power carver options

jstive · #1 05-20-2007, 07:49 PM

I was wondering if you great people out there who are experienced with power carvers, could give me some advice on which one to buy? I have looked at foredom and weecher with the latter being less expensive. It seems to get good reviews though. I guess what I want to know is which is better? I want to try my hand at power carving and have no expierence in this area at all. If I am going to spend the money I want to make the right descision on the equipment. I would also like info on the different style hand pieces that you can get and the recepicating (sp) chisel. I heard that the weecher blades are not very good for their chisel so I would probably get a different one. Any advise you people can give me would be great. I know that I also need dust removal and am debating weather to buy one or make one as I am a liscensed HVAC contractor and I feel I could make a dust collection system out of an old furnace. Just change it to an air handler only and bend a collection box and run it through the return air side of the old furnace. I know I can come up with a decent design for this so I will try. Thanks for all the good advise you people give on these forums. I hope someday I can return the favor. Take Care. Jim Stiver

squbrigg · #2 05-21-2007, 07:11 AM

I have a Foredom and have had it for several years now. I find it very reliable and well worth the money. I have heard less flattering reports on the Wecheer, but have no direct knowledge. You get what you pay for.

I have three handpieces for the Foredom, no make that four, and use the #8 and #28 most of the time. Have used the #44 but not as often. Have the #50 for recriprocating chizels, but not used it yet. Have two sets of Flexcut blades for it too, as they are the superior blades for them.

As for dust collection, I use the Raizair unit and it works simple and well.

Burrs are the key! Get lots of grits and shapes, you'll need them if you do any serious power carving. Typhoon carbide burrs, Kutzall's too, a full selection of Red/Brown extra coarse....then blue, coarse, then silver medium fine, and then gold for fine ............. then diamond and Ruby burrs for detail.

Good luck,

Bob

Doug Ridley · #3 05-21-2007, 07:22 AM

Foredom is the standard among flexshaft machines. Mastercarver is a good machine, too. I won't say anything about Wecheer. I have a Foredom which I have been using almost every day for over 25 years with NO problems. As said before, you get what you pay for.

"If you want first quality oats you must pay the price. If you are willing to settle for oats that have already been run through the horse, they come a lot cheaper."

Alodo · #4 05-22-2007, 10:58 PM

I am very new to power carving and have no equipment at all. What I have been using to carve is a Sears All-in-One cutter with a flexible shaft. For me, because I don't know what I am doing yet it works. What does the Foredom do that I am missing out on?(I'm sure it is alot)

Donna_T · #5 05-22-2007, 11:03 PM

Good advice already given, but I'd add "ditto" to their opinions. Buy the best you can afford to buy the first time. I started with a Dremel--still use it from time to time, but then moved up to a Foredom (bought it used, replaced the handpiece, added a foot control, and never looked back!) I've used a Weecher and found it ok for some detailing, but it lacked the power that the Foredom has.

The handpieces need to fit the size of your hand and the kind of power carving you'll do. Generally, the more detail you're working on--the smaller the handpiece. You really need to hold them and see which feels good in your hand and gives you the best control.

Donna T

Doug Ridley · #6 05-23-2007, 06:18 AM

What does the Foredom do that I am missing out on?(I'm sure it is alot)[/quote]

You are correct. It does a lot. But keep in mind that the $250.00 or so that you spend on the Foredom is just the tip of the iceberg. You will eventually wind up spending at least that much on bits and burs if you get to doing any serious carving.
Doug

susieq · #7 05-29-2007, 12:25 AM

Speaking from my own personal experience the Dremel flexshaft kit is a reasonably inexpensive way to find out if power carving is for you or not without spending a fortune. For under $100 you will have a power carver that has higher rpms than the Foredom flexshaft unit. It will handle the 3/32 and 1/8 size bits, it can be put on a foot pedal (both of mine are) and you will know when you have worked with it for a while, if power carving is for you or not. You will have to invest in some bits no matter which power carver you buy.

I power carved with a Dremel for a year or so before deciding to spend the $ on a Foredom. At that point, having the two carvers was a bonus because I could leave the large handpiece with the 1/4" collet on the Foredom and the smaller collets on the Dremel. (changing collets is a royal pain and a distraction from carving....) You will also become addicted to the higher rpms of the Dremel which will cause you to eventually buy a micro motor for detailing......

In the event that power carving is not for you, you have not sunk a small fortune in equipment..... Good luck working out what is best for you.
susieq

Mitchell · #8 05-29-2007, 10:32 AM

I have used a variety of power tools in the past.

Burnt up a few Dremels. My Foredom is great for rotary uses and have not had any problems other than having to replace a shaft. I also have a Proxxon rotary tool that I like to use because of the highly flexible shaft. I use a Ryobi reciprocating tool with flexcut gouges for some rough out purposes. It's held up relatively well but heats up quick and seems to have lost some of it's power.

While I have used those above, I use them very infrequently.....prefering hand tools which I find I can use to remove wood quicker than with power. The power does allow me to carve longer as I don't get as tired. I prefer the reciprocating over the grinding.

I hear good things about the Flexcut RPC unit, but have not used it. It's a bit pricy, but has a strong motor.

Nancy-ID · #9 05-29-2007, 11:36 AM

I too have a Foredom and I think it is a quality machine. My brother-in-law has the WeCheer and loves it, BUT, he hasn't had it very long so how it will stand up I can't say. He is very hard on his tools so if it does hang in there for him over time then I would have to give it an A+. As for reciprocating handpieces, I bought the WeCheer because it was cheaper and fits the Foredom. I wasn't real sure I would use one much so that is why I bought the cheaper one. It works great and I do use it a lot and hard.! The chisels and gouges that came with it are good steel, hold and edge well, sharpen easily. I have one gouge that is Flexcut, it seems to always be dull. All my knives are Flexcut and they are great so I'm not knocking Flexcut, just my experience with the two brands for the reciprocating handpiece.