I hate to admit it, but.....

susieq · #1 10-07-2007, 07:29 PM

I really like the Master Carver as much as my old Foredom 1045. I never thought I would say something like this. I can see that in the 10 years since I bought my Foredom, there have been a lot of improvements in the lower priced micromotors and in all micromotors in general. The Master Carver cost half what I paid for my Foredom 10 years ago.

Earlier this year when the Foredom went down for repairs, I bought the Master Carver in desperation, to finish a couple of projects with deadlines. I didn't care for the collet setup it comes with. That business of having to hold the 3/32 collet with your thumbnail to keep it from sliding out of the 1/8 collet, was for the birds. I did break down and buy a regular 3/32 collet for it and am much happier. I have been using the Master Carver hard and it is performing well. It has high torque and plenty of power as micromotors go. I got the repaired Foredom back and was looking forward to comparing the two machines.

The Master Carver has more power than the Foredom1045. Now they don't make the 1045 anymore and with these improved models hitting the market, I can see why. Their new high end model is the 1050 and is supposed to be much more powerful, high torque, brushless and it runs on a higher voltage than the old model did. I still want to try a Foredom 1050 and will have the opportunity to do that in a few weeks when a friend who owns a couple of them, comes back here for the winter. I suspect I will love it but you never know......

But for anyone looking at Micromotors and wondering what to buy, I would recomend the Master Carver without hesitation. But buy the 3/32 collet and skip that darn adapter setup. Eating crow tastes better if you can laugh about it.....

Heck, I am even thinking about buying a second Master Carver handpiece and running it off of my Foredom power source since they fit each other.

Hugh P. · #2 10-08-2007, 12:55 AM

Why not the Gesswein. Its pricey, but the Heavy Duty, 30,000 rpm model, is a real work horse.

Callynne · #3 10-08-2007, 08:32 AM

Hey Susieq, I'm so glad to hear you like your MasterCarver after all! I felt a bit bad about your being disappointed since I'd recommended it so highly! I didn't know how it compared with Foredom, I just knew I hadn't seen any difference between it and my RAM 45, and I have really given it a workout, big time!!

I intended my MasterCarver Combo to be a back up to my RAM 45 and my Colwood woodburner, instead I've never put it away. I really love being able to switch from detail carving to woodburning with the flip of a switch!

Hugh, I haven't heard of the Gesswein, is that something new or have I just missed hearing about it or seeing it advertised?

Thanks again for letting us know what you think of your MasterCarver, Susan......I should buy the collet for mine.....wonder how long it would take me to get used to NOT holding my thumb against the collect?! Probably forever!

Deborah
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susieq · #4 10-08-2007, 09:01 AM

Hi Deborah, Hugh,
I do think that the difference in age and the advances since I bought my first one ten years ago, have a lot to do with it and the fact that they don't make that model anymore because there are much better ones on the market that are much cheaper....Hugh, I don't know anything about Gesswein, all I do know is that for $300. the Master Carver is a very good tool. It has high torque and lots of power for a micromotor....not that I would "hogg" with it. I still don't use the micromotors for anything but detail. But with all the detail I do, I would be lost without one.

susieq · #5 10-08-2007, 06:19 PM

Hugh, I forgot to mention that the Master Carver also is rated at 50,000 rpms. I let the rpms do the work when using a micromotor so rpms matter to me.

Dull Knife · #6 10-09-2007, 02:40 PM

I'm wondering if you're talking about the big Master Carver, or the micro?
The big unit does have a 'stealth' hand piece that does not use the dreaded collets.
But be advised that you should always have on hand, an extra outer sheath and the inner shaft....I broke my shaft this a.m., and had I not had the extra set on hand, I would be twiddling my thumbs now waiting for the replacements to come in the mail.

susieq · #7 10-09-2007, 07:13 PM

I am speaking of the micromotor, Dull Knife. I use all kinds of equipment, Foredom, and Dremel flexshaft equipment and micromotors. But in this thread, I was discussing the Master Carver Micromotor. I had not expected it to live up to my old old Foredom Micromotor but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a great tool. It has high rpms, more power than my old Foredom and high torque. It cost me nearly a hundred dollars to get the old Foredom micromotor hand piece repaired and I kind of wish I hadn't spent the money on it now. For $225. I could have had a brand new handpiece from Master Carver. I do still want to try the newer model Foredom micromotor...the new generation of handpieces.....brushless, high torque, more power. But it will have to be a lot better than the Master Carver or I won't spend the $$ on it.