[sawdustmedic9]

I'm interested in buying one of the high speed carvers but have a few questions. The Turbo Carver's rpm's are so much higher, are they that much different from say a Mastercarver, Ram, or Optima? I knoe the Turbo Carver is air powered. I'd like to see some examples of what these different tools do. So is 35,000-45,000 rpm fast enough to do very small detail like carving gun stocks? No, I'm not interested in carving eggshells. Pretty much just wood.
Thanks, -Medic

[Ashbys]

I have used both high speed air and Foreman. Also many other types of die grinders . Here are the differeces I have seen.

High speed = mirco cuts. good for pencil type cutting.

lower speed heavier cuts, = less detail control

Either type would be suited for gun stock work. There will be a learning curve with each and each bit will act a bit different.

If you would like to try a cheaper high speed grinder before purchasing , do a search for pencil grinders , 100,000 rpm styles can be puchased for very reasonable prices . What isn't mentioned , is you should use dry air with most air systems. Or expect short tool life. Compresser air can produce excessive water which will reduce the life of the bearnings.

Ash

[BobD]

Would a air-line dryer help, Ash?

Bob

[Ashbys]

Bob,

Yes , the problem is most air tools assume your using a central air system. With a dryer built in the system. Even with this type system in line vents are used to reduce line moisture caused form condensation. Air compressors produce hot air as it cools it causes vapor condensation, an air dryer is little more that a cooling unit, to reduce the tempture change.

Anything to remove that moisture will help. The guys that use airbrushes to paint with should be well aware of the moisture problem.

Ash

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have a paragrave and the secret there is to put a drop of oil on the turbine every 5/10 minutes.......I have had mine since the 1980's and no problems

[sawdustmedic9]

Does the turbo carver really carve that much better than the others? If I can do the same thing with a Ram, Optima, etc., I'll buy one of those. I don't think I'd like to listen to a compressor if I don't have to.

[myronhall]

If your compressor has enough storage around 25-30 gallons, the compressor can go 10-15 minutes between kicking on. I have a small compressor (Porter Cable Pancake with a 1.5 gallon tank). I added a air tank from Lowes to give more storage and also put a 50 foot line on the compressor to put it on the other side of my shop. I have the Foredom 1050 micro carver, which is a great machine, but I can get certain things out of my turbo carver that the fordom can't do, for example, I can detail eyelids on Santa carvings with the turbo much better than with the Foredom. The Turbo Carver is only a fine detail machine and not a machine to be used for all small carving. I would recommend the turbo for someone who already owns and uses a micro carver not in place of one.

[sbirkes]

I agree completely with Myronhall. I have used a Turbo Carver for years. I have an inline filter to remove moisture also. The Turbo Carver is great for VERY small detail. You can also do miniatures with it but it requires some finess. The size of bits it uses, 1/16 shanks and its overall smallness allow you to get into very tight areas and do amazing detail. With the right bits you can do pretty much the same thing with a Micro Carver as you can do with a Turbo. But not the other way around: you can't "easily" do with a Turbo what you can do with a Micro. The important word there is "easily". You can drive nails with a cresent wrench but a hammer works better. A point in favor of the Turbo is when you bog it down you don't burn it up. The super high RPM's of the Turbo seems to eliminate the tendency to grab the wood and jerk/dig in.

Unless I planned on doing VERY FINE detail right out of the gate then the Turbo Carver would come AFTER the flex shaft and a micro carver.

Of course all of the above is just opinion. Good luck whichever way you go.

[sawdustmedic9]

Thanks so much for your input!