In the decor of the premises, elements with engraving have great importance, create new directions and styles. Regular drill or an electric engraver is suitable for this purpose. Almost anyone can work with it. Of course, without the necessary skills and expensive tools to talk about high quality not worth the work.
Structurally engraver– grinding equipment small size, which is used for small jobs such as grinding, milling, cutting and drilling of products made of different materials. An electric motor is installed in its body, a collet chuck in which the necessary attachments are attached. Selected models equipped with a flexible shaft that transmits rotation to the nozzle. The functionality of the tool is determined by the number of attachments used. In a set their number can exceed 100 units.
These devices are mainly used by precision equipment repairmen, designers and jewelers (they are also used in other minor works). The tool is whimsical, for this reason it must be selected individually for certain work and material.
An engraver will help you make patterns on exclusive gifts, souvenirs and jewelry. Now you can use it to process any material. It is only necessary to take into account the hardness of the material and use suitable nozzles for it.
Types of engravers
The design of the engraver is not much different from the usual electric drill, only it has smaller dimensions and more capabilities. Electric drive mechanism, in addition to creating the necessary torque, provides required amount nozzle revolutions. Most engravers work using the principle of rotation, but some devices convert electrical energy into kinetic impact energy. The nozzle, made of a very durable material, knocks out unnecessary areas of the workpiece, forming the desired inscription or design.
Quality tool famous brand costs big money. Engraver's most famous manufacturers and their main characteristics:
|
Model |
Characteristics |
Purpose |
|
Sturm GM2317FL |
Diameter of nozzles 1.6, 2.4, 3.2 mm, device power 170 W, 8-32 thousand revolutions, weight 700 g, 120 nozzles and additional accessories | DIY Tool |
|
Dremel Hobby Edition F0130290JJ |
Includes 2 nozzles, device power 35 W, 6 thousand revolutions, weight 310 g | For needlework |
|
Skil 1415 LC |
The set includes 25 nozzles and additional accessories, device power 125 W, 15-35 thousand revolutions, nozzles 2.4, 3.2 mm, weight 730 g | Optimal cost-quality ratio |
|
Dremel 3000 – 1/25 |
Includes 25 nozzles, power 130 W, 10-33 thousand revolutions, nozzles 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2 mm, weight 550 g | Designed for precision work |
There are also mini drills that can do the job of an engraver.
A small mini-drill differs from impact engravers in that it can be used not only for engraving work. It allows you to polish, deburr, drill and cut material. Before purchasing, you need to find out what is sold complete with the tool, otherwise for some types of work you will have to buy the necessary attachments separately, which will be expensive.
Choosing an engraver - what to look for
The main qualities of engravers that need to be taken into account when choosing:
- Tool weight;
- Shaft rotation speed;
- How many attachments are included in the kit?
Craftsmen often choose a lightweight engraver, with a working part speed of about 20 thousand per minute, with big amount nozzles The weight of the engraver should not be more than 1 kg, otherwise manual processing The details will make your hands tired. A lightweight tool will allow you to do more work without stopping to rest.
The variety of attachments affects the range of functions of the tool. For this reason, the number of possible operations depends proportionally on their number. The accessories included in the kit may include:
- Cam clamps, couplings, collets;
- Nozzles intended for engraving;
- Polishing and cutting wheels;
- Small size drills;
- Various burs.
Additionally, in addition to attachments, you can connect flexible shafts to the engraver, which, due to their length, allow you to perform work in hard-to-reach or inconvenient places without experiencing inconvenience.
Listed below are the main criteria to consider when purchasing an engraver.
Frequency of use
How often do you use the engraver? If you need to carry out work every day, then you need to buy the most reliable model. And for professional work It is advisable to provide a power reserve of at least 250 W. This will make it possible to use low speed in work due to high torque.
Processed material
When choosing a tool, you need to consider what material you will be processing. Wood and glass products can be easily engraved or sanded with a mini drill at a speed of about 20,000 revolutions. Durable steel, high hardness alloys and gems It is better to process with a tool with a speed of 30,000 revolutions and the ability to adjust them. Otherwise, it is better to use an impact engraver. 
When you decide for what purpose you will use the engraver, you need to decide on such characteristics as the weight of the tool, speed and power. On last stage Before purchasing, a selection is made based on the cost of the model, workmanship, ergonomics and noise level.
Engraver size and weight
Choose a tool of a size convenient for your purposes. Engravers are manufactured with minimal weight and size. Their small dimensions become possible only in the absence of a cooling system. As a result, the device heats up, and when using them, you must take a break from working after 10-15 minutes. This must be taken into account when purchasing a small device.
Engraver power
Engine power is very important when choosing an engraver. This characteristic affects the cost of using the tool and its price.
