Power carver

[k willis]

Hello,and thanks for all the info we have received.My daughter and i are trying to learn all of this together.Could someone tell me what would be the best power carver(and price is an opion)for a beginner,also the tools needed.Rememer this is all something new to us,so we will be greatfull for any and all help.Thanks and God bless,Keith

[Paul_Guraedy]

Keith, since you are just getting into power carving, I would recommend that you put off the flex-shaft until a later date. There are a variety of carving machines for you to take a look at (RAM, Mastercarver, Foredom, Optima, to name a few). Basically the price is going to start in the range of $300 +/-. You should take a look both on-line and in the WCI magazine. Some suppliers are a little cheaper than others.

You will also need a variety of bits. To start with, I would recommend a 1/8" diamond ball, a flame type tip of a little larger size, and a football shape in the same range. My first power carved eagle was carved with those three diamond bits (not because I did not have others; but, because I was following the instructor's directions) and one of the sanding mandrels that holds about 1/2" tubes. I would also stick pretty well with a single shank size. It's a pain changing collets. I now have two handpieces and keep different size collets in each.

Take a look at a Lowe's store (if you have one near you), they carry most of the bits I listed and basically in one shank size.

[k willis]

Thanks Mr Paul.When you refer to a power carver,would that be the same as a dremel or is that something else?
Thanks,Keith

[Keoma]

There are many many kinds of power carvers... Some better than most. I think starting out, a Dremel is Ideal. Its decent pricewise and gads of bits to choose from. The best thing about them is that most hardware stores carry what you need for them. Versus others that you need to travel to find or internet shop. Which is ok, if you are a late night shopper like I am I think Dremels are convenient and I love mine, I have used nothing but. I would like to try a fancy pants foredom...siiigh...but someday...but for now I am so happy with my Dremel.
Best of luck. I love to see new power carvers! Yes!

[falconer]

Keith, Welcome to the world of "power cerving"!! In my opinion, most of the machines already mentioned can be gotten cheaply on ebay. I have done this before with good results. There are two different kinds of machines for power carving. The Foredom, which I use for roughing out a carving with lower RPM's and torque then theres the more refined machines such as the RAM, NSK, Brasseler which have a 30,000-50,000 RPM to do most of the fine detail and light carving. All of these machines vary in price and then theres the "bits" it seems there are thousands to choose from. It will take some time to figure out what works best for each process you do so experiment a little. Some of the bits are a little pricey, so I would advise getting a couple of each shank size(1/8, 3/32, 1/4). I also try to buy the best quality I can afford and I prefer diamond bits cause it takes a long time for them to wear out.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Keith, i agree with Keoma, for the price a Dremel can't be beat!I bought a 395 model about 10 or so years ago at Costco that came with a flexibal shaft.I use it for lots of other stuff besides carving.I even let my husband use it sometimes.I like the carbide burrs and kutzall type burrs.If I had to pick the most useful burr for hogging out,I would choose the ball nose burr and a small cylinder and taper burr(kutzall is brand I have).The diamond ones are good for smoothing, and the sanding drums are good also.I also have a wecheer shaft with chisels and gouges I can attach to it.Dremel is good for putting the finishing touches on hand carved things too. Last year I purchased a makita die grinder for larger carvings and use bigger burrs in it.I put my work in a vise type thing when I use it because it's so powerful and takes 2 hands to keep control over it.I like buying tools that my husband and I can get the most bang for our buck out of.I also have a arbotech power chisel for big carvings and other power tools because I'm a power tool junkie now.

[scooter]

When I first read your post, I wasn't even considering the Foredoms Dremels, etc (I guess because I don't use 'em); I was thinking reciprocating [power] carvers.

WRT reciprocating carvers, get some experience carving by hand first. Over time, you'll probably find that you can remove wood by hand as quickly as with power. Then your RC becomes a dust collector...

S~

[torpidhummer]

Someone on forum cleared my mind daaa,by purchasing a micro carver from a dentist supply company. So goggled up various dental equipment and supply companies,I went bananas looking, contacted my dentist he informed me he uses the one i liked for two to three hours a day and it is very quiet and never gets hot. I liked it so purchased a 50 rpm outfit. Check out lionsdental@adelphia.net, they have a variety of micro motors,I'm not not advertising but it's amazing how the price of a micro motor goes up if they sell them for woodcarving. Yes I also have three dremels with flex shafts and they never give up,other than new brushes once a year.
Oscar

[wildhare]

If you decide on getting a power carver, I have an extra Ram model 45 power carver power unit. I bought a box of misc electronics at auction and got an extra power unit. You would need to purchase a power cord, handset and cord and whatever bits you decide you need. I am asking $70 plus shipping and I take paypal.
Right now, I use the Dremel bits since I bought a Dremel earlier. The big difference I see in Dremel vs my Ram is I used the Ram all day today and it never got hot. My Dremel did. In fact, I have burned one Dremel up carving signs out of Cedar and Oak.

If you click on wildhare, you can send me a personal message (PM) and let me know if you are interested.
Wanda