Need help buying powercarving tools...

[bcarvings]

Hi,
Bellow are the 3 differ foredom woodcarving kits I'm looking at to buy, and their prices are next to them.

1: $303 Foredom 1/4 HP Series H Kit
[glow=red,2,300]Includes Series H 1/4 hp motor; #44-H hanbpiece; SCH control; #442-44 (3/32'). #443-44 (1/8') and #447-77 (1/4') collects; grease; motor brushes; and HK-25 accessory kit. Accessory kit contains F-64 & F-66 Aluminum oxide points, mandrels M8, 14, 15, 16 & 20, Kutzall KB-2 and cabide tips C0-3 & TR-3[/glow]

2: $316 Fordem 1/3 HP Drive TX Series5400 [glow=red,2,300]Woodcarving Kit includes 1/3 hp, 15000 rpm TX motor, 44T handpiece with 3/32'. 1/8' and 1/4' collet, SXR heavy duty metal foot operated speed control, RX in linw reversing switch and WK50 accessory kit. Can use #8, 10, 15, 28, 30, 35, 44T and 52 handpeices.[/glow]

3: $345 Foredom 1/3 HP Drive TXH SeriesSame as 5400 [glow=red,2,300]kit above but upgrade sheath and shaft to square drive heavy duty and exchange for 44HT handpeice. Heavy duty square drive can only use 25H, 30H and 44HT handpieces. [/glow]

Isn't the 3rd Foredom worth less than the 2nd foredom because the 3rd can only use 25H, 30H and 44HT handpieces.
Also I don't understand what they mean with all those numbers, How many differ handpeices are there? How can you tell if a 25H is good? Also that square box foredom how is that better than the shaft? One last question can I buy a recipercating thing and plug it into the foredom? Do they make cheap recipercating handpeice that has no motor, and is stricly used for being plugged into a foredom?

As you can tell I know NOTHING at all about these powertools. Any help about any of the questions is GREATLY appreciated, as always!

I'm not sure if Foredom has a web site, but if you have a question abuot the hand piece numbers and what they mean, that might be a good place to look. I remember a catalog haveing descriptions and pictures - I just can't remember which one. Most likely Woodcraft.

I use the 44H without any problems (option 1). However, I rarely use it to do anything except some heavy rough out work when my hands are tired. I can rough out faster with gouges, it's just more 'work'.

The last fordom listed is the heavy duty model, and is just that. It is more difficult for me to manipulate, or move around , and for me they are too much for bird carving. My carving class just bought five Foredom Bench Top 5300 Kits, from MDI WOODCARVERS, and they are nice kits, 44T handpiece, lots of power and flexible. Lots of extras in the kit, and MDI has them on sale for $259. Shipping is free in the US, on orders over $200. www.mdiwoodcarvers.com , 1 800 866 5728. I have been using a 1/3 HP for 15 yrs, use it a lot and reccomend the Foredom to all who will listen. I have the Foredom Micro Motor also, and its unbeatable

[bcarvings]

Hi,
What are these micro motors? Can I replace them with a foredom, and just buy a micro motor hand piece to hook up to thr foredom? Thank you

[AlArchie]

B, check with

www.woodcraft.com

for a full catalog description of the foredom tools. *They also offer a WECheer micro motor (similar to a Dremel tool).

Woodcrafters also has, in the same catalog *a wecheer power carving kit for 130 bucks that has both rotary and reciprocating handpieces, a Flex Shaft reciprocating carving attachment for both Dremel and foredom for 50 bucks each, an assortment of FlexCut power carving blades, and a wide variety of Foredom handpieces with descriptions of the collet sizes for the different numbers.

There is a pneumatic micro motor handpiece, but you will need a compressor to operate that.

If there are as many power carvers in your club as you say, check with them to get a hands on feel for the different brands. *If they won't let you touch their tools (that is not unreasonable, by the way) *at least talk to them about their favorites, and why they like them or dislike the others. *Beyond that, I'd send for some catalogs and browse through them for a while before making a purchase.

I believe you will also find these tools at

www.leevalley.com

and

www.rockler.com

or

www.woodcarverssupply.com


and probably a dozen other catalog outfits. Check not only prices but shipping costs.....they vary a lot. *If there is a major carving show in your area (craft shows too) check there and they will have vendors with models you can actually try out.... and NO shipping!

If you ask, these outfits on line, for a catalog, they will send you one for free. Then you can browse through at your leisure and help decide which way to go.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Do a google search for 'foredom' tools....lots of sites!

[Donna_T]

Hello bcarvings,
You asked about the difference between FOredoms and Micro-carvers, and the best I can tell you is to explain that I use my old Foredom to hog/rough out a carving when I want to move lots of wood. I usually use knives and gouges to take it to where I want it next. Then, when I get down to detail, especially on fish and birds and some animals, I switch to a micro-carver for fine detail where I want to control the speed and accuracy of what I'm doing.

If you're a guy, generally the larger handpieces are favored. Us 'women with knives' usually prefer the smaller handpieces because they are more comfortable and allow us more control. The micro-carver is much quieter, too, with smaller handpieces so you can do 'micro' details. So finding a handpiece that works for you is critical. Some Foredoms allow you to change handpieces.

So....it depends what you want to use power on as to what you should get. Most of us can't afford one of each right off the bat, so we start with one, add another one when we can or when Santa listens to us, and so on. Heck, you know how guys add tools...'what this ole thing?....I've had it in the garage FOREVER!'
Donna T

[BasketballJones]

bcarvings, I too would love a foredom. A dremel is a good inexpensive alternative as is the rotozip. The craftsman roto tool is made by dremel and Sears Cutting Tool is made by Bosch (I believe they make rotozips). I mention the Craftsman series because they are frequently a sale item often 20 bucks of retail which can be picked up when on sale for under $60.

[willhayden33]

There are a lot of power tools out there now for a lot cheaper prices than that..
Save your money for an NSK if you really want to carve birds
I have three Foredoms...but only use them for the BIG bits and the heavy carving and sanding ... Dremel will not make you happy..
write me if you have any questions..
33 years of carving..are working at it anyway
www.willhayden.com