[grampabatball]

Hi All, The more I look the confuseder I gets. I am trying to decide on a micro-motor and I have narrowed it down to three(I hope).I am trying to decide between the Ram Power 45, Foredom 1070, and the Optima II. I'm hoping someone has a really good reason to choose one over the other as the more I search the closer they get. The price is pretty close, the speeds seem to me to be high enough with all three that it doesn't push one ahead of the others, Etc, Etc, Etc. HELP! If someone has a good reason not to buy one that will also help as it would narrow my choices. I am, again, leaving myself in your hands and I appreciate all your help and advice, Thanks, Mike

[Callynne]

Mike, I have the RAM 45, it's wonderful! I've had mine for at least three years, have only replaced the brushes once so far and haven't had a bit of trouble with it....and it has had a LOT of use!!

I honestly couldn't be without it and had considered for some time buying a backup unit. I got to thinking I really couldn't be without my woodburner either and while looking at units came across the MasterCarver Combo, a micro motor and a woodburner combined into one unit. Since I really like my MasterCarver Rotary Unit, I decided to ask Timothy at Wood Carvers Supply about it, I liked all his answers so decided to give it a try.

Neat thing was, I was carving two fairies at the time, one I did the detail work with my RAM 45 and Colwood burner, the second I did with my new MasterCarver Combo.....know what I noticed different about the two units.....nothing! The MasterCarver Combo is one I would recommend highly also. Here's the website, if you want to check it out http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/store/ They also make separate micro and woodburning units, I haven't tried them but the quality of the two units I have make me confident to recommend them! Hope I haven't muddied the waters too much for you and have helped out a little bit! Deborah

P.S. If you look at my website in the Newest Carvings section, the fairy with the basket of strawberries is the one detailed with the RAM 45, the quilting fairy is the one done with the MasterCarver Combo.

[Callynne]

Darn, I tried linking you to the page that showed the Combo, but it's taking me to the page showing all the micro tools. It's the one called a 'Combo grinder/burner'.....grinder isn't a very accurate word to describe something that does such nice detail work, is it?! Deborah</IMG></IMG>

[grampabatball]

Thank you Deborah more than you know because Mastercarver was one I looked at but was afraid of as I thought it might be an off-brand. I have looked at your work and if it would help me get anywhere close to your skill level I might buy two or three of them. Thanks again. Mike

[Callynne]

You're welcome, Mike! If you go with MasterCarver, I think you'll be very happy. I've had my rotary system for a couple years and love it, the micro unit I've only had a couple months but really love it too. I think they are terrific systems, you get a lot for your money, in my opinion! Don't misunderstand, I still love my RAM 45, I'm just saying that the MasterCarver micro motor is a terrific system also!

Thanks for the great compliments, definitely made me smile! I'm glad you like my work! Deborah



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