ramilpacheco
Member
hi guys what would you suggest? gravermax g8 or enset? what would be worth? foot control or hand control? im just finding out what is the best for stone setting.:thinking: thanks guys
what would you suggest?
- Thread starter ramilpacheco
- Start date
Arnaud Van Tilburgh
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Most goldsmith and stone setters are familiar with foot control. I never tried palm control as I'm a goldsmith stone setter engraver.
I used a Graversmith for engraving and stone setting, now the En Set is my favourite one.
And it is in the name, En = engraving, Set = stone setting. So Chris build it for that purpose and it does.
It has a lot of power if you need it, easy to adjust, and it can run at just one hit at the time what is great for pave stone setting.
arnaud
I used a Graversmith for engraving and stone setting, now the En Set is my favourite one.
And it is in the name, En = engraving, Set = stone setting. So Chris build it for that purpose and it does.
It has a lot of power if you need it, easy to adjust, and it can run at just one hit at the time what is great for pave stone setting.
arnaud
silverchip
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Get 'em ALL!!!!! Can't have enough tools!!!!!!!!!! Buy the best that you can afford and live with that and do the best job your little fingers can do.
ramilpacheco
Member
thank you for your insight arnaud. i think i will find for insight before buying any power tools. My work is just a stone setter and learning new techniques from you guys thank!!!
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Get a used GMax. They go for about $500 - $600 on Ebay with a handpiece. Last forever. Got one out in the classroom around 30 years old. It will probaly go another 30 years easily. Mitch sells a rebuild kit & instructions over on the DeCamillis site - should you find you need one.
You do NOT need to go out and spend 3 or 4 thousand dollars for the newest & fanciest tools.
Unless of course, you have been shot in the ass with diamonds?
Tool porn in catalogs and online is a lot of fun to look at and dream about, but you can make a good living without those pretty things - and keep a lot of money in your pocket. (I confess that I keep the catalogs in the bathroom
)
Make your own tools. For example: Find an old round bottomed metal mixing bowl of about the right size. Fill it half way with used tire weights. Top it off with concrete. Set a couple bolts in the concrete while it's still wet. Space the bolts to fit a small Chinese import machinists vise. Bolt it to the top when the concrete is dry. Find an old lawn mower tire to use as a donut under it and you are good to go.
Buy a couple sharpening stones and make your own sharpening fixture. All you need to start with is a "V" and a flat. I do 90% of all my my work with just 2 geometries.
Brian
You do NOT need to go out and spend 3 or 4 thousand dollars for the newest & fanciest tools.
Unless of course, you have been shot in the ass with diamonds?
Tool porn in catalogs and online is a lot of fun to look at and dream about, but you can make a good living without those pretty things - and keep a lot of money in your pocket. (I confess that I keep the catalogs in the bathroom
)Make your own tools. For example: Find an old round bottomed metal mixing bowl of about the right size. Fill it half way with used tire weights. Top it off with concrete. Set a couple bolts in the concrete while it's still wet. Space the bolts to fit a small Chinese import machinists vise. Bolt it to the top when the concrete is dry. Find an old lawn mower tire to use as a donut under it and you are good to go.
Buy a couple sharpening stones and make your own sharpening fixture. All you need to start with is a "V" and a flat. I do 90% of all my my work with just 2 geometries.
Brian
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Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Forgot sumthin'...
When you need to get a lawnmower tire off the rim - put it in a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. Makes it easier to pry off.
My ex almost had me comitted to an insane asylum when she walked into the kitchen one day and saw four of them cooking in a pot on the stove...
B.
When you need to get a lawnmower tire off the rim - put it in a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. Makes it easier to pry off.
My ex almost had me comitted to an insane asylum when she walked into the kitchen one day and saw four of them cooking in a pot on the stove...
B.
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Arnaud Van Tilburgh
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Brian, what is wrong with a Graversmith, as it seems everyone who use a GRS system go for the most expensive one like max and mach, while the GraverSmith is just the same on the inside at half the price?
arnaud
arnaud
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
There's nothing wrong with a Graversmith, Arnaud.
It's simply a matter of sheer numbers. There are a gazillion more Maxes out there than Smiths. (May be different across the pond?)
Besides being easier to find on the secondary market- I'm pretty sure that a used Max is gonna cost less than a used Smith.
It's a trusty old workhorse. It ain't pretty. It doesn't sip air. It makes a bit of noise while running...
But then at our age, we ain't as easy on the eyes anymore either, we gasp a lot, our bones creak and we fart a lot. What can you do about it? We still get the job done...
Brian
I just reread what you posted, Arnaud. You DO realize there are 6 GRS systems out there? System 3 (Scotts Pilkingtons' recommendation) - Gravermeister (more expensive than the Max because it needs no compressor) - GMax (discontinued, but not yet buried) - GSmith - G8, & GMach.
