Writing on Wood, Metal, Plastics & more – Engravers

Engraving has grown in popularity over the years. This hobby has grown from being a simple way to pass the time and has soon become an entry point to other levels of engraving like laser and CNC-engraving without having to pay the initial arm-and-leg. There are a few tools which can be used for engraving, today we will discuss the tools which do this job most neatly and efficiently possible.

Electric Engraver

Best for engraving on plastics and metal pieces, the electric engraver makes use of a rotating engraving point (usually carbide tipped) which cuts against the material to make the engraving. The points on these machines are usually thin and react against the grain of the wood making it very difficult to steadily make the engravings using your bare hand.

Dremel Engraver 290-1

Currently the most robust and popular hobbyist engraver available on the market. This 35W engraver uses engraving tips/points which are quite readily available should you need to replace your worn-down bits. These bits are available in both the normal solid carbide and diamond. The diamond tips are made to last longer and are more durable to use on harder materials.

Although slightly more expensive, this engraver will provide you with the highest quality engraver available to the hobbyist and DIYer.

TorkCraft Electric Engraver

There is a much cheaper and more generic alternative which is also readily available on the market, this machine does, however, differ in that it has a power output rating of only 17W, making it less robust and more applicable to lighter use on softer material.

Multi-tool Engraving

Engraving can also be achieved using a multi-rotary tool equipped with the right sized engraving tips. Dremel has been the leading manufacturer of these rotary multitools for over 80-years. These multi-tools can be used to sand, grind, cut, carve and engrave. The Dremel range of rotary tools expands from the highly affordable to the more expensive premium kits, all of which use the same size bits.

• These are the ideal Dremel multi-tool bits to use for engraving:

Dremel Engraving Cutters

These cutters range from 0.8mm in size to 2.4mm, making them most ideal for detailed engravings on wood, fiberglass, plastic, and soft metals.

Dremel Diamond Point Cutters

For those cutting into harder materials such as semi-precious stones, hardened steel, and ceramic glass. These cutters can also be quite small in diameter and are available from a range of manufacturers found here.

The long-term existence of the Dremel Multi-tools has since given birth to a wide range of alternative, and cheaper manufacturers like the Torkcraft Rotary Multi-tool. This rotary tool accepts the same 3.2mm shank bits that can be found in the Dremel range.