Hello, it was suggested I join this forum and start reading the postings and asking questions. So, here goes.

I came to working on firearms through my love of history and their association with history. Prior to that I worked my way through graduate school as a jeweler. What little 'engraving' I did was with hand tools. I've tried a little line engraving with push tools in steel and it is not practical (as I am sure you all know). Two weeks ago I tried the new GRS powergraver machine and was very impressed with what I was able to do in just a couple of minutes. The sales woman was rather impressed, too. Coming to my question.... to get started, what equipment do I need? I'm on a tight budget (school teacher with 2 kids) so I can't afford to spend more than necessary for the basic tools. If anyone has a used machine for sale I'd be interested. Oh, I have two Fordham flexshaft tools and am wondering if there is a hand piece that would work with one of them for engraving. Or, would someone be interested in taking one in partial trade toward a power engraving machine?

Feel free to email me: o.truitt@att.net

Woodley Truitt
4/11/2007 7:27:25 PM

Hi Woodley,
You can start engraving with as little as five or six things.Vise, chasing hammer, chisel, burin, and a couple of blades, but if you want to cut your learning curve way down, the pneumatic tool will do that, plus it relieves a lot of stress associated with engraving and in that case you need a vice, pneumatic setup, and some kind of magnification. Above that, it is kind of up to you and how much you want to spend. Many are using the microscope. I find it too different of an approach. I wear glasses and have trouble with the field of view or I have to take my glasses off and on. Others swear by it. It slows me down and I am used to working at a slant (vise that is). You have to keep the work horizontal to the lense. I hope this helps.

Ron S

Ron Smith
4/13/2007 9:11:32 AM

Woodley,
I am in almost the same situation (I 'm even a teacher with two kids). I have tried the flexshaft assisted system and found it limiting. I am almost ready to move up to a pneumatic system. Luckily I also happen to have a side business making jewelry and other metalworks so I can write off the impending purchase. I have found the time with push tools rewarding in copper and brass as I practice cutting scrolls while I save up for the impending tool buying binge. Good luck finding some used equipment as it is on the rare side (I've been watching for them on eBay and few come up).

Ron V.
www.vmstu.com

Ronald VanOstrand
4/14/2007 9:58:56 PM

Hi Woodley

The sky's the limit on this one. You can spend next to nothing or a fortune. First you have to make the choice...do you have the time and commitment to learn the hand tool method as Ron suggested? or do you have limited time so need a faster learning curve? The answer to that will dictate what you buy.

You can get whats called a "magni graver" that will fit to your foredom flexishaft machine. That's available from Ray Philips at...

Ngraver Co.
67 Wawecus Hill Rd.
Bozrah, CT 06334 USA
Phone: 860-823-1533 fax: 860-887-6252

From what I've seen it's a good tool and a lot of people use it and are very happy with it. It's also a very reasonable price. Ray Philips is a great guy to deal with and he also sells general engraving supplies.

The next level above that is the Lindsay classic and palm control air tool at http://www.airgraver.com/index1.htm Steve also sells engraving supplies and is excellent to deal with. This is what I use.

Or GRS Graver Max/Mach systems at http://www.grstools.com/index.html Who also sell general engraving supplies and are also excellent to deal with

Both Lindsay and GRS are air powered tools and considered to be the Rolls Royce of this type of tool.

My best advise is this...........If all you want to do is play around and have a bit of fun at the hobby level then just use whatever you can afford and be happy.

If you are serious that it's a skill you think you could be good at and would like to take to the limit.....then buy the best from the start. Because sooner or later that's what you'll do anyway so you may as well save all the interim expense.

A good friend of mine puts it this way ....."you know you've paid just the right amount when your eyes start to water"!!!!!

Hope this helps

Cheers
Andrew




Andrew Biggs
4/14/2007 10:46:32 PM

Woody,
I am new to the engraving world as well and I have found a tool that is reasonably priced. You may want to look at the following website -
www.scmsysteminc.com.
Phillip McLeod, Canada

Phillip McLeod
10/27/2007 2:52:38 PM

Woodley,
I am new to the engraving world as well and I have found a tool that is reasonably priced. You may want to look at the following website -
www.scmsysteminc.com.
Phillip McLeod, Canada

Phillip McLeod
10/27/2007 2:53:31 PM

Woodley,

I was in your position as a newbie almost exactly two years ago. I started with a used Magnagraver II (attaches to a geared-down Foredom). I quickly found it cumbersome and very uncomfortable in my hands. I know many engravers who can do remarkable things with it, just not me. I was lucky to also acquire a good used engravers ball (vise) and a power graver sharpening system for a reasonable price. Within two months I graduated to a Gravermax and it's associated hardware. Within 8 months I added a microscope to the list and my skill level jumped several degrees. Just recently I moved into a palm control (GRS Airtact)and am loving it. So you see, if your like most of us tool freaks, you never stop acquiring new toys. Now, all of these gadgets are great and really help speed-up your learning, but are they needed? No! I started with hand gravers when I studied Cameo carving when I was in Italy. It was fun but very slow and difficult compared to a air-assisted pneumatic engraving handpiece. It all comes down to your level of commitment. As was said before, if you think this is something you passionatly want to pursue, then be prepared to spend the money. Look around some of the other Engraving Forums, many times good used equipment can be found at very good prices. I'm fortunate in that I can endulge my hobby expenditures (within reason of course, after all my wife would kill me if I went over the top!) You don't need to go crazy like I did, (but it sure is fun!). Early on, you should try to acquire a good rotating vise, an accurate sharpening system (properly sharpened gravers are a must, whether you use power or hand push), some form of magnification (an Optivisor is a good inexpensive start and will continue to be used even if you go to a microscope later). As for the pneumatic system, since the development of the Gravermach, many older Gravermax machines are becoming available and are a great value and not going obsolete. Hammer and chisel is still the least expensve way to start, but it can be very frustrating to a beginner. I know many professional engravers who swear that this is the best way to start, but frankly, I would have to argue that power assist is the easiest and does not develop bad habits if the basics of good design and plenty of practice are followed. Far less frustration factor also, so the beginner doesn't drop-out before getting to a reasonable degree of esthetic self-satisfaction.

Whichever route you take, commit the time to practice, read everthing on the subject you can find, draw all the time and most important, HAVE FUN!


Mark



Mark Sedlak
10/31/2007 5:31:30 PM

Woodley, you have joined the many who have experienced the same problem about which tool to use and the expense involved with each upgrade. From my experience, get the best you can afford, as the learning curve will definitely be diminished. Take a look at the air assisted tools and decide which will be more useful as far as portability and ease of setup. I had the GRS system and really liked it, then got a Lindsay PalmControl and was even more impressed, not only with the ease of use and adjustability, but in the portability of it. I can take it with me anywhere in just a very small package and use it wherever and whenever I want. The price is up there, but the convenience and superb tooling and design is well worth the investment. Just do yourself a favor and sit down and really consider what and how you will be engraving; then you can realistically justify your expenditure. Go with the best you can afford for the long haul. You won't be disappointed. Talk to those that make the tools, the folks at GRS and also Steve Lindsay to see what they have to say.

William Moody
11/2/2007 11:07:17 AM