Extend the Service Life of Metal Engraving Tools Tips

Metal engraving is an extremely demanding process, and the quality of your engraving tools has a direct impact on the quality of your engraving work. In order to maintain the optimum performance of your engraving tools, regardless of the quality of the engraving tools you purchase, you must learn how to maintain your metal engraving tools to minimise problems during the engraving process. Today, we will discuss in depth how to effectively maintain as well as care for your metal engraving tools.

What are the common types of metal engraving tools?

Generally speaking, common metal engraving tools can be divided into three types, which are manual engraving tools, pneumatic engraving tools, and electric engraving tools. Different engraving tools have different maintenance methods, if you are not too clear about how these three types of tools are categorised, you can take a serious look at this section.

Manual engraving tools

Manual carving tools refers to the carving tools by human power, all the details are and precision are slowly carved out, out so for the carver’s requirements are relatively high. Common manual carving tools include carving knives, chisels and files. Although the carving efficiency of manual carving tools is not very high, but manual carving tools carved out of the works of artistic expression is incomparable to other tools.

Pneumatic engraving tools

Pneumatic engraving tools refers to the compressed air as a power source of engraving tools. The specific principle is that the air will produce pressure after compression, this pressure will make the piston of the engraving head for continuous and rapid vibration, so you can carve on a variety of materials.

Pneumatic engraving tools on the market can be divided into two categories according to whether they need to be connected to an external air compressor or not. One is the pneumatic engraving machine with an internal air compressor, which is less powerful but more portable. There is also a need to connect an external air compressor pneumatic engraving machine. The general air compressor is heavier, so it is not very convenient to carry. But if you have an external air compressor, then the efficiency of your engraving machine will be very high.

Electric Engraving Tools

Electric engraving tools are actually very easy to understand, referring to the engraving tools that rely on electricity as the driving force. The components of electric engraving tools can be roughly divided into three parts, respectively, the motor, engraving head and speed regulation device. Common electric engraving tools include electric engraving pens and electric sanders. One of the outstanding advantages of electric engraving tools is that these machines are more time-saving and labour-saving, and the intensity of the engraving range is relatively large.

What is the maintenance of engraving tools?

Although it is said that the maintenance method is different for different engraving tools, but the maintenance of engraving tools is actually a few ways. These are cleaning, lubricating, polishing and regular inspection. However, there is a slight difference between the three methods of carving tool maintenance mentioned above.

1.Cleaning and descaling

Generally speaking, after the use of engraving tools, engraving tools to carry out the necessary cleaning work is one of the most basic maintenance work. But manual engraving tools and the other two engraving tools cleaning method is a little different. If you are using a manual engraving tool, it is best to do a thorough cleaning of the surface of the tool after using the engraving tool to remove any metal shavings or dust on the surface of the tool. In addition, if you want to prevent the engraving tool from rusting, you can regularly wipe the surface of the tool with anti-rust oil.

If it is a pneumatic engraving tool, you can do a regular cleaning of the air line of the air compressor, which can prevent all kinds of stains and oil blockage on the machine to cause damage. And the way to clean the electric engraving machine is similar, is to regularly clean the motor vent, which can prevent the motor in the use of the process of overheating occurs, and ultimately damage the machine.

2. Lubrication

If you are using a manual engraving tool, you need to lubricate the moving parts of the engraving tool on a regular basis to ensure that it will be smoother the next time you use it.

Then there is the pneumatic engraving machine, the lubrication step of the pneumatic engraving machine will be a little more troublesome. You will need to lubricate the air engraver with a special pneumatic oil before and after using it. Additionally, you need to keep the air compressor dry and clean and avoid using the pneumatic engraver in places where the air humidity is high.

The lubrication method for power engraving tools is similar to that of manual engraving tools, you just need to lubricate the bearing part of the power tool as well as the rotating part with regular cleaning.

3. Polishing

No matter how high-quality engraving tools, as long as after a period of use will certainly occur corresponding wear and tear. Therefore, it is necessary to polish the engraving tools regularly. However, electric and pneumatic engraving tools do not need to be sharpened, you just need to replace the engraving head. However, you need to pay attention to installing the engraving head in the right way to prevent subsequent safety issues due to the engraving head falling off.

4. Regular Inspection

Finally, when you use various engraving tools, you need to check the engraving tools regularly. If you are using a manual engraving tool, then you can check the surface of the tool for oil wear, cracks or other damage. Once you find it, you can either replace it or repair it in time.

If it is a pneumatic engraving machine, you need to regularly check the air circuit of the machine as well as the air pressure system is stable to ensure that the pneumatic engraving engraving machine can function properly.

Finally, for electric engraving machines, you need to check whether the cables, power plugs and switches are working properly. If you buy a battery-powered electric engraving machine, you need to charge it regularly to avoid damage to the battery due to prolonged non-use.