High Speed Recomendations?

[aaronc]

Been in the market for a high speed tool. Have looked at the turbo-carver for a while but then after reading some of the older post on here I'm pretty much scared of that. Thought I would ask if anyone on here is just 100% sold on whatever type of high speed unit they are using?

I also seen where some folks were liking the dental tools, any comments on those would be welcome also. I use the foredom micro at the moment for detail and no complaints there but looking to try more speed.

,.............I carve antler by the way. Don't know if it makes a difference.

Thanks, Aaron

[Bruce Bird]

Hi Aaron
I power carve with a Master Carver 1/2 horse power new unit.Like it a lot.Lots of umpff.
I also carve antler.Mostly moose and use carbide bits you can get at hardware stores.
Hope you always wear a good mask as the dust is bad for you. Plenty of speed with this grinder and a foot controller .
Bruce

[susieq]

Hi Aaron,
which Foredom micro motor do you have? If you have a 1038, they only go 38,000. If you have a 1050, they do 50,000 and although it doesn't sound like a big difference, you really notice it when you carve....

If you need to go REALLY fast, such as with an air powered unit...you need to remember that the bits you can use for that kind of speed, are limited. The higher the speed, the smaller the bit you can safely use. Also, really high speed with certain bits, will burn the bit and the surface that you are carving.

The really high speed tools are popular for engraving and shallow carving.
Any deep carving....even on antler, is probably better/safer done at speeds 50,000 or below.

[aaronc]

Thanks for the comments so far.

susieq,
I don't remember the model number (not at home or I'd look) but I do remember it is rated at 35,000 - 40,000 rpm. I've just been considering the higher speed air tools for a while and haven't really found anything that I'm sold on just yet. I love both my foredoms ( I have another for rough out work) but I'd like to try the increased speed for really minute detail work in my carvings.

Aaron

[riodot]

aaronc,

I would suggest the NSK Presto Oil free system. I have had it for almost 5 years and it has worked fine for me. I have replaced a couple chucks over that time. It's a 1/16" friction chuck and they do eventually wear out. It is air powered so you need an air supply. I us a $100 Harbor Freight compressor.

I carve and engrave custom Gunstocks mostly but have used it for antler, bone, glass & metal. The system will probalbly run you $500+ not including the compressor. With power tools like this if you buy the cheapest you buy twice. it is not the most expensive unit out there but it's good quality and has lasted for me. I don't carve with anything else but this handpiece and I try to carve at leat an hour or two every day. It definitly has some hours on it. I got mine from Profitable Hobbies in Utah.
Wood Carving | High Speed Engraving

Lance

Custom Gun Stock Carving | Gun Engraving: Studio Home

[aaronc]

Lance, thanks for the info. I looked it up and it's 320,000rpm. Thats one I can look into. Also thanks for posting your experience with it, very helpful.

Aaron

[riodot]

The NSK Presto is an Oil free handpiece so it's slightly slower. I've never noticed a problem. The handpieces you find that require oil lubrication can usually generate faster RPMs (I've heard up to 500,000 rpm) and are more expensive. Nothing against them - They are usually fine units also.

Lance

[riodot]

I just looked at the website of the company I bought mine from - on sale for less than I bought my system for. You might want to check it out.

Oil Free Engraving Combo with $100 in Free DVD's

Lance

[aaronc]

Lance,

I'm at around the 38,000 mark at the moment so anything over 300,000 is high speed to me. I plan on getting to look into my options in more detail sometime this weekend,.......and the no oil part sounds good. I may have a few questions for you here in a few days.

Thanks again

[topnotchengraving]

+1 for profitablehobbies all of there handpieces are made for the dental trade. I use a turbo 300 I got second hand its awesome.