Please Recommend hand held power tool(s)

[Dan111]

Hi,

I am a total newbie to both carving and tools. I need to start a project asap and speed is more important than any final quality or artistry as I just need to produce somethings (props) that will be thrown away after use. I am not seeking to present my work in a gallery

The project requires that I take some blocks of wood (probably be lime or basswood) and quickly make long curved shapes almost like a banana shape About 6 inches long.

I don't want to spend many hours carving each by hand.

What power tools and attachments (bits?) would you recommend (in the $50 - $200ish price range)? I need to "just" rough out the basic shape quickly, then smooth it.

Some kind of ready to use straight from the box kit with all the necessary attachments would be cool.

Thanks.

[Mitchell]

"Borrow" someones bandsaw and belt sander.

[Claude]

I'll throw in my tuppence on this one... Frankly, if it's only 6 inches long, and maybe 1.25 to 1.5 inches square, I think a knife would be just as fast if not faster than a power tool. Something that size is maybe 10-15 minutes each to carve with a knife, even less if you cut the basic shape out with a bandsaw first.

If you do decide you need a power tool, get a Foredom or WeCheer type tool with flex shaft. They don't come with any burrs, generally, so you'll need to buy either Kutzall or Typhoon carbide burrs. Say, a 1 inch long by .5 inch diameter. If you need the bananas to look smooth, you can also buy a 1 inch long by 1 inch diameter sanding drum, with replaceable sanding sleeves. For quick production, stay away from the Dremel. I have one, and a knife is definitely faster for something small. The Dremel is great for fine detail, but not so good for hogging off lots of wood in a hurry.

The power carvers will run from, roughly, $200 to $400 US. A decent knife is $15 to $30, and if you buy one that comes sharp, all you need with it is a leather strop and some stropping compound - maybe another $10...

Good luck with the project!
Claude
<edit> Forgot to mention... if you have a drill press, buy one of these Buy Sanding Drum, 3" x 3" x 1/2" at Woodcraft.com for $26 and do the whole thing with it. Mitchell's idea of a belt sander is great also, but if you need an inside curve like a banana has, the drum will be easier for the inside curve.

[Dan111]

I wont be able to borrow a bandsaw but would consider purchasing one if someone could recommend a hobbyist machine.

Pardon my ignorance but would a bandsaw allow me to,say, draw the letter "S" onto a carving blank then "easily" cut it out so I end up with a letter S like those cnc machined letters that you can order online, only a bit thicker (the cnc letters are usually quite thin)

If I go for the knife option, can anyone recommend one? I presume i'd need one for roughing out then one to get things a bit smoother, am I right?

[Donsexton]

Dude go to Lowes or Home Depot or harbor freight get a $19 side grinder then get yourself some sanding pads 40 grit 60 grit 80 grit all for under $50 oh yea some dust masks.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You can always pick up a coping saw to rough out the blank.....power is best uh uh uh.......Tim Allen said so

[Whittled Thumb]

Dremel 4000 in a kit, should have all the bits you need then some. You may choose to buy more bits but thats up to you. I use my dremel in every carving I do, along with a knife. I didn't go fance on knifes either. I use a Huskey utility knife and an Xacto wood carving knife that uses carving blades. I paid 14 bux for the carving knife and maybe 7 for the utility knife. I think you can get the dremel kit for about 74 right now. Then you can use the dremel everywhere else too. I use mine everywhere and almost on everything.

Happy carving!

[Suncityan]

Hope an associated query here is ok. Being a beginner myself, I would like to have a little more info along with what is already posted on this thread.

I have a dozen wooden (ash) canes that need to have names carved onto them. The letters don't need to be fancy; however, hopefully they could be a little more elegant than block capitals.

The first letter of the name needs to be placed about an inch above the end of the crook on the front (the opening of the crook is considered the rear for this post) of the cane and then the remainder on down below it until the name is completed.

Being that I'm a blacksmith I would usually put the material needing to be formed into my coal forge and go about shaping it with a hammer, chisel, punch, dies, etc. then grinding everything smooth or to whatever texture is wanted.

So where I'm going here is I like to use mechanical means to form shapes.

My question then is what is the best recommended power tool to carve letters in that 1" diameter wooden cane taking into consideration that there are a dozen different names on a dozen different canes?

Thanks in advance, Suncityan

[Mitchell]

Limited use = Dremel. They will not hold up to long term/heavy carving. Relatively inexpensive and easy to get bits (Lowes/Home Depot). It should hold up to the canes and then some. Good way to learn and develop some skills.

Foredom makes a more durable version, but it's more expensive.

My opinion is that you would be better served to get a V tool or veiner (hand tool) to do the lettering. Takes a bit more work (getting used to and developing skill), but gives a more professional appearance - again opinion.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I also would suggest a Dremel with a flex shaft to start.

Dave