Hello, i ve been thinking to get GRS graversmith but this product made me think again.
No need to buy compressor but not sure how this can work.
I want to make small changes on my jewelry( I’m not professional) haven’t use graving before but really dying to get one 
it’s so expensive but should I get the best one or no need ?
What do you think about the Pneumatic Engraver ?
Thanks for help 
Buy a hand engraving tool, gravers and a sharpening system and learn to engrave by hand. Then look at pneumatic engraving systems when you have it figured out. Take a look at Steve Lindsay Engraving.
He makes tools that are works of art. Then spend a lot of time on his website. Take your time, it is a bit difficult to navigate at first. You can get into hand engraving for around $250. There are many wonderful engravers and it takes a lifetime to become one. You can also look at Sam Alfano. When you are looking for a compressor, take into account the noise that they make. There are several very expensive and very quiet options. A less expensive, but still fairly quiet option is California Air. Good luck…Rob
I completely agree
Hi,
I concur with Robs advice…especially as it relates to graver sharpening…in my opinion, a properly sharpened graver has a bigger impact than an engraving machine…
I love and own GRS products!
…another product to look into…no air compressor needed…PulseGraver…
i did see the PulseGraver being used by Peter Keep, on his JewelryTraingSolutions website, and it looked good…no air compressor either. The PulseGraver is sold by Tira Mitchell
not sure how the price compares to a GraverSmith+compressor (a quiet one can run upwards of $1500…)
also consider if/ which handpiece(s) is/ are included/ are available……and! what the ratings/ specs/ collet size it is…and/ or if it is an added expense…grs has a second port, and optional rotary handpiece for the gravermax but i didnt like the specs…for my needs…
https://grs.com/product-category/air-systems-handpieces/handpieces/
julie
Fyi…here us the GRS rotary hanfpiece
julie
Depending on your circumstances, you may not need a very expensive ‘silent’ compressor.
I use a large ‘construction-grade’ compressor bought to feed air to framing and roofing nail guns. Turn it on, yes it is noisy! But then turn it off when the tank is full and just run off the full tank. Absolutely silent.
This definitely would not work in an apartment. But if something like that can work for you there can be significant money saved. And you can also drive a 3 1/2 inch nail with a single shot. VERY satisfying. Or power a pneumatic bottle jack for a 20 ton press.
Neil A
Based on my research, the vibrator air compressors are the loudest and most annoying…the cheap Chinese ones are vibrators. An oil-less compressor with piston(s) is quieter, but they don’t last as long as those that use oil as a lubricant for the piston(s). I bought (for other uses) a used 20 gallon compressor that uses oil…they are everywhere and cheap. They last a long time and the oil does not have to be changed very often. They are quiet. Just remember to release the pressure when not using and also to drain the tank frequently. I bought one used compressor which had a leak where it had rusted out in the bottom due to water pooling in the bottom. The water comes from atmospheric moisture. If you are using the compressor for engraving you will need an in line filter to remove the oil. My 20 gallon was bought with a view towards various uses…the engraver only needs a small compressor, but do be aware that the cheapest vibrators are loud and don’t last as long as piston types. -royjohn
Hi,
i owned my compressor for years before i realized i needed to drain it! called tech support freaking out (haha)…all good in the end…they talked me thru draining the tank of condensed water oil residue…it was pink!…bot too mych thank goodness…heard horror stories!, as well as how to change the oil…GRS is awesome
draining/ maintenance of compressor/
julie
My experience was that my stepson heard the leaking, which I wasn’t paying any attention to, being very hard of hearing. We determined it was coming from the bottom of the tank near the drain valve…the next week I was at a gem show where I met a friend who sells commercial air compressors…he let me know how dangerous it is to use a compressor that has a weak wall and leaks…they can explode and injure you…you are not allowed to reweld these unless you are specially certified and it’s usually best to just replace the damaged/rusted tank…which wasn’t a cost effective option with my used compressor…it’s still sitting, waiting to be sold for parts. So, cautionary tale, do drain your tank from time to time and look at your manual to see whether they recommend letting the pressure off when shutting down for the day. -royjohn
Hi Ronjohn,
yes, i concur about reading the manuals…I an a manual reading fanatic…i do not know how i neglected to retain the maintenance needs of my compressor, which was not inexpensive…
i could only surmise that i was so overwhelmed with the whole setup, filters, hoses, dials, valves that it just slipped away forever…until i tripped over the grs youtube channel video on compressor maintenance…and was like “oh no! i havent done that! gahhhh!
julie
Neil…I toyed with locating my larger shop air compressor in the garage and then running a long line to my engraving bench. My concern was that I don’t like to leave an air compressor in a space where the air temperature goes below freezing. Air compressors naturally produce condensate. That is why they need to be blown down regularly through the little bleed valve in the bottom of the tank. This condensate can also freeze. If it freezes in the pressure control valve or interconnecting piping it can cause some damage. I worked in the service department for Ingersoll-Rand as the heads trainer and I can tell you that air compressors are some of the most abused tools in a shop…Rob
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the info about freezing. I didn’t know that. Fortunately my attached garage never gets below the mid 40s. There is no insulation between house and garage and the climate here is mild.
I drain and blow out the tank right after every use. It is still going after 15 or 20 years.
I still have more house renovation to do and being able to drive 3.5" nails is invaluable. I no longer have the strength to do it with a hammer.
I tried getting my Bonny Doon to 10,000 psi recently, and the best I could do was 4,000. That’s all my arm had in it. Sad but at 78 not a big surprise. So I’m using my Harbor Freight air/hydraulic bottle jack now, compressor for heavy work, hand pumping for less demanding work.
My compressor is a Campbell Hausfeld and I paid $199 for it way back when. A roof and …thousands of 3.5" nails later, so worth it!
Regards,
Neil
I saw a video the other day by a guy who was making a graver setup to use with the Foredom hammer handpiece. The video was a few years old; I went to the Pepe site and they now carry it. I don’t know anything about how well it works (I just watched out of curiosity, I don’t plan to take up engraving).
Hi,
Ah yes! good call out!
I believe you are referring to the engraving adaptor, drsigned by Chris of Lion Punch Forge, and manufactured by Pepe
Tools. $65
https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=Pepe+engraving+adaptor
Julie
Yes, thanks, that the one.