Electric engraver: which one to choose, how to use and repair. Which electric engraver is better to choose Engraving attachments, burs

An engraver is a universal power tool, widely used for a variety of work on wood, stone and metal materials. Using various attachments, the possibilities of using a mini-drill (micro-drill, engraver) are growing. For example, an engraver can be used for polishing products, milling, and drilling.

General rules for working with an engraver:

1. 1. Be sure to read the instructions included with the product before using the engraver. Pay special attention to the nozzle section. It is important to clearly understand what types of work can be performed with certain attachments.
2. 2. Observe safety precautions (wear goggles/mask, gloves) and safety rules when working with an electrical device.
3. 3. Carry out a superficial inspection of the product; if there are defects in the housing, damage to the nozzles (cracks, chips), or violations of the electrical cable winding, the product must not be used.
4. 4. Before starting work, you must clear work surface from unnecessary objects, so that nothing interferes or distracts.
5. 5. Arrange the attachments in order of use.
6. 6. When working, it is best to use cotton gloves to avoid the appearance of unwanted prints on the grease-free working surface.
7. 7. If the design does not provide a cooling system, the tool must be turned off every 15-20 minutes. operation to avoid engine overheating.

Features of using engine speed

When working with cutting tool When engraving, it is important to understand how the tool works. More accurate drawing of image contours on the working surface is possible when using low engraver speeds. When working with plastic, you should understand that high speeds will heat the product and it may melt. When working with metal and wood, you can use higher speeds.

Drawing

Before applying a drawing to the work surface, it must be degreased with an alcohol solution and only after that apply the drawing with a pencil or felt-tip pen. You can use a stencil after securing it to the surface with tape.

Using minimal tool speeds will increase the accuracy of the work, namely, the depth of the strokes will be uniform and uniform, the pattern will be more even.

When working with an engraver, it is important to wear protective gloves; firstly, you will reduce the likelihood of dark spots on a grease-free surface, and secondly, sliding your hand along the surface will improve your maneuverability and mobility.

Advice for beginners - the process of applying a pattern to a work surface should always begin by drawing the outline, and only then begin to apply small details. At the end of the work, the completed project should be polished (remove small burrs and roughness). As a rule, for such work an attachment in the form of a roller with a soft felt surface is used.

Polishing

You can polish absolutely any surface of any material. The engraver is also used for polishing screens household appliances(TV, computer monitor, phone screen). For this purpose, it is worth using felt or cotton attachments and not exceeding speeds of more than 10 thousand per minute. An example of a polishing tool is the Dremel 290-3/4 Hobby.

It is important to understand that each nozzle is used for a specific material and task. The differences may be the thickness and depth of the applied line.

Example of working with glass:

• to obtain a deep line, a tungsten carbide nozzle is used,
• to get a thick line, use a silicone carbide nozzle,
• Working with a diamond tip will create a thin strip.

Glass surfaces should not be processed at high speeds. Recommended speed – 25000 rpm.

Using this tool, you can drill holes in shells, the main thing is to do this with a diamond-coated drill without any pressure at high speeds (up to 35 thousand per minute).

An engraver can be used to make wooden toys. Sawing according to the drawn image is carried out at a speed of 30 thousand. per minute At the end of the work, you can grind the finished product.

Product care

Implementation timely care maintenance of the product will extend its service life. Mandatory rules:

• regular cleaning of ventilation surfaces,
• Do not use alcohol-based products, gasoline, or thinner for cleaning (the body of the product may be damaged).

Security measures:

Mandatory use of glasses or a mask while performing work.
Do not use Consumables(discs, attachments, brushes) not appropriate technical requirements products.
Check the tool regularly for damage.
After completing the work, it is necessary to clean all consumables and the tool itself, this will increase its service life.

Electricity has given humanity a lot, but to imagine life without electric tool impossible. A universal power source allows you to create universal tools, the need for which is amazing. One of the representatives of such universal electrical equipment is an engraver.

If you look at an electric engraver through a magnifying glass, it will turn out to be nothing more than a type of drill. It’s just that the dimensions of the tool are much smaller, and functionality significantly expanded. Like conventional drills, engravers are equipped with a relatively powerful electric drive. The electric drive not only creates sufficient torque, but also a very high rotation speed of the nozzle.

The majority of engravers are based on the rotational principle. But there are also shock varieties in which Electric Energy transferred to the kinetic energy of the impact. A special nozzle made of a fairly hard material knocks out particles of the material, leaving the required pattern or inscription.

The main characteristics of engravers come down to several:

• tool weight;
• motor rotation speed;
• number of universal nozzles.

Masters are preferred over light tool, with a shaft rotation speed of up to 20 thousand revolutions per minute with a set of the most various attachments. Typically the weight of the engraver does not exceed 1 kg. This is due to the fact that engraving work is done manually, and tools heavier than 1 kg are difficult to work with for a long time. It is better to work with a light tool for a long time.

