"Tools of the trade" for carving

[alpineart]

Hi Guys and Gals , these are a few of the trade tools i use for carving Bonsai . While not every one agrees with my methods , there is "method in my madness" . As a retired Carpenter/Chippy by trade i utilize every tool for many purposes .

100_5584.jpg

100_5586.jpg

100_5585.jpg

This is the extent of my Bonsai tools excluding a few bits and cutters ."Note" the safety equipment ,goggles , masks , earmuffs etc etc are not pictured BUT always used with these tools without exception. Cheers and happy carving .Alpineart

[Josh7]

Mad Max of Bonsai?
Great stuff Alpine. You ex chippies have all the know-how when it comes to tools!

[alpineart]

Mad Max of Bonsai?
Great stuff Alpine. You ex chippies have all the know-how when it comes to tools!

Hi Josh , Ian it is , Max is my brother ,the bugger is madder than me but doesn't hack and chop trees.Cheers Alpine

[Jamie]

thats a great idea with the router alpine, it would open up a lot of choice with the selection of larger bits and quicker wood removal


having the right tools for the job is essential in any trade

jamie

[Bretts]

Reminds me alot of my carving arsenal but I am missing the chainsaw and RECIPROCATING saw. I started using a router trimmer some years ago and can't remember what inspired me to buy it except like you it was alot cheaper than a die grinder. I am very glad I did get it as it does a great job and it comes in handy for lots of odd jobs around the house as well, like making stands . But I have had a samuri here for a couple of years now and have not been able to use it as the router trimmer is way to fast for it. Been trying to budget in a variable speed die grinder for a while.
I also used the angle grinder with saw blade for years being a welder I am comfortable with angle grinders but the saw blade in wood worried me. I figured it was only a matter of time before the grinder kicked back the wrong way and that blade ended up in my gut. I would recommend the arbotech as a much better option. It is made to carve sideways and not just cut. I still use the saw blades occasionally and say they have their place especially since I don't have a RECIPROCATING saw but can't remember using them on a tree since I have had the arbotech.
Thanks for showing Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi Jamie , better off spending a couple of hundred dollars on cutters to wear a $60 machine out especially when it has a 3 year replacement warranty . Cheers Alpine

[Jamie]

to right there mate, you could burn out as many grinders etc. as you like with a 3 year warantee and just keep getting them replaced as needed, its the quality of the cutters that are of importance

have you seen the arbotech 4 inch blade with i think 3 replaceable burrs? i seen shans and thought to myself that it looked the goods and his carving showed it too.

jamie

[Bretts]

Hey I just noticed your router is variable speed. Looked up the figures (only found 850 watt) and the variable is 11,500 - 32,000RPM. The samuri is rated at 14 000 so that would be perfect. although I still have the issue of 6.35mm collet and 6mm shaft on the samuri. Good die grinders have both collets. I know I can sleeve the shaft but I am not keen on that

[alpineart]

Reminds me alot of my carving arsenal but I am missing the chainsaw and RECIPROCATING saw. I started using a router trimmer some years ago and can't remember what inspired me to buy it except like you it was alot cheaper than a die grinder. I am very glad I did get it as it does a great job and it comes in handy for lots of odd jobs around the house as well, like making stands . But I have had a samuri here for a couple of years now and have not been able to use it as the router trimmer is way to fast for it. Been trying to budget in a variable speed die grinder for a while.
I also used the angle grinder with saw blade for years being a welder I am comfortable with angle grinders but the saw blade in wood worried me. I figured it was only a matter of time before the grinder kicked back the wrong way and that blade ended up in my gut. I would recommend the arbotech as a much better option. It is made to carve sideways and not just cut. I still use the saw blades occasionally and say they have their place especially since I don't have a RECIPROCATING saw but can't remember using them on a tree since I have had the arbotech.
Thanks for showing Alpine

Hi Bretts, variable speed is a must with any carver in timber . I have a couple of routers but like you say they are single speed and make for a dangerous weapon .This budget router is a good thing and with the base easily removed {1 lock nut } a handle from most drills fits like a factory mod. My thoughts of the arbortec was the same as yours about blades .It is much smoother with 3 blades than 1 as it planes rather than cuts.

The recipro saw tends to shake the trees so its limited in its use , however they very good for removing aged trees from the ground .Simply run around the base to severe the main anchor roots then dig underneath and severe the tap root ..Thats where the chainsaw comes into its own for trunk slicing ,major removal of excess material , even smaller 50-80mm trunks are disturbed less if you want to slice down vertically . I dont like the idea of spending hours carving that why i use what i have . Plan , instigate then mutilate then trim to suit .Cheers Alpine

[bonsai4life]

Thanks for the info Ian.....I've been thinking bout getting a die grinder but you've converted me to the small router

as always very informative posts mate

Cheers Gott

[alpineart]

to right there mate, you could burn out as many grinders etc. as you like with a 3 year warantee and just keep getting them replaced as needed, its the quality of the cutters that are of importance

have you seen the arbotech 4 inch blade with i think 3 replaceable burrs? i seen shans and thought to myself that it looked the goods and his carving showed it too.

jamie

Hi Jamie the machine will handle what i can throw at it and yes the cutters are the most important item .Love the warrantee .I have seen the abortec cutters ,havn't had the pleasure of using one .Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

The tool I most use with the router is what I would call a flat blade router bit. Seems ok at the 30 000 I use it at, but those blades would make a mess commimg of at that speed and I have lost a blade before! What speed do you use the router at for this application?
If I had the option I would definatly go for the variable spped. Not sure I need another router now though Have to bite the bullet and get a good variable speed die grinder I think.

[alpineart]

[quote="Bretts"]Hey I just noticed your router is variable speed. Looked up the figures (only found 850 watt) and the variable is 11,500 - 32,000RPM. The samuri is rated at 14 000 so that would be perfect. although I still have the issue of 6.35mm collet and 6mm shaft on the samuri. Good die grinders have both collets. I know I can sleeve the shaft but I am not keen on that [/quote

Hi Bretts ,
Model number
PRG-621V
650WATTS
11500- 32000 variable speed
1/4- 6.35MM AND 8MM COLLETS which is standard for most smaller routers . I have the router bits to suit .A mate can machine anything to size and make any cutter i require .He machined all the components to restore my Triumph .Most certainly wouldn't be sleeving cutters .Cheers

[alpineart]

Thanks for the info Ian.....I've been thinking bout getting a die grinder but you've converted me to the small router

as always very informative posts mate

Cheers Gott

Hi Gott , cheers mate just make sure the cutters are designed to suit the router. Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

The tool I most use with the router is what I would call a flat blade router bit. Seems ok at the 30 000 I use it at, but those blades would make a mess commimg of at that speed and I have lost a blade before! What speed do you use the router at for this application?
If I had the option I would definatly go for the variable spped. Not sure I need another router now though Have to bite the bullet and get a good variable speed die grinder I think.

Hi Bretts i operate on the low to medium variable speed .Yep i have had a few cutters spit out before and teeth fly off blades as well .The die grinders i looked at were Metabo and Makita but at $380 & $426 couldn't justify that expense for carving Bonsai .Spade cutters or blade cutters are good but you cant push cheaper high speed steel 6mm cutters like the 6mm tungsten cutter , as the tend to shear off as the over heat .Cheers Alpine