Help, please: My first engraving system

Mrfinks

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2014
Messages
24
Location
Melbourne Australia
Hi all

I'm currently saving for an engraving system.
I have a reasonable war chest saved so far but my Girlfriend, birthdays and just general life expenses are making it difficult to save for the perfect system.

I have enough to purchase a gravermeister and hp or a graver max and hp but not the air compressor. :(

My question is what are peoples thoughts on the gravermeister?
And also are there cheaper alternatives for air compressors that will do the job until I have saved for a silentair one?
 

scott99

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Messages
625
Location
West Allis Wisconsin
You don't need a compresser with a Gravermeister, I know they seem "old hat " to some but I find it works well for me,
very adjustable with plenty of power.

scott99
 

Sam

Chief Administrator & Benevolent Dictator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Messages
10,489
Location
Covington, Louisiana
My advice is save your money and buy a Gravermax. The Gravermeister (invented late 1960s) is hot, oily smelling, noisy, and the handpieces can get very warm. Just my advice. They do work but the Gravermax is a MUCH better option IMHO.
 

monk

Moderator
Staff member
::::Pledge Member::::
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
10,857
Location
washington, pa
gravermeister-- invented by john rohner, an engraver. developed by john for engravers. i bought one back in the dark ages. it will do anything you have the skills for. has its own, on-board ,rotary vane air supply. these machines are built to last and then some. there are fancier systems, but the meister will serve all your needs. regardless of choice, don't fall prey to the lure of those 4 hundred dollar "knockoffs". they seldom outlast the 90-day warranty ! then what ? it's a long drive to get yer money back, assuming that you do.
the meister is a very low maintenance machine. depending on hours of use, one need only drain oil now & then. also adding maybe a shot glass of oil every so often. the procedure might take a slowpoke all of 2 minutes to do this. the hand piece will also accept old style gravers, and all the newer ones, as well. look in the buy & sell section. now and then one will be up for sale. they are also on the "bay", but the total cost-- one might as well buy new. new units are covered by a warranty.
 

Betley Park

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
41
Location
Marulan NSW Australia
Stay the course Mrfinks. My suggestion to you would be to purchase exactly what you want, one thing at a time, as you can afford it. It WILL take longer than you like, but in the end, you will have a set up that you will be most happy with.
 

RDP

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
May 19, 2012
Messages
569
Location
Brisbane, Australia
I have an enset system. Works well for me. I also just got a Chicago hush compressor from Sydney tools. Quite as and very modestly priced. https://sydneytools.com.au/chicago-hush20-aluminium-silenced-20l-air-compressor :graver:

James I hope you have better luck with yours than I had with mine, stopped working about a month after I got it, and they are not very helpful when it comes to returns and warranty, I have a 1hp one now and is a bit better, it also runs the air turbine hand piece with no problem, the small one didn't, but I am saving my money to buy a better one as this one already has problems with it after a year or so, mtc worth,

And also are there cheaper alternatives for air compressors that will do the job until I have saved for a silentair one?
.

Posting Permissions

Mrfinks, I am not affiliated with but, Trade tools here in Qld have one just as quiet or better than the Chicago ones, they make them here, is a direct drive one and I ask the guy how quiet it run because they are notoriously noisy!, and he turn it on for me an I was very surprised how quiet it was, so us soon as mine breaks (not long now by the looks of it) I will be getting one of those, it will last for many years compared to the other ones, and will run anything from an air graver to a jackhammer I bet, save your money and buy the best tools once, quality tools are sold by reputable people that care about their business, so you will get customer service if you ever need it, cheers mate and good luck.
I think there is a Trade Tools branch in Melbourne check it out they are very helpful,

Richard.
 
Last edited:

James Ashley

Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2015
Messages
89
Location
Tasmania, Australia
Havn't had it long Richard but fingers crossed!

I did talk to plenty of people who have them and no one else I spoke to had any issues but I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles. You use an enset also Richard?

James
 

KCSteve

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
2,882
Location
Kansas City, MO
Once you've got your engraving setup you'll start to get where it helps you with those Girlfriend and Birthday issues.
 

Latest posts

Sponsors

Top