Hello all!! I finally ordered my ceramic lap to add a heel to my gravers. I followed the directions off of Sam Alfano's DVD, but it seems that I'm still having to push the graver too hard to get it to go after I engrave a few lines. I noticed also that the heel is barely noticable...am I not grinding it down enough or is there a problem with my machine?? Also, I ordered a new hand piece from GRS (the 901) and I think I have to change the tubing to make it fit on my GraverMeister...any tips on doing that??

Thank you!!
Miranda

Miranda Hoffmann
4/19/2007 9:44:07 AM

Hi Miranda,

I think you might be onto something if you can imagine that when you constrict the orifice of a water hose what happens? You get more velocity. These different hand pieces are designed to act upon the stream of air they were designed for. I think velocity would matter, so if you can get a step down and place it very close to the machine, that might solve the problem, but it might be a good idea if you contact GRS to see what their recomendation would be. This is just my opinion and a little physics. I'm not sure it would work at all. It might be worth a try.

I have found that compared to the newer machines, the gravermiester is a gorilla. If you are doing heavy work it is great. If you are doing very light work (bulino)you can hardly get it down to a fine enough adjustment. Maybe I just haven't experimented with it enough. I am relatively new with the pneumatic machines. Hope this helps.

Ron S

Ron Smith
4/19/2007 10:42:46 AM

Miranda,
I'm not real sure on this but as far as I know the 901 is for the GraverMach and GraverMax only. I think you have the wrong handpiece.
You shouldn't have to "push" the graver at all. The machine does that. I would double check the handpiece or contact GRS to make sure you have the right stuff.


Rex Pedersen
4/20/2007 5:00:03 PM

Well, I just bought the handpiece and haven't tried to put it on yet, that's why I was asking, and you're right...I just looked it back up and I got the wrong one... I already have two other handpieces on the machine (which are the ones I've been using)that are the correct ones, but they are the larger pieces and I was trying to purchase a smaller one. So the hand piece itself isn't the problem, it must be the machine. It has only been used for about 20 hours total, but it's about 20 years old. I don't even think the Gravermeisters that are sold now have an oil bottle attached to it like this one does, since the website says that they are oil free. Should I just get a new machine or is there a way to find out what's wrong??

Thanks for the help!


Miranda Hoffmann
4/20/2007 7:52:53 PM

I would call or e-mail tech support at GRS. They can get you squared away I'm sure. I'm not familar with the Gravermeister.
They are not nearly as smooth as the Max or Mach but they still are capable of nice cutting. I'm guessing the handpeices are gummy or dirty from age but not sure. GRS should be able to help.

Rex Pedersen
4/20/2007 9:53:13 PM

GRS is exchanging my #901 handpiece for the correct #915 that I need. I FINALLY got my graver sharpened correctly and it seems to be working fine. The machine is a little rough but once I find the oil to go in it I think it'll run a little better. BUT, I did engrave a fancy practice plate and it turned out BEAUTIFULLY!! I'm very excited to finally get going on this. I just wanted to thank you all for your help...I'm sure I'll be needing it more and more!! ;)

Hope to see you all at the Engrave-In!!


Miranda Hoffmann
4/23/2007 9:38:06 PM

I have been using the Miester for many years. I have found that it does its job very well-the type of oil you need is autoomatic transmission fluid-a couple of issues that I encounter with the machine and 915 had piece are first and formost the noise-second the hand piece gets warm, even hot-this second issue was solved by wrapping the handle with sergical adhesive wrap- the first issue-noise I have just learned to live with. Many of those on this site used the machine for a number of years before upgrading and will be able to provide sound advice-some very beatiful work has been done with these units and is still being done. I like mine except for the noise issue- Fred marrinan

Fred Marrinan
4/23/2007 10:44:20 PM

Miranda you are now well and truly on the slippery slope.........lack of sleep, seeing scrolls and leaves everywhere, reference books all over the place, bits of paper all over the house with drawings on them and friends that can't believe that you spend "how Many hours!!" on that small bit of metal.

