Useful Tips

HOW TO CHOOSE AN ENGRAVER

An engraver is a tool with which a master works with metal, plastic and other materials. It is amazing, but often the male device engraver is more familiar to the fairer sex, especially to those who often visit nail extension masters. Yes, do not be surprised, it is a low-power engraver that sharpens women's claws.

So, the engraver (aka straight grinder, dremel, drill, mini-drill) is a versatile tool. It is multifunctional and can become an irreplaceable assistant in various fields:

  • when engraving objects and materials;
  • in the beauty industry. An engraver is indispensable for a nail extension master. Straight grinders are also used in jewelry, decoration and modding;
  • in dentistry. A drill is also an engraver;
  • in hobby-modeling of scale models of aviation, equipment, ships without an engraver at all. After all, there you need to create reduced copies of various small parts, process and cut the surfaces of all kinds of materials.
  • in the household, when you need to drill a miniature hole, grind a joint or grind a rough surface, sharpen or clean up a part, make an engraving.

How the engraver works

The straight grinder is a hybrid of a drill and a large fountain pen. Under the body is hidden:

  • electric motor of various power (depending on the purpose of the engraver),
  • reducer,
  • spindle (shaft), the length of which depends on the scope of the tool. To cool the electric motor, a plastic impeller is placed on the engraver's spindle, which creates an air flow along the entire motor, through the air intake holes.

The principle of the engraver is similar to that of a conventional drill. It weighs a little more than a kilogram, so it is convenient for them to work with one hand. Every model of straight grinder is equipped with a speed controller.

  • In the budget version, this is the simplest divider based on a rheostat that controls the voltage on the electric motor.
  • In professional models - an advanced electronic filling that maintains the set speed constant at any load.

What to look for when choosing an engraver

If you decide to buy an engraver, you need to pay attention to the following nuances.

Manufacturer and product price

There are a lot of manufacturers of engravers. The modern market is oversaturated with tools, so you need to be careful in your choice. After all, the quality of the device, the guarantee and the level of service depend on the manufacturer. Of course, the quality of the products of such giants as Bosch, Makita, DeWALT, Black & Decker and Stern is beyond doubt, but not everyone can afford the price they ask for their products.

In this case, you should pay attention to engravers of cheaper, but no less quality manufacturers such as Einhell and Sturm or Zenit, Energomash. It all depends on the tasks you set for the device.

  • If you do not use the tool often, then you will not need an expensive engraver.
  • You should be wary of cheap Chinese products, especially those with a few months warranty.

Prices for straight grinders, depending on the manufacturer, characteristics, configuration and functionality, range from $ 12 (for small engravers) to $ 1000 (for powerful and heavy machines).

Packaging and equipment

It is good when the engraver and all the accessories for it are located in a special case in the form of a suitcase or a box with latches. It is convenient and practical for storage and transportation, and also helps to place components in their niches. So nothing is lost.

The case usually contains:

  • the engraver himself;
  • a set of sharpening, drilling, grinding attachments for it. In general, there are a great variety of attachments for the engraver.These are cutting wheels, and emery tubes, grinding stones and steel brushes, with shanks of different shapes and sizes - hundreds of varieties;
  • nozzles;
  • flexible shaft, thanks to which the tool can be left stationary during operation, and only the tip of the shaft can be held in your hands, the mass of which is 50-100 g. Dimensions are not larger than a ballpoint pen);
  • power adapter (provided that the device operates at reduced voltage);
  • stand (or rod) for hanging the device. Convenient if you use a flexible shaft in your work. For example, the Sturm GM2316F model includes both a stand and a flexible shaft. As well as:
    • spare collet chucks, brushes,
    • tools for disassembling and cleaning the device and attachments.

Naturally, the equipment and the cost of the engraver are interrelated, therefore, in the cheaper versions, there may not be a flexible shaft and stand. The number of attachments in the kit also varies - from one to several dozen. But even if something becomes unusable over time or there is a need to update or expand the stock of nozzles, you can always buy them in the nearest tool store.

