[kampground]

Hello all.
I am relatively new to power carving and I have a question about using my new Mastercarver tool. I am working on cottonwood bark using my “Stealth” handpiece with a ¼” Kutzall to rough out a piece. At times my shaft will start to jump around or the cutter will bounce ( I believe some people call this chatter). I have also had a small stump cutter to bounce (chatter) through my work. I am certain that I am not being overly aggressive with my cuts. Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal? Or do I have a handpiece which may be out of balance?


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[Hugh P.]

Hi, the first thing that comes to mind is that your putting too much of a bend in the cable. Also try cutting with the grain, cutting against the grain can make the surface your grinding wavy. Try cutting ar right angles , across the area your working on. Do this to take the waves or chatter marks from the wood. If all of this dosen't work, use a stick sander with coarse sandpaper and sand the waves or chatter marks smooth. And you do need to be agressive, hold your hand piece tightly and keep an even pressure. Its usually a good idea to use your thumb for a brace and hold the handpiece firmly to keep it from chattering. Hope this helps.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I agree that the most likely problem is too great of a bend in the cable. Another possibility is that the speed is too slow. When I use bits like stump cutters and Kutzall, I put the pedal to the metal and get aggressive. Hang onto that handpiece to keep it from digging in too deeply.

[BobD]

Since it's cottonwood bark...you may also be running into a variety of "wood" hardnesses...maybe even some sort of embedded grit or stones. Both of the above methods will deal with the problem, but be sure to wear eye protection...you should always wear eye protection, but it's especially important when power carving bark or other found wood.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[bulldog]

I had the same problem when I started power carving. I found out that I was not holding the hand piece firmly enough ( afraid I would take off to much wood ) A firm grip and steady light passes solved the problem for me. Ditto on the above mentioned EYE PROTECTION is an absolute must.
Keep Barkin

[kampground]

Thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like I need to improve my technique. I was concerned that there might be a problem with the handpiece. I guess I will have to get a grip and work the kinks out.

Kampground

[susieq]

Hi Kampground,
The minute I read that you were using a kutzal bit I had dejavue... Kutzal bits are notorious for bucking like a mule if you let them get too deep in the wood. When you see the bit sinking in to the wood as you work, you should back off the pressure and try to avoid sinking the bit in too deep. Even when you are hogging a lot of wood off of a piece try to carve evenly across the surface of the wood. Every now and then, I forget and it still happens to me. It will chatter the whole length of the shaft when it happens. It is almost bone jarring.

But the others are also right in saying you should avoid putting too tight a curve in the shaft while it's running. That will heat the shaft up a lot from added friction. Try to work with only a slight curve in the shaft. When not using the shaft tool, leave it hang, don't stuff it in a drawer all curled up. Keep it as straight as possible. carving.

[Thomp]

susieq,

i hung my h.f. fordom knock from a set of pulleys off the ceiling, finely and got away from the bent shaft problem, the rig is counter balanced by weights, to keep the shaft straight, the unit defy's gravity and only needs a slight touch to retract it out of the way, and keeps the bits off the bench top clutter...

im hoping this will help keep from wearing out the unit and shaft. i keep the shaft lubricated, but before this mod the shaft still got warm..

hopes this gives somebody a better idea on how to keep the shaft straighter instead of putting the unit on the bench and letting it suck up dust and shavings

[susieq]

Hi Thomp,
As you say, hanging is the best for shaft tools. finding something to hang them on that you can adjust the height for just the right amount of slack in the shaft to allow you freedom of movement without having too much slack and causing those tight curves or awkward positions while carving, are very important. Your set up sounds perfect. I have used an IV hanger from medical surplus, for several years now and it's hard to beat if you have the space for one. They don't take much room but some folks are not blessed with a lot of room in their carving station. These things hold anywhere from two to four units, are on wheels for easy moving, and are adjustable for height to your particular needs. They are fairly cheap when you find them at yard sales or medical surplus outlets. Mine holds 4 units and I have 3 dremels and a foredom hanging on it.

Because I tend to just let go of a handpiece and let it swing back down, sometimes hitting an electric cord while the bit is still turning, I have taken very thin sheet metal and wrapped the cords and the main pole of the stand, using duct tape (the handyman's secret weapon) to fasten it and protect the cords from being nicked by a kutzal that is still turning when I let go of it. It keeps the cords back out of my way too.