Thread: Engraving with a Dremel?

I have been a jeweler for years, using a foredom flex shaft, which is the same thing as a dremel just better quality. I am also a hand engraver (hence the logo to the left) and I would not even think of using a dremel to try to engrave. Just my two cents worth.

A bit hard, but I agree with Lemur really. I learned engraving with purpose made tools (gravers, bullstickers, scorpers, etc):



a hard sand-filled leather rest and boxwood blanks:



You can buy air-assisted variable hammer action tools now, mostly used by rifle engravers and costing mega-bucks (GraverMach, NgraveR, etc):



but if you haven't a knack for the basic process then all the tools in the world won't make an engraver out of you.



Like Bruno says, comparing work done with a dremel to the real thing is an exercise in futility - the dremel - and tools like them that use a rotary action rather than a hammer action - are a poor imitation at best.

Regards,
Neil

I didn't mean to be harsh, it was like 0600 here and I hadn't had my coffee fix, sorry!
The Dremel and such are fine tools in trained hands, no jeweler want to be without them, tho they mostly use the flexi shaft or some micromotor, but "engraving" as such is an art form, one that I hope I will master one day, at least to some degree.
I can borrow the big GRS Engravers Block, GRS Power Hone Sharpening System and GRS GraverMach from a friend, for "as long as I need them".
I might take the block only, I prefer true hand gravers.

This.... I'm out of words! HAND ENGRAVING TOOLS AND HAND ENGRAVING EQUIPMENT FOR JEWELERS AND ARTISTS. Learn to hand engrave with the patented Lindsay AirGraver Engraving Tools for Hand Engravers, Jewelers and Artists ~ Steve Lindsay

Ah - I knew I had forgotten the best one - thanks Lemur! If I had the money, the Lindsay is what I would go for. I keep hoping to find a UK or EU stockist one day, as the import duties into the UK would be a killer!

As far as I'm aware, most jewellers use flex arm micromotors like dremel and foredom, but for polishing, setting, cutting and so on - engraving (I mean 'proper' engraving - not names and simple designs) is still done by hand.

Regards,
Neil