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?

Quality Tools & Supplies for Hobbys, DIY & Crafts – Micro-Mark Tools

We offer precision tools and supplies for all your hobby projects. Shop high-quality tools for model making, woodworking, painting, crafting and more!

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?

Quality Tools & Supplies for Hobbys, DIY & Crafts – Micro-Mark Tools

We offer precision tools and supplies for all your hobby projects. Shop high-quality tools for model making, woodworking, painting, crafting and more!

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?

Quality Tools & Supplies for Hobbys, DIY & Crafts – Micro-Mark Tools

We offer precision tools and supplies for all your hobby projects. Shop high-quality tools for model making, woodworking, painting, crafting and more!

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

Buy our Mastercarver® Micro-Pro Champion Grinder Set for only $241.95

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

Buy our Mastercarver® Micro-Pro Champion Grinder Set for only $241.95

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...