using Mastercarver or Foredom recipro. handpiece

[retiredguy]

Hello all,
I have read many threads about Arbotech and recipro handpieces but they seem to be older. Does anyone use the MasterCarver or Foredom handpieces for a piece from start to finish. I would like to use it on woodspirits, general relief carving and walking sticks. I sold my hand tools and need to go power because of RA(Rhematoid Arthritis). I would prefer to use the recipro carvers rather than rotary and the Automach is not an option. I want a "systerm" where I can change handpieces and spend only once. I ca'nt do as much as I did with RA but I still want to carve.
I guess my simpler question is this...can a reciprocarver take a piece from start to finish with a little help from the rotary carver.
thanks for any help I may receive
retiredguy AKA Jim

[Inadv]

Jim,

I have and regularly use the MasterCarver recipro. It is a great tool for roughing and waste removal, saving a lot of time and energy. That said, I think you will have a large learning curve if not a nearly impossible one using it for fine details. Tight curves and precise material removal is/are extremely difficult to accomplish. That is where you'll have to rely on the rotary side of things. That's my take on your question. Hope it helps

L.P.

[susieq]

Using a reciprocating handpiece is great for roughing out.... But Inadv is right, those handpieces are connected to a shaft that shouldn't be kinked or have a tight curve put into it while running, plus the lack of freedom of movement, can really make it awkward for you when you get ready to be more precise in your carving.

The unit made by Proxon, that is similar to the Automach, might be a partial solution....it's a lot cheaper than the Automach but there is probably a reason for that. With your RA, you probably cannot do the roughing out with hand gouges but if you got all the heavy work done with a reciprocating gouge, would you be able to do the fine finish work with the hand tools?

There are also some good rotary bits that leave a smooth gouge-like finish on the wood....some good carbides..... where there is a will, there is a way.....don't give up.

[retiredguy]

Thanks susieQ and Inadv....can the Automach be used for the complete carving? I can grip something pretty well, but the pushing with the handtools is the painful part and using a mallet is out. . I carved for about 12 years and sold most of my larger gouges and hand tools. I kept the smaller ones for detailing, which I can do in spurts. Detailing such as hair, eyes, small things is fine.
thanks again.

[susieq]

I am not sure if you could do the whole thing with the Automach or not.... maybe with practice. You can get a large selection of blades to go on it. The Flexcut blades need little brass adapters to go over them before you insert them into the Automach. They sharpen the same way any gouge would sharpen.... But as to whether or not you could, or would even want to use it for the finish work, I truly can't say. There is some vibration (and it's terribly noisey, I wear ear protection) If you have a good vise that will reposition the carving for you easily... and your determination was pretty high, you might do it. But to spend that kind of $ when you are not sure... I don't know about that.

I like mine a lot. I use it during the second half of the roughing out process, when I need more control than a recip handpiece connected to a shaft, will give me... It might get you close enough to where you want to be, to use your little gouges. I would suggest finding out what the return policy is on it where you'd be making the purchase. Then try it out good and make the decision.

I don't have a problem using rotary tools. Have been mostly a power carver for a few years now and for really fine details, it's hard to beat power...... I'm also glad that I learned power because now my hands are arthritic and the power helps a lot. I don't think anyone can answer your questions but you....after you've had a chance to actually use an Automach.

[retiredguy]

Thanks again to both of you for the insights into recipro carving. Woodcarvers supply has a good policy. It can be returned if it is in new condition. I will just buy a Flexcut blade and use that so the others will be new. Having this RA will be a challenge for sure.
thanks again
Jim

[Dileon]

A few of us that have severe hand problems, mine are bone on bone with leaky bone fluids and exposed bone nerves that leave me howling like a werewolf at night. Plus a nerve issue that cause my hand to shake a little. I have the proxxon recipro carver. I use it a lot in the beginning of carving.... but I have found it is not about pushing, it is about change positions often. there are zero of one method that I can use for any length and time. I am starting to make my own knifes and palm chisels, they are twice the size of a normal handle....I use my pink finger and ring finger to grip and the middle and index and thumb all super damage to just hold in place, no pressure on these fingers. I straighten my wrist and I use the arm muscle push and pull the tool. There are a few who are in worst shape then I am, we all carve. My neighbor has RA he is a master craftsman.....he continues to make furniture and turn the finest bowls I have ever seen. We are slow, but we continue to do the work, in spite of bad days ....lately I have had alot. I know it is hard on you, but there is support here on the board.

[Sharon of the Dell]

I have the little proxxon reciprocating thing and it worked great at first, but it sure didn't last long. I was disappointed with it. I need to see if i can get it working right again.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by retiredguy

Hello all,
I have read many threads about Arbotech and recipro handpieces but they seem to be older. Does anyone use the MasterCarver or Foredom handpieces for a piece from start to finish. I would like to use it on woodspirits, general relief carving and walking sticks. I sold my hand tools and need to go power because of RA(Rhematoid Arthritis). I would prefer to use the recipro carvers rather than rotary and the Automach is not an option. I want a "systerm" where I can change handpieces and spend only once. I ca'nt do as much as I did with RA but I still want to carve.
I guess my simpler question is this...can a reciprocarver take a piece from start to finish with a little help from the rotary carver.
thanks for any help I may receive
retiredguy AKA Jim

I use my Master Carver to rough out the carving, then finish up with my trusty knives.

[torpidhummer]

I have had a Proxxon unit for over ten years and it still works fine,the only complaint if any is that the unit gets a little to hot,but using a glove resolved the problem.If Proxxon has eliminated this problem with the newer models I would recommend it,if not I would be more ifffiy in recommending it.
Oscar