Engraving aluminium - recommended tool

[Lee Roberts]

Unfortunately I don't think that one wouldn't fit my ER11 800W spindle.. It's a shame, as there doesn't seem to be many options this side of the pond.

Humm,

Make an adapta?

Roll your own?



I noticed, opertunity there for someone who knows their way around a lathe, get the price right I think you would sell well, if you did something like in the pic, you could make the tips consumables and score the repeat orders too...

.Me

[d4cnc]

Yes, I think there is an opportunity there too. The problem is I'm rather latheless personally..

If someone out there wants a guinea pig to test their design however.. I'm available ;)

[lucan07]

Its a different thing but seen the Aliminium Roland Vinyl cutter tool holders you can pick up on Ebay for a couple of quid used for some very fine drag engraving on wine glasses with a diamond tip might be worth a couple of quid to see if you can do anything with an aliminium tool holder very similar to this unit and a great place to start "rolling your own", it would be worth that to play and see may want to upgrade the spring and make a shank adapter. it would be light weight but that seems to be all you want
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Piece-Bla...4AAOSwHQ9WXBBJ

[magicniner]

What depth of 7mm shank can be accommodated inside your collet chuck?
I ask because I have a design for a sprung 7mm OD drag engraving tool but it's dependent upon the length which can be behind the collet face,

- Nick

[magicniner]

Update -
The Yanks make one already - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-DEGREE-...AAAOSwPc9WzRo0

Considering that the diamond tool alone is around £20 it's not a bad deal,

- Nick

[d4cnc]

Ah yes, I was looking at that one.. but was unsure of what I would do if I needed to replace the bit.. would I need a whole new tool etc. or are the bits replaceable. And also, I'd have preferred an English source, as was in a hurry.. however as it seems America has the monopoly on these type of things, I went in the end for this one.. http://www.mrrace.com/product_pages/...tool/index.htm


Seems like it would work well.. I could also use standard cutters.. and it's used with spindle on.. so isn't drag engraving which I've read isn't a great thing to do on spindles like mine which aren't too strong.. not sure how true that is?


The guy also was willing to answer all my questions which was helpful for a beginner like me.


Obviously the proof is in the pudding and there's not many reviews/videos of it so I'll let you know how it goes and any tribulations I know doubt will run into.. !

[Boyan Silyavski]

Update -
The Yanks make one already - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-DEGREE-...AAAOSwPc9WzRo0

Considering that the diamond tool alone is around £20 it's not a bad deal,

- Nick

i have similar 120 degree. It makes 0.2mm wide lines. I would much wonder why sb will want to buy a 60 degree diamond for dragging.

[evildrome]

Hi Guys,
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Bit of disclosure first... I am the guy making these:
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eBay Link:
CNC Drag engraving tool for router or plotter. Spring loaded.
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http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/152025476127
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I've been making them for 6 years.
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Now, I need to warn anyone with an ER11 collet machine (or Bosch POF500A or similar) that the reason I do not sell engravers with shanks smaller than 10mm is not because I can't mechanically make them, I can, but small routers (of the ER11 variety) are NOT DESIGNED for the side loading involved in drag engraving.
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You will destroy your bearings in short order. This is why I sell a simple split collet which holds the engraver and which replaces the router body during engraving.
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For the love of God, do not buy a 1/4" shank drag engraver and use it in a small router.
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Cheers,
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Wilson.
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http://www.dragengraving.com/