Anyone Using Jewelry Micro Motors for Woodworking?

I don't use a micro motor, but I've used Foredom tools in woodworking for a long time.   They are great for carving and I even made a stippling tool from their power chisel handpiece.  The lower speed versions work a lot better for carving wood as they do not burn as much as high speed.

I've used a Foredom flex shaft for upwards of 65 years to carve wood as well as detailing of bronze and silver castings.  Wide selection of burrs.  Also use  a reciprocating hand piece for fine carving on wood turnings using Kutzall chisels.  Also use a hypervelosity  [400 rpm} pneumatic handpiece for signing finished work.  Higher the speed, the more the bits will  burn wood, so more done with the Foredom variable speed using a foot-pedal rheostat.

Added later 8 h 05 min 08 s:

That should be 400,000 rpm

Added later 11 h 20 min 45 s:

For stippling surface texture on larger pieces (turnings or flat work) I went John one better using an air-driven needle scaler (welding tool) with the needles rounded.  
 

@Mark Mandell,

Do you see a button to edit your posts?  You are at the highest forum group level (Master Craftsman with almost 10K posts) and should be able to do that. If not, I have something configured wrong.

gMark Mandell wrote:

I've used a Foredom flex shaft for upwards of 65 years to carve wood as well as detailing of bronze and silver castings.  Wide selection of burrs.  Also use  a reciprocating hand piece for fine carving on wood turnings using Kutzall chisels.  Also use a hypervelosity  [400 rpm} pneumatic handpiece for signing finished work.  Higher the speed, the more the bits will  burn wood, so more done with the Foredom variable speed using a foot-pedal rheostat.

Added later 8 h 05 min 08 s:

That should be 400,000 rpm

Added later 11 h 20 min 45 s:

For stippling surface texture on larger pieces (turnings or flat work) I went John one better using an air-driven needle scaler (welding tool) with the needles rounded.  
 

I use a needle scaler too, only with the needles sharpened to a point.  The stippling style I do is a more aggressive pattern used on gunstocks & grips.  

The scaler does work really well, but I have had some trouble with control and a lot of trouble with durability of the various parts - both of which go hand in hand with such an energetic method.  Usually I do the bulk of the stippled field with the needle scaler and fill in the edges with the Foredom chisel handpiece.   I have to keep the time spent at a minimum, trying to keep my prices low (and generally succeeding at that).

The handpiece is modified by moving the interior spring to the other side of it's shaft so that it engages the reciprocating mechanics without forward pressure.  Works a treat.

Tried it several time but didn't allow.  
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 

jack25 wrote:

Hey everyone,

I’ve recently started experimenting with jewelry micro motors in my woodworking projects, and I have to say – I’m impressed! These tools are originally designed for fine jewelry work, but they’re incredibly useful for detailed carving, engraving, and polishing on wood too.

The variable speed control and lightweight handpieces give you great precision, especially for small or delicate pieces. I’ve used mine for adding intricate designs on boxes and furniture accents.

Just wondering – has anyone else tried using a micro motor for woodworking? Any favorite brands or tips for getting the most out of one?

Looking forward to hearing your experiences!

I've used them (borrowed) for many years ... purchased my own in 2011.  Great tools and a pleasure to use.  A lot more brands available today ... some at much lower prices.  Many choices - low & high torque motors & hand pieces, features, etc., which determines the price.  Much easier and more ergonomic to use than the flex-shaft tools - unless you need a more power for larger bits/cutters.

Mark Mandell wrote:

Tried it several time but didn't allow.  
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 

I can edit mine, but only for a limited time - no idea how long, but I bet Peter knows.

John in NM wrote:

Mark Mandell wrote:

Tried it several time but didn't allow.  
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 

I can edit mine, but only for a limited time - no idea how long, but I bet Peter knows.

18000 seconds (5 hours)

@John in NM, it should have allowed you to edit, unless 18,000s had transpired. There's a time limit because most edits are to correct typos and such before others have read it. Allowing edits forever isn't allowed forever for what is probably obvious reasons.

If that is not the case, could you give more details; e.g., edit button does not appear, gives error message when I click it?

BTW, Foghorn and admin are me (Peter). Foghorn is an account w/o admin or moderator permissions I use for testing.

admin wrote:

John in NM wrote:

Mark Mandell wrote:

Tried it several time but didn't allow.  
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 

I can edit mine, but only for a limited time - no idea how long, but I bet Peter knows.

18000 seconds (5 hours)

@John in NM, it should have allowed you to edit, unless 18,000s had transpired. There's a time limit because most edits are to correct typos and such before others have read it. Allowing edits forever isn't allowed forever for what is probably obvious reasons.

If that is not the case, could you give more details; e.g., edit button does not appear, gives error message when I click it?

BTW, Foghorn and admin are me (Peter). Foghorn is an account w/o admin or moderator permissions I use for testing.

No problems on my end, 5 hours does seem like about what I remember - just never timed it.  Edit button disappears in that case.
I figured Foghorn was you.  I've known forum admins to do that before (my favorite version was a mod account called Super Nuts - but then I like puns).

I'll try all that the next time I put up a typo which shouldn't take me long.
Thanks

Mark Mandell wrote:

Added later 8 h 05 min 08 s:
That should be 400,000 rpm

Heh, I just noticed the "Added later" part.  I didn't even think to look for that. Duh.