Matercarver VS Ram, collets or chucks ...

[Mercurial]

Hi again all,

I posted a few days ago and just got time to post my questions.

I have been carving for about 6 weeks using edge tools and would like to try power. I am looking at a flex-shaft machine and a micro motor. I am looking in the mid level price range.

I was getting ready to order several items form Wood Carvers Supply, inc. and decided to check this board before committing to it.


I had narrowed it down to the Mastercarver flex-shaft, 26,000 rpm with the detailing hand piece and the reciprocating hand piece and the Mastercarver micro-pro. 50,000. rpm.

After reading post and reviews of similar tools and reading the one post from a guy who had a terrible time getting his money back form Wood carvers supply I became a little concerned. It seems a lot of people have had problems with the hand pieces on some of these units and I wanted to find out more. I also wanted to find out if anyone had had good customer service on a major issue with Wood Carvers supply.

I have read a lot of good things about the Ram micro carver, does anyone have experience with both the Ram micro motor and the Mastercarver micro-pro?

What about the collets vs. Chuck type hand piece. Has anyone had experience with both? I have read that the collets offer more stability than the chucks.

How much difference is there in micro motor with 45,000 rpm vs. 50,000 rpm?

Can the 50,000. rmp machines be set to a stable speed, say 25,000. rpm so that the burs and bits rated for a lower speed may be used safley?

Just one more thing. I do have a Dremel with the "Flex-shaft" attachment and find it to be stiff and difficult to work with. Are they all that inflexible?

Thanks so much in advance,

[Hugh]

My opinion for what its worth. Foredom flex shaft, reliable and proven. I don't have the Ram, but some of my student carvers have them, and they seem to be reliable. I have the Foredom Micro Motor, and am not satisfied with it. although Foredom has a newer model on the market, the older one is almost impossible to change collets on it. The Foredom Micro Motor is over priced, I bought the Foredom Micro Motor, because of the reliability of their flex shaft machine.

[Mercurial]

Thanks so much.
I very much appreciate your opinion.

[Doug Ridley]

I have had a Foredom flexshaft for 25 years with NO problems. It is the S model.The Mastercarver is used by a close friend for about the same span with no problems that I know of. The Ram is, I believe an excellent micro-motor but don't overlook the Optima. It is good, too. I would probably go with price.
As to the difference in 45,000 and 50,000 RPMs, you will not notice any.
As to Woodworker's Supply, their service has been excellent with me for 20 some years. As to collets or chucks, I would definitely recommend collets.
Hope this helps.
Doug

[Mercurial]

Thanks Doug,

It does help. I was concerned about the service with WCS. It helps to know that someone has been dealing with them for that long with no problems.