[Just Carving]

Are the tools that come with your reciprocating carver any good--do you like them?

Are the tools that come with your reciprocating tool made of stainless steel--like the ones that come with Foredom?

Do you prefer to use the Flexcut reciprocating tools rather than the tools that came with your reciprocating carving tool? If so, do you prefer the RG tools or SK tools?

What do you do if there isn't a chisel, skew, gouge, v-tool, etc. that you need, available for the reciprocating carver?

Is there another brand of reciprocating chisel, gouge, v-tool, etc. that you can use?

Is there a chisel, skew, gouge, v-tool, etc. that you would like to see made for your reciprocating carving tool that isn't available?

Thanks.

[Colin_Partridge]

Bob,
I have just about every reciprocating carver you could think of or have tried them all. I have a Skil carver that I absolutly love but they dont make it any more. In fact I have three of them one I use for parts. I also have a Automach that is ok but if you use it for long periods of time it heats up. I have a proxxon that is good but also heats up with heavy use. I also have an Arbortech that is a real wood hog but you have to keep lubricating the cam all the time or you wear down the end of the chisels. I love the Flexcut Football RPC but it is very expensive. As for the tools that come with all these machines I never use any of them I except for the Arbortech because they are the only chisels that fit that machine. I use only the Flexcut chisels they work the best and seem to keep a really good edge. As for any other chisel Flexcut have them all covered I think I have at least one of every profile. Also what I like about the Flexcut chisels they come with a palm handle that you can use for working by hand. I hope this has answered some of your questions if not email me with anything else you may need.
Colin

[Just Carving]

Hi Colin

Thanks for your response--it helped me a lot with regard to the reciprocating carvers.

I just bought the Flex-cut RG handle with the 1/2" spoon just to try out, and I like it. But they have a limited number of tools to use with that handle. Is the Flexcut SK handle good, or is there an adapter or some other way to use the SK tools with the RG handle? If I could do that, that would be great--one more tool I could buy instead of the SK handle!

My thought is to have a set of relatively inexpensive tools to knock around with, and to be able to travel with, take to work, etc.

Thanks again.

[DICK "chipncut" CAIN]

I have a Ryobi carver. It works pretty good, but I still prefer hand chisels. The noise & vibration tend to be annoying. I also think I can do things quicker by hand.
{ Those are my feelings about it.}
Dick

[heineda]

Hello,

I am not aware of an adapter that allows the RG tools to be used with the SK handle. There is an adapter, however, that will allow you to use the SK tools in your reciprocationg carver. This seems to me the best option, since there are so many more profiles available in the SK series, and they are so much more useful when using the handle, and carving by hand.

Just my two cents.

Carving,
Dan Heine

[Mitchell]

I sometimes use the Ryobi carver with flexcut gouges. Like Dick, I prefer the hand tools, but I use the power tool when my hands get tired - mostly just for roughing out big pieces. I grind the bevel down (just a bit) on the flex cut gouges as they seem to work better for me that way.

Can't really say that I used the gouges that came with the Ryobi - at least I don't remember using them.

[Just Carving]

Dick, Dan and Mitchell,

Thanks for your responses. I ordered a couple more of the RG tools--an RG205 1"-#1 chisel, and a RG201 7/8"-#5--for the handle I have, plus the V-roll--11 pocket tool rool--in case I get get more of the RG tools. I also ordered the new KN02 Knife leather sheath with a belt clip they have for their knives. I made a detail knife with a narrow 2" carbon steel blade and red oak handle shaped like a Flexcut knife handle a while back, and I wanted something to protect it. This way I can take my knife, and/or some carving tools with me when I'm waiting around and what not.

I think I'll stick with the RG tools rather than the SK tools for now. I think I'll be able to accomplish plenty of carving with the tools I have now, and if need be, I can buy more RG tools. Thanks again everybody for your help.

[fishcarver]

I find the tools that come with the Foredom Recept carver are really good but they are the six smallest ones like flexcut offers so you will need ot go to flexcut for larger ones and they do work well....