Hand Engraving Tools by Steve Lindsay

Engraving Artist Steve Lindsay www.EngravingArtist.com originally designed and made the AirGraver® tool for himself because of a need to increase his engraving speed and yet maintain the quality of his work. This is not say that any work should be rushed through. In delicate areas, more deliberate work will need to be done, but there are also some parts of a project where, with confidence, faster work can be done. The amount of time it takes to engrave a project is foremost and the speed at which the AirGraver® can physically cut through metal when needed is at least three times that of the spring blow-pulse design tool Steve Lindsay used for 20 years. That earlier tool was designed by Steve's father, Frank Lindsay (a watch maker, jeweler and gemologist) in 1979. The spring blow pulse design can still be found on the market. The improved system is called an AirGraver®. Perhaps it should not be labeled a system because the tool itself is the entire system. The box that used to be upon the bench creating pulses of air for the earlier machine is not needed with the new AirGraver® design.

The AirGraver® is also unique in that the speed and power increase proportionately. This allows the benefit of increased speed to move a graver point through a cut when desired. The older blow pulse design tool would only increase in power and not speed. The operator had to reach up to a separate box to change the speed. The end result of the AirGraver® is a very transparent throttle response. You can start and finish engraving jobs more quickly and the quality of the engraving is much improved.

The AirGraver® may also be used with Steve Lindsay's patented PalmControl® technology:

The Lindsay PalmControl® can increase the speed of learning compared to foot pedal engraving. This is because the PalmControl® is intuitive and natural in the sense that what is done with your hand is what you get. There is no need to learn to coordinate continual foot movement to every hand movement.

Left: PalmControl® AirGraver® is available with exhibition grade burl handle.

Features & Benefits of the AirGraver

FEATURE	BENEFIT
IPM speed range (Impacts per Minute) 1,500-5,000	Fast impacts provides smooth cutting with less point breakage. When desired the graver can move though the metal quickly. At the light end suburb control is apparent.
No motorized control box needed	No constant background noise or vibration from a motorized control box. More space on the bench.
Does not use a piston spring in the handpiece	Power range not limited by spring strength. Great range of power.
Wall-mount regulator	More space on bench.
SoftIdle™ Stainless Handle	Minimal vibration to hand.
Air consumption 0.05 to 0.2CFM (CFM= Cubic Feet per Minute)	Small air compressor Compressor does not work as hard and will not wear out as fast.
Interchangeable Collets. Fits other makes of Collets	Use the collets you already have. Or order new Lindsay stainless collets
Use Short Collets or Long Collets in the handpiece	Adjust the overall length of the handpiece with the use of short or long collets.
Angle Collets available in both short and long collets.	Reach into or areas that are hard to get to with straight collets. Can be use to increase or decrease the angle of attack to the work.
No tuning required	PSI and impacts speed are always in sync; no need to manually tune one with the other.
Patent pending two mode operation: Idle and non-Idle	Ease with flip of a toggle to switch between modes.
Stainless steel, hardened piston and anvil	Durable

FEATURE	BENEFIT
IPM speed range (Impacts per Minute) 1,500-5,000	Smooth cutting and less point breakage. When desired the point can move though the metal faster. Complete engraving projects faster with improved control
No motorized control box needed	No constant background noise or vibration from a motorized control box, less space required
Patented Variable/adjustable piston stroke length	Extremely broad cutting range, increased versatility, only one handpiece needed
No piston spring	Power range not limited by spring strength
PalmControl available (patented, patents pending)	Eliminates foot pedal; easier to learn; no need to coordinate foot and hand movements; intuitive to “hand” engraving
Controls on handpiece	Make adjustments “on the fly”
Wall-mount regulator	More space on bench
Rubber handle	Non-slip for solid control
Supports pocket sized CO²operation	Can be used with no electrical connection; completely portable
Air consumption. 0.05 to 0.2CFM (CFM= Cubic Feet per Minute)	Small air compressor or CO² bottle operation, Compressor will last longer
No collets needed (Classic AirGraver Only)	Faster, easier tool changes
No tuning required	PSI and impacts speed are always in sync; no need to manually tune one with the other
Patented idle	Prevents possible jump at start of cut
Removable bore (patent pending)	Self-lubricated and easily replaced
Hardened piston, anvil and nose; stainless body	Durable
Optional Tungsten Dead Blow™ piston (patent pending)	Additional power if needed

Threads on EngravingForum.com comparing AirGravers to other tools
Lindsay Thread 1 or Grs system
The Lindsay, or The GRS
Compressor Queries.
Lindsay PalmControl and the GRS Airtact
PalmControl or Airtact ?

Length of stroke adjustment

The Classic AirGraver® includes a ring or barrel around the outside of the tool that works in a manner similar to the focusing ring on a camera lens. The ring is used to simultaneously adjust the impact speed and power of the tool. Either the PalmControl® or a foot control pedal is used to vary the air pressure power within each setting range. This mechanism makes one AirGraver handpiece as versatile as a variety of different-sized impacting gravers.