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How to select power tools for carving

Written by Langevin Forest | Jun 11, 2019 6:06:32 PM

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).