For use at home or in a small workshop, you need to purchase an engraver with a power of no more than 200 W and a speed of 20,000 rpm. Professional models produce a power of 250 W.
Shaft rotation speed
Also when choosing suitable tool, first of all, consider the maximum and minimum speed shaft rotation. This characteristic is the most important for the quality of material processing. Polishing and grinding are performed at low engine speeds (otherwise the surface of the product may overheat). And cutting and sharpening of the tool is carried out at high speeds. Number of shaft revolutions per modern models within 15000-35000 rpm.
Check the possibility of adjusting the number of revolutions. Inquire about the presence of an engine speed controller. Good products are equipped with electronic regulation, and cheap models are made with a device that simply reduces the motor voltage. Such tools cannot be used for high-precision work.
Engraver attachments
Find out how many different attachments are included in the kit, find out if there is a flexible shaft. Sometimes it is more profitable to purchase a high-quality engraver with a minimum of attachments, and, if necessary, acquire them gradually. This mainly depends on your wallet, the brand of the tool and the manufacturer of the device. 
There are a huge number of varieties of special attachments. Among them there are devices with diamond coating, cutting wheels, polishing discs, and grinding devices. They process glass, metal alloys, stone, and other hard and soft materials.
Attachments for metal work. There are several varieties of such devices; they are made on the basis of high-speed steel or aluminum oxide. The form is individual for various types works, there are cone-shaped nozzles, spherical, round, cylindrical.
Metal bits for engraver
Diamond bits designed for processing hard metals, they are often made with
using diamond sputtering. To work on stone, nozzles made of silicon carbide are used. Dimensions and shape are the same as diamond tools, allow you to work with tiles, marble, glass.
Diamond engraver attachments
Nozzlesfor grinding material made of rubber interspersed with abrasive crumbs. There are felt rollers, they are used for polishing the material using a special paste, which is applied to a felt disc. The paste is sold separately or comes complete with polishing attachments. Nozzles made from sandpaper, allow you to work with metal products and wood. They sell abrasive grinding stones for processing ceramic, plastic and metal parts.
Sanding attachments
Usually the most popular attachments are included in the engraver kit. Replaceable attachments are secured using a small quick-release chuck (it makes it possible to quickly measure the working tool). The collet chuck requires more time when changing the nozzle, but in it the nozzle is precisely centered in the collet. For this reason collet chucks Optimal for precision operations. For different types For work, it is advisable to have both types of cartridges.
Additional accessories
The capabilities of small engravers have been expanded with the help of various additional components. Here are just some of them:
- Angle nozzle necessary for doing work in inconvenient or hard-to-reach places, it can turn your engraver into an angle grinder;
- Flexible shaft with a special bracket or vice makes it possible to work in comfort;
- Special rack will turn your engraver into a drilling machine.
Engraver noise and vibration levels
Most device manufacturers do not indicate this characteristic in the model description, but you can turn it on and find out the level of its vibration and noise. Most often, medium-priced instruments have minor problems with noise; cheap and weak devices practically do not vibrate or make noise due to their low power, but in expensive instruments this deficiency is necessarily solved by the manufacturer. Please note that compared to the usual grinding machine and drill, the engraver makes very little noise.
Engraver cost
In most cases, close attention is paid to this point, but each person has his own cost-quality ratio. For one master it is more important to choose a productive and handy tool, while for others, brand awareness or, conversely, low price comes first. 
By purchasing a device from a well-known manufacturer, you receive service maintenance(any tool can break), and the opportunity to read customer reviews. Here you need to understand that not everyone needs a multifunctional device at a high price - it depends on the purpose of use and the time of continuous operation. Remember that it is impossible to buy an instrument from well-known manufacturers inexpensively - if you find such an offer, then it is probably a fake (most often made in China).
Sometimes certain types of work require a very subtle, in the truest sense of the word, approach. Modeling, jewelry making, engraving on various objects, grinding very small and fragile parts. All this work cannot be done with conventional tools. For example, how to drill a hole with a diameter of one millimeter with a simple drill?
Mini-drills or, as they are also called, engravers, are produced especially for such “delicate” operations. A relatively small tool with very large capabilities. With it you can drill, cut, grind or clean the smallest parts and planes with a minimum surface area. Engraving on glass or metal is not difficult. An indispensable tool for the modern Lefty.
We have compiled a list the best engravers, based on expert assessments and reviews real buyers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and we recommend paying special attention to them:
Budget / Inexpensive
- Dremel
- Hammer
- Elitech
- VORTEX
- Makita
Expensive/Premium class
- Dremel
*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
Engravers: Electric
*from user reviewsMain advantages
- A surface grinder with a well-thought-out body shape that makes it as easy as possible to hold the tool while working. Rubberized pads prevent slipping and provide a comfortable grip on the device
- The cast aluminum case reliably protects the device mechanism from damage in case of impact or falling of the instrument
- A slide-type switch makes it easier to turn on (off) the engraver and simplifies manipulation of the device during operation
- Ventilation of the engine is provided during operation. This protects the motor from winding overheating and extends the life of the tool.
