Need suggestions & advice on choosing my first power carving tool

I have friends and family coming from U.S. for my wedding in Philippines... One of them will be bringing me a power tool of my choice.  So keeping in mind that as far as i know these tools are not usually readily available to me i wanna skip the little hobby tools and get a top of the line carving power tool... As of the moment i got 3 in mind...  Advice would be much appreciated.

The foredom 5240

The Makita GD0600

The Metabo GE700


I realize these may be overkill for my skill level but its not everyday these tools are avsilable to me and hand delivered.

LETS SEE EVERYONES WEAPON OF CHOISE WHEN TACKLING THE DEADWOOD AMONG OTHER THINGS!

Thanks in advance
Jeff

I have used the The Makita GD0600 and it's a fine tool.
You also need something for the fine detailing after using the Makita.

That seems to be the advantage in the foredom, can hold the 1/8 or 1/4 and change speed so basically does that basically it can do what a makita can do then switch setting and do what a dremel can do?

Being able to use both size bits is a real advantage.

I will go for the 'Die Grinder'....the most expensive one...hihihihihihihihihii make sure they add bits. 

Love and light

ps I find your avatar scary!   

Andre Beaurain wrote:I will go for the 'Die Grinder'....the most expensive one...hihihihihihihihihii  make sure they add bits. 

Love and light

ps I find your avatar scary!    

So u suggest the metabo?

Ive been thinking a lot about it since i need to order asap so it arrives on time, and ive started to lean towards the cheapest one the makita but then also get a small rotary tool for detail work, this option still ends up over $100 cheaper than the foredom or the metabo...

Any suggestion on bits? So far ive just been following graham potters advice on his website kaizenbonsai.com but it seems alot of the bits he suggest are as far as i know only available on his website which i dont have the time to order from(U.K. Based)

For me the Foredom is an expensive sanding machine- doesn't have anywhere near the power of a die grinder. I'd get the Makita it's basically the gold standard.
That a Dremmel and a bunch of bits and you're good to go.
This place has a decent supply of bits and burrs http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/Grinders-for-Wood/products/81/
as does this one
http://www.treelineusa.com/

Bob
Thanks for the info i appreciate the links. Yea the makita and dremel seem like a safe way to go... Ur links are very helpful bc where i live i cannot find any bit fors these tools... And on amazon i dont know what is a geniune burr or a cheap knock off...

Which bits do you find are the most useful in carving a tree? At a glance i was planning on getting a round ball burr 1/4shank to run for the makita and also one of those rotary chisels for the makita... The dremel comes with alot of bits... Are these included bits gonna hold up or do u suggest getting some xtra bits for the dremel

Thanks for ur help
Jeff

The roto chisels I use alot. On the dremmel and makita. Almost any of the structured carbide burrs/bits will work- the types I use most are on these pages-http://www.treelineusa.com/power-carving-burs/14-roughing-bits?p=4
http://www.treelineusa.com/power-carving-burs/14-roughing-bits?p=3

Some of the european ones are awesome but they are hard to get here-Dale Cochoy sells some of them though.

Bob thank you, your advice has been very helpful. Unless anyone else has more links for good cutting bits that deliver quickly un the U.S. ill probably be making an order very soon.

Jeff

Bob
I noticed alot of the roughing burrs on ur latest link suggest a running speed of 4000-19000 while the makita is fixed at 28000rpm... Is this an issue or am i reading that wrong?

Sorry so many questions, im someone with no power carving experiencing that has a rare opportunity to get for the most part, the tool or set of my choice all in one order. To add to that, i currently live in a place where as far as i know i wont be able to get any extra bits or parts until next time friends from the other side of the planet visit again. So i need to get everything i need right off the bat b/c a makita with no bits is just an expensive paper weight.

Jeff

WHAT!!!...No 16" chain saw? 

Never noticed the suggested rpms before-I use them all the time with my mikita. The 1/8"one are great for the dremmel and the 1/4" for the mikita

If you're going with a Makita die grinder, I'd suggest getting one with variable speeds.  They're more expensive but worth it, imo.

edit: I see the Metabo ge700 has the variable speed option. I'm not familar with the company, and love my Makita... my 2 cents

i have both the foredom and a makita but you have to choose between one i would go with the foredom. i use the foredom more that anything