Quality engraving on a variety of surfaces is often associated with the choice of an appropriate and reliable engraving tool. Such a tool is called an engraver, the same name with the corresponding profession. In addition to its main purpose - engraving, this device is capable of performing other types of work:
- polishing;
- drilling;
- Precise cutting.
In some cases, this unit is able to replace a drill, a grinder and cutting equipment.
Basic information about engraver attachments
To perform certain operations, special nozzles can be installed on the engraver, with the help of which strictly defined work is performed. The design of the nozzle itself consists of two main parts: from the shank (it is responsible for holding the device used in the cartridge) and from the working part (the main element that directly interacts with the surface to be treated).
The choice of one or another attachment element directly depends on the type of material to be processed, and on the technical task that the engraver is faced with. Specialists who are engaged in engraving on a permanent basis (whether at home or in a workshop), immediately purchase a set of nozzles, and despite the fact that it will include a sufficient number of tools, different in purpose and type.As a rule, the budget version of such a set includes no more than two dozen elements, but more professional samples are already supplemented with a variety of nozzles for working on wood and metal, etc.
IMPORTANT! In the process of selecting nozzles, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that some samples may be equipped with collet chucks, which means that they can only interact with a tool of a certain brand. However, this problem can be solved by purchasing special universal adapters.
The principle of operation of the engraver and its purpose
Although the device in question is universal, it is more intended for performing work in a narrow specialization. Its more common type is an engraving machine powered by an electric motor. The working elements will be removable nozzles, which will mechanically interact with the processing material.
There is also a laser variation of the described device - it does not physically come into contact with the material, but burns on the surface by means of a high-energy beam of light.
In general, the engraver can perform the following procedures:
- Engrave on glass, wood, metal and even stone. Especially such a device will be effective in the manufacture of souvenirs. The principle of operation is simple - a certain engraving element is fixed in the collet and then it is already possible to apply drawings on dissimilar materials.
- Remove the coating - this includes sanding small objects, sanding the paintwork, etc. All this can be done by installing abrasive rings or felt circles on the machine.
- Saw through a narrow segment, make precision cutting of metal or wood. Such operations are most often resorted to by master jewelers, because only in this way it is possible to perform accurate cutting on the precious metal.
Among other things, marks and stamps are applied by engraving, for example, on metal parts, they are used to produce impact stamps, seals, and various clichés. These types of work are usually carried out by advertising agencies or souvenir shops.
Diamond bur - the most common type of nozzles
Usually, the vast majority of the standard engraving set is made up of diamond burs. The base of this tool is made of steel (tool), on the working part of which diamond powder is then applied. As you know, the strength of diamond is very high, so natural stone, glass, ceramics, and steel can be successfully processed with such a device.
Diamond-coated burs (they are cutters) are most often used for making complex figured holes. Usually, these consumables are sold in special sets of 10-20 pieces per set, and they vary in shape and size. However, when working with them, certain operating rules must be strictly observed in order not to damage the diamond coating ahead of time. In the nominal version, for such engraving parts, the shank will have a diameter of 3 millimeters.
In the engraving business, the above materials are among the most processed - they clearly lose to stone and glass. Very often, craftsmen have to carve a wood base, drill mini-holes in it, apply complex images, grind the surface, create patterned tongues or grooves.Thus, for the production of such work, the best nozzles are:
- Special cutters (for wood);
- Special drills;
- Cutting circles.;
- Cylinders (wheels) for grinding and polishing;
- Burs, both conical and spherical;
- Hard-alloy (diamond) nozzles in different forms;
- Felt balls.
Independent production of nozzles
In the process of professional engraving, situations often arise that it is very difficult to find a suitable nozzle part to perform a certain technological task (whether it is processing a special surface or cutting a complex hole). Then the craftsmen have to make the nozzle on their own. This usually applies to various cutters for wood - specialists independently manufacture either a grinding head or a cutting disc. The simplest cutter is made from a corrugated cylinder with teeth, which is found in any gas lighter. If a grinding head is required, then it is prepared from a wooden drum, on which ordinary sandpaper with a certain level of grit is fixed. Sometimes such “home-made products” are of such high quality that they can even replace factory options. But as for the elements for wood carving, it is more difficult to make them, because their working part has a complex geometric shape, which is extremely difficult to repeat in artisanal conditions.
Professionals advise most of all to pay attention to the reliability of fastening in the manufacture of "homemade". It is better to take this part from a broken factory tool than to make it by hand.
A little about grinders
A drill is a special engraving tool, often referred to as a small drill.It is intended for needlework and souvenir art, it is used for carving and grinding. Perfectly copes with drilling holes in plexiglass, wood, metal. Most modern engravings are done with a drill. Such factory-made devices most often have excellent equipment: the default set includes polishing discs, cutting wheels, various drills, as well as milling cutters, felt and brushes. Engravers deservedly call this unit multifunctional.
