For processing small items, a microdrill is often used, which is called an engraver. Using the engraver, you can perform the same operations as conventional drill as well as grinding and milling various materials. The frequency of use and the demand for a tool is determined by the number and quality of nozzles available for it. Some of them come with the main tool, but many have to be purchased additionally. Today, we will try to learn everything we can about engraver attachments.
Types of nozzles for the engraver
Engraver nozzles are selected depending on whether wood or metal is supposed to be processed with their help. For example, for woodwork you will need:
- Polishing tips - from sandpaper or felt.
- Nozzles of spherical shape, designed for grooves.
- Nozzles of a smooth form, for final polishing of a surface of wood.
- Cutting discs (can also be used for cutting plastic).
- Drills for wood (usually small diameters, up to 3.2 mm).
- Milling cutters (required to perform work at a professional level).
Engraver nozzles designed for metal work include the same varieties as those described above. The fundamental difference lies only in the material of the working surfaces. For example, grinding metal requires nozzles made of more abrasive-resistant materials - corundum or hard rubber. The same applies to cutting discs, only in this case tool steel of increased strength is used as a material (sometimes even diamond-coated working surface). However, there are also specific types:
- Diamond cutters, which are used to finish holes and cavities of complex configuration.
- Nozzles for rough grinding. They are supplied with notches, and, in addition to metals, they can also process chipboard.
- Cone-shaped nozzles designed to make grooves. Usually offered as a set, with different sizes the width of its working part.
- Brush nozzles that are used to remove scale from the surface of steel products.
- Carbide tips, with which you can get deep enough cavities in hardened steel blanks.
The value of nozzles is determined by their versatility (many manufacturers offer similar products in sets), as well as by the manufacturer. It should be noted here that, as a rule, a company that produces engravers completes them with nozzles that are suitable for their products, and it is not at all necessary that for competitors' products.
Purpose and opportunities
First of all, it is worth emphasizing that, in view of its low power, the microdrill is incapable of producing any large-scale operations on metal or wood. Therefore, the dimensions of the tool, regardless of where it is released, will not differ in large sizes.
The defining moment is the diameter of the landing part. For example, the diameter of the drill (as a nozzle for an engraver) that can be used also depends on the diameter of the cam chuck. The profile of the clamping part is important here. Often, manufacturers implement the principle of point clamping, which simplifies the manufacture and refinement of the microdrill cartridge itself, but the operation of the nozzle worsens, especially if the processing takes a long time. In this case, there is a beating of the drill, and since the number of revolutions of the engraver is high, the failure of the nozzle will follow very quickly.
The second circumstance is the functionality of the dimensions of the nozzles. For example, for grinding work, a variety of nozzles are available for sale with a diameter of up to 7.8 mm (for woodworking) and up to 3.2 mm for metal operations. Diameter cutting wheels can reach 19 ... 20 mm, but this corresponds to work with soft materials(plastic, aluminum, wood), and when working with steel, a drop in the number of revolutions of the microdrill engine will lead to its failure.
It is important to pay attention to the material of the tool. In particular, engraver attachments made of hard alloys based on tungsten carbide (VK8, VK15 and their foreign analogues) are capable of working on heat-treated metal. They can also process glass, stone, mineral ceramics.
Finishing is the main area where industrial diamond engraver bits are used effectively. Since their cost is very high, they go on sale in small sets (up to 10 ... 20 standard sizes). Diamond cutters should be used only for their intended purpose, otherwise the sprayed layer will be damaged very quickly, which will immediately lead to intense wear.
The class of abrasive and engraving nozzles is the most diverse. Their choice is usually made according to the color of the landing part. If it has a red color, then the nozzle is designed for working with metals, and highly resistant aluminum dioxide is used as the material. Engraver attachments Green colour effective in engraving work with fragile materials - glass, stone, marble, etc. Sets for such work include up to 10 nozzle sizes.
