This article profiles the two pumpkin carving kits – one from Pumpkin Masters and one from Dremel. See links to free pumpkin stencil and printable pumpkin pattern articles below.
Pumpkin Masters Carving Kit – Drill, Saws, Scraper, Jack-o-Lantern Patterns
A common version of the Pumpkin Masters carving kit comes with five small tools, all approximately 5” or shorter. Here are descriptions of the tools in the order they should be used:
- Scraper Scoop – Use this to scrape out the pulp from the inside of the pumpkin.
- Pounce Wheel – The uniquely-named Pounce Wheel is used for transferring patterns onto the pumpkin. Just tape a pattern to the outside of the pumpkin and roll the wheel along the pattern’s dotted lines or outline.
- Drill – This looks like an oversized, thick plastic toothpick with a handle. It is used for puncturing the pumpkin’s skin and poking a hole completely through to the inside in preparation for the pattern cutting process.
- Carving Saw – The carving saw has a serrated edge to easily work through the pumpkin’s flesh. This tool may break if not used correctly, so read the instructions carefully before beginning to use this pumpkin carving tool.
- Detail Saw – This is a smaller version of the carving saw; it should be used for carving intricate details such as teeth, eyes, or small curvy features.
The only other tool required for carving a pumpkin when using this kit would be a kitchen knife (to cut out the lid).
Where to Buy Pumpkin Masters Carving Kits
Online retailers like Amazon.com and eBay.com carry Pumpkin Masters Carving Kits. The kits can also be purchased at mass retailers and grocery stores (like Wal-Mart and Harris Teeter) across the United States.
Where to Buy Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kits – Rotary Tool, Templates Included
The Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit purports to allow for “easy carving of spectacularly sculpted pumpkins.” This kit is available online at stores like Amazon.com and plumbersurplus.com. It comes with ten pumpkin carving templates and a cordless Dremel rotary tool that can operate at two different speeds.
You will most likely still need to use a carving tool like a knife or saw to easily cut through the pumpkin, but this Dremel tool will easily sculpt the pumpkin's surface. It is especially great for designs that require cutting almost, but not quite all the way, through the pumpkin’s flesh so light can shine through.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips & Where to Download Free Printable Jack-o-Lantern Stencils
Before using a pumpkin carving tool, always make sure to read the instructions carefully. Tools may need to be held a certain way to avoid breakage, and it is a good idea to know which specific tools are appropriate for each task. Children should be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to handle any tasks requiring a kitchen knife. Parents should use discretion as to whether a child is old enough to handle other carving tools like plastic saws.
Many pumpkin carving kits come with standard stencils, but free printable jack-o-lantern stencils can also be found online. Read about sources of free pumpkin stencils in these articles:
Resources:
- Dremel website
- Pumpkin Masters carving kit
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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