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With back to back engraving workshops I haven’t had time to respond
until now…
Pneumatic tools, whether they be GRS or Lindsay’s are all excellent
choices for anyone who uses gravers on a daily basis. When I
started engraving in 1969, there were no such tools. Later when the
GraverMeister first came out (I own #273) I purchased one - but the
handpieces in those days were very awkward. There was also a
controversy amongst hand engravers back then - as to whether
engraving with these new machines was to be considered “real” hand
engraving. During the first 5 years that I had the machine I rarely
used it, and then only to stipple backgrounds. Since the handpiece
back then was 7" long, it was far from “ergonomic” and no one even
considered them for stone setting. Modern day GRS products have been
much improved - especially recently.
The Lindsay tools have been on the market for a little over 4 years
now. Invented and built by Steve Lindsay, who has made his living
engraving, they worked perfectly for engraving and stone setting
from the very beginning. His tools are capable of up to 30,000
impacts per minute, so even under a microscope you will never see
“chatter” marks. He now has 4 models to choose from. The newest
one, the “Bronze Omega” has just been released. We used the first
one in a Basic Engraving workshop last week. All of the students
were quite impressed. It’s an economy model of his standard tools,
and does not have the adjustable stroke mechanism that is included
on the other models. However, for the beginning engraver or
stonesetter the price is right - around $500 - and it works just
fine. His “Chasing” and “Classic” models are in the same price
range as the GRS product. His best model, which has all of the
controls on the tool itself, was released a few months back. This
“Palm Control” model will cost closer to $3,000, and uses no foot
pedal. It responds to pressure on the handle. In the last two
months it has become my favorite tool on the bench.
The original question as I recall was as to whether these pneumatic
tools would help prevent injury. From my own personal experience of
30+ years - the answer is a resounding YES!
After the first 10 years of engraving and stone setting with hand
gravers and sheer force, I had my first carpal tunnel surgery. Over
the years, because it took me a long time to accept the use of
pneumatic tools exclusively, I have had a total of 4 carpal tunnel
surgeries. 3 on my right hand, 'cause I’m right handed, and one on
the left, 'cause that hand is shoving the engraving block around
all day. I’ve also had 2 elbow release surgeries, and shoulder
surgery… I believe that had these tools existed in their modern
day form - none of this would have been necessary.
The other advantages of pneumatic tools include a 70% cut in the
learning curve, much faster/repeatable results, less bloodshed, and
less time wasted learning new cuss words… ALL graver blanks
can be adapted to fit either Lindsay or GRS handpieces, but I’ve
come to prefer starting with the square blanks that need no back
end grinding, just shape and sharpen, slip 'em in and go.
YOU WILL NOT, however instantly “become” an engraver or stonesetter
by simply purchasing one of these modern day marvels! You still
have to acquire the SKILLS needed to set stones or engrave. Books
and videos have their uses (I know this because I have 18
overflowing bookshelves and over 50 videos:) but there is nothing
as good as taking live instruction. You need to learn the sounds,
and feel what happens in your hand when you make a perfect cut. And
you need that instructor standing over your shoulder to tell you
that you are trying to do it upside down…
Brian P. Marshall
Stockton Jewelry Arts School
2207 Lucile Ave.
Stockton, CA 95207 USA
209-477-0550 Workshop/Studio/instructor@jewelryartschool.com
jewelryartschool@aol.com