An engraver is a micro drill that performs the same work as a grinder or a conventional drill, only it is used for small parts and workpieces. An engraver can perform grinding, drilling, as well as milling, engraving, etc. The range of processed parts is quite wide, ranging from wood to glass and steel. It is easy to guess that a wide variety of nozzles for the engraver are used to perform work of varying complexity and purpose. We will consider them in this article.
A bit of general information
Almost any tool boasts a large number of attachments. They are made of various materials, have working bodies of different shapes, hardness and much more. But any drill or grinder can envy the engraver, because there are countless nozzles for him. On sale you can find both small kits consisting of several elements, and professional kits that have absolutely everything for successful engraving. But before we move on toconsidering the nozzles, I would like to note that not all of them are suitable for the engraver of a particular company. For example, many companies produce collets that fit only branded nozzles. That is why it is advisable to get a set of collets that are needed to clamp the nozzles. Well, after that you can proceed to the choice.
About diamond cutters
Diamond engraver bits are very popular. This is due to the high strength of the product. Such a nozzle can process strong mineral rocks and metals with high hardness. However, the cost of diamond cutters is quite high. They are usually sold in a small set of 10-20 pieces. All of them are used exclusively for finishing curly holes. But it is worth noting that the cone is made of tool steel, and diamond coating is applied on top of it. That is why, if you do not follow the rules of operation and use nozzles for other purposes, you risk damaging the coating, which will make the nozzle useless to some extent. As a rule, we are talking about technical diamonds, so a set will cost about 200-300 rubles. Standard shank diameter is 3mm.
Abrasive tips
Often on sale you can find a set of nozzles for an engraver made of rubber and corundum. Often such products are used for metal processing, in particular stainless steel. The price of the set is 200 rubles, the shank has a diameter of 2.3 mm. The set consists of six nozzles with different shapes. Very popular abrasive cuttersFit company. They are available in red and green colors, which actually serves as a marking. Red ones are used for processing metal products, and they are made of aluminum oxide. Green is used for engraving marble, glass and tiles. They are made from silicon carbide. Regardless of the color, the cutters have a shank of the same diameter, but the shapes of the nozzles are different, which allows them to be used more widely. In general, this set of engraver attachments is suitable for home use, while professionals need more advanced options.
Felt cutters and polishing paste for them
Often an engraver is used for grinding. Felt nozzles are excellent for such work. True, the material with which they can work is limited, but that is not the point. Usually, a felt cutter works in tandem with a polishing paste, which also varies. For example, for metal products, a paste of paraffin and polishing powder is used. This is the cheapest option - 40 rubles.
Wood engraver polishing tips also exist. The same applies to materials such as glass. If it is necessary to remove scratches from the surface, and make the tree smoother, take diamond paste. Usually it is sold in a wide range, but it is best to give preference to 3/2 and 5/3 grit paste. The price of one jar is 70-100 rubles, depending on the manufacturer. By the way, an excellent company that produces high-quality paste is Superabrasive LLC.
Electric engraver:tips for professionals
If a professional works with an electric engraver, then most often he carries a special, relatively small suitcase. It has nozzles of any shape and material. Such a tool emphasizes the professionalism of the master and his great experience. The fact is that often when working with one material, different forms of nozzles are needed. Some of them are impossible to buy by the piece. Of course, there is such an option - to make it yourself, but this is only advisable if the work is done for yourself. Otherwise, it is better to purchase a professional set. There you can find felt, diamond, abrasive, sandpaper, as well as wire cutters, which are used to remove paint and rust from metal coatings. For example, it is quite difficult to find cutting discs for an engraver, but they are in the set. The same applies to a wide variety of cutters. Such a set will cost a lot, about 600-700 rubles (depending on the manufacturer). However, such an assortment allows the master to perform work of any level of complexity with any material.
Dexter 3 engraver with attachments
The engraver from this manufacturer is quite famous. In most cases, such equipment is preferred by professionals. This is due to several factors. The main one is the cost of the engraver. The second factor is the price of nozzles. It would seem that you can still spend money on an engraver, because you buy it once, but the high cost of nozzles is already too much. howas a rule, we are talking about 300 rubles and more per piece. This is very, very much. And even many experts focus on this. Nevertheless, Dexter engravers are of very high quality and many consumers in their reviews recommend buying them not only for professionals, but also for amateurs. As for the nozzles, you can’t say the same about them.
Can I buy Chinese nozzles?
But this question is really of interest to many. Someone will definitely say that Chinese products are no good and you don’t even need to look in that direction. To some extent, this is a correct statement. But there is one but. Kits from China are really cheap. Usually 5 or 7 times cheaper than the original cutters. Of course, if a professional is sitting behind the engraver, then there is no difference. Chinese fakes break much more often than original products, so the price will be the same. But if you are a beginner and still do not know where and how to use this or that cutter, then you better choose Chinese products. Firstly, you will be able to get a precious first experience, and secondly, it will be relatively cheap. Of course, you must understand that you can’t count on any strength and durability, but for starters, this is quite a tolerable material. In addition, Chinese products are sold in a wide range, which will allow you to choose nozzles for every taste with the required shank diameter.
Zubr nozzles
We have already figured out that Chinese cutters are more suitable for beginners. If you are more advanceduser, then you will surely like the Zubr cutters. This domestic manufacturer offers a very good selection at a relatively affordable price. For example, a set for engraving machines, consisting of 180 items, will cost only 1000 rubles. If in this case we talk about the piece cost of the cutter, then we get a ridiculous amount. In the set you can find nozzles of various grain sizes, for grinding, engraving and cutting work. The shape of the nozzles is also different. In addition, the attachments for the Zubr engraver are supplied in a convenient plastic case, which simplifies transportation and storage. In general, this is just an excellent solution for performing work of any level of complexity. Cheap and cheerful, there is no other way to say it.
Professionals only
If you are a professional engraver, Dremel cutters are the best choice for you. Of course, these are very expensive products. One nozzle usually costs 400 rubles or more. Nevertheless, it is able to replace 10 Chinese counterparts. It is possible to note both high accuracy and quality of work, as well as "cleanliness". Although all these parameters largely depend on the master, the tool also plays a role. In this case, the master can be sure that a sudden disk rupture will not occur during operation, which often happens with fakes. In addition, Dremel-made discs and cutters wear out much more slowly, so they are used by professionals. In general, the nozzles of the Dremel company, as well as the Dexter, are good, but the price makesto think. Therefore, they can only be advised to people who are engaged in engraving professionally.
About homemade cutters
Recently, homemade nozzles are increasingly being made. The advantage of this solution is that it is relatively cheap. But, as practice shows, many people make cutters themselves not because of the price. It is usually a matter of durability, especially when it comes to low and medium quality tips. For example, all nozzles on a rubber drum break very quickly, so home craftsmen make them from plywood. Such a cone is more durable and practical. Again, homemade engraving tips are unlikely to suit a professional, but for engraving at home, this is one of the best solutions. In conclusion, I would like to say that you should not forget about personal protective equipment. The fact is that in the process of work a large amount of fine dust is formed, so it is necessary to protect the respiratory tract and eyes. Special glasses and a respirator will do.
