[squbrigg]

Good call Susie, you wouldn't be disappointed. I spent the afternoon using my 1050 carving the stern work on a half model I'm doing. Absolutely awesome to use!!! Carved work turned out perfect! Such a pleasure to use and takes so little effort ...... just what the doctor ordered for me.

I can't knock the other units, just have no experience with them.

Bob

[WHoffmann64]

I'm trying to decide this myself.

It looks like they're all identical?
And when you look up the RAM45, the replacement for the handpiece is something $100, or cheaper, less than the entire kit-- so the control unit is just a DC converter and brand doesn't matter...?

Yet, I can spend from $200-$1200.... And some of the fancier ones claim to boast some sort of digital feedback control, perhaps to limit stalling?

There are dental models, too-- how do they compare, are they just the same thing as woodcarving models?
Is it worth saving for the foredom over the RAM; and what sort of price did you get through your friend (can I talk to him too, if I decide on it)-- right now looking at about $900 for the 1050, or $400 shipped for the RAM



Another huge question-- what about the turbocarver/ powercarver/ powercrafter air tools? I already have a compressor, but they're still $300. Worried about overheating at 350k rpm, though; and probably I do want the torque if I'm doing gemstone carving.
But control is a huge issue; I've mostly only dealt with low rpm tools (like 2000, not even dremels that much)-- do any of these tools tend to grab and go skittering off in directions unbidden? I also don't necessarily want to hog material, should I do a delicate cameo in soft pearl, for example.

[WHoffmann64]

Squbrigg, do you have photos?


That was actually my first post here-- it doesn't seem like so active a forum, but enough people, and no spam! Recommend other awesome carving groups too, if you know of them.

As an intro, I'm a college student, and started on everything with model ships back in 9th grade in high school! Decided that to get serious about a professional model, I'd need woodworking, woodcarving, a few silversmithing and casting skills. And here I am, doing small marble carvings and somehow into oil painting, too:
WHoffmann64 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I'll get back into model ships, but being an unsettled student, a 5000-hr project just isn't appropriate; keeping it under 200 hrs max for a project and still my grades suffer :-/
My plan is a 1:48 admiralty model of a 17th century warship, probably the Vasa because the documentation is there, or maybe the Sovereign or the Prince if I don't mind much more research and some necessary creative license, as a masterpiece in 20-60 years :-)

[mark yundt]

Yes Susieq,,see what I was talking about.. You really can put these machines through their paces,,,can't do that with some others.Others slow down,,overheat,,trip breakers constantly.
These may be more pricey,,,but Man,,,what a tool.You can do some work with them and not think twice.I've got them both,,,and there is no comparison.

Put a carbide burr in mine and ground out ports on a cast iron cylinder head. The tool didn't know the difference between that and a piece of wood. Never skipped a beat.I wouldn't have even thought of doing that with my other one.

[myronhall]

I ordered my Foredom 1050 from Mountain Heritage Woodcrafters in Virginia and saved about $100 bucks off the price. I absouletly love the machine. I know it is pricey, but the reason I carve is to relax and get away from the frustrations of my occupation, so I find this to be a great investment in my sanity.

[achaundy]

The Christian J. Hummel Co has good prices on the Foredom and the NSK. The 1050 foredom is 876.00 and the NSK is 785.00 not too bad. Skip

[squbrigg]

Photos.....ya, took some this afternoon. All of this detail work was done using the 1050, including the figurehead.

Bob

[Hugh P.]

Have never seen a mention of the Gesswein, they are a super micro motor. I have the 30,000 RPm HD model. And its is Great. Also have the Foredom Micro Motor and it is fine for detail work. These units are worth the extra money if your carving steady.

By the way Bob that is great work, always like to see what your working on. Lots of chance to work in the North this winter, grin. I'd like to get up your way this summer to see some of your work in person.

[squbrigg]

Hey Hugh, great to hear from you. Still snowing up here, quite a blizzard yesterday and today still. So we call this Spring, eh!

I look forward to seeing you this summer, I hope you get a chance to get over. BTW.... I've been invited to do a show/display in April, at the new French Fort Cove Eco-Center, April 9 to the 20, so if you get a chance, come on over. Probably be still snowing then, so don't take your snow tires off quite yet!

Bob

[susieq]

Hi Mark,
Foredom has come a long way in the last few years.... I thought my 1045 was the greatest. I had compared the Ram unit of that time and it didn't hold a candle to the Foredom. Competition has gotten more intense and the cheaper units have improved a lot. The Master Carver unit I bought to work with while my Foredom was down, really impressed me. It has more torque and higher rpms than my OLD Foredom at half what the old unit cost me too.

Foredom has also had to compete with these cheaper units on the market and they now make a couple of models with less rpms. I tried them and didn't like them. Their high end unit though, that is something else!! Wow!

There is a huge difference in performance and I cannot wait to have my 1050 delivered. Should be a week or so. Foredom closed for Good Friday so the order can't be placed until Monday.

Skip, I do order many things from the Hummel catalog. They have a great selection of bits and I buy the rolls of sand paper for the tapered sanding mandrels from them in the three grits I use most. 220 320 and 400. They are great folks to deal with. Good prices on everything.

WHoffman, the micro motors may look alike but they are not alike. I guess it depends on how much carving you want to do and what you are willing to spend on a unit. In the $300 price range, Ram, Master Carver and Foredom all have units there. I have a Master Carver and for the money, it's a good unit.

When you get up around the $600 to $1,000. range, Foredom, NSK are about it. They are the cream of the crop. If you have been using one of the lower priced units and you upgrade to one of these, you will notice a difference in performance. As for air turbines, I cannot comment as I have never used one. From what I have seen at demonstrations, they are best suited for engraving, egg carving, gunstock checking, etc....but that was just my take on it. I haven't seen any serious carving done with them.
Easter and best wishes