High Speed Air Turbine Carvers

[woeco]

Hi all - I sure hope you nice people can provide me with a little info and/or advice.

I am interested in buying one of the high speed air turbine tools for gourd carving. Can't really find any in-depth reviews so thought I would just ask those who own or have use the different makes their opinions and recommendations -- and hope it will add to my knowledge base before buying.

I have done a search here on the message board and have read every thing I could find.

Thanks to each of you in advance!!!

[Ashbys]

I think , they would be fine. They are carving eggshells with them a gourd should be no problem. There is a site whihc even has a movie download you can watch to see how it is done.

Ash

[Mitchell]

I don't have any advice, but I would like to ask you to come back and let us know how your search turns out and how you like whatever brand you decide on.....it may help someone else later.

[DiamondWillow]

My wife does gourds and she does not use the air turbine, but she does use the Ram 45 many, many times and she thinks it is just fantastic. That type of carver is used by lots of gourd carvers I understand.
Gene

[Dennis Taylor]

I have only recently purchased a used/new Powercraft for gourd carving myself, it works well, if there is any drawback, you have to oil it yourself about every 20-30 minutes of usage, not a problem for me, only for fun, not profit, but other than that, I don't have any problems...I use it direct from my shop compressor at 40psi, have a water/oil catcher inline, and it makes nice cuts...some gourds are thin, some thick, so the bur will make a difference...I haven't found a good source for the bur's, everyone I have asked said there dentist, but mine looks like I am nuts, so hoping yet...if I can be more help, email....I have been carving gourds for about 6 months, thinking of a saw now!...Dennis

[Nancy-ID]

Originally Posted by woeco

Hi all - I sure hope you nice people can provide me with a little info and/or advice.

I am interested in buying one of the high speed air turbine tools for gourd carving. Can't really find any in-depth reviews so thought I would just ask those who own or have use the different makes their opinions and recommendations -- and hope it will add to my knowledge base before buying.

I have done a search here on the message board and have read every thing I could find.

Thanks to each of you in advance!!!

Hi Woeco,

Against everyones advice, I bought the Turbo Carver. I paid about $350 (with shipping) for the model with the mister and it came with 8 burs and a How To video. I've had it about 4-5 months I guess and I'v tried it on eggs and hard wood. works great. Presice control. If it is used on wood though, turn off the mister and be sure to have the inline filter between the compressor and tool. ( it does come with this filter). I haven't done gourds but I think it would work wonderfully on them.

[Dennis Taylor]

Nancy, do you happen to have a good source for the bur's, I have been searching for a lot, but the price is pretty high, I don't use it for much other than some turning items and gourds so far, but I got mine new, it belonged to a guy that got 2 of them, never used for 200.00 with a small compressor, so figure it was a deal I couldn't pass up...Dennis

[Nancy-ID]

Originally Posted by Dennis Taylor

Nancy, do you happen to have a good source for the bur's, I have been searching for a lot, but the price is pretty high, I don't use it for much other than some turning items and gourds so far, but I got mine new, it belonged to a guy that got 2 of them, never used for 200.00 with a small compressor, so figure it was a deal I couldn't pass up...Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Yup, they are expensive, but this guy sells a pack of 8 for $32. Good deal I think.

http://www.theeggshellsculptor.com/BurPacks.html

[woeco]

Dennis I sent you a private message concerning bits and burs.

[Bill]

Dennis
Try Tree line in Utah, they sell the Power Craft Turbine and the bits.
Bill