Mastercarver tools

Did a search and came up empty. Anybody have experience with these tools. They get good reviews on woodworking forums. I'm getting ready to buy a decent set of tools these came up along with Flex Cut.

http://www.mastercarver.com/20-tool-sculpture-set-roll/

Thanks, tom

I'm a rank amateur but have used flex-steel and like them. Can't comment on price. You might want to check around to see if they can be found a a lower price.

i meant flexcut

I've never heard of them, but they're made in China with Chinese steel, so that tells you a lot.

IMO, you don't need 20 chisels. I own ten, and only use 4 or 5 regularly. I would take that $200 and buy a few known-quality pieces.

I'd have to agree with 4WD on those Chinese ones. All I've ever really needed was the combo of the Flexcut starters set and Sculptor's mallet set. Those two would probably run around $300 or less.

Or, go all in and grab one of these:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003004/27388/pfeil-Swiss-made-Brienz-Collection-Full-Size-Carving-Tool-Set-25-piece.aspx

that's what I'm saving up for.

Buzzy Out!

Thanks for the advice. Ordered these from Amazon for $140.

http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/store/p/4831-FLEXCUT-POWER-HANDLE-SET-9-PC-DELUXE-LH100.html

good tools ain't cheap,

and cheap tools ain't good....

Don't forget this once you've got the tools. No wood is harder than a sharp chisel!

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2020262/42616/tormek-t7-ultimate-kit.aspx

On 2013-10-05 18:31, captdirt wrote:
Thanks for the advice. Ordered these from Amazon for $140.

http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/store/p/4831-FLEXCUT-POWER-HANDLE-SET-9-PC-DELUXE-LH100.html

Will those hold up to a mallet? I was wondering about which set to get - the one above or this mallet starter kit:

http://amzn.com/B001UYUVQ8

Any input?

Cheers!

I've been beating on my flexcuts for a couple years now & haven't broken one...

and from what I understand, if you DO break one, they'll send you a free replacement with no questions asked,,,

On 2013-10-07 09:26, DHTiki wrote:

On 2013-10-05 18:31, captdirt wrote:
Thanks for the advice. Ordered these from Amazon for $140.

http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/store/p/4831-FLEXCUT-POWER-HANDLE-SET-9-PC-DELUXE-LH100.html

Will those hold up to a mallet? I was wondering about which set to get - the one above or this mallet starter kit:

http://amzn.com/B001UYUVQ8

Any input?

Cheers!

Good question. I'm not sure on that. The "sculptors" set should hold up to a mallet. These "power handle" ones might. The normal flex cut chisels WONT. The blade will break off at the handle. The blade is much skinnier right where it goes into the handle. I've broken two #3 gouges so far. I made my own handle for the part that snapped off and that one never broke again.

I've broken 2 from the Flexcut sculptors set, and had no issues with getting replacements. Their CS is quick and helpful. However - I do feel the need to upgrade. Someday I'll get the set that Buzzy showed!

[ Edited by: AlohaStation 2013-10-07 11:05 ]

yeah, no shit... that set of Pfeils is pure TIKI CARVER PORN!!!

Lol...

Flexcut website says the power handles will stand "light mallet work". I imagine that is open to interpretation. They gotta be way better than the junk I have now. Just gotta learn which one to use where.

I lot will depend on what type of wood you are carving. If you are carving seasoned hardwood, your chisels and mallet will both take a pounding. (not to mention your shoulder). tools designed for "light mallet work" are not going to hold up. As Aloha mentioned, better learn to sharpen your tools. That helps.

On 2013-10-07 17:19, amate wrote:
I lot will depend on what type of wood you are carving. If you are carving seasoned hardwood, your chisels and mallet will both take a pounding. (not to mention your shoulder). tools designed for "light mallet work" are not going to hold up. As Aloha mentioned, better learn to sharpen your tools. That helps.

Allen, good point! The funny thing is I broke my flexcut gouge on pine!! LOL

So the mallet set looks beefier and stronger, but the power handle set has MORE TOOLS!!

It's a quandary. I need to figure out which one to put on my Christmas list. I'm pretty sure I can't rationalize both (or the 10 piece mallet set) to my wife...

Flexcut should offer a 'build your own' set where you get, say, six mallet gouges, but you get to pick out which six you want...

I like that build your own set idea. I wonder if the only difference between the mallet tools and power handle sets is the handle? The blades look very similar. My power handle set will be here first of the week and maybe I'll order a mallet tool not in the set to compare.

I would get the set Buzzy recommended and add to it as you see fit. The chinese set is actually pretty good steel but more fragile than the flexcuts. You uesd to be able to buy these in the set without handles for 99$ for that big set but they came un sharpened so you had to grind them down and sharpen and hone them to a polished edge,,, TOO Much work. The other thing about them that was irritating was the fact that the set contains "Typically" these 20 pieces but they may vary from one set to another so you never know what you will get. So for $200 you get this set which has maybe these chisels and you won't know what you bought until it shows up at your door.
Stay with the Flex Cut or find some Ashley Isles, or Swiss made or 2 Cherries.

On 2013-10-07 11:38, pjc5150 wrote:
yeah, no shit... that set of Pfeils is pure TIKI CARVER PORN!!!

Lol...
I have some of the Swiss pfeils. Yes they are Great and worth every penny. They will hold up to a mallet but care should be used with Hardwoods. But get the hard green rubber like mallet. You have to use some more effort, but the wood mallets begin to wear out quickly.

[ Edited by: Sunset Mike 2016-03-07 18:07 ]

Didn't know where else to put this and this seemed as good a spot as any...

Anyone else see this?

ArborTech Tools at Rockler

And downloadable project plans of a Moai.

yeah that abortech power chisel has been around for a while. Why, why, are they so expensive??? :o

I'm using a Bad Blade on my angle grinder with good results:

https://www.amazon.com/KwikTool-BBC450-Blade-Carver-Reduction/dp/B000O3GPRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476365347&sr=8-2&keywords=bad+blade

Interesting, BigT. How are you using that, with the blade 90 degrees to the wood, or can you lean it down at a low angle? Are you using it without a guard?

On 2016-10-13 20:10, 4WDtiki wrote:
Interesting, BigT. How are you using that, with the blade 90 degrees to the wood, or can you lean it down at a low angle? Are you using it without a guard?

hey 4wd! You can use it at any angle really. I have some pics below of a moai i'm working on. I made the angled cuts above and below the mouth using the blade at sort of a 45 degree angle. Also cut the flat parts of the face with the blade nearly flat, working in from the nose out to the edge of the face. I flattened the back of the tiki also using the blade nearly flat like a planer.

It's really hard to cut whole chunks out at a time, so it's mostly about shaping with that blade. You can make straight cuts just like a circular saw blade as well.

almost forgot, yes, i'm using the the guard. it reduces the surface area i have to cut with and also the depth of cuts. I used it for a while w/o the guard and decided it was just too dangerous w/o. i put it back on and adjusted it where i feel my fingers are most protected.

caution: it throws out a lot of chips, depending on the angle you may need gloves and a face mask (and a shirt!). I used it shirtless one time and noticed little red spots all over my chest from the chips hitting me! :lol:

Good info, thanks! And thanks to your pic, I can see how the blade's cutting points work. I couldn't really see that on the Amazon pics.
I may have to give this a try.