The variety of attachments determines the range of functionality of the tool. Therefore, this range depends proportionally on the number of nozzles. The list of attachments may include:

• collets, couplings, jaw clamps;
• engraving attachments;
• cutting and polishing wheels;
• miniature drills;
• burs of different configurations and sizes.

In addition to attachments, it is possible to attach flexible shafts, which allow, by lengthening the drive shaft, to perform additional work without experiencing discomfort.

For a home workshop, for household needs, an engraver with a rotation speed of up to 20 thousand revolutions per minute and a power of about 200 W is sufficient. Professional engravers have a speed of up to 30 - 35 thousand and a drive power of over 250 W.

Electric engravers are produced by many companies with well-known brands: Dremel, Bort, Sturm, Einhell, Hammer, Bosh, Makita and many others. This serious attitude to such an unenviable instrument is expressed in permanent job to improve the design and offer new attachments.

Why do you need an engraver?

Engraving work is work that always requires special precision. Functionally, the engraver can drill, cut, mill, clean and polish, apply inscriptions and drawings. But all these works are connected with the jewelry of their execution. You can process wood, metal, different types ceramics, glass and plastic. When using diamond-cut attachments, the functional range of the tool increases many times over.

Without an engraver, the work of jewelry workshops and enterprises producing souvenirs is impossible. Because in addition to purely technical purposes, an engraver can create works of art from metal, wood or other precious and decorative materials.

And the engraver’s technical goals are at any industrial enterprise– from restoring parts to creating miniature units that cannot be made with any other type of tool.

When using diamond-cut attachments, the functional range of the tool increases many times over. But to work with such a tool you need certain experience and professionalism.

Engraver manufacturers we trust + (Video)

A good branded tool is worth the money paid. The manufacturers and their models included in this review have the best characteristics:

Model	Rating	Characteristics	Rating indicators
Sturm GM2317FL	1	Power 170 W, rpm from 8000 to 32000, cartridges 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, weight 700 g, 120 attachments and accessories	Tool for home
Dremel Hobby Edition F0130290JJ	2	Power 35 W, speed up to 6000, weight 310 g, 2 nozzles	Handicraft tool
Skil 1415 LC	3	Power 125 W, rpm 15000 – 35000, cartridges 2.4, 3.2, weight 730 g, 25 attachments and accessories	Quality-price ratio
Dremel 3000 – 1/25	4	Power 130 W, rpm 10000 – 33000, cartridges 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, weight 550 g, 25 nozzles	Carrying out precision work

This rating list You can expand, add other manufacturers, other rating criteria. The market for engravers, their functionality and basic characteristics are changing almost every day. Each specialist can create his own rating list based on his needs and preferences.

How to choose an engraver + (Video)

When choosing such a tool, it is necessary to clearly understand the purpose of use. It is necessary to take into account the quality of the material being processed, the list of functional operations, the necessary and sufficient volume of attachments and devices. First of all, you need to decide what you plan to do.

A mini drill differs from impact engravers in that it can be used for more than just engraving. It can be used to cut and drill, clean and polish. You need to carefully familiarize yourself with the equipment, because for such work it will be more expensive to purchase attachments separately. For hard-to-reach places, a model with a flexible shaft is useful.

You also need to decide how often the engraver will be used. If the work will be performed every day, then you need to select the most reliable model. This could be Dremel, Proxxon or Foredom. And power reserve for professional work It is better to select from 250 W. The power reserve will allow you to work at low speeds due to the large torque. For handicrafts and hobbies, the Einhell, Hammer, Bort, Storm or Skil models are quite sufficient. Their declared power is in the range of 100 - 200 W.

The material with which to work is also important in the choice. Glass, wood and soft metals can be easily processed with a mini drill with speeds up to 20,000. Gems, steel and hard alloy materials can be processed by a mini-drill with speeds up to 30,000 and their mandatory adjustment. This will allow for precise tuning. Otherwise, you will have to use an impact engraver.

After determining the purpose of use, the tool is selected according to technical characteristics - power, shaft speed and weight of the tool. And the selection is completed based on such indicators as the noise of the tool, its ergonomics, workmanship and price. But, even without experience working with an engraver, you can choose a tool according to the above criteria.

Working as an engraver is a fascinating procedure with which you can create various patterns and inscriptions on the surface of the workpiece, grind and polish small parts, and also solve a whole list of other tasks. In order for the results of working as an engraver, which can be a standard drill, to be of high quality, it is necessary not only to understand why it is needed, but also to know all the nuances of using such equipment.

The engraver allows you to work not only with wood, but also with other materials

Equipment selection

When choosing an engraver or drill, you must decide for what work such a device will be used, as well as what materials will be processed with its help. Knowing this, you can choose an engraving machine for working on metal and other materials or a drill for wood carving (even taking into account the huge variety of similar devices presented on the modern market) without any problems.