It has already been mentioned above about the possible incompatibility of the diameters of the nozzles for the engraver with the diameter of the cartridge of the tool itself. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish between professional and household sets. The former are often produced by the German company Dremel, they are of high quality and price (experts note that the quality of the nozzles that come with the microdrill is higher than that of the same company, but purchased separately). Domestic nozzles for the engraver from trademark"Zubr" in quality is not much inferior to the German ones, but they differ in significantly lower cost. For comparison, the price of a nozzle from Dremel is 350 ... 400 rubles. a piece, and a set of more than 150 standard sizes from Zubr - only 1800 ... 2000 rubles.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the nozzles for the Chinese-made engraver. The attractiveness of the price in this case is completely leveled by the low quality of the metal of the nozzles. This may be acceptable only in cases where the tool is rarely used, or the task is to learn how to work with nozzles of a certain type.
The basic rules for working and choosing nozzles for an engraver relate, first of all, to a tool of an average and budget price category and are as follows:
- The choice of the diameter of nozzles from a particular set should be carried out in accordance with their subsequent use;
- For engraving, it is quite possible to use nozzles made in China, they are especially good at diamond nozzles with a spherical head shape;
- DIY nozzles - great option for experienced home craftsmen. Plywood can be used as a material (it surpasses rubber in its durability), as well as felt, emery, etc. using an industrial nozzle. For polishing, 3/2 or 5/3 grit diamond paste is best suited;
- In any case, when using nozzles, a respirator should be used, otherwise the dust generated during operation will completely enter the lungs.
What a wonderful invention - Dremel. How many nozzles and attachments for it have been developed. That's just one single thing I really missed - a miniature circular saw. There is of course a circular nozzle, but it's not that.
I made the final decision to make such an attachment after purchasing the Dremel Speed Clic attachment. The disc that is designed for wood is just perfect. Plywood and thin boards are cut without a single burr.
On the shank of the nozzle, you need to cut the thread.
Next, you need a magnetic head holder from an old hard drive. Of the three disassembled disks, only one with the desired thread came up to me. If there is not the same one, then you can take any and drill a hole for the required thread.
Everything superfluous is removed from this part. Only the outer casing with bearings remains.
I didn't make any drawings for this. Everything was done by eye and designed in the course of production. The main details are a plywood rectangle and two bars.
In plywood, a cut is made under the saw and a cavity is milled under the bearing block.
Separately, the bearing block is made of wood.
In one of the bars, a 3 mm hole is drilled in the center at an angle of about 5 degrees. This is done so that the tool does not protrude above the saw table. If this is not important, then you can greatly facilitate the manufacture and not make a flexible or crankshaft.
two spade drills, different diameters and holes are made on both sides. Large first, then smaller.
A large hole is milled for a nut.
It is better to fix the nut on the sealant. This will reduce vibration.
For better fastening of the bearing block, it is wrapped with double-sided adhesive tape with a polyethylene foam base.
Everything is attached to a plywood table together.
Everything is almost ready. If you choose a design with a protruding tool, then you can stop there. It remains to make an extension. For example, from a welding electrode or a long nail.
In my case, I had to make a flexible shaft. For it, you can use a metal cable. The one in the photo is not very good. It is twisted to the left, that is, counterclockwise. Therefore, when the tool is used, the cable will unwind. You need to look for a cable with a right twist.
an aluminum rivet body can be used to hold the cable.
A thread is cut inside each rivet. For reliability, the cable inside the rivet is crimped and soldered. A screw is screwed into one of the rivets.
This screw is ground for a square for a standard extension nozzle.
The flexible shaft is ready.
Ready attachment. View from above.
And from below.
With the help of a clamp, you can attach guides and all kinds of equipment to this table.
An engraver or burr machine is a very necessary and useful thing for those who like to carve wood, stone, metal and so on. But the engraver will fit not only for carving. It can also be a very good help when assembling or repairing something miniature to cut out of metal or plastic. desired part which cannot be cut with scissors. Also, they can grind minerals, or just beautiful stones. There are a lot of nozzles for an engraver: saw blades, grinding discs, stones of various grain sizes, brushes (both simple and metal), felt discs, various cutters for wood and glass, as well as, of course, drills.
Buying such an expensive thing as an engraver is only half the battle (however, making it yourself is also not tricky). During the entire time of use, it is also desirable to update and replenish existing stocks of drills, cutters and other nozzles, which are also not cheap. In any case, they (for some reason!) Are more expensive than consumables and nozzles for the same tool of a standard size. But it is not necessary to buy them all in a row - some nozzles can be quite easily made on your own. Of course, such complex tools, like a wood cutter, a drill or a diamond gimlet for engraving on glass, it is unlikely to be possible to make, but, for example, small files for cutting wood and plastic, grinding and felt discs, you can easily do it yourself.
