you're talking about. A vast difference between, let's say, piercing and chain saw carving.

 

[john lucas]

The Foredom has much more power than the Dremel. It also has the capability of using 1/4"shaft cutters. So basically it's much more robust. I still use Dremeks a little for detail work but when I need to hog off wood I go to tge foredom.

 

[Hugh]

For carving.....I have used wood chisels. But, after a class with John Jordan.....I bought a Automach reciprocating carver. Like it a lot. I can actually hold the wood and carve with it.
Then, after a class with Mike Lee......I purchased a nice micro-motor. Use 1/8" shaft bits. Really like it. Find I use it for lots of stuff.....other than carving on bowls.

 

[Matt Fawkner]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the Arbortech tools. I do like them and they are available in the US.

 

[john lucas]

The 4" Arbortec is just as dangerous as the 4" chainsaw cutter. The 2" arbortec is a very good easy to control tool.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Micro motor and a cheaper Foredom knock off called a Weecher

 

[Michael Anderson]

I have a Dremel 3000 with a flex shaft attachment. It works fine for most purposes, but I do wish it would hold 1/4” shaft bits. I’ve never had much of a problem with the lack of power, but I’m not usually jogging away massive amounts of material. If I was, I would probably combo a Foredom and an Arbortech (or Manpa). I’d like to get a micro motor though, as sometimes the flex shaft puts a bit of strain on the wrist during long sessions. I have a lot of chisels and rasps I use in addition to the Dremel.

 

[Paul May]

I am looking for something that can cut more delicate profiles using 1/8" bits. I find the flex shaft hard to control for fine details. I was thinking for the finer cuts I could go with a cordless pen type cutter after initial cuts with the dremel/flexshaft since it won't be used except for the final cuts. Or maybe a thinner corded tool like Micro Lux?

MicroLux® Mini Rotary Tool

Details35 watts of power and a variable operating speed between 8,000 and 18,000 RPM make the MicroLux® Mini Rotary tool strong enough for the most challenging projects.A total weight of just 8 oz and the thinnest design available in this power rangeOne of the most ergonomic high-powered rotary...

www.micromark.com

What say ye?

 

[James Seyfried]

Just about all the carving that I have done has been for putting legs on bowls. I use Merlin2 Mini Grinder to rough out the shape. If I were to use it a lot the 2" Arbortech mini carver would be a better choice. For more detail I started out with Dremel tools. I have upgraded (in my opinion) to a Strong 202 micro motor. The handpiece alone makes it nicer to work with. I also use a selection of rasps and files.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

I am looking for something that can cut more delicate profiles using 1/8" bits. I find the flex shaft hard to control for fine details. I was thinking for the finer cuts I could go with a cordless pen type cutter after initial cuts with the dremel/flexshaft since it won't be used except for the final cuts. Or maybe a thinner corded tool like Micro Lux?

MicroLux® Mini Rotary Tool

Details35 watts of power and a variable operating speed between 8,000 and 18,000 RPM make the MicroLux® Mini Rotary tool strong enough for the most challenging projects.A total weight of just 8 oz and the thinnest design available in this power rangeOne of the most ergonomic high-powered rotary...

www.micromark.com

What say ye?

You probably want a higher speed range (30k+ rpms) for detail work with small bits. There is a wide range of gear available, from micro motor tools (brushed/brushless, up to 1/4" collets but commonly 1/8" and less, $-$$$$) to dental air tools running over 300k rpms, so do your homework.

 

[Kevin Jesequel]

I am looking for something that can cut more delicate profiles using 1/8" bits. I find the flex shaft hard to control for fine details. I was thinking for the finer cuts I could go with a cordless pen type cutter after initial cuts with the dremel/flexshaft since it won't be used except for the final cuts. Or maybe a thinner corded tool like Micro Lux?

MicroLux® Mini Rotary Tool

Details35 watts of power and a variable operating speed between 8,000 and 18,000 RPM make the MicroLux® Mini Rotary tool strong enough for the most challenging projects.A total weight of just 8 oz and the thinnest design available in this power rangeOne of the most ergonomic high-powered rotary...

www.micromark.com

What say ye?

The Master Carver micro motor is what Graeme Priddle and Melissa Engler use and recommend in their classes. I do not know anything about this seller it is just the first listing that popped up:

Mastercarver® Micro-Pro™ Champion Grinder Set

DetailsCreate pro quality detail with the Micro-Pro™ Champion Grinder Set! Higher carving speeds give superior carving results, smoother texturing, plus improved detailing, stoning & feathering. The new Micro-Pro™ Champion features an 11% increase in torque (power). With higher torque & speed up...

www.micromark.com

I have a RAM from MDI and like it, though I paid more for features that I really don’t need.

 

[Paul May]

The Master Carver micro motor is what Graeme Priddle and Melissa Engler use and recommend in their classes. I do not know anything about this seller it is just the first listing that popped up:

Mastercarver® Micro-Pro™ Champion Grinder Set

DetailsCreate pro quality detail with the Micro-Pro™ Champion Grinder Set! Higher carving speeds give superior carving results, smoother texturing, plus improved detailing, stoning & feathering. The new Micro-Pro™ Champion features an 11% increase in torque (power). With higher torque & speed up...

www.micromark.com

I have a RAM from MDI and like it, though I paid more for features that I really don’t need.

Thanks Kevin! I was hoping for much more useful replies. I appreciate the info...the seller is the same one I linked. I have to pivot after recent hand surgery...✋