Power carving: foot control or switch?

tiki_god · #1 01-31-2006, 09:11 AM

I am looking to get a foredom unit for power carving. Which do you all recommend? I can see the benifit to having hands free with the foot control but with the little dial seems you can set it and forget it. As I am new to carving, any recommendations would help.
Thanks, Mark

squbrigg · #2 01-31-2006, 09:31 AM

I use the foot control on my Foredom and find it great. You can increase or decrease power and speed as you need hands free. The drawback, if you can call it that, is some tenseness in your leg after a while. I use a switch control on the Dremel I use and at times it is great to just purr along at a constant speed, but when you have to increase or decrease speed you have to change your hold on the tool and usually the piece you are carving too, and this can result in a small change in direction of your tool marks.

Benefits and drawbacks of both, but I like the foot control myself.

Bob

Doug Ridley · #3 01-31-2006, 09:31 AM

Absolutely no question, go with the foot gontrol. Once you get used to it( about 5 minutes) you will never regret it.

Callynne · #4 01-31-2006, 09:54 AM

Mark, I have both. I got a MasterCarver system last winter, it has the foot control. Last summer I picked up a Foredom at a yard sale that didn't have the foot control. I much prefer the foot control! My only problem is, the couple seconds, when I pick up the Foredom handpiece and step on the foot control for the MasterCarver, it takes to realize why the Foredom is isn't working!!

Deborah

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #5 01-31-2006, 09:59 AM

Hey Sis.....you're just not "wired" right to do that!

tiki_god · #6 01-31-2006, 10:02 AM

Wow, thanks for the great feedback! It looks like I will just go with the foot pedal then. I guess it is like using the gas pedal when driving, you just get used to how hard to press it for a certain speed.

Thanks again! Mark

Doug Ridley · #7 01-31-2006, 10:04 AM

Check with your local sewing center to see if they have a used foot control. That way you can put them side by side and just move your foot when you change machines. And you should be able to get one pretty cheap.

BobD · #8 01-31-2006, 10:06 AM

I use a foot control with my foredom, and while my micromotor has provisions for a foot control, I prefer the dial for the micromoter...I really don't change the speed of the micromotor once I get going with it!

Bob

Donna_T · #9 01-31-2006, 11:27 PM

Well, since I'm fresh from a 3-day power coarving workshop, I'll add my opinion. I use my Foredom for roughing out carvings and find the foot control to be a great help. When roughing out, you do a lot of starting and stopping, turning, easing back when your bit gets in a bind, etc. The foot feed lets you do that without changing your hold on the handpiece or carving.

HOWEVER, I detail carvings with my micro-motor and find it is more comfortable with the hand dial setting. When I'm using it, I usually run it for 5-10 minutes at a time before stopping to change bits or redrawing a pattern line. That long of a carving period can really tire my foot. So, it's easier to just set the dial and flip the switch when I want to stop or slow down--so I agree with Bob on that point.

I love the footfeed--had a homemade one for years (one made from a sewing machine footfeed) and finally got one just for my foredom.

Donna T

Callynne · #10 02-01-2006, 09:20 AM

My micromotor also has the dial, I wondered if the foot control would be more convenient.

As for getting a foot control for my Foredom, I have been thinking about that. I saw where they sell them, just plug my Foredom into it and TADA, foot control!

Only problem with that would be....I'd be setting there ready to use my Foredom and stepping on the MasterCarver foot pedal......quit laughing Dave, I can't help it....besides....it really would only take a couple seconds for me to figure it out. Bad thing is, it takes me that couple seconds every single time!! Duhhhhh!

Deborah