Flexsteel Power carver

[MelNM]

Has anyone purchased the flexsteel powercarver? The one saw was in an advertisement, and you could put it on your belt.

[BobD]

Mel,

YOu mean the new Flexcut RPC (reciprocating power carver)? I'm in the process of reviewing it right now for the summer issue of WCI. It's powerful! I broke a love spoon I was carving for my wife using the reciprocating handpiece! And I cut my finger trying to change the Chisels! After that, I decided to put it down and work on Scroll Saw Workshop stuff!

Bob

[Colin-Partridge]

I have seen it but to me it is a very expensive tool. It is almost $600 US with out the gouges.
Colin

[carver6]

BobD

Be sure and watch those saws. They won't just cut you, they'll cut your finger plumb off!! Be careful!!

See ya!!!
Garon

[BobD]

I've done a lot more damage to myself with a power carving burr than I ever have with the scroll saw...

Bob

[Mitchell]

I have not used it, but a friend of my has. He LOVES it. He tried it on loan and will purchase one as soon as he can raise the money. Like Bob says, it is powerful. He stated that it really moves the wood with little effort. He did recommend securing the piece in a vise so that you can get better control of the tool. Edit to add: He used it with the reciprocrator attachment.

As Colin mentioned, it is somewhat expensive. It could be very useful if you do larger pieces and have some heavier roughing out to do. Since I do mostly small pieces, it would not be that beneficial personally. I do like reciprocating tools better than rotary ones for this type of work - mostly because of safety. It's a personal preference I guess.

[BobD]

One thing I noticed was that the chisels were so sharp they cut through the wood without engaging the reciprocating action...but I was also trying it out in pine. The spoon I broke was made of cherry and it took a bad split! The only thing I've noticed is that when you use the rotary handpiece, it really heats up...but that is with the piece sitting on a table not around my waist.

Bob