Tools of choice

[AllanFink1960]

I am finding it very interesting how everyone here uses different tools and technologies to do their work.
Sam has an interesting section in his biography that shows what tools he uses for engraving. I was wondering if you could all take a minute and add a "tools of choice" comment on your profile. Some people seem to prefer hammer and chisel, others push gravers, others GRS gravermax, others Lindsey...

I often look up names on the profiles on here. It would be cool to be able to see there if you are a push graver person, hammer and chisel person, GRS line, or Linsey, etc

Allan

 

[Lynn E.]

overview--leaning towards pneumatic

First of all, thank you for this inspiring forum. This exchange of info is so invaluable.
This is a review of the Handpieces I have owned & own. It's kind of long. Sorry, I thought it might be helpful to someone searching & see the process of tool collecting.
This is only my opinion & my experiences.
In the beginning…there was hammer and chisel… (thank you John B!)
Then I found (whew) previously owned N-Grav-R tools. I engraved my first few guns with this equipment & it served me well. The speed was very controllable. This was the very first model. Later I bought the MagnaGraver (new!) & later still had it upgraded with the Vari-Pact. (I now use it in a separate room for engraving plastic templates as I can leave a dedicated setup in place. And for emergencies…) As I also engrave silver, the cable bothered me some when used for many hours (& later still arthritis started setting into my wrist) & I wanted something easier on me. I found some GRS equipment, some new & used. I bought a used Gravermeister which I found to be quite noisy & smelly if it was on or under the bench, (yes, you can get creative & put it elsewhere) but very portable, so I used it mostly for classroom situations. It worked quite nicely except for the noise & smell. I had several handpieces, but mostly just used the jewelers one. (yes, I still own it & save it…for possible emergencies…)
So I then bought their Gravermax & this is what I used for years for guns & silver. It vibrated my joints a bit more than what I would have liked, but it was the best kid on the block & really not bad at all when joint pain isn’t an issue. It served me well until the guts were pretty much worn out. (No, I didn’t look into getting it refurbished. Women need a change once in awhile. Oh, & I still keep it around…you know, in case of emergencies…OK, I’m also a tool junkie.) This is when I started an internet search just to see what was new out there (& maybe luck out & find some new “used†equipment just like what I had). I stumbled upon Steve Lindsay’s site. I hadn’t heard of him before, but only because I was completely ignorant of the knife making world. It took a really minimal search to find out more. His work is topnotch & he’s definitely one of the elite contemporary engravers. I saw that he was offering some new equipment of his own design, so I investigated further & found out a former classmate was endorsing this product (he is also a very creative jeweler & engraver). Seeing the caliber of Steve’s work, I knew he had to be on to something. So I took the plunge & ordered his “Classic†handpiece & a Silent Air compressor (these compressors are GREAT. You don’t need one to run the handpiece, but it’s just the ticket for my in-shop setup.) That was approx. 3 years ago & I haven’t been sorry for a minute. It absolutely Purrs. Of all the choices it is the easiest on my joints, it is the most controllable in every way, & it is a precision machining wonder. At the FEGA show in Reno I also had the opportunity to try out the Lindsay palm driven PalmControl handpiece, along with GRS’s newly released palm handpiece. This is where a perspective buyer really needs to try out for himself (I know Lindsay offers a money back guarantee & most likely GRS does too.) To me there was all the difference in the world. A Ferrari vs a Ford Falcon (are you old enough to remember them?) By the way, I don’t get paid to say this, no discounts, no kickbacks. I’m a believer in the product from first hand use. I believe the Lindsay PalmControl is the most advanced of handpiece designs. If you don’t need that feature, & a foot pedal is fine, you still need to try them all. I wouldn’t trade my Lindsay Classic for anything, (except maybe his new PalmControl—but who says you can’t own more than one…) but as I said earlier, the GRS equipment served me well for years, and they offer a large variety. As progress invents new possibilities, so may we take advantage of them. As far as dealing with the 3 different companies I have mentioned, all 3 are top notch. Ray Phillips is a sweetheart of a man (I’m a woman, I think it’s OK to say that.) He offers super one on one service. GRS has great reps—I have dealt with several over the years & they were all knowledgeable, helpful, and polite. Steve Lindsay also gives you one on one service & completely guarantees your satisfaction. (Oh, by the way—all 3 companies offer a great assortment of gravers. Ray has shaped gravers, GRS has the Glensteel which I usually use for my silver work. Lindsay has his Carbalt formula which is Great for most of my gun work. You should try them all & see what you like best for what.)
I usually don’t reach out like this to share thoughts—this is my first time—please, be kind,--but after the FEGA show and sharing with old friends & instructors, meeting new potential engravers, I felt inclined to share my history with those who are searching, and you asked Don’t get caught up in sales pressure, politics & all that… You owe it to yourself to knowledgably make a decision. There are differences, both in price & performance. Hopefully you will want to engrave for many years, for yourself & for others’ enjoyment. It is so rewarding to the creative spirit inside. You can buy a scooter to cross town, you can buy a luxury car for a road trip, & anything in between. Buy what you need, can afford, and MOST importantly--what will make you WANT to sit down & use it. After all, you can do it with a hammer and chisel, too.....Have fun, it's definitely a fascinating journey.

 

[Marcus Hunt]

Very nicely put Lynn. Each to their own. The one thing I've said before and I'll say again is that tools only assist us to do the job, and what suits one person doesn't necessarily suit another. Again why not have and use both systems if that suits too?....each has advantages and disadvantages over the other.

One thing I will say is that Steve Lindsay is a great marketing man among other things.......who on earth would have bought his tools if he was a crappy engraver??? He is one of the best engravers around and would have been so without the Air Graver I dare say.