Most significant characteristics The engravers you should focus on are:

• power of the drive motor, which determines the ability of the equipment long time work under significant mechanical loads and process various materials;
• the number of revolutions developed by the working body in which the engraving tool is fixed.

Nowadays, there is plenty to choose from; each manufacturer produces several models of engravers that differ in both price and functionality.

Very often, those who are going to purchase an engraver for their professional activities or for work at home have to make a choice between the two characteristics mentioned above. No matter how much one would like it, not a single modern engraving device from among serial models is capable of effectively combining high power and speed. That is why specialists who often have to use an engraver immediately purchase both powerful and resourceful models. The best choice in such cases would be:

• powerful engraver, the working tip of which has a reinforced design;
• compact and lightweight micromotor capable of operating at high speeds.

For heavy work, a tool with an additional handle will be convenient, and fine engraving is best done with a compact device

For not too complicated engraving work at home, you can make such a device yourself, giving it exactly the functionality and characteristics that are necessary. There is a wide variety of designs of homemade engravers and videos about their manufacture, so choosing an acceptable option is not difficult. For example, you can make an engraver that will be driven by an electric motor from old household appliances. However, to make it convenient to work with, a homemade engraving machine must be equipped with a flexible drive and a special attachment in which the tool used will be fixed.

Applying homemade engraver at home, you can not only apply inscriptions and patterns to the product, but also perform various types of processing of parts made of metal, plastic and bone. Wood carving with a handmade engraver is also possible. Depending on the working tool installed in the attachment of such a device, it can be used as a mini-drill, a small router, a compact grinder and polisher.

To choose production model An engraver who will effectively cope with all the assigned tasks should be guided not only by the rating of such equipment among specialists, but also by its characteristics and functionality.

Serial models of engravers

Serial models of engravers, which are equally successfully used both at home and in the professional sphere, can be divided into the following categories.

Technical drills

These are powerful sleeveless devices with which you can successfully perform various technological operations, namely: drilling, grinding, milling, etc. Such units, operating at low speeds, are equipped with a convenient foot pedal and can be used in conjunction with both collet and quick-release chucks.

The power of technical drills allows them to be used for various operations with the help of additional attachments and accessories

Micromotors without flexible drive (sleeves)

The compact drive motor, which is equipped with engravers of this type, is mounted at the rear of the working attachment. Such small and high-speed engravers, not intended for heavy loads, are used primarily for the most delicate work. At the same time, the micromotor with which these engravers are equipped cannot be repaired; it can only be replaced with a new one. That is why it is advisable to use these devices for not too complex work, without subjecting it to significant loads.

Engravers or drills with flexible shaft

These drills are very convenient to use for engraving and fine carving. However, it should be borne in mind that the flexible shaft with which they are equipped reduces their power by almost half.

How to work as an engraver

To make the work performed by the engraver more comfortable and efficient, certain rules should be followed.

Preparation of the workplace

The working surface on which engraving is carried out with a drill must be well lit, so it must be equipped with a powerful lamp that allows you to easily examine in great detail all the elements being processed. If used for engraving paper template, then you will need masking tape, with which the template is fixed on the surface to be treated. Sometimes a sketch of a design or inscription that needs to be engraved is applied to the product being processed with a regular felt-tip pen or pencil. The surface must be degreased with alcohol.

Tool preparation

To perform engraving, use various instruments, installed in the engraver. Each of them performs certain functions. Thus, a tool with a cone-shaped working part is needed to apply the outline of a design, and a cylindrical bur is needed to create small strokes. Before starting work, all tools should be laid out on the workbench in the exact order in which they will be used.

Carrying out engraving

The hand that holds working attachment The engraver should slide freely over the surface being processed; for this it is recommended to wear a fabric glove. Such a glove will also allow you not to leave hand marks on the grease-free surface of the workpiece. If you do not yet have experience in engraving, it is better to carry out the work at minimum speed. This will allow you to cut an even pattern consisting of strokes of the same depth, without damaging the workpiece.

All engraving methods assume that the outline of the design is first made, and only then its details are “drawn” with the appropriate tool. The made drawing should be processed with a felt roller, which will give it a more neat appearance and remove all burrs left by the tool from the treated surface.

If the design of the engraver or drill you are using does not provide a forced ventilation system, then after 10–15 minutes of operation you should turn off the equipment and allow it to cool naturally.

An engraver is a multifunctional tool powered by electric current and designed for precision processing of wood, metal, glass and other materials. There are many types of such instruments on the modern market, differing in their design, purpose and dimensions. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this or that type of engraver and provides criteria for choosing a product.

What is an engraver?

