spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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New Toy
Apr 26, 2010 23:30:44 GMT -5
Post by spokanetim on Apr 26, 2010 23:30:44 GMT -5
Today I finally got my new micromotor power carver after it sat in US customs for three weeks  . Better late then never. It's one of the new brushless handpieces. It makes virtually no noise spinning at insane speed, really high torque and eats jade (with the $$ jade burs I also bought). I carved this tonight out of some good jade. Not my best work but I only spent 2 1/2 hours carving. Most the jade pendents I've carved took 2-3 times longer with the Dremal. I wanted something to show the wife for the money spent  front  back  |
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New Toy
Apr 26, 2010 23:45:24 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Apr 26, 2010 23:45:24 GMT -5
That's a nice carving job - subtle, pretty, not over-the-top. I really like the style. Nice job.
Tom
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 1:50:54 GMT -5
Post by christopherl1234 on Apr 27, 2010 1:50:54 GMT -5
That sure is nice! What kind of burrs do you use? What brand are they? Do you have to use them wet or can you use them dry?
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 8:04:26 GMT -5
Post by Roller on Apr 27, 2010 8:04:26 GMT -5
whats the price? comparison ?
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 12:25:56 GMT -5
Post by spokanetim on Apr 27, 2010 12:25:56 GMT -5
Hey Christopher, I bought a bunch of Lasco Diamond burs, I had read good things about them somewhere. I talked to one of the reps on phone and he said the large 40 and 80 grit buds were made for roughing out jade. I believe they should always be used with water, the dust is dangerous as well. They cost between $7-$9 each so they better hold up. Crossfire, I'm guessing you are wondering about the micromotor. I attached a picture. I got mine on e-bay for $450 which is very cheap for this model, probably $200 less than what it should cost. These are professional unites made for grinding dentures. The brushless handpieces are far superior to the brush ones. High speed, high torque, fast bur change, low maintenance and quiet. It's very comfortable in the hand and the foot speed control is the only way to go. This is at the lower end of the professional stuff. You can double or triple the cost for high end NSK.    |
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 14:16:31 GMT -5
Post by Bejewelme on Apr 27, 2010 14:16:31 GMT -5
WOW that is still a lot of work, but I really like the texture of this piece, jade is a bugger and you must have a lot of patience! Congrats, nothing like a new gadget to make life easier!
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 14:39:09 GMT -5
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 27, 2010 14:39:09 GMT -5
that looks like its really comfortable to carve with, gonna have to look into one for me  I got a big box of different jades that want working on! |
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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New Toy
Apr 27, 2010 21:34:10 GMT -5
Post by NDK on Apr 27, 2010 21:34:10 GMT -5
Very nice Tim. COngratulations on the new toy too.
Nate
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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New Toy
Apr 28, 2010 19:55:07 GMT -5
Post by southforkmining on Apr 28, 2010 19:55:07 GMT -5
Hi.......I have been thinking about a micro motor carver as well......I take it...that is an air compressor.....not a rotary shaft, electric motor type........please keep us updated, I am just considering starting to carve, another hard stone.......Vesuvianite.......do you have any info or links about other carvers using various other types of micro's........for comparrision and research purposes.....thanks..Rich
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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New Toy
Apr 29, 2010 1:52:58 GMT -5
Post by spokanetim on Apr 29, 2010 1:52:58 GMT -5
Hi Rich, I researched for months before I finally bought this. It's not a high speed air compressor unit or a rotary flex shaft like the Foredom.
The dental air compressor hand pieces spin around 350,000 rpm, they overcome the lack of torque with the extreme speed, they have the smallest/most comfortable handpiece and are very precise. They are perfect for teeth but have draw backs for the jade/rock carver. You can only use tiny burs at that speed so carving something larger than a tooth would take forever, you have to use a soft touch because if you slow the bur you quickly loose torque and the air compressor system is expensive and noisy.
The Foredom is a great flex shaft. It spins at 10-15,000 rpm, very high torque and many carvers use it to do there rough out work. While its great for roughing out I've read that at the slower speeds you loose control for precise carving. I also read that with long use the flex shaft really tires the hand and you have that motor next to your ear.
Micromotor handpices have the motor inside the handpiece.
The older and less expensive micromotor units ($100 - $400) have a electric brush motor. The hand piece is not sealed so you must do very regular cleaning and periodic replacing of the motor brush. They spin up to 45,000 so they are precise but the torque is not good, especially at lower speeds. These are being fazed out for the newer brushless units.
Brushless micromotors are the best of both a air compressor unit and the Fordom. They spin up to 50,000 rpm for precision and have high torque across the entire speed range. (But still the Fordom has higher torque) The handpiece is sealed so it needs little maintenance. The control box is like a little computer. It regulates the handpiece (as you carve it maintains constant speed and torque), direction (forward or reverse) and insures that you don't overload the system. It has safety features built in that will protect the unit and shut it down if you overload it. They are made to run 8 hr's a day 7 days a week. From what I've read most of the pro jade carvers are now using these. The downside of these is the price. They are the most expensive but hopefully the price will come down in a year or two. I was really lucky to find this one for $450. Most of them have a starting price of $650 up to $1500.
Hope that helps and let me know if you need more info. God know's I've read just about everything I could find on the subject.
Tim
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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New Toy
Apr 29, 2010 23:16:04 GMT -5
Post by southforkmining on Apr 29, 2010 23:16:04 GMT -5
Thanks Tim.........that is a lot of really good info.......I mostly likely will not make a purchase til late fall...need to save some money.....hopefully you will make some more posts between now and then, thanks again...your info is VERY helpful...Rich
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. Better late then never. It's one of the new brushless handpieces. It makes virtually no noise spinning at insane speed, really high torque and eats jade (with the $$ jade burs I also bought). I carved this tonight out of some good jade. Not my best work but I only spent 2 1/2 hours carving. Most the jade pendents I've carved took 2-3 times longer with the Dremal. I wanted something to show the wife for the money spent 
I got a big box of different jades that want working on!
