AllenClapp
Elite Cafe Member
Are Momax gravers still available? I am revising the FEGA engraving handbook. There is a discussion of Momax gravers that I am not sure should stay in the handbook. I cannot find anything about those gravers online.
MOMAX GRAVER BLANKS
- Thread starter AllenClapp
- Start date
i own a couple of them. they were manufactured by the jessup steel company in washington, pa. about 10 city blocks away from my home. i know that the gravers were about as good as any gravers available to me at the time. as far as i know, that alloy may no longer be supplied by the company that "bought jessup. -- allegheny ludlum. allegheny was purchased by ati. btw, i recall that they were known by the designation, "purple label"
ati is currently operational. i'll give them a call wed. will let u know wed eve. if the alloy is still available.
ati is currently operational. i'll give them a call wed. will let u know wed eve. if the alloy is still available.
Aventuraal
Member
I ran a Google search for 1/8" square Momax tool bits, and I find several listings; caveat: they now spell it Mo Max, not one word as previously listed. (Trademark issue?) The ones on Amazon are 2 1/2", and they seem to list them as M42 HSS. I have searched for longer ones, but have yet to find any.
2morrow i get a hospital "break". will call the company for sure. will post what i find.
AllenClapp
Elite Cafe Member
Interesting about the spelling issue. I wonder if those are a knockoff of the original.
called the ati place 3 times today. no answer each time.
horologist
Member
Yes, they are still available. Sort of.
Mo-Max and Super Mo-Max are by Cleveland Twist, now owned by Greenfield Industries.
As far as I know, the 1/8" square tool bits only come in the 2.5" length.
I have used these for years to make gravers for turning on my watchmakers lathes and find the cobalt tools are able to cut almost any steel I run into while being more forgiving than carbide.
When I took my engraving class at Connor Prairie John Schippers recommended the 1/8" tool bits for making gravers for engraving. (photo below)
I was not thrilled to find my newly ordered tool bits were made in Mexico.
Then when I ordered more to make some gravers for my dad I was further saddened to find I was paying premium USA made prices for Chinese tool bits. Unfortunately, it now appears that the only option for new bits not made in China are the ones from India.
Personally, I would shop for NOS USA made Mo-Max bits, steering clear of the Chinese tools but this isn't sustainable and probably not practical for a recommendation in the handbook. If you want to order new tools I find that Zoro is reliable and generally has better prices than MSC.
Troy
Mo-Max and Super Mo-Max are by Cleveland Twist, now owned by Greenfield Industries.
As far as I know, the 1/8" square tool bits only come in the 2.5" length.
I have used these for years to make gravers for turning on my watchmakers lathes and find the cobalt tools are able to cut almost any steel I run into while being more forgiving than carbide.
When I took my engraving class at Connor Prairie John Schippers recommended the 1/8" tool bits for making gravers for engraving. (photo below)
I was not thrilled to find my newly ordered tool bits were made in Mexico.
Then when I ordered more to make some gravers for my dad I was further saddened to find I was paying premium USA made prices for Chinese tool bits. Unfortunately, it now appears that the only option for new bits not made in China are the ones from India.
Personally, I would shop for NOS USA made Mo-Max bits, steering clear of the Chinese tools but this isn't sustainable and probably not practical for a recommendation in the handbook. If you want to order new tools I find that Zoro is reliable and generally has better prices than MSC.
Troy
AllenClapp
Elite Cafe Member
Thanks for your effort.
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