Pay attention to the quality of the case itself. On very cheap instruments, it can be made of fragile plastic and will not last long. Moving parts of awnings and latches often break. Therefore, it is desirable that the case was metal, like, for example, the Sturm GM2318.

Ergonomics and weight

The weight of straight grinders ranges from less than 1 kg to 7-8 kg. If you will hold the tool for a long time and work with small objects, you should purchase an engraver with a minimum weight. Then the hands will not get tired too quickly.

An important point is the ergonomics of the grinder:

  • how comfortable the device sits in the palm of your hand,
  • how pleasant it is to the touch, does it slip out.

You should pay attention to the quality of the engraver's workmanship and the material from which it is made, to the assembly of the model. Ease of use is, of course, a personal matter for everyone, so before buying, be sure to take the tool in your hands, feel its weight and dimensions.

Don't forget to check:

  • are the attachments easy to change,
  • whether the flexible shaft is put on the engraver,
  • are there any backlashes and creaks,
  • the power cord is securely fastened.

Pay attention to the presence of special brackets for suspension, as well as to the control buttons and to switch the shaft rotation speed.

Noise and vibration

Most manufacturers in the instructions for engravers do not provide information on the level of noise and vibration. But the tool, with its small dimensions and low weight, really creates a low noise level. It is many times quieter than a conventional drill, so when using it at home, you definitely won't bother your neighbors. Strong vibration is also uncommon for this device.

Electrical specifications and heat dissipation

Power consumption

On various models, it differs from 100 W and up to 2000 and more watts. For example, the 140 W Sturm GM2316 or the 250 W Zenit ZG-250 are quite suitable for home use. For professional use, you need to take more powerful devices such as Makita 906 at 240 watts.

Working voltage

There are engravers that work from 220-230 W (from a standard outlet). There are models that operate at reduced voltage and current from a special adapter (power supply) connected to a 220 V outlet. Naturally, the power of type 1 engravers is usually higher.

Working frequency

The current frequency is standard for the CIS countries and Europe - 50 Hz.

Speed

The devices differ from other grinding devices in that the spindle speed is much higher in them. For example, a grinder operates at a frequency of about 7500-8500 rpm, while for an engraver these figures are close to 10000-35000 rpm. Although heavy, high power straight grinders for rough processing can have a speed of 6000-7000 rpm.

Working with various types of plastics or cleaning painted surfaces should be done at low speeds. But sharpening and cutting work - at the maximum.Do not forget that the engraver should have an RPM switch to help save your efforts.

Heat dissipation

An important criterion for the work of the engraver is the heat generated during the operation of the electric motor. Excessive heat build-up can damage the engine. The increase in temperature inside the engine increases in three cases:

  • in case of violation of the conditions of external cooling (external heat removal);
  • when the permissible current is exceeded;
  • when the permissible moment on the shaft is exceeded.

In addition, the engraver adapter may overheat. But nothing dangerous will happen if you operate the device according to the instructions.

Safety precautions when using the engraver

When using the engraver, like any other power tool, safety precautions should be followed. Wear safety glasses when working with glass, ceramics, fragile materials. If the process generates a lot of dust, shavings and fine waste, wear a protective bandage for your nose and mouth. It is also advisable to protect your hands. It all depends on what kind of material you are working with.

In conclusion, I would like to note once again: when choosing an engraver, be guided, first of all, by the goals and the amount that you are willing to spend on him.

  • For home use, you can safely purchase an inexpensive tool with a power of 125-180 W, with a frequency of 10/25 thousand rpm (Zenith ZG-250, Einhell BMG 135, Sturm GM2316).
  • For professional use, I recommend more expensive engravers with a power of 250-600 W. They are capable of performing longer and more complex tasks (Makita 906, Bosch GGS 28C, Sparky MK 550E).

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Watch video tips on how to choose a good engraver

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