Airtact, my recommendation

[Russ Sutton]

I am, I think, a decent knifemaker and at least a beginning engraver. I thought you might be interested in my perspective. I received my Airtact from GRS last week and have used it a total of 15 hours. It was very simple to install with my Gravermach. The setup probably took 30 minutes and would have been shorter if I had read the operation manual they sent with it.

The orientation of the handpiece Palm Element (that's a rubber palm pad which is mounted on the top of the handpiece) affects the sensitivity of the handpiece and you need to adjust it to what feels good to you. I found that basically having the air lines leaving my hand at nearly the same place as before worked well. I was engraving almost immediately with the handpiece. I did move the top one way or the other a time or two to get the sensitivity I wanted. I engraved about two hours before I realized it's better to relax your grip on the handpiece (the manual mentioned that also I saw later).

The bottom line is I'm surprised at how short the learning curve is on the Airtact. After I realized you can relax your grip, it really becomes an extension of your hand, your eyes and your mind. I would not classify myself as a 'real engraver,' however, I was using a 120 degree carbide square graver and have had no problem controlling it almost from the beginning. It's great not to have to use a foot control. Actually I think you have more sensitive speed and power control in your hand than you can achieve with the foot control. The only problem I have is that my foot still moves as if it was on the foot control. I guess that will stop eventually or I need to get some music going.

I'd recommend the Airtact to anyone including beginning engravers without any reservation.

Thanks
Russ Sutton

 

[RES]

I also received my Airtact last week I agree it works very well, with a short learing curve
I highly recommend the Airtact

Bob Strosin

 

[Marcus Hunt]

Russ, Bob and all new Airtact users remember this system is really customizable to your requirements. I'd advise you to get hold of some extra touch elements and experiment with them by grinding away different bits of the rubber. Personally, I don't like the ridges very much so I ground them away and left just the activation part of the element; works great but very sensative. A couple of days back I needed something a little less sensative but more so than standard so I ground away everthing (but still leaving the activation nobble alone) to half height and it works great for the job I'm doing. We will all have different preferences and this is where Airtact scores so well as you can fully adjust it for you, my preference is to squeeze the handle and then come off the pressure to pop the bur, others will use it differently. I'm really glad you like it and I'm very happy you're finding adapting naturally to it.....took it's time coming......a bit like the iPhone (eh, Sam?)