power tool question

ron60 · #1 02-12-2006, 10:16 PM

i have been carving for a few years and only used hand tools. but i have recently had surgery on both of my shoulders and lost a lot of strength in my armes and hands, question is i am going to buy some power tools and am just confused by all the hype on the net about different power carving equipment. should i buy a foredom or not? what would you recomend for power tools.
thanks for any help that you might offer.

ron60

Hugh · #2 02-13-2006, 04:32 AM

I can recommend a foredom, as the foredom has proven reliable . I have owned two in 18 yrs, and the first one was still churning away after 16 yrs. I just opted for a heavy duty tx model. It was used about 5 days a week.

squbrigg · #3 02-13-2006, 05:31 AM

Ron,

I lost my strength in a car accident, head, neck and back injuries, and once I was able to get carving again, got really frustrated with the changes. My wife suggested power carving and I checked out a friends Foredom, as I was worried about vibrations, (they give me a hard time) and was amaized. We went to a woodworking show and she bought me a complete outfit, Foredom, selection of burrs and a Razortip woodburner too.

Now I'm carving regurlarly, slowly yes to suit my pain and endurance, but enjoying it a great deal, find it great therapy. Changed my methods some, rough out with power, finish with edged tools, so don't throw them away just yet. Love it. Don't give up. A basic Foredom will give you great results and takes little effort, just control. I'd also suggest a good carving chair, office chair, with adjustable arm rests, it will make life a whole lot easier for you.

Bob

Doug Ridley · #4 02-13-2006, 08:01 AM

I'm still using the same Foredom I bought over 20 years ago and have never had any problem with it. There other brands that are good also. I personally know Mastercarver is a good machineas I have a friend who has dad one for abuot 20 years.

Callynne · #5 02-13-2006, 08:57 AM

Ron, I have the MasterCarver system and love it. I picked up a Foredom last year at a yard sale and it's a great unit also.

How large of carvings do you do? You might want to consider reciprocating carving also, for roughing out. I use reciprocating and rotary, big 'hogging' off burrs, for roughing out, then I hand carve, but it's not major amounts of wood removal there, more detail carving by hand. I will also switch back and forth, from hand to rotary, at this point to detail and clean up in tight areas.

I have tendinitis in both my hands, I couldn't carve at all with just 'hand power'. Thank goodness for all the power tools out there!

Deborah

cut up · #6 02-13-2006, 11:01 AM

I have severe RA that limits how long and how much grip I can hold the tools. I have an old Fordom H model. My only complaint is the handpiece gets heavy and they don't offer a lighter one for that model. The newer Foredom handpieces are much lighter and the cable is more flexible.

ron60 · #7 02-13-2006, 01:30 PM

thanks a lot for the information on the power tools and the encouragment i need them both. i want to thank youall for the quick response to my post. if i can respond to any posts and actually help someone iwill do so right away
ton60

Donna_T · #8 02-13-2006, 11:29 PM

I pretty much agree with others. Depending on the size of carving you prefer, it's hard to beat a Foredom, especially for roughing out and general shaping. However, if you make smaller carvings (songbirds, for instance), you might want to consider a micomotor tool (Ram for instance) simply because they are much more detail oriented and comfortable for your hands.

I bought my older model Foredom at an auction and it has a large and heavy handpiece. So I mostly use it to hog wood. Then I switch to the Ram to do all the detail where I need to have more control. The handpiece is much like holding a fat, primary pencil and oh so lightweight.

Donna T

Hugh · #9 02-15-2006, 06:30 AM

Donna is right about the micro motor, the Ram is a good investment, some of my carving students have them, I sold two of them the Razertip Micro Motor, and they are good also. The point to my posting is, I bought a Foredom Micro Motor, paid quite a bit extra for quality, and its not worth the extra money in my book. I have a Gesswein that I wore out, and I should have bought a new handpiece for it. If your doing this full time, I would recommend the Gesswein, if not the Razertip is my choice, good quality, and backed by service and warranty. And the price is reasonable.

Doug Ridley · #10 02-15-2006, 09:09 AM

I have gone to mostly power carving in the last few years as I've reached geezerhood and the micromotors are a real blessing.Be sure to take a look(do a google search) at the Optima 2 for a nice tool at a reasonable price. If money is no object the absolute best on the market is the Brasseler but it comes at a pretty high price. Ram is also a good choice. Actually there are about a dozen of these things available and as far as I know all are good machines. I don't think you can go wrong with a good heavy duty flexshaft machine and a micromotor to boot. My picks would be a Foredom or a Mastercarver and a Ram or an Optima 2 for quality AND value. My $.02 worth.
PS. No matter which tool you buy you won't be happy without some GOOD quality bits for both machines. That might be a topic for a long discussion later.

Doug