I own all but the one you have - the Smith. That's because of budget and redundancy. You can demo everything you can do on a Smith on the other two, but not "vise" versa. (Pun - for those who miss it)
It's simply a matter of sheer numbers. There are a gazillion more Maxes out there than Smiths. (May be different across the pond?)
Besides being easier to find on the secondary market- I'm pretty sure that a used Max is gonna cost less than a used Smith.
It's a trusty old workhorse. It ain't pretty. It doesn't sip air. It makes a bit of noise while running...
But then at our age, we ain't as easy on the eyes anymore either, we gasp a lot, our bones creak and we fart a lot. What can you do about it?
We still get the job done...Brian
I just reread what you posted, Arnaud. You DO realize there are 6 GRS systems out there? System 3 (Scotts Pilkingtons' recommendation) - Gravermeister (more expensive than the Max because it needs no compressor) - GMax (discontinued, but not yet buried) - GSmith - G8, & GMach.
I own all but the one you have - the Smith. That's because of budget and redundancy. You can demo everything you can do on a Smith on the other two, but not "vise" versa. (Pun - for those who miss it)
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ramilpacheco
Member
guys thank for your input. Arnaud says he uses enset for stonesetting now i will ask what is better tools for making pave. and prong setting. guys thank for all input. its very much appreciated. because its a lot of investment to me when i buy power tools i wanna make sure i will choose the best for my work
Brian Marshall
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
If money is not a problem and versatility IS - then by all means go for the Enset!
I had the impression (maybe from some other post?) that money and or availability were the criteria. My apologies.
Brian
I had the impression (maybe from some other post?) that money and or availability were the criteria. My apologies.
Brian
Andrew Biggs
Moderator
The reality is that they all work very well and all of the models out there will do exactly what you want them to do. You can purchase any and all of them and they will all give you a lifetimes good service.
There is a strong second hand market for GRS and Lindsay and they are excellent pieces of kit at much cheaper prices. The Enset is new to the market so it is to early for any second hand (used) machines to be out there but that will probably change over time.
What it boils down to is how much you want to pay for the initial set-up and then how proficient you become at using the tool that you purchase.
All of the rest of it is personal preference. For instance, I love my GRS GraverMach AT but the GRS GraverSmith will do exactly the same job. The only difference is the AT has a few more features, some of which I use and not others. The actual performance is basically the same in both machines. GRS and their dealers have an excellent back up and after sales service. There are literally thousands of them on the market all over the world and some engravers/stone setters are still using the original ones they brought 30 years ago.
Other people love their Lindsay tools and the features it brings with it. The Lindsay tools have an excellent backup and after sales service. Again, there are an awful lot of these tools around the world. Not as many as the GRS systems simply because Lindsay tools have not been operating as long.
The Enset, as I said, is brand new to the market. From the preliminary reports that people give that have brought one they are very happy with them. They should also offer good after sales support and service.
All of the above tools are capable of making a butchers mess of the job or producing a work of art....................the difference between all of these is the person using the tool.
So you can choose any of the above with confidence.
One consideration that you must be aware of with all of these tools is that you need some sort of air source. A compressor or CO2 bottles or whatever. But you will need compressed air so make sure you factor that into your budget.
You will go on a bit of a learning curve if you are used to hand pushing all your jewellery work. It requires some changes in technique. Much of it will depend on the way you work now and how you hold the tool.....................The big thing is getting used to all that power within the tool.
Cheers
Andrew
There is a strong second hand market for GRS and Lindsay and they are excellent pieces of kit at much cheaper prices. The Enset is new to the market so it is to early for any second hand (used) machines to be out there but that will probably change over time.
What it boils down to is how much you want to pay for the initial set-up and then how proficient you become at using the tool that you purchase.
All of the rest of it is personal preference. For instance, I love my GRS GraverMach AT but the GRS GraverSmith will do exactly the same job. The only difference is the AT has a few more features, some of which I use and not others. The actual performance is basically the same in both machines. GRS and their dealers have an excellent back up and after sales service. There are literally thousands of them on the market all over the world and some engravers/stone setters are still using the original ones they brought 30 years ago.
Other people love their Lindsay tools and the features it brings with it. The Lindsay tools have an excellent backup and after sales service. Again, there are an awful lot of these tools around the world. Not as many as the GRS systems simply because Lindsay tools have not been operating as long.
The Enset, as I said, is brand new to the market. From the preliminary reports that people give that have brought one they are very happy with them. They should also offer good after sales support and service.
All of the above tools are capable of making a butchers mess of the job or producing a work of art....................the difference between all of these is the person using the tool.
So you can choose any of the above with confidence.
One consideration that you must be aware of with all of these tools is that you need some sort of air source. A compressor or CO2 bottles or whatever. But you will need compressed air so make sure you factor that into your budget.
You will go on a bit of a learning curve if you are used to hand pushing all your jewellery work. It requires some changes in technique. Much of it will depend on the way you work now and how you hold the tool.....................The big thing is getting used to all that power within the tool.
Cheers
Andrew
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