Even without skills. I think that every person is able to cut the correct circle drawn with a compass on a workpiece with scissors. In addition, some Consumables you will not find in ordinary stores selling this kind of goods. You have to order and wait a long time when they come, and whether they come at all ... And if they do, it’s not a fact that they will turn out to be of high quality and reliable. The sanding discs I recently received in the mail were so fragile that one of them broke with a little pressure... In general, if you want to do something well, do it yourself! Today we will consider several options for the independent manufacture of a more durable tool.
Saw blades for wood and plastic
You will need:- Metal circle, or piece sheet metal, less than a millimeter thick.
- Compass and pencil.
- Scissors.
- Drill and drills.
- An emery machine with a cutting disc.
- Metal bolt with nut children's constructor, or from a prefabricated electrical plug.
Next, you need to cut the teeth of the disk.
We make oblique cuts along the entire edge of the disk, 3-4 mm deep, and in 2 mm increments. You can use.
We do the disk for cutting plastic in the same way, repeating the above procedures, with the exception of sharpening the teeth. Here, the cuts should be made at a right angle, two mm deep, and also a step of two mm.
The teeth should be short and wide. This disc can cut plastics of different densities, as well as plexiglass and textolites.
Sanding and felt discs
You will need:- A thin grinding disc (you can use it, or even a chip, but not thicker than a millimeter).
- A piece of felt, 7-10 mm thick (from felt boots - just right).
- Compass and pencil
- Metal scissors.
- Emery machine.
- Thin bolt with nut.
Only it is probably better to cut the felt with a sharp knife, since it is thick enough, and I crushed all my fingers with scissors. And it is better to cut the grinding wheel either with scissors for metal, or on an emery machine with the same cutting wheel. Next, we make holes in the centers of the circles, and tighten them on both sides with bolts and nuts.
There are just too many for sale. various tools, which can be used for machining parts. An example is an engraver. In many ways, this tool, in its principle of operation, is similar to a drill or grinder, but designed to work with blanks small sizes. By purchasing and installing various nozzles for the engraver, you can carry out grinding, milling or engraving, as well as drilling. It is important to choose the most suitable options execution of nozzles, as they are characterized by different performance and scope.
Nozzle Features
Nozzles for a wood drill can be classified according to a fairly large number of different features. There is a wide variety on the market. Almost all equipment for the engraver is characterized by the presence of two structural elements:
- The shank is a part of the engraver attachment, due to which it is fixed in the cartridge of the equipment used.
- The working part is responsible for the direct removal of the metal layer at the time of processing.
Metal engraving paste is used to significantly increase the efficiency of the processing, especially if the engraver's tool is intended for surface grinding. The description of the nozzles may be distributed by manufacturers, since the cutting edge of some embodiments may have a complex geometry.
Equipment for the engraver can have just a huge amount hallmarks. Burs for a drill and other types of equipment can be classified according to the following criteria:
- The type of material being processed.
- Appointment of the drill and the applied nozzle of the engraver.
- Areas of use.
An example is diamond cutters for an engraver, which can be used to process the end surface and obtain a surface of complex shape.
The use of hard coating can significantly extend the life of the cutting edge, as well as provide higher cutting conditions. A mini drill for a drill is used to obtain deaf or through holes with the smallest diameter. The main classification can be called the one for which technological task the nozzle for the engraver is purchased. Due to the provision of diversity in this indicator, the scope of the engraver is significantly expanding.
By type of material being processed
When choosing the most suitable set, attention is paid to what materials it is intended to work with. The classification of instruments in this case is as follows:
- Most of the options are designed to work with wood. An example is the fact that the engraving cutter for wood has become widespread. It can be used to obtain various patterns. If necessary, provides high precision processing.
- Use an engraver with appropriate nozzles for working with metal. In this case, in the manufacture of the cutting edge, more wear-resistant and hard alloys are tried on. When choosing a tooling, it is important to pay attention to what kind of alloy will be processed. An example is the ratio of the hardness of aluminum and hardened steel.
