Woodworker's Journal 1994-18-6, страница 19

Woodworker s Journal Novembcr/December 1994 1<1

At present. Dremel offers three corded Moto-Tools (models 395, 285, and 275. photo 1) and two battery-operated tools, the Freewheeler and the Minimitc. (You can also buy the 395 and 275 under the Sears Craftsman label.) The corded Moto-Tools come in kit form as well (designated as 3950, 2850. and 2750, respectively), each of which includes 40 bits and accessories and a sturdy plastic carrying case. The case is worth the extra few bucks you pay for it, both to protect the tool and to provide organized storage for all the tiny bits and accessories you'll eventually acquire.

Dremel has made some significant improvements in their tools since I first started using them in the early 70s: quieter but more powerful motors, ballbearing construction, more comfortable tool bodies, variable speed control, quick-change collets, and keyless chucks, to name a few. Still, I consider them to be light-duty "hobby tools." Their small, self-contained motors simply don't develop enough torque for heavy stock removal, restricting the tools' use to detail work or the occasional small carv ing project. Of course, for their size and relatively low cost, you can't expect them to perform like the more powerful flex-shaft units.

Although I mentioned the two battery-powered Dremel tools, I don't consider them suitable for carving. They have neither the speed nor the torque to remove wood efficiently, even for most detail work. Also, they offer only 10 to 15 minutes of run time per

charge, and with their three-hour recharge time, they will spend most of their time on the charger.

If I were to use a Moto-Tool for carving, I'd pick the variable-speed model 395. It has plenty of speed (up to 30,000 rpm) for light carving and detail work, provided you use a light touch and don't try to remove too much wood at a time. Because you do most carving at the highest speed, you really don't need the variable-speed feature. Howev er, if you use Moto-Tools for other household chores as I do, it's a nice option to have.

I've heard some carvers complain that the self-contained motors on the Moto-Tools make the handpiece somewhat bulky for doing fine work. Also, excessive vibration and heat buildup make the tool uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time. In my experience, you have to stop work every 15 minutes or so to let the tool cool off: otherwise, it becomes literally too hot to handle.

In spite of these drawbacks, many-professional power carvers have cut their teeth on Dremel Moto-Tools. They offer a good, relatively inexpensive way

Photo 2: Flex-shaft tools,(left toright): Foredom Model SR(!*-lip. reversible, about $260 for kit); AMI model 5110 (1,-hp. reversible, includes variable-speed foot switch. $158): Dremel model 732 ('A hp. about S2<10 tor kit: Woodtek model 876-768 (I/4-hp. includes variable-speed foot switch, S130).

Photo I: Dremel Moto-Tools (left to right!: model 285 (2-speed, S60-S70 for kit): model 395 (variable-speed. S80-90 for kil): model 275 (single-speed, S50-6II for kit). Photo courtesy Dremel Co.

to learn the basics of power carv ing. And. when you decide to move up to a more powerful flex-shaft tool, you'll find plenty of other uses for a Dremel tool around the shop and house—cutting, polishing, grinding, sharpening, engraving, detail-sanding, and more. Dremel offers hundreds of bits and attachments as well as a drill-press stand a router base, a shaper router table, a chainsavv sharpening attachment, and a flex-shaft. Equipped with four collets ('A" to /•") and a keyless %" three-jaw chuck, the tools also accept bits and accessories from other manufacturers of up to V*" shank size.

Flex-Shaft Rotary Tools

When you're ready to take power-carving seriously, you'll probably want to invest in one of the Ilex-shaft carving tools (photo 2). No matter what type of carving you do—short of chainsavv sculpture—you'll most likely be able to find a model that suits your purposes. Rated at /.₅ to % hp, the flex-shaft motors have a lot more power than any of the motorized rotary tools just discussed. Also, because the motor connects to an independent handpiece via a flexible shaft, the handpiece vibrates less and stays cooler than a motorized rotary tool.

The flex-shaft models also accept a wider variety of bits, cutters, and accessories. Foredom leads this category.