Rotary tool (for carving)

[cre8ivbonsai]

I'm starting to think about purchasing a new Rotary tool to learn carving techniques ... I've seen the range of 'Dremel' branded devises, and I do like the look of the small cordless version, however the price is a bit hard to justify. So for those with experience in carving I pose the following questions ...
1. Is Dremel a quality brand - do you get what you pay for? Do they last?
2. I found this at Jaycar http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... rm=KEYWORD , any good?, or just as likely to fall apart and lead me to buy a Dremel in the end anyway?
3. Any other suggestions? (unless there's a real online bargain, I'd prefer to buy from a retail shop, just incase of warranty issues)

Thanks, Ryan

[Gerard]

I have owned 2 cordless dremmel units.
After a few years the battery fails to hold its charge. They changed the style of battery, I spent a long time looking for a suitable one with no luck.
Then I purchased a corded one which lasted for a very short time (maybe 2 hours operating time)(I lost the reciept)
I purchased another last year but made sure I got the one with a five year warranty.

Perhaps cheap ones would be equal quality.

[emilysoft11]

the same to u.
Then I purchased continuously and very using of short time(probably operate time for 2 hours) Suo son to tie～u firm of(I lost reciept)
I purchased for another last year but make sure that I get this with a five years of guarantee.

[PaulC]

Hi Ryan,

seems to me that the unit from Jaycar may have some merit.

For my thoughts, you do say your looking at trying some carving, and this may be a good tool to try your hand at things.

I suppose the question might be, what are you trying to carve, and how much will you be carving ?

If your doing large amounts and something of a hard timber( Olive for example ), it may not be the ideal tool.

The price seems for my way of looking, very resonable, but are the bits available for replacment ?

If so, I am considering getting one of these units myself, I have a store locally so may have a look.

If your not doing carving on plants, it may still be a handy tool for carving diaza for suiseki, or decrocative areas for display stands.

I do like the idea of the flexible shaft, as it can get into areas that other tools may struggle to reach.

If I get one, I will let you know what I think.

Regards,


Paul

[Terry]

I have a similar tool, (Taurus brand) that I purchased from Aldi two and 1/2 years ago and it is still going strong. I use it with dremel bits purchased from mytoolstore.com (about $9 ea) or Bunnings ($10- $30ea). The only ones I have replaced is the wire brush. I have used the Tarus for 20 - 30mins non stop without a problem. Just lube the shaft after each use.

[de_keizer]

you may want to go to bunnings and see what they have got. i bought a rotary tool from them there ozito brand and i broke the flexible shaft in 5 days(i think it got too hot) only cost $40 it has 3 years replacement warranty so im on my second one now, if i break this on again i might upgrade to the (i think it is) ryobi one they sell which is $100. my only other piece if advice is never buy the cheap $20 cordless ones they sell as they have no balls

[Dumper]

if u wan a rotary tool that last forever.

get foredom.
it will cost at $499 at carbatec
it comes with foot speed pedal, flexible shaft and a handpiece that fit 0mmto 4mm burrs

and if u wan to use burrs with 6mm. u will need to get another handpiece that cost $109 in retail

this product is a heavy duty rotary tool. it last forever. even dremel break down.

the rpm for foredom is around 20000rpm. where as dremel can go up to 30000mm

but so. i never use dremel at it high speed because the handpiece can get too hot.

for the foredom rotary too. u can get a generic brand or a cheaper brand. Acher is one of the cheaper brand. work as good as foredom.

im currently using a generic brand and i am happy with the result.

[Dumper]

here's a pic of it

[Dumper]

Foredom
http://www.carbatec.com.au/foredom-prof ... der_c13430
(if buy in ebay. watch out for voltage. Usually in ebay it comes with 120v. but in australia we are using 240v.
Foredom with 240v has the red label. except for the older foredom where it was modded to 240v)

acher brand
http://www.carbatec.com.au/archer-power ... kit_c13150

the one im using is from ebay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rotary-Machi ... 1c1b27f948

u can ask the seller for the extra handpiece for another extra $50 something like that

[BonsaiPanda]

Hi Ryan,
I did some carving with the Ozito rotary tool from Bunnings. It is ok for the fine work and detail, it comes with 3 yr warranty for home use. I have used mine quite a bit and have no problems , but I do oil the shaft regularly. The other carving tool which I am about to purchase is a power carving attachment for a 100mm grinder, it appears very robust and will carve out the biggest trunks with ease:http://www.carbatec.com.au/arbortech-mini-carver_c13090. This looks like the tool to me for all carving needs, and leave the other tools for the fine work.

Regards Panda.

[kcpoole]

I have a dremel for the finer stuff, and also a Carbortech - wood carver pro ( the 4") on from arbortech and it works great.

Ken

[rawhide]

I have a compressor and use a pneumatic die grinder it fits in the palm of your hand fits 1/8 and 1/4 bits and thou i havent used it a lot on bonsai only 2 or three trees i have had it for many years grinding stainless steel and deburring and dressing dodgy welds no batteries no electric motors to burn out

[Lionel]

Paul/Ryan,

I have purchased one of these and it is not short of bits. There are also extra bits if that is not enough. Link below. As I had posted in another thread, it looks very similar to that offered on kaizen bonsai just different brand(from the same factory in china most likely).

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults ... SUBMIT.y=0

[Handy Mick]

I just use a Ryobi, works great.

Mick

[Tony Bebb]

Hi Ryan

Lots of answers and all good. The best point is what do you want to do. I have had a corded adjustable speed Dremel for many years and it is a good unit when used for the right job. It is a finishing/refinement tool and is great for this on trees and also suiseki daiza. Also has many attachments for different uses. The Foredam is also a great tool and Dremel also have a version of this.

If you want a little heavier carving you cannot go past the Arbortech range with the Industrial and Mini Carvers. Made in Australia and fit 100mm grinders and remove and create timber with ease. You will still want a detail carver for fine detail, and as such the Dremel or similar is the best place to start to have some fun and learn on smaller material.

These days I have a Dremel, 2 grinders with the Industrial and Mini Arbortech Carvers fitted and a die grinder with various attachments for use at home and also for portable use, and a bench grinder unit with a flexible shaft for home use only that takes a range of bits for tree or daiza carving.

You get what you pay for and it depends on the amount of use as to what the unit will stand up to. If you want to play get anything you can afford and start. If you want to get serious after that you can always upgrade. Most of all enjoy yourself, carving is fun.

Best Regards

Tony