Engraver: TOP-10 rating of the best models of electric engravers (drills) for 2022 for carving wood, stone or metal

A wood carving drill, equipped with various working attachments, is equipment with which you can apply not only various inscriptions and patterns, but also relief images to a wooden surface. To perform wood carving, you can use not only special engravers designed for working on this material, but also drills that are equipped in dental offices.

A carver may have several drills in his arsenal, used for different tasks.

Beginning craftsmen who find a wood engraver to be a complex piece of equipment should obtain the appropriate knowledge and master certain skills before starting work. There are many models of such devices on the modern market, which can cause certain difficulties when choosing, especially for those who are just planning to take up such an exciting activity as wood carving.

Application areas of the engraver

Engraving various inscriptions or decorative processing of souvenirs and interior items is far from the only function of this tool.

Today, several more interesting areas of application of the drill are known:

The tool can be used for periodic sharpening of scissors, screwdrivers, and other tools with a sharp edge.
The use of various attachments allows you to grind or clean metal parts.
You can sharpen table knives at home.
Drills are widely used in everyday life and in professional environments. Using special attachments, it is possible to polish various surfaces. A distinctive feature of the engraver is its versatility of use (glass, plastic, metals).
A skilled craftsman will be able to trim miniature parts, resulting in a perfectly even cut.

The engraver gained the greatest popularity due to its main purpose. Using a compact and convenient tool, craftsmen make beautiful curly inscriptions on glasses, gift boards, key holders, and trays.

As an interesting option, engraving can be done on the collar of your beloved pet.

The device of a classic engraver

Such a hand tool resembles a typical electric drill in appearance and operating principle.

Among the main components it is worth highlighting:

A housing having a working part and a handle for fixing the device. It is important to choose the optimal body shape so that it is convenient for the master to work with miniature parts.
An electric motor of low power is installed inside the case.
On the front surface of the power drive there is a gearbox that transmits force to the collet.
The collet occupies an intermediate position, attached to the gearbox on one side and to the nozzle on the other. The collet secures the attachment being used, rotating it when the tool is turned on.

On the outside of the case there is a power button and a speed controller for the rotation of the nozzle. Some modern models of drills are designed for double-sided rotation of the collet.

There is also a group of engravers whose attachments do not rotate. When you turn on the tool, the tip hits the surface being processed, which allows you to create an interesting design or inscription.

How to carve wood using a drill

In order for wood carving with a drill to achieve the desired result, you should not only study the theoretical material, but also watch a training video. During the procedure itself, you should adhere to the following recommendations.

The sketch of the drawing to be completed is transferred to the board, while the areas of the workpiece from which the layer of wood will be removed are shaded.
The contour of the future pattern is processed with a small round drill, the working part of which is made in the shape of an asterisk (in cross section).
The background part of the future pattern is hammered with a drill of the same type, but of a larger diameter. This will significantly speed up the further processing process.
The limiter attachment allows you to quickly and efficiently select the background part of the future pattern from the surface of the board.
After selecting the background part, they begin to make the drawing itself, carefully cutting out all its details.

You can get a more detailed understanding of all the operations described above using training videos that are easy to find on the Internet.

Wood carving with an engraver or drill will bring even more pleasure if the type of wood is chosen correctly. Alder, beech, linden and pear, which have a monolithic internal structure, are best suited for processing using the carving method.

Features of networked drills

The most famous models are engravers that operate from an electrical network. In appearance, such designs resemble a ballpoint pen, have a convenient shape and are light in weight.

A power cable extends from the housing, allowing you to turn on the power to the motor.
Another characteristic feature of this model is the presence of a flexible shaft.
The shaft is fixed in a collet, and at the very end there is a chuck.

If you have a large volume of tasks, you can place the tool on the working surface and use your fingers to fix only the end of the shaft. Before purchasing new equipment, you should make sure that the shaft is removable and can be replaced in case of breakdown.

Attachable attachments supplied with the engraver

Manufacturers of engravers usually do not skimp when equipping their power tools with various accessories and attachments. Very poor configurations can get by with a few dozen attached tools, but for large sets, two or three hundred is not the limit.

If you are looking for a suitable power tool, pay attention to the delivery set and what exactly is offered by the manufacturer in the set. If necessary, you can always purchase the necessary tools at affordable prices or even make some types of burs yourself, as the authors of numerous videos on the Internet indicate.

You may consider purchasing additional equipment in the form of a flexible shaft and a stand for hanging the engraver. A flexible shaft is necessary for fine and precise work, and a universal stand will solve the issue of its placement.

Cordless engravers

Corded drills are very convenient, but their use is always limited by access to an outlet. As an alternative, you can purchase a battery-powered engraver model. Inside the body of such a tool there is a removable battery that should be periodically recharged.

The advantages of practical choice include:

Sufficient mobility of equipment. The master no longer depends on access to the electrical network, and is not afraid that the power cord will not be long enough.
The device always comes with an adapter for recharging the drill from any power source.
There is always the opportunity to purchase an engraver that runs on classic AA batteries.

Buyers are also pleased with the low weight of the structure and the comfortable shape of the handle. However, only cheap types of drills are available for sale, the list of functions of which is very limited.

Which engraver is better to choose for repair tasks?

