Someone recommended this web site to me and after seeing it I thought it might be of interest:
http://katools.com/
Hard to tell if a miniature chain saw would come in handy but the video is intriguing.
Miniature Chain Saw etc.
Miniature Chain Saw etc.
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"Creativity is the residue of time wasted."
Albert Einstein, famous pipe smoker
"Creativity is the residue of time wasted."
Albert Einstein, famous pipe smoker
Re: Miniature Chain Saw etc.
That's pretty small... I was really hoping for something that fits on my key chain though... 
Re: Miniature Chain Saw etc.
I know this post is old, but having some experience with this type of power carver, I'll add my cent and a half's worth of input.
First off, if you want to carve free-form pipes in a hurry this little guy is the ticket! I'm sure you could use it for more traditional shapes too, but I think free-form stuff is where it would really shine.
The Merlin is basically a miniature version of their Lancelot and Squire chainsaw discs, which are used on a 4.5" angle grinder. The Merlin is just a smaller grinder with a smaller chainsaw disc. I myself have a both the Lancelot and Squire discs, with 22 and 14 tooth chains for the Lancelot, and an 18T chain for the Squire, though a 12T is also available.
I've used mine on everything from chair seats to free-form bowls, and they're truly excellent tools. They will remove a lot of material in a hurry if needed, but can still be used for lighter detail cuts if you use care and a soft touch.
I think the Merlin would be excellent for free-form pipes, and even the larger discs would likely be a great addition to your shaping tools. I've used mine for a bit of rough shaping and heavy material removal, and they have worked great for this, being MUCH faster than a rasp or coarse sanding discs, etc.
The Holey Galahad is another disc that could be very useful in certain applications, and it's one that will last a long, long time!
King Arthur Tools also makes some very good quality carbide burrs (1/4" shaft).
The one sanding system they sell that I know for sure near any pipe carver would love is their Guinevere sanding drum set. It uses inflatable drums with a flex shaft on a bench-grinder type motor and works very, very well! They also have polishing cloths for this system.
First off, if you want to carve free-form pipes in a hurry this little guy is the ticket! I'm sure you could use it for more traditional shapes too, but I think free-form stuff is where it would really shine.
The Merlin is basically a miniature version of their Lancelot and Squire chainsaw discs, which are used on a 4.5" angle grinder. The Merlin is just a smaller grinder with a smaller chainsaw disc. I myself have a both the Lancelot and Squire discs, with 22 and 14 tooth chains for the Lancelot, and an 18T chain for the Squire, though a 12T is also available.
I've used mine on everything from chair seats to free-form bowls, and they're truly excellent tools. They will remove a lot of material in a hurry if needed, but can still be used for lighter detail cuts if you use care and a soft touch.
I think the Merlin would be excellent for free-form pipes, and even the larger discs would likely be a great addition to your shaping tools. I've used mine for a bit of rough shaping and heavy material removal, and they have worked great for this, being MUCH faster than a rasp or coarse sanding discs, etc.
The Holey Galahad is another disc that could be very useful in certain applications, and it's one that will last a long, long time!
King Arthur Tools also makes some very good quality carbide burrs (1/4" shaft).
The one sanding system they sell that I know for sure near any pipe carver would love is their Guinevere sanding drum set. It uses inflatable drums with a flex shaft on a bench-grinder type motor and works very, very well! They also have polishing cloths for this system.
Re: Miniature Chain Saw etc.
Thanks for the first hand review, Kenny. It'll be awhile before I need worry about speed but its nice to know what they're appropriate for should I ever get there.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Creativity is the residue of time wasted."
Albert Einstein, famous pipe smoker
"Creativity is the residue of time wasted."
Albert Einstein, famous pipe smoker