A brother, Paul Davis, from back east started to send me shots of his hand engraving tool project. I thought it was his custom approach, but it was actually designed by Rick Alexander. Paul is interested in engraving, and since he’s retiring this year, from a 40-year stint in Harley dealerships as a mechanic, he wants to tinker.
Here’s Rick’s Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ralex397
Paul was based on the east coast around the Charlotte, NC area, but for the last decade worked in a Chicago dealership and has always been a fan of performance. Okay, so his hand engraver is almost complete. He still needs to machine the piston for his tool and wire up the power system to the air compressor in the old ammo box design Rick suggested.
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I asked him what the benefits were to this unit over Dremel tool. “Speed and better control,” Paul said, “Versus hand engraving with tools and a hammer.” He didn’t mention Dremels. “My opinion of course,” he said since he hasn’t tested his unit yet.
“This is the 50 cal. ammo box used to hold the compressor,” Paul said. “And the power supply, fan, motor speed controller, etc.”
“Hand piece is done,” Paul added. “Now have to make air piston & finish the tool holders.”
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I’m going to share some of Rick’s videos, his complete web site, that includes other projects, Paul’s shots and some of the line drawings, blue prints and wiring schematics from Rick. This article is incomplete as it stands, but all the info to build one of these puppies is on Rick’s site.
“I will be working on it some this weekend,” Paul said. “I ordered the power supply & motor controller from EBay today.”
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We may add shots to this article as Paul finishes his engraver and perhaps as he learns to engrave. Apparently this system is better than engraving by hand or with Dremel tools. Recently my grandson and I played with Dremel tools and engraving. He took to it like a puppy chasing a ball for the 100th time. It was amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkdRqW1RyLs&feature=youtu.be
We have also included a fantastic engraving tech video by an amazing artist. He will take you through the whole process.
Hang on and enjoy the action:
“You need to build one for yourself,” Paul added. “I’m thinking of belt buckles!”
“Also started on the 12v compressor modifications,” Paul continued. Watch ‘How I built my Homemade Hand Engraving Machine Part 2 Modify 12v compressor’ on Rick’s YouTube.
“Will be working on it some this weekend,” Paul said.
“I ordered the power supply & motor controller from EBay today.”
This puppy is sort of involved, so hang on.
–Bandit
