Test Driving the Ryobi Detail Carver
Many turners around the country, myself included, were impressed with the variety of textures and carving patterns possible with the Ryobi Detail Carver demonstrated on the recent tour of New Zealand. I was so impressed that I purchased the tool. They were using it at the end of there trip as it was of no use to him back in the States.
It comes in it’s own plastic carry case with a range of cutters included, 10mm chisel, 4mm chisel, 10mm round nose chisel, gouge and a v-gouge. There are two speed settings but I have found a need to use the low speed. It is a comfortable tool to use but with extended use the front of the tool heats up to an uncomfortable level, usually by this stage the hand is needing a rest anyway from the constant vibration.
I have used my carver extensively during the last year on a variety of timbers from Puriri to Pine but mainly on hardwoods. As long as the cutters are kept sharp they perform well on all timbers.
Now for the bad news, last week my carver bit the dust, on pulling apart I found that the cam and piston were totally worn out, but to be fair I have probably done in one year what the average turner might do in five years, the work I produced with it has paid for it many times over and I would have no qualms about getting one tomorrow, but the good news is that it is still within it’s one year warranty period so I may get a replacement free or at least replacement parts.
All things considered I feel the Ryobi Detail Carver is a worthwhile item in anyone’s toolbox but should be considered a "consumable" by the serious user.
It comes in it’s own plastic carry case with a range of cutters included, 10mm chisel, 4mm chisel, 10mm round nose chisel, gouge and a v-gouge. There are two speed settings but I have found a need to use the low speed. It is a comfortable tool to use but with extended use the front of the tool heats up to an uncomfortable level, usually by this stage the hand is needing a rest anyway from the constant vibration.
I have used my carver extensively during the last year on a variety of timbers from Puriri to Pine but mainly on hardwoods. As long as the cutters are kept sharp they perform well on all timbers.
Now for the bad news, last week my carver bit the dust, on pulling apart I found that the cam and piston were totally worn out, but to be fair I have probably done in one year what the average turner might do in five years, the work I produced with it has paid for it many times over and I would have no qualms about getting one tomorrow, but the good news is that it is still within it’s one year warranty period so I may get a replacement free or at least replacement parts.
All things considered I feel the Ryobi Detail Carver is a worthwhile item in anyone’s toolbox but should be considered a "consumable" by the serious user.