- Quite often, glass equipment is purchased. Such material is difficult to process. That is why often the cutting part is made of wear-resistant alloys or diamond chips.
- There are nozzles for the engraver, which are designed to work with stone. The diamond cutter on stone has become quite widespread. The high hardness of the machined surface determines that special requirements are placed on the cutting edge.
The purpose of the type of material being processed largely determines the cost of equipment. The most affordable offer is considered to be wood cutters, which are very widespread. Also often there are versions designed to work with metals.
By appointment
A tool for engraving on metal or wood can be designed for a wide variety of operations. On this basis, the following options are distinguished:
- For engraving work. Very often, some kind of drawing or inscription needs to be applied to the surface. If the work is carried out in a home workshop, then more the right tool can be considered an engraver. There is an engraving cutter for metal or wood, artificial or natural stone, glass and other materials. Diamond burs (cutters) are often sold as a set, since nozzles with different cutting edge geometries may be required to obtain complex patterns and inscriptions.
- Tools, the nozzles of which are represented by a combination of a solid metal rod and an abrasive tip. In some cases, it is necessary to finish the quality of the roughness of the recesses or other complex surfaces. In such cases, it is precisely this equipment that is used. Its purpose is to rough and finish the surface, it all depends on the grain size of the abrasive material used.
- For grinding and polishing. On sale you can find just a huge range of grinding nozzles engraver. Various materials can be used in their manufacture. An example is a classic abrasive or felt.
When choosing, it should be borne in mind that for engraving and other engraver nozzles designed for surface grinding, there are a variety of pastes. Their use can significantly increase the efficiency of the operation. The selection of the paste is carried out in accordance with what kind of tool is used for processing and what material the part was made of. Before using any paste, you should pay attention to the instructions for use.
Considering the classification, we also pay attention to the fact that there are working nozzles for professional engravers. They are intended for a multifunctional tool that can be used to perform a wide variety of operations. The most common set of such equipment is represented by the following combination:
- Cutters that have a different shape and size.
- Cones made of abrasive, felt or diamond coating.
- Drills that turn a conventional engraving machine into an efficient drill for precision drilling.
- Wire nozzles, through which you can clean the surface.
- Cutting discs designed to remove part of the product.
If desired, the set can be assembled with a separate purchase of all attachments. However, some versions are extremely rare on sale, which makes it difficult to purchase them separately. An example is cutting discs.
A set of nozzles for the engraver is produced under various brands. As noted earlier, with frequent processing of workpieces by the tool in question, a fairly large set of nozzles is required. The following factors may influence the choice:
- What technological tasks will have to be performed. As previously noted, a drill can be used to carry out just a huge number of technological tasks: engraving, surface grinding, cutting, drilling, and others. The choice is made in accordance with what kind of work will be carried out. There are on sale universal sets, represented by a combination of nozzles of various types.
- Characteristics, geometric features of the workpiece and the type of material used in the manufacture.
- Estimated sizes of blanks. Too small a tool is not convenient to process workpieces bigger size. At the same time, it may take much more time to achieve the goals.
A set of cutters and other nozzles can be minimal or include several dozen units. In this case, the choice depends on what budget is allocated for the purchase of equipment and how often the work will be carried out.
When choosing, attention is also paid to the classification according to the purpose of the sets:
- Professional level. The high cost of such a proposal is primarily due to long term service and exceptional performance. In addition, the cutting part retains its shape for a long period, which ensures the accuracy of processing. It is advisable to choose such equipment only if the relevant work is carried out frequently.
- budget proposals. This group can be conditionally divided simply into a huge number of categories. by the most accessible tool there will be an offer from Chinese manufacturers, but it will not last long and often does not correspond to the declared characteristics. Some well-known manufacturers are also engaged in the production of tools of this class, but at the same time they withstand quite high level quality. That is why, with rare work, attention should be paid to just such a proposal.
When buying a tool, you can inspect it. There should be no obvious mechanical defects on the surface. In addition, much attention is paid to symmetry, which is quite difficult to check without special equipment.
