Engraving tools may be used for as simple a task
as engraving your name on a tool, belt or other
item. Or, they may be used for intricate detailed
banknote type images of nature, flowers or other
designs on metal, glass, wood, plastic, leather
or bone. These tools may be used to add beauty
and great value to an item. For example, a hand
engraved shotgun will have far greater value,
because of the engraving, than would the shotgun
without the etching.
There is real artistry involved in using hand
engraving tools. Learning to use these tools
and the art of engraving can take thousands of
hours of instruction and practice. Often jewelers
will use hand engraving tools for some etching
work on watches and other jewelry. Many of these
jewelers have not taken the time, or have the
aptitude, to become true artists at hand engraving.
The tools used by hand engravers include a variety
of tiny awls, chisels and punches that can be
used to make the designs and images. The engraving
is done by pushing the bit up and down into the
material, or cutting or scratching the material.
A skillful engraver can etch portraits into the
material being engraved. Hand engraving tools
are truly magical instruments in the hands of
an artist.
Router
Engraving Bits Make Etching Cuts Differently
Some
engravers have moved from hand engraving to
power assisted tools, such as small-sized routers.
These tools are designed to hold a variety
of router engraving bits. These small, handheld
routers have a different action than hand engraving
tools. The etching in the metal is derived
by the spinning action of the bit in the router.
The tips of each of the bits are specifically
designed to make a different kind of mark or
line in the material being engraved.
Engraving wood has a long tradition in the printing
industry. Engraving wood was used by printers
to illustrate books in the 1500s. Wood engravings
were used by the printing industry right into
the 20th century, eventually being replaced by
other forms of capturing images and illustrations.
The process worked similar to rubber stamps in
that the high surfaces of the engraving were
inked and pressed on the paper by the printing
press.
Other uses of engraving wood were more decorative.
Among these are the engravings placed on wooden
gunstocks, wall hangings and other decorative
pieces. Today much of this engraving is being
done by lasers.
Engraving
tools include a wide variety of technologies.
There are hand engravers, electric powered engravers
and laser engraving tools.
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