[susieq]

Hello WSL,
When you say you have a Dremel Stylus....which model is that? Is it the multi speed model rated at 30+ thousand rpms and has a flexible shaft attachment? It would help to know which Dremel we are talking about here. Regarding carving bits, for detailing and refining jobs, Diamond points and rubies are good. They come in various shapes and everyone has their favorites. For roughing and initial shaping of a piece or for heavier work, kutzalls, typhoons, carbides of different shapes are also good and come in 1/8 and even in 3/32 shaft sizes that should fit your unit.

But for you to know what a bit does and therefor which bit you need for a certain job, you might want to get a Frank Russell DVD or one of his books. He is a power carver and his books and DVD's do show various bits and how they are used. If you can't actually watch someone work, this would be the next best thing. Good luck and hang in there, it does get easier to figure out as you go along.

[woodspiritslover]

Thanks Susan,

I am actually referring to the Dremel Stylus that looks like a small gun with 5/25.000 rpms.

Does that specify enough the model? I hope so. I will check the web for the DVD you advise. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by susieq

Hello WSL,
When you say you have a Dremel Stylus....which model is that? ................

[susieq]

Ok, I am not at all familiar with that model of Dremel. What sized collets came with it? Can you attach a shaft to it? I have to suggest that what ever type of carving you are doing, for power usage a shaft tool is best or else a micromotor. The motor in the stylus might be made to hold like a gun but your control will probably suffer. I still recomend the bits and books/DVDs that I recomended in the previous post, because it will show you how to use certain bits and give you a good idea what specific bits are good for. Good luck and don't be afraid to keep asking questions. I wish you were close to one of the power carvers on here and could spend a little time watching them work. It makes so many things crystal clear. I see that you are in Hungary....perhaps there are some power carvers in your area that you can connect with.

[squbrigg]

I have a Dremel Stylus, and use it. It's an interesting tool, and works well in it's role. I use mine for smoothing more than cutting or shaping, I find it does a great job in that, with steel cutters on. It comes with both the 1/8" and 3/32" colletes.

I'd still like to know more about the 1050 Foredom if anyone has one? The micromotor is the only unknown for me, and I am eyeing them carefully, to see if I need it.

Bob

[susieq]

Hi Bob,
Regarding the model 1050....me too. I do know someone who has two of them and when they come to Florida for the winter, I plan on going over to his house to try one out. I never thought I "needed" a micromotor before I got one. Once you get used to using one, it's really hard to go without as I found out earlier this year when my old Foredom when down for repairs. I figured it would be two weeks and I could do without for that long.

Unfortunately, their micromotor repairman was on vacation when I sent mine in. Turned out to be a lot longer than that. I broke down and bought one of the cheaper models to get by with because I had two projects going that had deadlines.

The newer, cheaper model (they have improved a lot on the lower end models over the years since I first looked at them) Master Carver brand, isn't bad but I am saving my money for the Foredom 1050. And.....I got a catalog from the Hummul Flier earlier this month. It is almost as cheap through them as I could get it through my friend...who is a Foredom Rep. $876. It lists for $1095. Christian J. Hummul Company is the name of the supplier. www.hummul.com I see that you are in Canada and that ordering things outside the country makes them much higher priced. If you had someone over the border order it for you and then send it to you that might work out.

I don't need it.....but I want it bad. The thing that intrigues me is that the handpiece runs a full 110 volts, not off of a converted voltage. It still plugs into a power source like the others, with a variable speed control. It is also brushless. I suspect but can't say for sure, that it is more powerful because of the voltage thing. Frank says it has a high torque.

Bob D hand mentioned doing a comparison test on a bunch of models for the magazine a few months back. I hope maybe early next year we can all read about his findings.

[squbrigg]

I offered once before in a thread, to do a comparisom "for" BobD, (why should he have all the fun!!!) but not to expect the micromotors back once I finish!!! HE HE HE!! I might find that I like them.

I am tempted by the 1050, but as you mentioned, it's a lot of money, even now with the Canadian dollar at par with the US dollar.

Bob

[susieq]

Yes and I wasn't even referring to the money being the same value right now. I have friends who live in Ontario and she has told me on more than one occasion how much on sales tax they have to pay on everything and when they buy stuff on the American side how they have to be careful taking it home. If it is found at the border and determined to have been bought over here, they still have to pay some kind of high fee to bring it back home.

But, if you do a lot of fine detail stuff and start using a micromotor, you will wonder what on earth you ever did without one. I am working on tree ornaments right now. Carving those tiny little santa eyes, wrinkles, hoods trimmed with holly leaves and berries, stocking caps with bells on the end, etc.....not having a micromotor to do it would not cripple me but it would slow me down. Even the Dremel with the shaft doesn't offer the control you get with a micromotor. It is amost like working with a pencil or a paint brush.....there are hardly any limits to your control and what small detail you can carve.......