The operating principle of the engraver is based on the rotational energy of the shaft connected to the drive part of the electric motor. U different manufacturers The appearance of the part may differ, but the components are almost identical. The engraver consists of the following elements:

1. The handle body is the main part in which the entire drive part and electric motor are located. In household products, the handle is made of plastic, but in the industrial version there is a metal body coated with rubber for convenience.
2. Electric motor of varying power, depending on the purpose of the device, it can be 6,12,24 or 220 volts. The entire operation of the product is based on the rotation of a power unit powered by electric current; if the engine fails, the use of the tool will not be possible.
3. On the body of the part there are controls in the form of a current switch and a voltage regulator. With their help, you can turn the device on and off, as well as adjust the number of revolutions of the drive shaft.
4. The drive shaft is located at the end of the engraver and is connected to the power unit.
5. Spindle with collar. A nozzle is attached to this element, which is secured with a crimp collar and securely fixed to the drive shaft. During rotation of the motor rod, the drive acts on the tip of the nozzle and sets the movable part of the tip in motion.
6. Inside the tip there is a collet chuck, which holds the nozzle on the engraver and ensures stable rotation of the rod.

Depending on the purpose of the device, there are many attachments for a particular job, differing in material, diameter and rotation speed.

Areas of application of the engraver and its types

Trimming different materials

Wood cutting

Sanding parts

The engraver is a multi-functional tool, it can be used to carry out next works:

• For carving and milling metal, wood, glass or concrete. To perform such tasks, nozzles with abrasive coating or special sharpening are installed, which allow you to process even the hardest material.
• Sanding stone, plastic, glass or wood. Most often, this work is carried out in hard-to-reach places or on small parts where it is not possible to use a large tool.
• The engraver is often used for cleaning and polishing various surfaces, such as glass, plexiglass, metal, ceramics. To perform these works, nozzles with hard or soft wire and polishing felt are used.
• IN Lately the use of an engraver as a polishing machine for processing jewelry. Such actions give the jewelry its original shine and remove scratches or cracks in the metal.
• It is also possible to use an engraver for part-time work ceramic tiles and granite in order to bring them to required size.

Depending on the purpose and power, this device is divided into several types:

1. With built-in battery. This tool is considered a household tool and is not suitable for use for industrial purposes. Charging is carried out from the general network using a special charger. The battery capacity may vary; the operating time and rotation speed of the product depend on it. The main advantage of such a product is its mobility and independence from the presence of an electrical network, but there is also a significant drawback, accumulator battery has a limited resource to use.
2. Operating from a 220 Volt network. This is a semi-industrial version of the tool, which has more power and, therefore, can be used continuously for a long time.
3. Engravers also differ in their drive mechanism, which can be flexible or rigid. The principle of operation is the same for both, the difference lies in the moving part of the shaft, which can be bent 90 degrees relative to the body of the device.

Also, many manufacturers produce engravers in a set with many attachments for processing various materials. Such universal tools included in the kit are very popular among both household users and qualified specialists.

Criterias of choice

When choosing the type of engraver, you need to pay attention to several technical indicators. First of all, it is worth deciding on the tasks that will be solved using the engraver. For example, if the tool is used for grinding and polishing in living conditions, then there is no need to purchase an expensive tool with a whole set of attachments; it will be enough to buy a household appliance with several additional elements.

It is also important to consider access to the electrical network at the workplace, since it is not always possible to use current as a power source. In such cases, it would be advisable to use an engraver with a built-in storage battery, but it is worth noting that the capacity and power of the battery corresponded to the tasks being performed.

IN technical specifications For each tool, the number of revolutions of the rod per minute and the weight of the product as a whole are indicated. These parameters must be taken into account, since working with an engraver that is heavy for a long time will be problematic and a device with low shaft speeds may overheat during prolonged use, which will lead to breakdown.

Selection of attachments for engraving work

After determining the tasks that will be solved using the engraver, you need to select the type of attachment suitable for the work.

For sanding soft materials, such as wood or plastic, attachments with medium or low hardness stones are used. Such a device will level the surface when rotating, and will not wear off. To level the product in hard-to-reach places, corners or internal surfaces, nozzles come in various shapes and thicknesses.

Carving and milling are carried out with a sharpened steel tip. Such an element is made in the form of a cone-shaped cutter with a spiral thread, which, when rotated, removes part of the processed material to the required size. These bits require periodic sharpening and lubrication, otherwise they may become susceptible to rust and corrosion.

Cleaning and polishing of various surfaces is carried out with a tip with a rigid wire, which is attached from the center of the nozzle to its edges. When the drive rotates, the steel thread cuts into the surface being treated and cleans it of plaque, old paint or rust. For different material there is a nozzle with different levels hardness, the softer the surface, the more flexible the wire at the tip will be.

Engraving, grinding, cutting on metal, glass, plastic, bone - all this is included in the capabilities of the electric engraver. For those who are still deciding which instrument to choose, an overview of its varieties will be useful. Tips and video instructions for working with an electric engraver, as well as a description of some breakdowns and how to fix them, will be useful to tool owners. And those who like an individual approach will learn how to make it at home.