It's great isn't it :-)

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
4/24/2007 6:37:42 AM

Noise issue for Fred and others.
Fred, I used a GraverMiester for many years too.
They are noisy in a classroom setting.
This may not be an approved GRS method, but it worked for me.
I fixed 1x2 corner blocks into the four corners of a milk crate.
These blocks extended an inch and a half above the corners.
Line the bottom and all sides of the crate with convoluted foam.
The stuff that is used to line hard side gun cases.
Use upholstery adhesive spray on the crate and foam
Turn the milk crate upside down over your machine and it is pretty quiet.
The fresh air gets in from the bottom where the corner blocks extend.
The hot air works it way out through the foams pores.
I drilled a hole in the stroke lever and extended a rod through the foam and one of the crate holes overhead to make adjustments to the strokes.
Worked for me for many years without problems.

John Barraclough
4/24/2007 1:01:55 PM

miranda: make a handpiece holder. after each use, flood a little isopropyl or naphtha down the bore and let it drain and dry. an old jelly jar works fine. it's good to keep the handpiece bore clean. i'm thinkin it will run smoother and last longer if you do this, and it only takes a minute.i made my holder from a bent piece of coathanger wire.

j.d. swartzfeger
4/25/2007 3:32:40 PM

to fred marrinan: if the handpiece is getting even warm something's awry. if it's hot, somthings really wrong. thats not right. i'm also thinkin that transmission fluid doesn't belong in there either. i would call grs. i forget the grade of oil, but it's expressly made for rotary vane compressors. that's what a gravermeister is. it uses graphite vanes to move the air, instead of pistons. i'll bet with the correct oil, your heat problem may go away.

j.d. swartzfeger
4/25/2007 3:39:32 PM

Thanks for the advice Monk-contacted GRS years ago and theyy tolf me that transmission fluid was the correct oil-did not have the heat issue with my orginal hand pieces but do with the 915 Thanks Fred

Fred Marrinan
4/26/2007 2:32:17 AM

Thanks for the advice Monk-contacted GRS years ago and theyy told me that transmission fluid was the correct oil-did not have the heat issue with my orginal hand pieces but do with the 915 Thanks Fred

Fred Marrinan
4/26/2007 2:33:01 AM

I've owned a Gravermeister since 1972. The original handpeice was terrible piece of equipment therefore the machine was used very little up till a few years ago when I got a 915 handpiece. The replacement handpeice turned the gravermeister into a usable peice of equipment. I didn't have any handpiece overheating problems until I changed the rotary valve from the original 800-1200 SPM to the new 1600-2400 SPM valve. I contacted GRS about the handpeice overheating problem and they suggested changing the oil from Rotella to Automatic Transmission Fluid and to back off on the pressure releif valve. Having done that the handpeice overheating problem hasn't gone away. About all GRS has to say about the situation is to try adding a cooling fan at the pump air intake and to wrap surgical tape around the handpiece. I would put the 800-1200 SPM valve back in but the shaft runs in a brass bushing and wants to run dry and get hot. The 1600-2400 SPM valve runs on ball or roller bearings and lubrication is not a problem. I do find if the machine is operated at lower SPM's the overheating problem is reduced somewhat. Noise - not much can be done. If the machine is put in a enclosure overheating becomes a worse problem. The Gravermeister is a good piece of eguipment and was the best of its time and quality work can be obtained with the machine with a 915 handpiece. I fixed the noise and handpeice overheating problem by getting a Lindsay Classic foot controlled AirGraver. All the noise and handpiece overheating problems went away immediately. I still use the Gravermeister on a limited basis and I may just put the 800-1200 valve back in if I can solve the lubrication problem.
Don't know if this added much to the Gravermeister discussion but if somebody has found a cure for the problems I would like to know about it too.
Roger Henrichs

Roger Henrichs
4/27/2007 12:20:36 AM

Roger.
As I said above, I nearly cured the noise problem with a milk crate and foam.
Many of my scool students did the same and none reported heating problems.
All this was before the high speed valve was available so I can't address that problem.
I must have cut 500 guns myself using this rig before I switched to a Gravermax and never had a heating problem with the machine or handpiece.
This was in a warm California location where heat could easily have been a problem.
I always used automatic tranny fluid for lubrication.
I think I would take a look at your carbon vanes and the condition of the vane chamber.


John Barraclough
4/27/2007 2:43:33 PM

John,
I'm pretty sure the problem of overheating is caused by the high speed valve. I didn't have any problem with overheating until I put it on. I have a nearly new 800-1200 valve which I intend to modify before putting it back on. I like your milk crate idea.
Roger

Roger Henrichs
4/27/2007 9:08:13 PM