Engraving tools

[Scota4570]

Within a month I will be to the point of engraving my Armstrong build.  I want to buy a power engraver.  I have some experience engraving with a chasing hammer.  My hands are getting stiff and old.  I would like to try a powered unit.  Since I have an MMC checkering outfit, I have most of what I need for a Foredom engraving outfit. 

http://www.foredom.net/K2293PowerGraver.aspx

I see serious engravers like the air powered units, like Magna Graver.  Beautiful unit but $$$!

For the folk art quality engraving we do on long rifle brass, is the Foredom good enough? I could buy the Foredom for about $175, with some basic engraving tool heads, an use the Foredom parts I already have.  Is it a worthwhile tool?

Thanks,

Scot

[docone]

I use that unit in my shop. It is a good unit. The shaft is flexible enough to allow hand movement with the power head. The foot control is sensitive enough, yet sturdy enough for about everything.
You would start with that unit, and be satisfied for a while. My unit is  about 10rys old and does the job very well. I think you will like it if that is your choice.

[Acer Saccharum]

Just a thought: if you can mount the work on a turntable, you'll be able cut smooth curves using the Foredom. If the patchbox is in the gun, and the engraver has to walk around the work, the Foredom shaft may get in the way, make it hard to make your turns. Even the GRS footpedal systems have this problem, as you need to walk around the work, the footpedal doesn't follow you.

A possible solution is the GRS AirTact handpiece, or the Lindsay system. Both of these things are big bucks. I don't recommend them unless you will be engraving a lot.

An alternative is the old hammer and chisel. Lastly, you can send the work out.

[Scota4570]

I have a large block or lead with a vice attached.  It weighs about 50#.  It is round on the botton from casting it in a salad bowl.  It rests in a round hole in a piece of wool.  The wood is on another piece of wood with a lazy susan in between.  It give me tilt and rotation.  The weight is enough to resist movement from the actual engraving. 

I normally attach small parts to a block and put them in the ball.  I don't try to do them on the rifle.  A patch box lid, for instance, I would stick to a block of maple using bondo.  Heat a from a heat gun will pop it free when finished. 

That said, my eves and hands aren't what they used to be.  Who is engraving long rifles for hire? 

[smart dog]

Hi Scota,
My wife and I used foredom tools for many years, but not for engraving.  Nonetheless, there are likely a few downsides to the engraving handpiece and setup.  Foredom pendant drives create noticeable torque that, to me, would be annoying for engraving, at least at first.  I am sure you can get used to it.  I cannot see how you can hold the handpiece with it properly nested in your palm with the thick flexible shaft getting in the way.  On the GRS and Lindsay air gravers, the small flexible air hose is easy to get out of the way and the graver handpiece can be positioned in the palm like a manual push graver. Finally, the noise from the flexible shaft drive, although not really loud, always drove me crazy.  It always sounded like an old dentist drill. You might want to wear ear plugs.  On the plus side, I suspect that the drive can be used with different hand pieces so you could use it for polishing and grinding as well.  Also, Foredoms need frequent maintenance.  Usually, the shaft must be dismantled and greased every 50 hours of use.

dave       

[Scota4570]

I called Foredom.  My old checkering motor, flex shaft, foot petal, and hand piece are of no use for the graver.  I would have to start from scratch rather than ust buying the graver part.  The graver system is not variable speed.  That would drive me nuts. 

I have something like that already.  I attached a graver to an electro pencil.  It cuts but is noisy and crude. 

At this point I think I will muster the fortitude to pay up for the basic Lindsay. 

[Meteorman]

That said, my eves and hands aren't what they used to be.  Who is engraving long rifles for hire? 

Tim Adlam

http://www.adlamengraving.com/index.htm

great work, fair prices, and easy to work with. 

/mike

[44-henry]

Have you looked at the Magnagravers?

http://www.gesswein.com/p-3577-magnagraver-ii-vari-pact.aspx

These might work with your flex shaft and are considerably less pricey.

[Wayne Holcombe]

I make mine out of 1/8 th inch lathe bits silver soldered to 1/8 inch key stock.grind them up to whatever type of graver you need.Make up about 6 or 7 of the same style so when one chips you can grab another and continue on.For hammers I use the ones Mike Lea sells but. Any small hammer or even a piece of wooden broom handle will work.Wallace Gusler uses sheet metal hammers of various weights.
      I mount the engraving tools in small file handles.The tools can be sharpened with stones or a one of the motorized sharpeners that are on the market.
      if you start off with one graver,one driving device,and a sharpening stone it shouldn't hurt your pocket book too bad.

[Scota4570]

I already have a brownells engraving set of tools and chasing hammer.  I am looking to upgrade.

I figure it is like checkering, which I am proficient at.  Sure one can make and buy hand tools but, once I bought the MMC power checkering tool it opened up a whole new level of quality and productivity to my work. 

I am inferring that a quality powered engraving tool can do that too.  My plan is to transfer original engraving from photos, that I manipulate on the computer, and trace them with a power tool.  Cheating?  Maybe but, I do not have the  time to become a master engraver.  I just want to make a good looking long rifle. 

[Wayne Holcombe]

Check out GRS.They have engraving classes and tools.I've seen fair engravers go in and great engravers come out.I'm sure there is other places to take classes.This might help to pick out the right tools.I use one of their sharpening rigs.
      A number of years ago I took an engraving class from Wallace Gusler at the NMLRA gunmakers schools.This helped my engraving improve dramatically.Not perfect but definitely improved.If I could afford it I'd take a class every year,like I used to when I was single.It was my vacation.

[P.Bigham]

 I think you would really like the Lindsay Tool. I am really pleased with mine.

[Scota4570]

I think you would really like the Lindsay Tool. I am really pleased with mine.

I sent an E-mail to Lindsay today.  The no talking e-mail only , no charge cards over the phone makes me nervous.  Are they professional and business like on the money and  service end of the business?  Paypal and E-transactions give me the "heebie jeebies". 

Do you have the foot petal operated or the one that goes when you push on the handle? 

 The push operated one is a lot more expensive.  The pedal type might feel ok since i checker that way?   

Opinions on each? 

Scot

[JTR]

I've had a GRS Gravermeister for about 20 years, and so far see no need to change. One drawback is that they make more noise than the air powered machines, but a plus is that you don't need a air compressor.
New ones are pricy, but a good used one with a couple hand pieces seem to go for about $800/$1200, although I haven't seen one for sale for some time.

John

[P.Bigham]

 Scot  I have the Classic push engraver. I did not use paypal as there was a extra charge if I remember right. I had no problem with the payment and would recommend his products. I went the extra with the push engraver but I think you would do fine with the foot model. I use a cheap small air compressor, but would recommend a filter/ dryer.

[Kevin Houlihan]

A of
I left a voice message and Steve Lindsay personally called me later that evening. I bought the sharpening system from him and I am very satisfied. I had no problem with he billing or delivery.
Kevin

[Captchee]

 i use a Lindsay clasic with foot control . out standing piece  IMO .  I had a GRS set up but didnt care for it .
 as to the no credit card thing . I have found Steve to be an out standing person to deal with . . i have allways recieved my orders and recieved them fast . As Snap stated . leave a message and  i have allways gotten a return call

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

My experience with Steve Lindsay has been very good!!  As an amateur I used one of his air powered push gravers and was amazed at what i could do.... I have his sharpening system for my hand chasing gravers and someday hope to buy the powered system.