Electric engraver - features, main tasks, types

An electric engraver is very similar in shape and general operating principle to a drill. The main difference between the engraver is its miniature size (you can work with one hand) and high speed, that is, the number of revolutions per minute. This tool also allows you to perform work with high precision. An electric engraver, as the name suggests, is primarily designed for engraving - applying letters, lines, backgrounds to a surface. But it's not that simple.

Kinds

Trying to find a suitable model for yourself, it doesn’t take long to get confused. In catalogs and in the names of manufacturers there are many names: “engraver”, “mini-” or “microdrill”, “dremel”, “drill”, “straight grinder”. What should you consider? What to miss? I want certainty. A review of models depending on their capabilities, as well as reviews from those who already use the tool, will help solve this problem.

Shock

The Dremel Engraver 290 works on the impact principle

In a very strict sense, an engraver is a percussion instrument; the operating principle is similar to a hammer drill. It is designed simply. It is accurate in operation, but noisy and produces an unpleasant sound. An impact engraver is designed for a small range of work - namely, dot engraving or, if you get creative with the attachment, carving; it is perfect for working on metal and inscriptions. Dot engraving produces a silky finish. You can also make contour drawings on stone or work on glass, but you must be careful with this material - there is a high risk of breaking the surface. Among impact engravers, Dremel models are the most represented on the market; there are Chinese analogues, they are inexpensive, but the quality of their work is a big question.

Video: review and test of the Dremel Engraver

Network devices with motor and tip in one housing

Many manufacturers and craftsmen also call engravers mini-drills, drills, straight grinding machines. These are tools that work on the principle of rotation: the motor turns the spindle, a chuck is attached to the spindle, into which the equipment (attachments) is installed. The peculiarity of such a device is the abundance of attachments for it; you can either purchase them or make them yourself. They can perform a huge number of operations - grinding, polishing, drilling, milling, sharpening. The devices within this huge group differ depending on the structure of the case and the method of power supply. But they are all united by miniature size and precision processing.

Corded tools operate from an electrical network and are more similar to a small drill than others. As a rule, they are made in a plastic case. The group is very large, the scope is very wide. Most cheap Chinese models with rather modest characteristics belong to this type of instrument. A special cable with a tip - a flexible shaft - and a special stand make it possible to expand the functions of such devices, turning them into an analogue of suspended machines.

Electric engraver Sturm. The included flexible shaft allows for greater accuracy

Suspended machines

The tip of these devices is connected to the body with a flexible cable. The speed is controlled not by a switch, but by a pedal.

Outboard speed Dremel engraver Fortiflex pedal adjustable

Mobile electric engravers

The peculiarity of such devices is that they receive power not from the mains, but from batteries. You can work with them anywhere. Such a device will be especially useful for a craftsman working with wet material - battery-powered power tools are the safest in such cases.

The Dremel 7700–30 engraver can be used even where there is no access to power.

Which electric engraver to choose

Weight, noise, power, number of revolutions - these are the main characteristics that directly affect the quality and ease of operation. As with other tools, there is no such thing as an ideal engraver. Powerful models lose speed, while fast models lose power. It is not so convenient to perform long operations with a heavy tool; a light one is often different low quality materials from which the parts and housing are made.

Key Features Affecting Performance

To make it easier to decide which parameters you can sacrifice when choosing a machine and which you can’t, the list contains not only technical specifications instrument, but also the relationship between them:

• power. The difference in power between the machines on the market is very large - from approximately 12 to 350 W. Very often, weight directly depends on power. The higher the power, the heavier the device. Power is also directly related to torque. This parameter is measured in Newtons per centimeter. This is a kind of machine power. Manufacturers often do not indicate it at all, limiting themselves to power. Among other things, torque also affects how a machine with large-diameter equipment will operate. The larger the diameter, the greater this indicator should be. Torque depends on engine size. The larger the diameter, the higher the indicator will be. The higher the engine speed, the lower the torque;.
• number of revolutions. This is the speed at which the attachment rotates. The spread is also very large, on average reaching 35,000 rpm at maximum, at minimum - from zero. The speed control function is very useful; the vast majority of models are equipped with it;
• collet. Nozzle holder. The ability to attach chucks and collets of different sizes will be an advantage - you will be able to attach equipment from different manufacturers to the tool. It is worth paying attention to how standard the thread on the cartridge is.