- Easy access to carbon brushes for visual inspection of wear or self-replacement. There is no need to disassemble the case or contact a service center
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Engravers: Inexpensive
For home / Inexpensive / Electric
Main advantages
- Compact mini-drill (engraver) lightweight, only eighty grams. Low weight does not require much effort and allows you to freely manipulate the device for a long time
- A large number of interchangeable attachments makes it possible to perform work of varying complexity without the use of additional tools
- Using a mini drill you can drill holes with a diameter of 1 mm in wood, plastic or other soft material, which is impossible when using a conventional drill
- The small size of the engraver is very convenient for working in hard to reach places With limited space or for miniature “jewelry” operations such as drilling, grinding, engraving, cutting, etc.
- The device is powered from a 220 V or 12 V network through a connection to the car’s cigarette lighter or battery
For home / Inexpensive / Universal / Electric
Main advantages
- Engraver with continuously adjustable engine speed in the range of 8000 - 30,000 rpm. This increases the accuracy of work on materials of different densities
- The device can be mounted on a bracket or tripod, which increases ease of use and frees both hands to fix the workpiece.
- The rotation speed is regulated by a switch mounted on the body with divisions from one to seven, which allows you to select the required operating mode for each specific material
- It is possible to quickly replace brushes without disassembling the tool. Just open the plastic plug on the device body
- The presence of a flexible shaft makes it easier to work with the tool in the most difficult to reach places, especially on internal surfaces small items
Show all products in the "Inexpensive" category
Engravers: Universal
Universal / For home / Electric
Engraving, performed using special tools and electrical equipment, such as an engraver, dremel or dental drill, has been a popular type for many years. decorative processing products from various materials. The quality and efficiency of such processing are largely determined by which electric engraver was chosen to perform it. When purchasing such equipment for use at home or for professional activity, a number of its technical parameters should be taken into account.
Design features and main characteristics
Before deciding how to choose an engraver, you should have a good understanding of the design and operating principle of such a device. Structurally, the engraver is a modified drill, all constituent elements which are placed in a compact case, held with one hand.
Electric engravers, which operate on the principle of a dental drill, have an electric motor, gearbox and spindle placed in a compact and easy-to-hold housing. The spindle can be used both for fixing the tool and for installing a flexible shaft, at the end of which a working attachment with a tool is attached. Cooling of the engraver's electric motor during operation is ensured by a special fan that blows the drive mechanism through air intake holes in the plastic case.
Serial devices, with the help of which such a technological operation as engraving is performed, operate on the principle of a conventional electric drill. Moreover, the weight of their body, as a rule, does not exceed one kilogram, which makes it easy to hold them even with one hand. When choosing an engraver, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- supply voltage;
- spindle speed;
- the presence of a flexible shaft and its length;
- possibility of adjusting the rotation speed of the working tool;
- the number of working attachments included with the equipment.
Areas of application
An electric engraver is sufficient universal device, which can be successfully used to perform various technological operations. It is suitable for both home and professional work, when the use of conventional power tools is not possible. Using an engraving machine, for example, you can carefully and accurately drill holes with a diameter of 0.2–0.4 mm, as well as grind, polish, mill and cut small parts. The most common areas in which engraving equipment is used include:
- engraving on the surface of products made from almost any material;
- manufacturing and decorative design models;
- repair, production and decoration of watch mechanisms;
- production and design improvement of devices used for fishing;
- performing various household tasks with small objects and devices;
- polishing and cleaning of hard-to-reach areas on the surface of products.
Various accessories for specific work, included in the kit or purchased later, allow you to expand the functionality of the tool
Versatility electric engravers and a wide range of working tools, complete with which they can be used, allow them to be successfully used to solve a wide variety of technological problems.
Criterias of choice
When choosing an electric engraver, buyers are guided by various criteria. Some rely on reviews from more experienced users or the rating of a certain model among professionals, while for others, an important indicator is the cost of the device or the brand under which it is manufactured. Meanwhile choose a certain model Such equipment is needed based on how intensively and to solve what technological problems it will be used. The answers to these questions will determine the required technical characteristics and equipment of the purchased electric engraver. Naturally, for intensive daily use and for use several times a week you need to purchase various models electric engravers.
On modern market there is a wide variety of electric engravers, differing in their technical characteristics, functionality and, accordingly, cost. This allows you to choose a device that will cope with exactly the tasks that you are going to solve with its help. In this case, you should focus on the power of the purchased device. So, for household purposes and practicing favorite hobbies, engravers with a power in the range of 100–200 W are quite suitable, and for solving more professional tasks It is better to choose more serious units with a power of 250 W or more.