Making nozzles with your own hands
For some surfaces, it is difficult to find a more suitable nozzle on sale. That is why many are considering the possibility of making them with their own hands. An example is dremel cutters for wood, which are also quite widespread today.
In the home workshop, you can make a cutting disc or grinding head. The primitive cutter is represented by a corrugated cylinder from ordinary lighter. The grinding head is made from wooden drum, to which sandpaper with the desired grit value is attached.
Do-it-yourself engraver nozzles are made due to the fact that they can replace completely purchased versions. However, do-it-yourself woodcarving nozzles are very difficult to make. This is due to the fact that the working part of such a tool has a complex geometry, which can only be repeated by a true professional using special equipment.
At self-manufacturing equipment, attention should be paid to the features of fastening. A corresponding element from a broken tool can be used as a shank.
An engraver, otherwise called a mini drill, dremel, straight grinder or drill, is a multifunctional tool. With its help, not only apply engraving, but also drill, grind and perform other operations for processing various materials, such as wood, metal, glass, stone. The device is widely used both in everyday life and in various industries, in jewelry, when creating advertising and souvenir products. All the variety of functionality of the equipment is due to the fact that there are various attachments for the engraver.
Nozzles for frequently performed types of work are supplied with the tool. Milling cutters for more specific operations need to be purchased separately. In order to work correctly and productively with a dremel, while achieving high quality parts, you need to know existing varieties equipment, as well as for what work each type is used.
Exists a large number of varieties of equipment for working with a mini-drill. A wide range on the market allows you to choose nozzles for wood and many other materials that engraving equipment can work with. Also, individual masters make them on their own.
Structurally nozzles (burs) consist of two parts;
- tail, clamped in the tool chuck (diameter from 0.8 to 8 mm);
- worker, which processes materials.
Equipment is classified according to two main criteria:
- by the type of material from which they are made;
- by area of use (purpose).
By type of material being processed
According to the material of the cutter for the engraver, there are the following types.
There are also combined burs, in which the shank is steel, and the working part is carbide. The scope of their application corresponds to the material of the head.
Carbide tooling is of high quality, durable and belongs to a number of expensive consumables for dremels. The shape of the tips determines the features of its application. With the help of such peak burs, it is good to process bone, plastic, to do tracing (indicate the contours of the picture). Diamond tips also differ in quality, even if the kit they are included in belongs to the category of cheap consumables.
On the market you can find a set of burrs, all elements of which marked with any color- it indicates the level of sharpening. Those marked in black are the most productive burs, while the sharpness of green or blue is already worse. Marked yellow fittings are optimal choice by doing finishing blanks.
By appointment
You can use an engraver with nozzles not only for engraving, but also for performing other work operations. The division of consumables used in the operation of straight grinders is presented in the table below.
| Work in progress | Applicable nozzles |
| engraving | suitable for the above varieties. |
| drilling | performed with steel or carbide drills |
| polishing | circles made of felt, cotton, felt, sandpaper, leather, as well as special devices (holders) that can be wrapped independently (for example, with felt) |
| grinding | grinding stones ( various shapes and from different materials) and circles (from sandpaper), diamond rings, rubber cylinders |
| sheet piling | burs with spherical working part |
| cutting | cutting discs |
| milling | cutters |
| surface cleaning (e.g. from rust, scale) | wire (steel), thread, fabric brushes |
| finishing holes or cavities | diamond cutters |
| creating grooves | cone burs |
Consumables from each group can be used in the processing of various materials. Wherein tooling for milling mainly used by professionals.
Dremels that have a flexible shaft are equipped with any kind of consumables that fit the diameter of the tool chuck.
An overview of the most popular attachments for woodworking and metalworking
Wood is one of the most frequently processed materials for engraving, along with glass, metal, and stone. Dremels are often used when carving wood, drilling miniature holes in it, drawing images on surfaces. this material, grinding, and creating small grooves or tongues. Therefore, popular varieties of nozzles for woodworking are:
- cutters for wood;
- drill;
- circles for cutting;
- polishing, grinding wheels and cylinders;
- spherical and conical burs;
- diamond and hard-alloy nozzles of various shapes;
- felt balls.
There are also specific types of wood cutters, but they are used very rarely even by specialists. Purchase consumables to process wood different breeds using straight grinder, recommended set. Thus, everything that may be needed when performing work manipulations will be collected immediately in one case.