The collet chuck and collets influence the versatility of the electric engraver. It depends on the type of cartridge whether it is possible to install attachments with different sizes shank

Table: types of materials and optimal tool parameters for working with them

Plastic	Melts easily. You cannot work with it at high speeds - when heated, the material will soften, deform, and begin to stick to the tool. Very viscous. The processing torque must be high
Bone	At high speeds, the bone also deteriorates, burns, and clogs the surface of the instrument. It is extremely important to choose the right equipment - a small notch gets clogged very quickly, while a too large one spoils the material, tearing out pieces. At low speeds it is processed poorly, chips, and a torn surface is obtained. The tool may even jump off and “move” - and this can lead to injury. RPM for working with bone - 10,000–35,000. High torque is not needed
Stone	The RPM doesn't matter much. But processing requires a lot of effort. Need a powerful tool with high torque
Glass	It is a very fragile material and you cannot apply much force to it. You don't need high torque, but you do need high rpm. At low speeds there is a danger that the glass will break
Tree	Depends on the type of wood. It is better to study this topic separately - each type of tree requires its own parameters and equipment. For example, for loose rocks, more revolutions and not very high torque will be required

What exactly needs to be done with the tool is also important. Engraving, cutting or grinding? Or maybe polishing? When cutting you need high speeds, and when polishing you need more power. The more complex a task a master sets for himself, the less likely it is that one universal tool will cope with it perfectly. If you plan to process wet material, you must only use a device with a battery or flexible shaft - this is a matter of your safety.

It is best to choose one - expensive and high-quality - tool for basic work and a second - cheaper and simpler - for what you plan to do less often.

Equipment

Engravers, as a rule, are equipped with a storage case, as well as a variety of sets of attachments. When buying your first engraving machine, you shouldn’t chase an abundance of consumables and overpay for something that will never be useful. Take the standard set. Among the additional equipment included in the package, you can pay attention to the flexible shaft - it will provide more opportunities for precise work - and a stand for hanging the engraver itself when working with the flexible shaft.

The stand and flexible shaft will help you work with the electric engraver with greater accuracy

For complex tasks, for various types When working with materials of different properties, you will need a tool with an extended set.

The extended configuration of the electric engraver includes not only attachments, but also an additional battery pack, a handle for fine work, a compass and other accessories.

Engravers are produced under many brands. These are “Zubr”, “Caliber”, “Whirlwind”, Intertool, Hammer, Bosh, Watt, Wortex, Ryobi, Sturm, Einhell, Proxxon and others. The most famous brand, Dremel, is named after the inventor of the tool with a small electric motor and high speed, Albert Dremel. Now this word has become a household word - any electric engravers are often called Dremels.

In 1906, a young mechanic, Albert Dremel, came from Austria to the United States. At first he had to work in a workshop, where he did all sorts of rough work - he adjusted parts with a file, sharpened workpieces on a lathe. And for fun, I played the violin a little in local pubs on weekends. In 1931 he founded his own company - Dremel Manufacturing Company. Its first successful product was an electric razor sharpening machine. And Dremel’s next invention forever won the hearts of all kinds of DIYers.

Tatiana Pham

Magazine "Popular Mechanics" No. 12 of 2015

Reviews, opinions about electric engravers

There is no ideal tool - tested in practice. But reviews, both positive and negative, can still help with the choice: it is always useful to know what you might encounter when using the machine. Here are some reviews of various models.

Dremel is good with a huge number of attachments, it is almost a universal tool. Adjusting the speed also helps. I bought myself a kit 300 series - I couldn’t be more pleased. But the thing is not a budget thing, yes, the set came out to 3500, and there are almost the same number of attachments, and that’s not all. About the rest they say that the accuracy is not the same, but the build quality is not the same. This is understandable; it’s more profitable for them to sell at a higher price. You can try looking for a used one, there are good options.

Romick

http://www.tehnari.ru/f34/t57749/#post593402

I am the owner (about 4 years) of a Dremel 4000. The machine is very good and reliable. But if I decide to buy another one, I won’t choose Dremel. The reason is simple - the use of exclusively branded consumables that are far from cheap and not of very high quality. Tools from other manufacturers are very rarely suitable. The kit included only a collet for 3.2 mm shanks, and most of the work has to be done with dental burs. I tried to order cartridges from China, but contrary to the assurances of the sellers (I ordered two times from different ones), the thread does not fit. I didn’t receive an answer or a greeting when ordering from a Russian online store, and, most likely, there are the same ones from China. Here is the Dremel in homemade stand for drilling boards, and only Japanese board drills with a 3.17 mm shank are used with it. The rest of the load is carried by the inexpensive, but as practice has shown, no less reliable Chinese Wolf MD32, the cartridges of which fit without any questions.

uzren

http://www.tehnari.ru/f222/t247517/#post2397508

Proxxon FBS 240/E is available on the farm. I've been using it for several years. When I compared it with others, I settled on it. The 50th seemed rather weak. I took it when I had to repair an expensive interchangeable lens from a Canon SLR camera. They slammed it down and broke the zoom lens. It was necessary to drill four holes with a diameter of 0.4 mm in a wall with a thickness of 0.82 mm. The machine did a great job, the cartridge does not hit at all, it works smoothly. Later I acquired the necessary equipment, in particular, a flexible hose with a regular chuck and a chuck for collets. It should be noted that the collets for it are three-jaw, and this already says something. I use it as a “thin” tool. For rougher work there are other devices. I’m thinking of getting another BFW 40/E drilling and milling head from the same company. I had to work with hand tools from other manufacturers, but, in my opinion, this one is the best.

