Tips & Tricks
Laser & Hand Engraving Tools
Sep
Should you engrave by hand or laser?
The answer to this question almost entirely depends on your needs, therefore knowing more about both options will most certainly help you in making your decision. Traditional engraving, burin / graver by hand or with the use of engraving machines, continues to be practiced by jewellers, goldsmiths, knife makers, gunsmiths & others. Modern hand engraving artists use burins or gravers to cut a variety of metals such as silver, nickel, steel, brass, gold, titanium, silver & more, in applications from weaponry to jewellery to motorcycles to found objects. In addition to hand engraving, there are engraving machines that require less human finesse & are not directly controlled by hand.
Hand Engraving Tools & Machinery:
Precision Pneumatic Engraver
- For engravers, jewellers, stone setters & hobbyist
- Offering power & control thanks to its large adjustment capacity
- Throttle control adjustment valve that can deliver tailoring throttle response for increased sensitive control
- Includes: Desktop Control Unit with single port, foot control, multi-voltage power adaptor & quick change connectors
- Requires a minimum of a 7 bar compressor to work- Purchased seperately.
Precision Pneumatic Engraver
- With features of 400-8,000 strokes per minute
- Throttle control adjustment valve that can deliver tailoring throttle response for increased sensitive control
- Dual-stage precision air regulator
- Includes: Twin impact handpieces with an auxiliary air connection for additional air tools.
- Requires a minimum of a 7 bar compressor to work- Purchased seperately.
Art-Graver & Micromotor
- Variable speed
- No compressor needed
- Compact
- Has a micromotor included with Foot control
- Two handpieces
- Includes: 6 quick change chuck with colour coding, sets of gravers & holder for handpiece
Art-Graver
- Variable speed with Foot control
- No compressor needed
- Great choice for beginner setting & engraving
- Single port
- Works silently, while saving costs & workspace
Unlike laser engraving or etching, which are often limited by their inability to create certain shapes or curves on specific surfaces only, hand engravers can create just about any design imaginable. Hand engraving also creates a beautiful finish on metal surfaces because it leaves behind tiny indentations in the surface instead of leaving a raised edge like laser etching does. This gives the piece a more classic look that is sure to impress. Another advantage of hand engraving is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to other methods, such as laser etching or computerized engravings, hand engravings are much cheaper since they don’t require expensive machinery or complex software programs.
Another advantage of hand engraving is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to other methods, such as laser etching or computerized engravings, hand engravings are much cheaper since they don’t require expensive machinery or complex software programs. Additionally, since the process doesn’t require electricity or batteries, you won’t have to worry about additional costs associated with energy consumption either.
Laser Engraving & Cutting Machinery:
Orotig Laser Engraver & Cutter
- Available models: 20W, 50W, 70W, all with a DRS extractor
- Mark & cut metal plates, rings, bracelets, curved surfaces, sheets & more
- Has an integrated camera for optimal viewing, automated hood & large viewing window.
Orotig Open 30W Laser Engraver & Cutter
- 30W Model
- Adjustable Z-axis that facilitates the focusing of pieces in the marking area
- Has an integrated camera for optimal viewing
Compared to traditional engraving methods, laser engraving has several advantages. It uses fewer consumables & has fewer moving parts, eliminating the need for etching chemicals or replacement of worn-down punchers. This can help reduce operating costs & increase profitability for your business with a quick output of work.
Laser engraving also saves huge amounts of time, as it does not require you to engrave each & every detail by hand, there are endless & complicated designs that can simply be loaded onto the machine using laser engraving software, & other than the machine & the metal piece itself, there are no other materials required, resulting in no mess or debris that would need to be cleaned up after you are finished working.
Therefore, both methods of engraving offer many benefits & downfalls. Hand engraving is a more cost-effective method that produces unique, hand-crafted designs that would appeal to an audience that would be interested in a more classic look. Laser engraving, while being a more expensive option, provides the benefit of being able to load multiple designs that can be engraved onto your jewellery at the click of a button while creating clean & precise design work, down to the smallest detail.