Tooling types by type of processing material
Before purchasing attachments, you should always remember in which area of \u200b\u200bwork tasks you will most often have to work. Therefore, to make it easier to choose the appropriate set, you should remember the current classification:
- First of all, it must be understood that the vast majority of nozzle elements are designed for wood processing. A striking example here is a wood engraving cutter. This is due to the fact that even a non-professional with the help of such equipment is able to perform high-quality work and get the most complex patterns. Among other things, the cutter guarantees a high-precision result, regardless of the complexity of the task.
- If metal surfaces are to be processed, then a special tool is required here. Professional masters speak extremely positively about samples made of tool steel or carbide materials. In this case, the base material of manufacture will guarantee a long service life and a minimum degree of wear. At the same time, again, it is necessary to proceed from the task at hand. If you want to process steel, then tooling, which is based on soft aluminum, will be useless.
- Standing apart are devices for working on glass - this material is considered the most time-consuming to work with, because it has increased fragility. For such material, a diamond-coated tool would be the best choice. Here it is worth talking about a certain ratio of materials - from the processed to the worker.
- Another popular variety will be nozzles for working on stone (no matter what - artificial or natural). This is where a special diamond cone comes in handy. Due to the fact that it has an increased level of hardness, it copes well with a hard stone base. But the requirements for such cutters are overstated - the tool for this work must have a high-quality performance, otherwise the master risks "ruining" more than one workpiece.
It is always worth remembering that the price of the final product itself will depend on the type of material. Milling cutters for wood will cost the cheapest of all, diamond burs or cutters will cost the most.
Separation by type of production task
As mentioned above, each operation will require its own type of equipment. And this will be determined not only by the type of processing material, but also by the features of the technological process itself (cutting, grinding, drilling, etc.). The following varieties are most in demand:
- Engraving is probably the most common reason for purchasing an engraver. The principle of operation is simple to amazement: with the help of special equipment, drawings, patterns, inscriptions are applied to the surface of the part. However, the nozzle used will depend on the type of material - it is possible to work on wood with a diamond bur, but it is not advisable. At the same time, the carbide tip is absolutely not suitable for glass processing.In addition, sometimes you will need to draw a complex image, so using one element will not be enough. For example, on glass, you will need to create a complex pattern with a geometry differentiated in depth. Therefore, it will be necessary to use several diamond drills with different sharpening of the head at a certain angle.
- To create a neat and pleasing to the eye appearance of the material, it is better to choose a tooling element with an abrasive end and a solid metal rod. Usually, such things are included in most kits available for sale. Due to its great demand, this combination can be found in a separate set. But in this case, you should pay attention to the graininess that the tip has.
- Grinding or polishing work will also require special equipment. Due to the fact that this task is also not uncommon among people involved in engraving, it will not be difficult to find the appropriate cutter or roller. In addition, making such a tool at home is considered the easiest, because you only need a strong handle and sandpaper of the desired grain size.
Professional tools
Such tools include nozzles with a sign of multifunctionality or versatility. They are particularly reliable and designed for large-scale work of both narrow and general profile. The following options are very common:
- Cutters, various in length and geometric shapes.
- Tips with improved hard coating (meaning high-quality diamond grit or a special abrasive composition).
- Special mini-drills used for complex and delicate drilling jobs that a conventional drill cannot handle.
- Some wire products that professional craftsmen use as manipulators that can quickly remove contamination.
- Cutting discs - they have a small diameter and delicately cut off unnecessary parts on the workpiece.
NOTE. Most professionals still prefer to assemble their own set of separate tools on their own. Usually there are both nozzles from other sets, as well as equipment of our own manufacture. However, such a business is quite expensive and it is worth collecting such a set only in the case of constant engraving.
Key tips for making the right choice
You should always remember that the brand alone is not a guarantee of a quality set. It is necessary to pay attention to what the tips (material) are made of and for what technological tasks they are intended. Thus, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- The area of tasks for which the set is selected. Their range can be great - from creating drawings to banal polishing. Therefore, if the intended scope of work is rather narrow, then there is no point in spending money on a set with a large number of elements. As a last resort, it is better to opt for a small set, but in which universal devices are well represented.
- Specifications and features of individual parts in the kit - it is impossible to allow, for example, a kit for working with metal to contain only nozzles that contain aluminum.
- Dimensions and working angles - also this parameter will depend on most technical specifications. If the set is dominated by too small samples, then it will be extremely inconvenient to process large areas with them.
Summing up, it should be noted that the purchase of a set must be approached very responsibly and it is best to choose the "golden mean". There are sets on sale that include many different nozzles, but they are not of particular quality and are designed for a small number of tasks. At the same time, there are sets with a small number of elements, but they are mostly universal.
Rating of the best engraver nozzle sets for 2022
Economy class
3rd place: Bison 33383-H10
Quite a budget set, although it does an excellent job with most tasks. The tools have a sufficient diamond coating, they do an excellent job of engraving on glass. It is an even better alternative to the Chinese "1000 engraver tools" set.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | Russia |
Shank minimum, mm | 3 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3 |
Number of items, pcs. | 10 |
Compound | Diamond coating only |
price, rub. | 350 |
Bison 33383-H10
Advantages:
- Democratic price;
- High-quality diamond coating;
- Universal diameter for collet.