VlaDZeniN

http://www.cqham.ru/forum/archive/index.php/t-23998.html

I have Ferm (Austrian type). He has already recouped his money a long time ago (his price was something like 30–40 bucks). I can’t say that it’s terribly poor quality. The most useful thing is the flexible shaft. Everything that is missing from the attachments in the basic kit must be purchased separately. Cutting wheels are a weak thing and independent of the manufacturer (the exception is reinforced ones, but they are difficult to find here), in the end I make them myself from a 1 mm grinder cutting wheel. Everything else doesn't require hands on.

SknUA

http://forum.amadeus-project.com/index.php?showtopic=719&view=findpost&p=10410

Nozzles for electric engraver - types, methods of application and do-it-yourself modifications

Most often, a set of attachments is supplied with the tool. You can purchase what you need later. Ideally, the attachment should be from the same company as the engraver - only then the manufacturer guarantees quality. But if the “native” attachment is not on sale or is too expensive, you can use analogues or even homemade ones. The main thing you need to pay attention to is that the tail diameter (shank) of the nozzle matches the cartridge in the engraver. Inexpensive attachments, especially made in China, most often have a shank with a diameter of 3.2 mm.

Nozzles are usually easy to change. You need to press the stop button, thereby blocking the spindle. Use the key that comes with the tool to loosen the collet chuck, then unscrew it and remove the attachment. Insert new one. For a thicker or thinner nozzle, you will have to change the collet. The jaw chuck makes this task easier - depending on the size range, attachments with different diameters shank.

The universal jaw chuck allows for quick installation of attachments with different diameters shank

Engraving bits, burs

Available in various alloys, with different types coatings, various shapes. Designed mainly for applying patterns to surfaces. The type of bur depends on the material to be worked with. So, the most commonly used are the following:

• carbide - very durable, high-quality and expensive attachments, a special type of carbide bur - in the shape of a peak, they are good for working on plastic, bone, with these burs they make tracing - they draw the main lines of the drawing;
• steel - the main cutting tool, they come in various shapes and configurations;
• combined - steel base and carbide head;
• Diamond-coated nozzles are very productive; You can buy them at a medical equipment store, they are also available on Chinese websites - they are of quite acceptable quality.

Diamond-coated engraving bits - burs of this type, even in inexpensive sets, are of good quality

Sometimes manufacturers mark burs with color. The color also indicates the degree of sharpening. Burs with black markings are very productive, but the sharpening of blue and green ones is weaker. Yellow marked burs are good for finishing.

Making a bur - a triangular peak - by hand

If there is no suitable attachment on sale, you can make one. For example, a bur in the shape of a triangular peak. Factory (Kazan) versions are thin, elongated, with a high pyramid, but their tip has some rounding. It is quite possible to eliminate this drawback at home. You can resharpen factory ones, or you can make your own using an old bur - a truncated cone. Sharpen on a diamond disc. Before sharpening, you need to find the middle of the working part of the workpiece bur and sharpen it at an obtuse angle. After you have some semblance of a bullet, you can draw the edges. After sharpening, the attachment must be checked on the material, and then fine-tuned manually using sandpaper.

Video: making a nozzle - a triangular peak with your own hands

Other types of attachments

In addition to engraving, a machine can perform a huge number of operations. It is for them - cutting, drilling, grinding, polishing - that other types of attachments are intended.

The entire array of equipment can be divided into groups. Here are some of them:

• drills - like burs, there are carbide and steel;
• brushes - steel, muslin fabric, thread;
• rubber cylinders - often craftsmen “bring them to mind” by placing them on used burs, grinding off the tip with an abrasive, giving it the shape of a bullet, resulting in a good grinding attachment;
• grinding stones - differ both in shape and material;
• grinding discs - emery wheels (they can be cut from ordinary sandpaper and stick on the base, attach to the disc holder), diamond rings;
• special holders onto which felt is screwed; they very often come in sets of accessories along with the tool; instead of such a holder, you can also use an old bur, and attach the felt pad with superglue;
• “Hedgehog” attachments made of tsungsten carbide, these are burs coated with needles and crumbs; they can be used to work with plastic, artificial stone, tree; require special care when using - you can get hurt.

How to work as an electric engraver

Before you start, it doesn’t hurt to think about the organization of your workplace. You will have to deal with small details, elements, and precision will be required. Therefore, take care of lighting in advance. When working, dust and small particles will probably fly away - cover the surface of the table or furniture with something.

