Reciprocating Carver like your input

[Bret Schaffner]

My son (13) and I want to get a Reciprocating Carver and wound like your input on a flex shat versus one like the hand held Reciprocating Carver (Proxxon's or Automach Reciprocating Carver). We want to be able to do hardwoods. Med to small stuff.
Thanks

[Marvin Hasenak]

I have the Wecheer attachments that can be used on the hand held Dremel and the Foredom, about $50 at Treeline. It does a great job on hardwoods, I have carved walnut, maple and Osage. The chisels are a little more forgiving when they aren't sharp enough, and the smoothness of the cut will show up. I like the first one enough that I have bought another one for my place in New Mexico.

[Mike Pounders]

Flexcut makes some power-carving blades that are supposed to be good for either type. I have the Wecheer type, but haven't used it much. I think the Automach has the most power but is pretty expensive and might be too big for your puposes. I guess it depends what you consider medium to small! For me, small is under two inches, and medium is probably 6 inches or so. I've used one a bit for roughing out, but gouges are about as fast for me.