Overview of professional attachments for the engraver
A professional tool is a separate (high-quality and expensive) category of equipment that can withstand significant operational loads without negative consequences. Such devices are usually equipped with appropriate consumables.
Professionals do quality work the smallest details blanks. Therefore, they require such a wide variety of consumables when doing work.
Professionals who engrave various materials professionally recommend purchasing sets of nozzles from well-known brands, such as Dremel or Dexter. The significant cost of products of these companies is fully justified by the fact that their products are distinguished by reliability, high quality and durability. The use of burrs for wood, metal and other materials produced by these companies increases the accuracy of workpiece processing.
Often, specialists have several sets of equipment designed to process different materials and perform various operations. Also individual elements, included in their composition, have their own design features. Usually these sets include:
- milling cutters for metal, wood and other materials of various designs;
- drill;
- felt, diamond, as well as abrasive cutters;
- wire brushes for cleaning surfaces;
- engraving rods;
- cutting discs.
Also in the set comes across a straight edge cutter.
Edge cutter Topfix
Replacement equipment brands "Dremel" and "Dexter" can be used not only by workshop specialists, but also by home craftsmen who want to improve in the art of engraving.
According to professionals, one such tool can last as long as 10 low-quality nozzles of unknown production.
Some engravers recommend products firm "Zubr", lower quality than Dremel or Dexter, but cheaper. The set can include up to 180 consumables of popular varieties. But products from Zubr, in general, belong to the semi-professional and household categories.
Usually, a milling head for an engraver is included with the purchased tool. But with constant use, it wears out over time. Also, cutters may be needed for specific operations - then you need to buy new burs in order to continue working with a dremel.
The ideal option is to purchase products recommended by the engraver manufacturer. In such cases, the warranty from the firms for the operated device is preserved. But it happens that the original consumables cannot be obtained for some reason, or they will be very expensive with a small amount of upcoming work operations. Then you will need to purchase analogues or even use homemade products. In this case, the main selection rules are as follows.
- You should focus on a suitable dremel cartridge shanks diameter: most often it is 2.4 or 3.2 mm.
- It is necessary to purchase nozzles for metal and other materials for the type of work that is planned to be performed.
- To engrave, you can use cheap kits, for example, Chinese or Russian production.
- With constant, prolonged work with a mini-drill (especially with hard materials) it is recommended to purchase high-quality, professional sets, and for occasional engraving, household ones are enough.
Inexpensive products are suitable during training in various operations with a dremel. Over time, they should be abandoned in favor of better equipment.
Homemade nozzles for the engraver
You can buy attachments for the engraver not only factory-made, but also make them yourself. Workshop specialists and home craftsmen have come up with many options that are suitable for various operations with different materials.
To independently make polishing, grinding, milling, drilling consumables for dremel, as well as cutting devices, use the following materials and parts:
- plywood;
- sandpaper;
- leftovers abrasive wheels different thicknesses from an angle grinder (grinder);
- felt;
- felt;
- various fabrics and rubber;
- steel wire;
- a wheel from a cheap lighter;
- old burs and drills (they are sharpened);
- knives from an electric razor;
- hacksaw blades;
- metal caps, for example, from beer bottles;
- champagne corks;
- an ordinary dowel (teeth are made on its cap) and others.
The photos below show some of the finished practical application homemade devices to the engraving device of the milling type.
Additionally, with homemade use special (e.g. diamond) pastes. At the same time, specialists achieve the result of finishing processing of workpieces of different densities, comparable in quality to the use of factory analogs of burs.
Homemade nozzles suitable for engraver to perform a variety of work in domestic conditions. They will also save cash through the use of affordable, cheap materials and parts from improvised or broken (unnecessary, old) mechanisms.
A wide variety of different attachments allows you to perform a wide range of tasks with your Dremel. various works with different materials. It is better to select consumables that comply with the recommendations of equipment manufacturers. Professional kits- this is a guarantee of product quality, but they are expensive. To save money, you can make the necessary fixtures yourself. It should only be borne in mind that in this case the warranty service for the mini-drill is lost, and during operation the load on the tool may increase.
