beginner needs help

[Matt Haus]

I am primarily a wood turner but would like to add some design to my vessels. I posted in the general woodworking tools area requestiong what I need as a startup kit.
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=114691

I usually excel in my woodworking endeavors and don't mind spending for a good kit.

What can you suggest. My goals are something like this

[phil harold]

I wood say you need a paracarver of sorts to do the pierce carving in a vessel like that


Cant wait to see your work!

[Thomas Knapp]

The foredom unit is much more powerful than a dremel tool. It is more geared to using large cutters, burrs, and sanding attachments. Think of it as best suited for sculpting and removing larger areas of wood and as an excellent sander. Foredom units have been around a long time and are found in many Art and Craft studios. A dremel type rotary tool fits in between a foredom and a paraengraver type tool. It has higher speeds than the Foredom, but not as much power. It is better at detail and smaller bits. The really high speed tools such as the para engraver and air powered dental drills excell at pierced work as is shown in your picture. The higher speed is supposed to help keep them from pulling in the direction of the rotaion. I haven't used the air powered tools myself,and can't tell you how much power they have. Generally the smaller the cutter is the higher the speed it should be used at.

[Thomas Knapp]

That looks like it might be a J. Paul Fennell piece. I got to see him demonstrate at a symposium once. He is quite good at that type of work. Here is his website if you want to check him out. I see he uses an air powered dental drill for his piercing. http://www.jpaulfennell.com/index.html