How to select power tools for carving

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:

1. Supercut Blades
   4 and 4-1/2 in. circular saws for grinder.
2. Arbortech Planes
   2 and 4 in. one-piece circular saw, mounted on a grader. Blades: HSS, carbide, diamond, and sanding disks.
3. Power Carvers
   Vibrating chisels mounted on a grinder.
4. Foredom (regular 1/8, reversible, deluxe and ¼ hp.)
   Industrial type variable speed routers with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.
5. Large Wecheer Router
   Industrial type variable speed routers, with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.

General carving:

1. Foredom (regular 1/8, reversible, deluxe and ¼ hp.)
   Industrial type variable speed routers, with flex cable, removable handle and bit set.
2. Large Wecheer Router
   Industrial type variable speed router with flex cable, bit set, and removable handle.
3. Medium Wecheer
   Medium strength two-speed power router, very durable and versatile. Can be used with vibrating chisels.
4. Foredom – Medium and Large Power Carvers
   Flex cable compatible with Dremel products. Changes circular motion to back and forth motion for all power carvers.
5. Proxxon Power Kit
   Power carver with motor mounted in the handle. Variable speed. One or three plug variable speed transformers (for three motors).
6. 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

1. Small Wecheer
   Mini size hand held motor, quiet and light, for sanding and finishing.
2. Proxxon Mini Power Kit
   Mini size hand held motor, quiet and light, for sanding and finishing. Works with Proxxon one or thee plug transformers.
3. Proxxon Sanding Kit
   Vibrating sanding tube. Seven different drums and self-adhesive sandpaper. Works with Proxxon one or three plug transformers.
4. 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)

1. Green Oxide Bit
   Abrasive Stones (medium sanding: wood and metal)
2. White Oxide Bits
   Abrasive Stones (fine sanding: wood and metal)
3. Blue Oxide Ceramcut Bit
   Abrasive Stones (fine and medium sanding: wood, metal, stone, glass)
4. Diamond Carver Bits
   Diamond grit on steel shank (medium and fine sanding: wood, metal, stone and glass)
5. Ruby Carver Bits
   Ruby grit on steel shank (fine and medium sanding, slightly more aggressive than diamond tip bits: wood and stone)
6. Stump Bur Bits
   Steel Bits (all purpose carving: soft to medium cut in soft and medium woods)
7. Carbide-tipped Bits
   Carbide Bits, HSS type (all purpose carving: medium cut for soft woods, hard wood, stone and soft metals).
8. Miniature Router Bits
   Carbide-tipped Bits, HSS type (slots and borders: soft and hard woods)
9. Typhoon Bits
   Medium and Large Carbide-tipped Bits (stock removal and general carving: soft and hard woods)
10. Sanding Drums and Chucks
    ¼ to 1-1/2 in. Sanding Drums (finishing – fine, medium and large grit)
11. 3M Sanding Wheels
    Flexible grinding wheels with ½ to 3 in. diameter abrasive rubber strips, mounted on chucks with stem (finishing sanding; various grits).