More and more carvers are using power tools. These are almost a prerequisite as they ease and accelerate the process. There are many different types and brands of power tools for every step of the carving process. Here is a sample list of mechanical devices, sorted according to the different stages of carving:
Panneling and stock removal
- Supercut Blades
4 and 4-1/2 in. circular saws for grinder.
- Arbortech Planes
2 and 4 in. one-piece circular saw, mounted on a grader. Blades: HSS, carbide, diamond, and sanding disks.
- Power Carvers
Vibrating chisels mounted on a grinder.
- Foredom (regular 1/8, reversible, deluxe and ¼ hp.)
Industrial type variable speed routers with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.
- Large Wecheer Router
Industrial type variable speed routers, with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.
General carving
- Foredom (regular 1/8, reversible, deluxe and ¼ hp.)
Industrial type variable speed routers, with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.
- Large Wecheer Router
Industrial type variable speed router with flex cable, bit set, and removable handle.
- Medium Wecheer
Medium strength two-speed power router, very durable and versatile. Can be used with vibrating chisels.
- Foredom – Medium and Large Power Carvers
Flex cable compatible with Dremel products. Changes circular motion to back and forth motion for all power carvers.
- Proxxon Power Kit
Power carver with motor mounted in the handle. Variable speed. One or three plug variable speed transformers (for three motors).
- Precision Foredom With built-in motor in handle
High quality power carver, quiet and light, reversible, variable speeds, overheat prevention safety mechanism, and quick flange grip (3/32, 1/8).
Sanding and finishing
- Small Wecheer
Mini size hand held motor, quiet and light, for sanding and finishing.
- Proxxon Mini Power Kit
Mini size hand held motor, quiet and light, for sanding and finishing. Works with Proxxon one or thee plug transformers.
- Proxxon Sanding Kit
Vibrating sanding tube. Seven different drums and self-adhesive sandpaper. Works with Proxxon one or three plug transformers.
- Kirjes Sanding Kit
Flex cable with universal chick mounted on two-plug lathe. Contains four sanding drums that are inflatable to adapt to unusual shapes on sculptures, table and chair legs, etc. (This is a new Swedish product).
Bits (Power Tools)
- Green Oxide Bit
Abrasive Stones (medium sanding: wood and metal)
- White Oxide Bits
Abrasive Stones (fine sanding: wood and metal)
- Blue Oxide Ceramcut Bit
Abrasive Stones (fine and medium sanding: wood, metal, stone, glass)
- Diamond Carver Bits
Diamond grit on steel shank (medium and fine sanding: wood, metal, stone and glass)
- Ruby Carver Bits
Ruby grit on steel shank (fine and medium sanding, slightly more aggressive than diamond tip bits: wood and stone)
- Stump Bur Bits
Steel Bits (all purpose carving: soft to medium cut in soft and medium woods)
- Carbide-tipped Bits
Carbide Bits, HSS type (all purpose carving: medium cut for soft woods, hard wood, stone and soft metals).
- Miniature Router Bits
Carbide-tipped Bits, HSS type (slots and borders: soft and hard woods)
- Typhoon Bits
Medium and Large Carbide-tipped Bits (stock removal and general carving: soft and hard woods)
- Sanding Drums and Chucks
¼ to 1-1/2 in. Sanding Drums (finishing – fine, medium and large grit)
- 3M Sanding Wheels
Flexible grinding wheels with ½ to 3 in. diameter abrasive rubber strips, mounted on chucks with stem (finishing sanding; various grits).