ARBORTECH Ball Gouge | Ø 30 mm Spherical Shaped Wood Gouge Power Carving Attachment for Angle Grinder | BAL.FG.2000

I've been using a chainsaw wheel to rough-cut wood for a long time and haven't had any problems with it. bowls should be shaped This is an excellent alternative; however, because it is a spinning blade, you must be aware of the grain, and dry wood is much more difficult to cut than green (as it is with any cutting tool). br>br>In comparison to the chainsaw wheel, it's so much safer that I've stopped using it except on very large, very open vessels. You have far more control over this tool, and the risk of kickback is significantly reduced. In addition, if it comes into contact with exposed flesh, it will cause less damage than a chain (though I shudder to think about how much damage either would cause). br>br>The cutting edge's ingenuity is also impressive. To get a new edge, rotate the cutting ring. Then flip it over for a brand new cutting edge. I've shifted the edge once when it was under a lot of stress; Although the blade is not carbide, it is made of a very tough steel. br>br>The ability to cut very deep and very sharp curves in the small bowls of my spoons is what I like best about it. You must be aware of cutting against the grain, as I previously mentioned. When you cut with the grain, even on dried wood, it's a fantastic tool. I've chipped out a few edges because I didn't pay attention, but it's a fantastic tool when you cut with the grain.

Emma Ramirez

| Nov 28, 2021

In my 35 years of woodworking, I only started carving recently. Grinders and their accessories were something I discovered much later. I didn't think I had the skill to carve at a high enough level to please me, and I didn't have the time to learn. Power carving appeared to be too crude, and not at all like the "fine woodworking" I strive for. I'd carved some drawer front fans, Cabriole legs, and simple bas reliefs in the past, but everything was done by hand, with gouges and any other hand tool that removed wood with a mallet blow. I was asked to carve a tree into a cabinet door panel a few years ago, which led to more tree carvings, a squirrel, and, more recently, marlins and sea turtles. Carving is a time-consuming process, at least for me, and after spending what seemed like an inordinate amount of time removing material, I began to consider power carving, which led to the purchase of a Bosch grinder, followed by the Arbortech Mini Grinder and a few accessories, one of which was the ball gouge. I was immediately enamored with the grinders because of what they could do to a piece of wood in such a short amount of time, and the small wood pellets they produce are significant-- The grinders wreak havoc on the environment, plain and simple. I'd prefer to sweep up chips from my gouges (at least they don't get in my pockets or hair), but that's the price you pay for getting rid of material quickly. The ball gouge produces a lot of litter, but it can remove material much faster than a gouge and is much more versatile. Once you've mastered the ball gouge, you'll notice that you can control the amount of material removed--a huge plus. Carving is, in essence, what it is. No matter how sharp the edge is, it performs better than a traditional gouge. Which brings me to the only (possible) disadvantage: how long will the cutting edge stay sharp? The ball gouge cost just over $100, so it'll be a letdown if the cutting edge dulls quickly and I have to deal with sharpening or replacing it. We'll see, but I'm pleased with the ball gouge for the time being.

Joshua Palmer

| Jan 25, 2021

The tool is very easy to use, but it's best to try cutting in a variety of directions and angles to see what works best for what you're doing and you'll master it in no time. The finish left behind is very smooth if you take your time and make light cuts, but it can splinter if you don't take your time and make light cuts.

Kenzo Blankenship

| Apr 15, 2021

I purchased a used copy and must say that I am dissatisfied with it. I've previously used arbortech products and found them to be excellent. The planer and mini carver are excellent tools, as is the sander, but I've noticed that the ball gouge attachment likes to tear material out and leave a rough texture. I'm not sure if it's this particular used BH attachment, but I was hoping for more. This is something I saw in a friend's shop and thought might be useful for future projects. I'm not sure what to make of it. I tried it on a variety of woods and even switched grinders, but the result was the same, so I'll try again in the morning. br>br>06/27/20 UPDATE: I used the arbortech BG of one of my friends, and it worked out pretty well. I didn't have the same tear out and rough texture as I did with the used version I bought.

Astrid Ewing

| Sep 07, 2021

When sculpting hard woods, I use grinding disks/wheels a lot. This seemed like it would be a good addition to my arsenal. But, to be honest, it was a bit of a letdown. It doesn't seem to remove much material and takes a long time to hollow out forms, perhaps because it's small and has little blade contact, but I suppose it'll suffice if you're in a pinch and don't have many options. I do my work with Kutzall grinding discs and a variety of sanders, and I found this item to be a super-specialty tool that I could do without for the money.

Lawson Boyle

| Nov 24, 2021

It works in a unique way that is relatively simple to use, according to me. The grain of wood is always going to be the grain of wood - No tool will cut through it without tearing it unless you understand that the grain must always be considered - It's the same with this tool. However, holding it at an angle, rather than straight down, makes it easier. The majority of wood will have little to no kickback or bumping. Is it possible to carve out a larger piece of wood? Work at an angle and in circles without putting too much pressure on yourself. It may appear that it isn't doing much, but take a look at the amount of wood it has removed and you'll see what I mean. br>br>Is it costly? Yes. Is it a good investment? YES!.

Zaiden Cabrera

| Jan 20, 2021

So far, I've had a lot of fun working with this tool. I made a cheeseboard/serving platter that turned out really well.

Alicia Giles

| Feb 05, 2021