Step-by-step instruction

1. First, create a blank - what you will eventually engrave on. Many operations, especially on wood - cutting, grinding - can be performed with an electric engraver.
2. Then secure the stencil. You can draw lines on paper by applying a drawing to the surface. Or you can transfer it directly onto the material using, for example, carbon paper. The surface must be degreased before applying the pattern. If you have a ready-made stencil design, secure it to the surface with tape. If you work with gloves, there will be no traces left on the degreased surface. To engrave on glass, the design must be placed underneath it.
3. Start with the outline and only then move on to the small details of the drawing. Mark complex lines with dots and then connect them. Chiaroscuro in the drawing, tone, if any, is best done last.

Video: making a wooden shelf with engraving

Safety precautions

• be sure to wear glasses;
• start with low speeds - this way there is less chance that the tool will come off due to unaccustomed use;
• when drawing a line, move the engraver away from you if possible;
• take breaks, ideally every 10–15 minutes, this will help prevent the instrument from overheating; if the device has good system cooling, you can interrupt less often, but remember about your own fatigue - it would be a shame to ruin your work just before the finish line;
• Before starting work, be sure to inspect the tool and attachments: the power cord must be in good condition, the attachments must be free of damage or chips; damaged ones must be replaced.
• consumables, discs, attachments must match the parameters of the tool, first of all, this concerns the dimensions of the shank.

Care

Less repair costs and more pleasant work experience - this can be achieved by properly caring for the tool. Moreover, there is no need for particularly labor-intensive care and cleaning.

The engraver can be used, as they say, out of the box - the tool does not require any special tricks before the first use. But after use, you need to clean it - just sweep away the dust from the tip and body. Particular attention should be paid to ventilation slots. You can use a brush or brush.

Repair - what you can do yourself

In case of serious damage, of course, it is better to contact a workshop. But in many cases you can handle it yourself. If we're talking about about the Dremel tool, it is not difficult to disassemble it - just unscrew the screws and pry off the body parts with a screwdriver. They come apart easily.

Electric engraver device

The machine consists of a motor (stator, armature), a spindle (shaft), brushes, a cooling system, and a tip to which the equipment is attached. Some models are equipped with a speed switch, impact force switch, and electronics (screen showing the number of revolutions). But the general principle remains the same.

Stator - external, stationary part of the engine The armature, or rotor, is the internal, moving part of the engine. Bearings are installed at the edges of the armature

The device makes an uncharacteristic sound, the air flow from the fan increases

Perhaps the armature is catching on the stator. One of the reasons is the failure of the rubber ring - the coupling; over time it can wear out or even break. In order to replace the clutch, you need to disassemble not only the housing itself, but also the engine.

Video: disassembling the electric engraver motor, replacing the coupling

Overheat

If the machine heats up too much and too quickly, the bearings may be clogged with dirt and need to be cleaned and lubricated. It is necessary to remove the armature; there is no need to remove the bearings from it. First, use an awl to carefully remove the anthers, then wash the bearings with kerosene. Rinse very thoroughly. For this, as for lubricant, you can use a syringe. If the anthers become deformed during disassembly, they need to be straightened - a small flat-head screwdriver is convenient for this.

Video: cleaning and lubricating bearings

Poor speed shifting

The switch may be faulty due to clogged dust - small particles flying during operation. To do this, you need to disassemble the device and clean it. It is very effective to blow through the insides of the instrument compressed air from a small bottle. Remove remaining dust with a brush.

Video: cleaning the speed switch

How to make an electric engraver yourself

You can make a tool designed for simple tasks yourself using various bases. Appliances with a motor, such as a blender, work well. A hand blender is also good because its handle is anatomically shaped, it is comfortable to hold, and the motor in this device is quite powerful. To do this, you will need to purchase a collet chuck and a switch so that you do not have to manually press the button all the time.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Disassemble the blender body.
2. Remove the printed circuit board and motor.
3. Measure the spindle - a collet chuck will be needed exactly for this diameter.
4. Clean the parts, especially the old engine, thoroughly.
5. Place the chuck on the spindle.
6. Instead of the blender button, install a switch lever. To do this you will need to remove printed circuit board button contacts, and instead of them solder wires for the switch.
7. Drill a hole in the body for the lever.
8. Install the board and switch, put the motor in place.
9. Assemble the body.

Video: DIY blender engraver

An electric engraver is a universal tool that can be used to perform a huge number of operations, not limited to drawings and inscriptions. The choice of models is very wide, and the most famous brand, Dremel, has worthy competitors. The machine should be selected according to the type of work and the main material with which you are going to experiment. There are a huge number of attachments for an electric engraver, but if you were unable to purchase the one you need, you can make some yourself. At home, you can also repair the device and even make it from another household appliance, such as a blender.