bits

maryjo · #1 04-11-2007, 10:09 PM

Sorry I've been out of touch,it seems like a year since I've logged in.Been busy with alot of things, the last seminar I had was Bob Monroe in January,we did a 3/4 Screech Owl.MY FIRST BIRD

It was also my first venture into serious power carving.I got the opportunity to use a Foredom carver and a Ram micro carver.I was amazed at the amount of wood that the foredom could take off.Since I know very little about power carving I thoght maybe you all could head me in the right direction about what model to get without breaking the bank.Also some advice on roughing out bits

Maryjo

Paul_Guraedy · #2 04-12-2007, 08:38 AM

Maryjo, just like handtools, opinions will vary greatly on powertools. Certainly, the two you listed are among the top tools and you could not go wrong with either. Prices can vary considerably depending on the brand and the features being offered. Bottom line is that to get into the better brands you will probably be pushing $1,000 to get a rotary tool, micro tool, and bits.

How to start in power? Not many of us are willing to plop down the money to start with both types of "rotaries". Here is my opinion:

The shaft-type rotary (foredom type) can do almost everything that the micro can do. It just is more cumbersome to get it done.

The micro (ram type) is much better for detail and fine work. I put many more hours on the micro than the shaft-type rotary (but would be unwilling to do without it). The micro does not have the torque nor the shank variety of the shaft-type.

I think, if I were doing it now, I would start with the micro and get a shaft-type as soon as possible.

As far as bits are concerned, they are pretty well described in the catalogs. Anything with a 1/4 inch shank will remove wood in a hurry. Generally speaking, steel bits are more for "hogging" out wood, coarse rubies and diamonds will remove wood fairly fast and start the detail work, fine rubies and diamonds are good for more detail work, the relatively new ceramics will go along with the fine rubies and diamonds.

My recommendation would be to get several shapes of rubies in coarse and diamonds in fine texture to get started. In power carving (detail work) the shape of the bit is equally important (if not more so) to the texture.

Hope this helps to get your questions narrowed down a bit. There are a lot of carvers here in NW Ark. and SW Missouri and several on the forum. Maybe some of us are close enough to give you a chance to try out our tools and help you make a decision. I am located across Tablerock Lake from Branson near Harrison, AR.

Nancy-ID · #3 04-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Maryjo,

I would recommend the Foredom 5200 or 5240 kit. For around $300 you will get everything you need to get started. The No.44 handpiece will take 1/4 down to the smallest bur, its a ?/32. They are even throwing into the deal "Fur, Feathers and Fins - a 3-disc dvd set with master carver Frank Russell "
Theres no way you will go wrong with this package. You will be able to do the tough rough out/hogging out work with it and the finest detail. It includes lots of burs and the bur holder.

susieq · #4 04-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Hi Maryjo,
You say that you just got to try a Ram and a Foredom? Does Ram make a flexshaft unit? or was that a micro motor you got to try? Micro motors are wonderful but if you abuse them by trying to "take off a lot of wood" they die on one rather quickly. Micro motors are strictly a fine detail tool and kind of pricey so you want to take good care of them.

The wide variety of flexshaft tools out there are made for heavier roughing out work. Dremel makes a small flexshaft unit with higher RPMs which make them a nice choice for begining power carvers. For under $100 you have a tool that will hold a 3/32 bit or a 1/8 bit. You can use small kutzalls (for roughing out) or you can use the fine tips for detail and the higher RPMs really make it nice for both of those applications. I used the small Dremel flexshaft for a couple of years until I was sure I wanted to invest more money in larger equipment.

The Foredom and the large Dremel flexshaft tools usually come with a big handpiece that holds the 1/4 bits and you can buy a second smaller handpiece that will hold the smaller bits I mentioned above. They cost $250 to $300 range.....

If you are aquainted with a caving community, used pieces become availible from time to time. a friend of ours just died and I am helping to sell his carving things for his widow. He had the large Dremel, several handpieces, the foot pedal, some carving bits and I am going to try and get $100 for her out of it. I am going to be shopping them around to the local carving groups this week. He also had some nice Rich Notto carving knives, an "In-Lap" dust collector and several small sets of gouges.... I had spoken to Bob D about listing them on here if I can't sell them locally but this gives you an idea of what might be out there if you are not in a hurry.

One last thing about power carving....do wear a mask and try to get a dust collector to work over.....or at least have a fan blowing behind you to blow the wood dust away from you. Wood dust is a serious problem. Don't breath that stuff. Best wishes for your power carving.
susieq

bbeery · #5 04-12-2007, 03:39 PM

I go along with everything Paul said. I really like my Ram micro motor, doubt I could get along without it.

maryjo · #6 04-12-2007, 09:00 PM

Thanks for all the great info. You guys never fail in your helpful advice. Hey Nancy where did you run across such a good deal. I'm all ears,sounds like I like to look it to it :-] Maryjo

Nancy-ID · #7 04-12-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryjo

Thanks for all the great info. You guys never fail in your helpful advice. Hey Nancy where did you run across such a good deal. I'm all ears,sounds like I like to look it to it :-] Maryjo

Here ya go Maryjo. Hey that rhymes

Let us know if you get one. you will like it. Don't let the "blackstoneind.com" get you nervous if you are like me about possible online rip-offs. They ARE Foredom.

http://www.blackstoneind.com/foundat...sp?nav=1,1,206

maryjo · #8 04-13-2007, 09:02 AM

Thanks Nancy.Checked it out and liked what I saw.I'll let you know if I like it.If I have any guestions after I get it I'll know where to come ,you guys never fail.

Doug Ridley · #9 05-03-2007, 06:59 PM

I was kind of caught up on carving this A.M. when I went to the shop and instead of starting something new I decided it was time to clean some bits. They tend to get clogged up with dust as you use them.Got out my torch and burnt out the worst offenders.They now look like new and cut better too.

TravisJHuval · #10 05-05-2007, 07:15 PM

I use EasyOff oven cleaner to remove pitch ,gum, and pulp from bits. With some light scrubbing action from a finger nail brush. I also use it to clean sanding belts just spray it on let it set for about 15 min. and take a water hose to rinse it off . Oh.. it will remove the paint from any color coated burs , but that doesn't bother me at all .