Flaws:
- Afraid of overheating;
- There is some curvature of the shank.
2nd place: FIT 36487
The set consists of cutters (18 pcs.) and discs (5 pcs.) and is designed to work on wood, ceramics, metal and even concrete. All accessories are made of tool steel, cutting edges are made of artificial diamonds. The set is suitable for both professionals and beginners.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | Germany-China |
Shank minimum, mm | 3 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3 |
Number of items, pcs. | 23 |
Compound | Circles and cutters |
price, rub. | 550 |
FIT 36487
Advantages:
- Budget price;
- Quite a wide range of tools;
- Strength.
Flaws:
- They do not hold well in "dremlevsky" collets;
- Sometimes there are nozzles with a curved base.
1st place: KMGS 100 Kolner kn100kmgs
The set is specially designed for engraving machines. The set includes accessories of various shapes and grain sizes. Focused on polishing and grinding various materials - plastic, metal, wood. For convenience of transportation it is delivered in a special case.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | Germany-China |
Shank minimum, mm | 3.2 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3.2 |
Number of items, pcs. | 100 |
Compound | Circles and cutters |
price, rub. | 790 |
KMGS 100 Kolner kn100kmgs
Advantages:
- Convenient case;
- Affordable price with a large number of items;
- Works great for plastic surgery.
Flaws:
Middle segment
3rd place: Stayer 29900-H186
The set contains mini-nozzles for engraving machines for the production of works of any complexity. The variability of different grain size and shape of the tools in the kit allows for high-precision cutting, metal polishing, grinding (plastic-wood-metal). In a convenient case for transportation, there is a special place for an engraving machine.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | Germany |
Shank minimum, mm | 3 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3 |
Number of items, pcs. | 186 |
Compound | Circles, cutters, drills, cylinders |
price, rub. | 1100 |
Stayer 29900-H186
Advantages:
- A large number of items;
- Convenient case;
- German quality.
Flaws:
- Some drills do not fit "dremlevsky" collets.
2nd place: Dremel 26150688JA
Set-set from a well-known brand in the engraving world. The set includes nozzles for cutting plastic, wood and metal.It is easy to shear bolts/screws and is excellent for cutting grooves in various materials. Supplied in a handy and durable case for transport and storage.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | USA |
Shank minimum, mm | 3.2 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3.2 |
Number of items, pcs. | 69 |
Compound | Cut-off wheels only |
price, rub. | 1300 |
Dremel 26150688JA
Advantages:
- Smooth holder, does not "knock out";
- Good resource for wear;
- Acceptable price.
Flaws:
1st place: MEKKAN MK 92704
This set-set with advanced tools is designed for the production of particularly complex jobs. With it, you can perform tasks in the field of high-precision cutting, polishing metal, grinding wood and plastic. For transportation, a convenient case is used.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | China |
Shank minimum, mm | 3.2 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3.2 |
Number of items, pcs. | 249 |
Compound | Circles, cutters, drills, rings, brushes |
price, rub. | 1450 |
MEKKAN MK 92704
Advantages:
- Extended equipment;
- Acceptable price;
- Quality performance.
Flaws:
- Completely incompatible with "Dremel" collets.
Professional Samples
3rd place: Bison 35902-H238
Almost universal set from a Russian manufacturer. Excellent filling allows you to carry out operations of any type of complexity, including in hard-to-reach places. The shape and grain size of packing items are extremely variable. Easy to handle and carry.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | Russia |
Shank minimum, mm | 3.2 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3.2 |
Number of items, pcs. | 238 |
Compound | Circles, cutters, drills, brushes, cylinders, holders |
price, rub. | 2600 |
Bison 35902-H238
Advantages:
- Excellent value for money;
- Variable filling with objects;
- Full compatibility with Dremel-4000.
Flaws:
2nd place: Dremel 2615S723JA
This set includes in its composition only high-quality equipment and branded nozzles that can process any material. In addition to standard operations, a cleaning function is also provided. Compatible with any related devices without the use of adapters.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | USA |
Shank minimum, mm | 3 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3 |
Number of items, pcs. | 100 |
Compound | Circles, drill, stones and ribbons |
price, rub. | 2900 |
Dremel 2615S723JA
Advantages:
- Reliable fastening;
- Size variability;
- High quality.
Flaws:
1st place: Dremel 2615E725JA
The elements in the set are made using EZ SpeedClic technology, which means easy and quick replacement of nozzles without resorting to a special wrench. Suitable for a wide range of work. Storage/transport provided with a handy case.
Name | Index |
Manufacturer country | USA |
Shank minimum, mm | 3.2 |
Shank maximum, mm | 3.2 |
Number of items, pcs. | 70 |
Compound | Circles, drill, stones and ribbons |
price, rub. | 3600 |
Dremel 2615E725JA
Advantages:
- Extended functionality;
- High-quality performance of disks;
- Quick change system.
Flaws:
Instead of an epilogue
Based on the current market situation, most domestic buyers prefer to purchase sets from foreign manufacturers, especially Western ones. Asian products are in extremely low demand, due to their banal unreliability. The Russian manufacturer has also not particularly succeeded in this field so far.