Rotary Tools...

Derek and Xena

Derek and Xena

Active member
Any carvers have experience with any of the cheaper rotary tools(dremel,B&D,ryobi,etc...) with a flexshaft attachment for carving? I would be using it to rough out foam blocks so I can't see spending the $ on a foredom or wecheer! I'm thinking about getting the Black&Decker RTX 3 speed 2amp($30) with a Milescraft 36" flexshaft att($20). The B&D has more power and torque than any Dremel and I think 35,000 with 2amps is more than I need to shape foam anyway! The flexshaft has a 5" bending radius before it binds and comes with 3 sets of ball bearings. What do ya'll think?
 
derek, I bought a harbor freight flex shaft 7+ years ago and its still running strong. I paid $50 dollars I think and then bought a real foredom handpeice. At that time harbor freight, grizzly and weecher were all the same units, but the HF unit was way less money than the weecher. I haven't looked recently at them so you would have to do your own research. I would suggest you buy replacement shafts and sheaths when you buy the unit. I am on my last one which may mean the end of the unit if it has changed.

Good lluck
 
Do you ever make it south here to Moscow? You could stop by and try out some of my stuff and see how it works for you.
 
Andy, the last time I was down that way was for work in Pullman about 2 years ago. Braiden (8mo. baby) has me pretty busy these days and Mason (6 years) just started basketball so I don't have much time, just a little here and there at home. Thanks so much for the offer though, sounds like fun!!!
 
I would second the Harbor Freight deal, but that said it is NOT a foredom by any means. Way noiser and more vibration, but more than gets the job done. I also have a dremel. No comparisons. Way lighter duty and does not have the "balls" to plow through the heavier material. I know you are talking foam for now....

I would also second picking up a foredom handpiece. That way you can run 1/4" shaft items. The one you get with the HF is a 3 piece jaw like on a drill that is like just above 3/8ths but will not fit the 1/4 stuff.

Having a foot pedal to run the shaft is way nicer than having it on full tilt and trying to turn it down. Just my opinion.
 
A Foredom hand piece will cost $50-60 delivered. Add that to the tool and you might as well get a Wecheer.
 
Weecher has same hand peice as my harbor freight, still bought the foredom handpeice.
 
What about a 1/4" air-powered die grinder? They are cheap under $30. Use a lot of air though. You would need a decent size compressor.

Although I don't think you need rotary power to carve foam or any other decoys. I used a compact belt sander to shape black cork bodies with great success. A big rasp should make short work of the stuff.

Use your hot wire to make 45 degree cuts on the blocks and you are half way there.
 
I think it depends on the use. I don't use mine for power carving. First off I have carved one decoy in the last 20 years and that was last month and I used almost all hand tools. These heads can't be used with the high speed units. The heads I found are rated up to 5000 rpm and the drill press will do most of that. I have only ever used it for some small details but it really bites into basswood. I can't see it being a problem with foam.
 
Derek,
When I was carving foam bodies all I used was a Sure-Foarm file. I
had a long half round and a short flat one. You will make a mess but
they work well.
John
 
Derek, when I did my first foamers last winter I used a long bladed ulity knife, the kind that the blade can be snapped off one small piece at a time. Ya can take a large chunk off or just a thin slice. NO dust mess, I did my carving in the living room over a box lined with a plastic bag & no mess!!! Finish up with sand paper(outside), coat(I restle coated) paint& rig.
Dennis
 
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