[Lee Zimmerman]

Are you still happy with your Mastercarver detail tool?I've given my MASTERCARVER System over a week of 'testing' now, so I thought I'd share my opinions with you. First, let me say I am comparing it to my Dremel with the Flexshaft attachment, both rotary and reciprocating action and my RAM 45 Microcarver.

So far, there's no comparison to the Dremel, which would heat up almost immediately, especially using the reciprocating attachment. With the MASTERCARVER my arm got tired and I was ready for a break before it even began to feel the littlest bit warm! It definitely out cuts the Dremel one, more power and really moves the wood!

Using the small handpiece that accepts the 3/32" size shaft burrs, nothing heated up, no matter how long I used it. The handpiece is so comfortable it's a joy to use, it's very, very small and can be held like a pencil.

The other small handpiece that accepts the 1/4" size shaft burrs I had a bit of a problem with, there was a vibration in it. I called Timothy at Wood Carvers Supply, Inc, figuring perhaps something needed adjusted, he said no, they are set at the factory, to send it back and he'd send me out a new one. No problem and very courteous!

I can say, being the owner of the RAM 45 Microtool, which just can't be beat for detail work, I find the size of the MASTERCARVER handpiece to be more comfortable for longer periods of use. My hands just never bother me using it, so I'm very anxious to get the new handpiece back and see if it compares, detail working wise to my RAM. The vibration in the handpiece made it not as smooth cutting as the RAM, and who knows, maybe even correct it won't...that RAM is something else for detail!!

The other handpiece is MASTERCARVER'S new Stealth Handpiece, which I have referred to as the 'hogging' out one...it really does work great, the coolest feature with it is that it's a key-chuck one that accepts all size shafts without using collets. The little experience I've had with collects, I've found them to be a bother to use, when I'm carving I want as little 'interruption' as possible. The MASTERCARVER people seem to think the same as me, with the different handpieces snapping in and out I find I can go from detail, to hogging out, to reciprocating without missing a beat. Since I like working on more than one piece at a time this is turning out to my 'dream' machine!

Okay, think I've covered everything. I'll let you know what I think of the new handpiece when I get it, if the vibration problem is taken care of. So far, obviously, I'm very pleased with my purchase! Callynne[/quote]

[dart]

I would like to get one also. The reverse feature would be nice.