Equipment to start off in engraving

[mb-engraver]

I'm looking for some guidance on getting started with engraving. So to introduce myself, I'm a clockmaker in the UK who can make pretty much any part of a clock, but I'd like to extend my skills in engraving my own dials and potentially decorative work on clock plates. This engraving in brass and for a clock dial it will be filled with wax and the brass silvered.

I've looked into various engraving systems and air based feels like the way to go but the setup costs vary wildly and I want to avoid wasting time and money on solutions which will disappoint long term.

- A DIY system based on the Shaun Hughes design - I'm told these are unsatisfactory as they don't pulse fast enough.

- A Chinese air graver system looking like a GRS system.

- Various options of air system from GRS including the Graversmith and GraverMax.

- Various options from Steve Lindsay.

Of course the Chinese GPS clone looks tempting, but I'm interested if anyone has any real experience side by side with this and GRS or Lindsay systems?

Thanks!

 

[ByrnBucks]

Good evening MB, I don’t know that I ended up with the knock off that you speak of but I did end up in the aforementioned waste of time and money on disappointment long term. In light of never laying hands on a proper air system “after practicing hand pushing for many months“ I wasted quite a bit of time trying to tame an unruly knock off hand piece and control box. If my goal was to gauge a level of determination I was willing to put forth into this wonderful form of art then yeah maybe it was worth the few hundred bucks haha. But if you are sure you wish to produce any type of quality or practice with any meaningful progress then please go straight for one of the reliable, time tested and master approved systems. Good luck its a wonderful journey to begin. BB

 

[monk]

welcome to the forum. the usa made tools are superior in every way to any of the knockoffs. the home brewed system by shaun hughes did work well for me. not as good as the usa stuff. the one i cobbled together would work for such as you seek to do. if, however, you will be earning money, you'll likely purchase the real tools. good luck in your pursuit.

 

[oniemarc]

It will probably also depend on what size the parts are going to be. What kind of decorative work.
The Shaun Hughes machine is great and plenty fast, but the quality of your set-up would vary depending on the parts you use or make. When set-up with a footpedal, you get very nice control over the power. Mine has a speedcontrol knob, so that stays fixed during engraving.

GRS knockoff's I haven't used, but I only read about the many problems people have with those.

GRS and Lindsay systems are 2 completely different set-ups. A knock off GRS doesn't compare to either.

If you are making money of your work, like @monk said, go for the real deal. The quality is much better. Learning is going to be much easier with the real deal. Control is better.
Which system is a bit of a personal opinion though. I like the simplicity of the Lindsay system, but there are many who prefer GRS. If you can find someone near and you can...test them out.

Marc

 

[AllenClapp]

You might consider taking a beginning engraving course from Ray Cover, Wes Griffin, or another instructor that has several kinds of engraving systems available for you to try. Not only will you get a great start, but you can figure out what type of system will work best for you. Then you can start looking on this site and the Facebook site(s) for hand engraving equipment for sale or go directly to the manufacturer you choose. Sometimes there are good deals on used equipment from folks that found other things in life taking over their time or upgraded/changed to a different system, but do consider that you may also run into the need to have used systems refurbished, which could end up making you wish you had started off with a new unit that includes a warranty.

 

[John B.]

Allen, he is a a clock maker in the UK. Maybe you didn't notice what he said.
It would cost him more than a tool set to take classes from the people you suggest.

 

[john d]

Tools are an important consideration, obviously, but learning the proper way to use them is equally important. I would strongly suggest that you consider taking a class like the ones offered at GRS. You‘ll learn about the tools and the techniques you’re most interested in. Not sure what classes are offered in the UK but would be well worth your time in finding something there.
Good luck!

 

[mb-engraver]

Thanks for all the replies - there is some really good information here for me to consider.

I'd certainly thought that the Chinese clone GRS system sounded too good to be true; I've had good experiences with Chinese machine tools for example, but I think I'll avoid this item.

Also good points about attending a course or at least finding someone local to me who can demonstrate the equipment or let me try. I'd really like to see these setups in action.

The kind of work I'm likely to do is lettering on a dial such as makers name for example. It might also involve decorate patterns on clock plates.

I'm wanting to compliment other dial decorating skills I'm building up; for example I'm also starting to get to grips with a rose engine which is another steep learning curve.

 

[oniemarc]

If the engraving is going to envolve really small lettering or tiny scrollwork, keep in mind that you also be wanting something to "optically enhance" the image you are working on. A microscope for instance.

I think most people here would love to see the rose engine work, even the practice pieces. They are truly amazing pieces of engineering.

 

[sam]

Make a connection with the Hand Engravers Association of Great Britain. Certainly someone there can assist you with instruction and/or demonstrations of various equipment.

So far all of the clone engraving systems I have seen are very poor. You will be well advised to avoid them and seek out used gear if you can find it.

 

[AllenClapp]

Allen, he is a a clock maker in the UK. Maybe you didn't notice what he said.
It would cost him more than a tool set to take classes from the people you suggest.

Thanks. I must have been asleep--I missed the UK connection. Hopefully someone familiar with UK engraving teachers will reply.

 

[KGB 3]

Thanks. I must have been asleep--I missed the UK connection. Hopefully someone familiar with UK engraving teachers will reply.

They will!

 

[Beeman]

I'm looking for some guidance on getting started with engraving. So to introduce myself, I'm a clockmaker in the UK who can make pretty much any part of a clock, but I'd like to extend my skills in engraving my own dials and potentially decorative work on clock plates. This engraving in brass and for a clock dial it will be filled with wax and the brass silvered.

I've looked into various engraving systems and air based feels like the way to go but the setup costs vary wildly and I want to avoid wasting time and money on solutions which will disappoint long term.

- A DIY system based on the Shaun Hughes design - I'm told these are unsatisfactory as they don't pulse fast enough.

- A Chinese air graver system looking like a GRS system.

- Various options of air system from GRS including the Graversmith and GraverMax.

- Various options from Steve Lindsay.

Of course the Chinese GPS clone looks tempting, but I'm interested if anyone has any real experience side by side with this and GRS or Lindsay systems?

Thanks!

Hi just noticed your post regarding engraving equipment. I am in the UK and make clocks and do my own engraving.
l have a complete pnumatic set up if you are interested. I have upgraded to a Lindsey palm control so it surplus you my requirements. You could email me on phil@yorkshirehoneycompany.Co.uk for further info and advice
regards
Beeman

 

[PS_Bond]

Make a connection with the Hand Engravers Association of Great Britain. Certainly someone there can assist you with instruction and/or demonstrations of various equipment.

So far all of the clone engraving systems I have seen are very poor. You will be well advised to avoid them and seek out used gear if you can find it.

The HEA is mostly focused on traditional hand push, although obviously a few members have powered kit. I nearly got myself lynched for showing up to an event wearing an Airgraver T shirt....

I pulled apart a malfunctioning clone (not mine) for amusement recently; the rotary valve kept stalling. The reason turned out to be the motor - despite limited use, the brushes had been shredded to the point they were only making intermittent contact with the commutator. Sourcing a decent replacement was going to cost about as much as the unit, and there was no guarantee on it even though it was less than a year old. Cheap initial cost, but poor component selection and something of a time sink to sort it.

 

[Beeman]

Hello MB
l am a clockmaker in the UK. I engrave my own dials etc. l have a pnumatic set up for sale. If you want to contact me on my email address phil@yorkshirehoneycompany.co.uk
l may be able to help you having been through the process already
regards