When evaluating electric engravers by their functionality, you should be guided by common sense and the real need for certain options that the equipment in question is endowed with. For numerous functions professional apparatus, most of which you may not need, you will have to seriously overpay.
Ergonomic equipment
When choosing an electric engraver that you will work with yourself, you should not simply rely on reviews about a particular model. It is important to understand how convenient such equipment is for you, so before purchasing an engraver you need to pick it up, evaluate its weight and ergonomics. It should be borne in mind that you will have to work with the engraver for a long time, so it should be comfortable and not cause fatigue during prolonged use.
When evaluating an electric engraver based on ergonomic parameters, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- quality of manufacturing and assembly materials;
- convenient location of switches and other controls;
- convenience and efficiency of changing working attachments;
- reliability and ease of installation of a flexible shaft, if provided in the design;
- smooth operation and noise level that the engraver creates.
Naturally, you should not choose equipment that operates with jerks, extraneous squeaks and clicks. The design of the body of the electric engraver is also important. Working with a device that looks beautiful is much more pleasant than working with unattractive equipment.
Modern models of engravers, especially those manufactured under reputable brands, emit very little noise during operation and differ low level vibrations. Working with such equipment, which is in good technical condition, is not tiring and does not cause any discomfort.
Which brands to choose?
The modern market offers products from many manufacturers of electric engravers. However, professionals advise choosing devices from the following brands:
- Defort;
- Bosch;
- Makita;
- Dremel
High-quality equipment with more modest technical characteristics is produced by Einhell, Skil and Sturm. Among the electric engravers from domestic producers You can choose products from the companies Zubr, Vikhr and Energomash.
A mini drill with attachments can be used where it is impossible to work with conventional tools. This approach will allow you to work even with yourself the smallest details. Visually, this is the same device, which has lower performance than its older brother.
Possibilities
An electric mini drill can be called both a drill and grinder. The attachments on this device allow you to carry out numerous works, such as polishing, drilling, grinding, milling, cutting, engraving, cleaning, sharpening and applying patterns.
Device
Each mini drill is a grinder, and all the capabilities that have been described are achieved through attachments that are installed on the device. The main difference is the high rotation speed, which ranges from 10 to 30 thousand revolutions per minute.
Some models have a flexible shaft, which allows you to work even in hard-to-reach places. How to choose a mini drill, read in the continuation of the article.
Choosing a budget tool
If you want to choose a high-quality device that won’t break your pocket, then best choice will become hammer md050b.
Hammer md050b
With a power of only 8 watts and a torque of 15 thousand revolutions per minute, we can say that this device is worth the money.
Light weight, which is only 0.4 kg, will not put strain on your hands. When purchased, the kit includes enough wide choose attachments, as well as additional components that simplify work with various materials and surfaces.
Whirlwind G 150
Whirlwind G 150 is also rightfully considered a budget model, but is often used even in industrial scale. The power of this device already reaches 1500 watts, and 30 thousand revolutions per minute do their job perfectly. Such a device is also considered an engraver, as it performs the same functions. The weight of the device is already 1.15 kg.
Another model, which has the same cartridge, but higher power, can already perform more serious tasks. But in general, the characteristics of mini-drills vary within the same range.
With your own hands
In some cases, when you need to carry out single work, you can not buy a device, but make it yourself. This does not require any knowledge or numerous details.
To create a homemade mini-drill, you only need available components and an engine. For example, you can take a motor from an old tape recorder, which is quite enough for small jobs. Let's take a closer look at how to make such a miracle technique.
Since the tape motor runs on 6 volts, a battery is required that is built into the design. If you don’t really strain yourself, you can buy a collet chuck.
It is also better to come up with some kind of housing where the entire structure of the future mini-drill will be assembled. The first thing you need to do is solder two wires to the engine. Drill the right size must be installed in the cartridge. You also need to install a cartridge on the engine shaft.
By the way, the shaft can be of two types: 1.5 mm and 2.3 mm. At this point, the mini-drill will be ready, but all that remains is to connect the power and turn on the device. In general, such a device will maintain fairly high rotation rates.
You can use an old antiperspirant as a body, where the entire structure fits perfectly. Look at the photo of a homemade mini-drill, you will understand how to assemble such a device.
A power button can be placed on the body, and the cartridge head can be carefully removed from the cap. On the other side, where the bottom is, you need to make a hole through which the power cable will come out.
When everything is prepared, you just need to place the entire structure inside. This approach has a lot of advantages: no additional costs for tool elements, minimalistic compact body, convenient control and operation, as well as a unique appearance.
You can also find plenty of video instructions on the Internet if something remains unclear. Such a thing will be very practical, as well as productive; moreover, you will not need any skills to create such a device with your own hands.
Photo of mini drill
