Metal engraving tools can be manual or mechanical, with the burin being the most commonly used hand tool. Industrial machines with diamond tips are used for high productivity, but can limit creativity. Material and shape of the tool should be considered for different metals and designs.
Metal engraving tools can be classified as manual or mechanical. Hand tools for metal engraving include the burin, flat engraver, angle bevel tool, and Florentine liner. Mechanical tools are mostly used for heavy-duty projects, while custom tools might be needed for specialists. Selecting the appropriate metal engraving tools depends on the type of metal being engraved and the nature of the project, as well as the levels of output required.
Gravers, flat engravers, angle engravers and Florentine liners are the most basic tools for hand engraving. The burin is the most commonly used tool as its shape allows you to create clean edges when engraving a variety of patterns. Flat engravers provide a fine edge, allowing for the creation of detailed backgrounds, block lettering and parallel patterns. Angular Slant Engravers feature a curled tip, making them perfect for designs with curled lines or ribbon shapes. Florentine veneer tools consist of multiple lines at the tip, making them useful for engraving large areas at a time.
Industrial metal engraving machines are widely used in enterprises that require high productivity and fast production. There are machines with diamond tips so they stay sharper longer and cut more accurately. Some types of metal can only be engraved using a machine, such as titanium. The titanium material needs to be light in order to use the machine, and the lubricant is required to prevent burrs. Using engraving machines can limit an engraver’s ability to design creatively, as blocking out complex designs can be difficult.
Metal engraving tool material is an important consideration when selecting a tool for a project, as it needs to be stronger than the metal being engraved. For example, carbon steel tools are used extensively for engraving gold and sterling silver, while steel engraving tools must be specially hardened. Because a dull blade can make engraving difficult or impossible, the material of the tool should be easy to sharpen and maintain. For example, a carbon steel tool requires less effort to sharpen than steel tools.
Metal engraving tools come in different widths and shapes to give engravers more control, saving them time when engraving intricate designs or finishing larger projects. Having a round, flat, or square shaped tool can help you engrave particular shapes or shade backgrounds. Engravers making Western letters may find that wider angle metal engraving tools make the job much easier.
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