[jeff2037]

I am new to woodcarving (like for a week) and am using hand tools. My question is are there power chisels and gouges? I guess they would be reciprocating. I'm not interested in rotary because of the dust and the condition of my upper respiratory tract.

How well do power chisels work? What brand or make do you power carvers recommend? Is there a resource publication on this subject that I haven't found?

Thanks in advance for your answers. It's been fun and inspiring just perusing this site.

Jeff in Indiana

[achaundy]

Jeff
I'm new to carving also, I was looking at the Foredom with the recipicating hand piece, looks pretty good. I understand they are a very good power tool.

[DiamondWillow]

The recip tool I use is a Wecheer on a Foredom and it has stood up pretty well, I am sure the Foredom one will also. It does get a little warm on the back side after using it for awhile, but I am running it pretty hard on some Mesquite and Juniper wood and it is all burl, so the grain is running all directions so it works pretty hard. The Wecheer is cheaper but probably will not last as long as the Foredom recip.... Only my opinion though, I have had the Wecheer for probably about a year now.

Gene

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have a ryobi recipro carver...and use flexcut blades...don't care a lot for it, as I dinged a blade ....maybe make ones own blades with a little more beef to them? So now I just use the flexcut blades in a holder as palm tools. Don't think the make the ryobi anymore?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Jeff, I am more of a power carver than hand carver and would normally recommend one of the rotary type carvers (flex-shaft or micro). But, I agree that you should be avoiding dust.

I use a reciprocating carver (Automach) along with my other power tools. There are several types available and, once again, you generally get what you pay for as far as brand is concerned. The major complaint most folks have is that they all seem to get hot under continued use.

However, you may want to consider trying full size (mallet) hand tools before you go for a reciprocating carver. The power is great for removing material and works well on large or general features. I don't like them for carving in detail and will go either rotary or hand tool when I get to that point. You may find that you can do just as well with a mallet and put the money into more full size tools.

[jeff2037]

Thanks to all of you. I may try Paul's idea of mallet/larger tools first. There's just something about using the hand tools I really enjoy.

[Buz]

? Any one can give a guess what a Gesswien Powerhand Model#UP211 is worst. Seem well looked after and care for. Thanks, Buz. I am new to power carving or at least I'm going to try it.

[skiptamm]

I am starting to use an AutoMach 30. can someone suggest the best technique to clean and replace grease? Also what isthe best grease to use?

Thanks in advance.

Skip

[MelNM]

I have a Proxxon power carver. I use it mainly to rough out cotton wood bark. It works well for that and some light carving. My major problem with it is that it can't handle heavy duty carving. But for bark and light carving it works good.

Does anyone have the flexcut recoprocating tool, curious to know how it works.
Mel

[HadACall55]

Hey Mel NM I have two of the proxxon , one to use when the other is in the shop . For the money tho 's thong are not much. I have a flex cut reciprocating tool an love it . But love my hand tools an use them more than any thing . Just don't jump to fast before you try a bigger mallet . then see how thing go . BOB