[Woodcarver] Fwd: Reciprocating carver...

[dick carter]

>>   
>>I am looking for some recommendations from those of you who use these 
>>carvers.  From what I have read it seems to come down to three, the 
>>Automach, mastercarver recipro-carver and the Prozzon but would appreciate 
>>comments on any other that you think will work, pros and cons.

I've had/used all of these reciprocating carvers plus the Ryobi. FWIW My 
first choice would be
the Automach. You can use it one hand, but it's much more comfortable/safer 
with two hands.
The Proxxon can easily be used with one hand and is a bit lighter in weight. 
Both can be used
for long periods of time without heating up.
The Mastercarver (with flex shaft) does a decent job but, heats-up fast to 
the point where you just don't want to hold it anymore. I'd reather be 
carving than waiting for it to cool down.
I use Flexcut chisels on all. FWIW

>> 
>>While I am asking questions, has anyone had experience with the 4" Kutzall 
>>Extreme wheels?  The idea intrigues me but I would think they would be a 
>>little too big for the carving I do.
>>

While the recip carvers can be used indoors, the Kutzall wheels are 
definately to be used
either outside or with a dust collection system larger than the one I have. 
Kutzall provides a good
variety in wheel shapes (Concave & convex) that fit into a standard 4½ angle 
grinder without any adaptors.

You say that you like to do small carvings that you can hold in one hand... 
using the extreme Kutzall wheels would not be my choice of the safest way to 
go. 
FWIW


Dick Carter
>From the Manadnock area of NH
rhc511 at hotmail.com
Please check-out my stuff at:
http://www.picturetrail.com/cartersstuff

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