The tools I use for hand engraving - cheap beginner stuff

ok, when it comes to this stuff, cheap is a relative term. You still need a few hundred to get started with this kind of thing, even on the cheap.
Links to all the things below! the amazon ones are affiliate links

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[engraverhand]

I see a lot of people think that the Andu tool and the Lindsay are the same.. I recently tested an Andu and man, it´s not even close to compare. I can understand people are afraid to spend a lot of money starting out, but it´s just like buying a guitar that quickly goes out of tune.. The build quality is really bad compared to the Lindsay. I have also had several people contacted me asking if I know how to fix this and that on a Andu tool.. you get what you pay for, and usually buying cheap are more expensive in the long run..

[MsFactnotfiction]

I was a jeweler 20 years ago in Brasil and I thinking about getting back as hobby. Back then I made my own engraver from some drawings I found in the Internet. Is possible to build one if you have a mini lathe. For blanks I used high speed steel 3mm square blanks also carbide (carbide is better of gold and silver). The square blanks are easy to re-sharp with a jig that you also can build in a mini lathe. Tools like that are inexistent or prohibitively expensive in Brasil so I had to built it all. I learned mostly buy doing it and it's a lot of fun.

[roadshowautosports]

Btw, engraving and pinstriping are way harder than it looks! I invested lots in tools but had no time and money to really start it. My ball vises are all vintage but the small one which came from China but it’s really bad. Victor ones are awesome and you can feel the difference in quality AND weight right away.

[guloguloguy]

Wow!!! Thanks, Caleb Kraft!! I have barely done any engraving, but, I had attended a couple of workshops, and found out many interesting details of the art, which you also mentioned. My instructor's name was/(is) Bob Maki, (however, I do not know if he is still alive, or doing this work. He did a lot of hand/chisel engraving on knives, guns, etc. He recommended some type of "crucible steel" blanks, (carbide?), and I've heard of some gravers who use "Hard" key-stock blanks.. (1095 spring steel(?).... He also recommended trying using "pitch" to hold irregular shaped pieces, ... with the "pitch-bowl" was an old cast-iron frying pan, bolted onto 1/2 of a bowling ball, set onto an old go-kart tire. [Crude, but, it worked!].. Thanks, for your help, and encouragement!!!

[rockinronnie]

Hi Calib I’m just starting out great videos thank you so much.

can you recommend a pneumatic base unit please?

I’m eyeing the GRS HH-G01 unit 😳

Regards Ronnie

[richardtrethewey]

Hi Caleb, did you know Steve Lindsay's patents are expiring one by one? I think most of the important parts of his gravers are in the public domain now.

[rickmurray]

The handpiece engraver what pushes it I know the foot pillow but what else do you need? Do you use the regular air compressor?

[alexandre]

hi ! The burner you have (which comes from Vietnam) is of good quality? Thank you

[niemdan]

Steve Lindsay apparently invented a piston, lol

[merrittarnold]

Love the video! I've never engraved or carved anything, starting from "square one". I'm wanting to buy a pneumatic engraver however, I see several pneumatic engraving machines rated as 1400 RPM and others advertised as 2000 PRM or 400 to 8000 PRM. So, does it really make a difference for engraving hard steel such as an axe, hammer, etc. If so, which is better.

[Stphilbert]

How about sharing the type of compressor you use, there is a lot of confusion for me on what to use, thank you

[robertgutierrez]

Thanks for the video. What size compressor for that machine?

[petercollins]

Who do you get your 2mm carbide from and what is the cost please . I can get it off eBay but it takes about four months to arrive.

[roadshowautosports]

Hey brother, i own an andu handpiece i bought straight from Vietnam for around $400 years ago with the air regulator and pedal. I tried it out a few times but my compressor at the time seemed not to be enough for it so i gave up and put it away. Would it be possible you share details about the air pressure you work at? Where can i get more quick change adapter for that handpiece? At the time it came with two and i was reluctant to buy many before testing the machine but feel bad i didn’t.
Btw, the carbide graves are far better than the metal ones in longevity and time between sharpening them, just a little more prone to break off the tip if you don’t do the right geometry and try very sharp curves but far superior in durability and cut. Machinists use carbide a lot for that reason. I got some but they come in 1-1/2” to 2” lengths.
Thank you for sharing your experience.

[bencarranza]

2020 Movie: Ben Affleck in “The Engraver”

Great video, subscribed!!

[traceyevans]

If Andu responds to my message I’ll buy one of his. He’s still around. Just gotta find him.

[wonbadood]

Thanks Caleb. Regarding the magnification, Don't scrimp on the price you pay as your eyes will pay the price over time. I've been using Donegan Optivisors for years. They're pretty good but I believe they have damaged my vision overall. Maybe though it's just the aging process. The Optivisor also has a drop down Loupe for 2½ times more magnification. Just be sure to keep both eyes open when using the Loupe. You'll know what I mean if you shut one eye. It's a horrible feeling on your vision.

[Savage.]

Thank you so much for share your equipment. I hope some day customize a Zippo Lighters

[valdachef]

thank you so much im doing a project to apply as a portfolio for mechanical engineering. ive made birds out of cutlery. im looking for a good grade so im engraving the surface. your channel has answered a lot of questions, thanks again

[billbobert]

Can't wait to get started. I love gun engravings and have a few ide like to make anyway. Can't wait to give it a shot, thanks for the video mate!