Foredom Safety Instructions for Using - Manual (Page 7)

the line. Never use the entire side of the
bevel graver, a flat graver is used to make
this type of cut.
Using an Engravers Block –
To engrave curves, scrolls, lines, etc. the
piece to be engraved should be secured in
an engravers block. The engravers block
and its accessories are designed for this
purpose and should be considered an
absolute necessity for doing fine engrav-
ing work. (It is also a very helpful device
for the stone setter as well for holding
and positioning rings, bracelets, etc.)
With the piece secured in the engravers
block, start the cut. To cut a curve, rotate
the block, while keeping your hand and
graver in the same position. Curved
thread line and shade lines can be
cut in this manner.
Helpful Bench Accessories
for Engraving Work are
Available from Jewelry
Supply Distributors
1. Chinese White Chinese white can be
applied to the surface of the metal to be
engraved so that you can draw the letters,
figures, or design with a pencil on the
surface. It is applied with a wet, soft
hair brush or your finger.
2. Eye Loupe, Spectacle Loupes or
Clip-on Magnifiers These are available in
2x up to 10x magnification power.
3. Flex Arm Lamps Good lighting is
essential for engraving and stone setting.
4. Crocker Graver Sharpener A sharp-
ening jig used with sharpening stones.
5. Arkansas Oil Stone Used with a
light oil to sharpen gravers.
6. Polishing Paper (Emery Paper) #4/0
(or 6/0) and hard, flat surface (glass or
polished stone) for polishing cutting
surface of graver.
7. Rouge and Hard Paper Yellow rouge
on hard paper for final polishing opera-
tion on cutting surface.
8. Millgrain Handle or File Handle
with Chuck Used to hold gravers
while sharpening.
9. Templates Used to draw scroll
designs and patterns on surfaces to
be engraved.
10. Engraving Block with Work
Holding Pins and Fixtures This is a
good investment for any jeweler and
essential for engraving work.
11. Foredom Texturing Points
Available for the H.9D Handpiece –
Pavé Point with diamond A-R15G point
and 3/32
″ (2.35) shank
Carbide Stylus with 3/32 ″ A-10215
(2.35mm) shank. This stylus is used to
shade and texture surfaces around or
between engraved lines.
Getting the Best Results
and Performance from your
Foredom PowerGraver
Don’t Push –
Traditionally it has been necessary to push
and then push harder to get a graver to
move. With the PowerGraver pushing
actually reduces the effectiveness of the
handpiece. The harder you push the less
effective it becomes. The tool requires the
freedom to work. This freedom to work is
achieved by applying just enough force to
keep the graver in contact with the metal
while you guide it where you want the tip
of the tool to cut or hammer. A light touch
provides control which will result in better
quality work.
Use a Light Touch –
Try to develop a light touch. Unless
required, a huge bead over a stone is
unnecessary. Large beads over the stone
have a tendency to cover it up and detract
from the size and character of the stone.
When bright cutting, remember the cut
should never expose the girdle of the
stone. This necessitates a shallow, smooth
cut to enhance the size and beauty of
the stone.
Fine quality engraving does not require
deep cuts. Deep engraving, because of its
inherent size, takes away from the fine
detail that can be gained by cutting a
lighter line. Try a lighter touch.
Secure Work Pieces on a Solid Base –
Whenever possible secure the piece to be
worked in a rigid, solid holding device.
For engraving and most setting, texturing,
florentine and carving, an engraver’s
block is a valuable asset. Other jobs can
be done in a bench mounted fixture such
as a ring clamp or work holding vise if it
is mounted on a solid surface or
bench top.
The objective is to eliminate the “shock
absorbing” effect of a hand held project.
The more solidly mounted the work the
less impact is needed to accomplish
the work.
Maintain and Sharpen Your Gravers –
Whether bead setting, bright cutting,
carving, or any work using a graver, the
maximum efficiency and highest quality
are achieved by a sharp, clean graver.
Once the graver has dulled or become
coated with residue from the metal being
cut, the chance of slipping increases and
the cuts become crude. Keep the gravers
maintained and the work will go faster
and look better.
Experiment –
The PowerGraver is a very versatile tool
capable of producing quality work in
many different application. Experiment
with different speed settings (strokes per
minute) and impact adjustments as you
are using the PowerGraver. Find the
settings that work best for each job. You
may want to mark certain speed settings
on the dial control face or make a card
showing different settings for
different tools or jobs.
Use Your Other Foredom
Handpieces with the
PowerGraver –
Because the PowerGraver motor has much
more torque (or turning power) at low
(under 2,800 RPM) speed than a standard
Series SR, TX or LX Foredom flexible shaft
power tool, you will find it excellent for
doing certain work with rotary handpieces
such as the H.30
® or H.8 Foredom hand-
pieces. You can set the speed on the dial
and start/stop the handpiece with an
optional on/off foot switch. Wax carving is a
good example of work done better at a
lower speed. Polishing, cleaning and drilling
are also done better at low speed in
many applications.
Illustration No. 11
Thread
Line
Shade
Line
Helpful Hint The PowerGraver can
help the beginning or experienced
engraver by providing controlled power
and eliminating the need to push a
graver. When learning, pushing too hard
is a main cause of slipping and the
frustration that comes with it.
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