It is recommended to choose models from well-known manufacturers that are widely represented in the country. This will allow you to find the necessary components to perform minor repairs. It is worth using original parts to extend the life of the device. It is better to buy the models indicated in this list. But new tools are constantly being introduced, so it's important to know what to look for when purchasing.

With expert advice, you can make a great purchase. It is important to understand the operating features of the tool in advance in order to purchase the required attachments.

Using overhead drills

This type of instrument is strikingly different from the classic form of an engraver, since the body has the shape of a square or cylinder. The main body is hung on the nearest wall, and a flexible shaft comes from the frame.

At the end of the shaft there is a working part resembling a sting. Another essential part is the foot pedal, which activates the engine or turns it off.

The advantages of choosing include:

Convenient control of the rotation speed of the collet.
Using only the working part in the work, and the main body does not impede the creative process.
Low noise level.

The only disadvantage of this model is the price, which often limits the buyer’s choice.

Kinds

Engraving equipment is diverse. In stores you can find different devices that are designed to carry out certain technical operations. There are two large groups of metal engravers:

Industrial equipment. Metal engraving machines used for mass production. Used in factories and large enterprises. These are wear-resistant, productive machines that can withstand increased loads.
Devices for home use. Small models that are used when performing single jobs. The kit includes attachments for performing various operations.

The devices are also classified according to their operating principle:

Impact type devices. These power tools work on the principle of a hammer drill. Used to create contour drawings on metal. When working with other materials, you need to take into account impact energy, which can damage the product.
Devices with a rotating working part. This is a smaller version of an electric drill. Using such a tool you can drill holes, mill, grind, and sharpen.

Engravers can be battery or mains powered.

Optimal selection criteria

The popularity of home creativity is growing rapidly, and therefore buying an engraver requires a detailed approach.

The criteria for optimal selection of a tool include:

The power of the structure, which determines the number of gearbox revolutions and the maximum duration of operation without interruption. For a small home workshop, you can purchase a model with a motor power of 165-170 W. Such designs are capable of delivering up to 22-32 thousand revolutions per minute.
The weight of the case, which averages 0.75 kg, is of great importance. This device is comfortable to hold in your hand, but it is necessary to pause periodically.
The noise that occurs during operation must be taken into account. This parameter is especially relevant if the creative process takes place in a residential area.
The size of the collet must be assessed, which determines the variety of attachments used.

The most universal is a collet with a diameter of 3.2 mm, for which all types of attachments are suitable (both household and professional types).

You should evaluate the rating of the manufacturing company, which determines the duration of operation of the device, the guaranteed quality and reliability of the drill.

The best corded engravers

Most craftsmen prefer this category of tools. On the one hand, they are more durable, since they do not use a battery, which will lose some of its capacity over several years of operation. On the other hand, the engraver is lighter, which makes working with them more comfortable. Finally, in most cases the tool is more powerful, allowing you to cope with both small and fairly large jobs. Therefore, we will begin the review with just a few of these models.

VORTEX G-160GV new

Beginners looking for an inexpensive but good engraver will definitely like this model. Despite its affordable price, it is highly reliable and easy to use. Yes, the functionality is not the highest, and the power is only 160 W, but this will be quite enough for small jobs and just an amateur. Thanks to the included case, carrying and storing the tool becomes as easy as possible. It’s nice that the engraver weighs only 0.67 kg - experienced craftsmen know very well that every extra ten grams leads to the fact that the hand gets tired much faster during work. The ability to lock the power button, adjust the rotation speed and lock the spindle makes work even more comfortable and safe. So, the model deserves to be included in the review.

Advantages:

light weight;
well-developed ergonomics allow the engraver to fit comfortably in your hand;
affordable price;
the presence of a flexible shaft in the kit;
low noise level;
low vibration.

Flaws:

low quality equipment;
little functionality.

BISON ZG-160EK

Another very good network engraver at an affordable price, with a very solid build. It is equipped not only with a case, stand and flexible shaft, but also with a set of attachments, which significantly increases functionality, allowing you to perform almost all the same work as models that have a much higher price.

The rotation speed depends on what materials you are going to work with. The higher the hardness, the higher the rotation speed should be.

The power of 160 W is enough to perform most jobs - both for beginners and masters. An additional advantage is a serious warranty period - as much as 5 years. This shows that the manufacturer is truly confident in the quality of their products.

Advantages:

high functionality;
serious power;
convenient control;
ease of brush replacement;
good equipment;
high-quality case;
long warranty.

Flaws:

Some models vibrate a lot at high speeds.

Dremel 3000-1/25 EZ

If you're looking for a great tool and aren't too budget-conscious, this Dremel 3000-1/25 EZ is worth a look. This is a truly convenient engraver, the main advantages of which are high-quality assembly and excellent ergonomics. Although the power is not too high, only 130 W, it is perfect for doing small jobs. In addition, the rotation speed of 33,000 rpm is quite enough to work with wood, metal and even glass. The engraver is equipped with 25 accessories, making it perfect for artistic carving. With such a tool, a good master will easily complete any job.

Advantages:

good equipment;
reliability in operation;
no heating;
suitable for fine work;
wonderful build.

Flaws:

very expensive consumables.

ELITECH PShM 170EZhK

A very powerful engraver, perfect for large jobs. 170 W is enough to cope with even the most complex tasks - both for masters and amateurs. And the disk rotation speed of 35,000 rpm is enough to process not only wood and metal, but also glass. It’s nice that the network cable is very long – 1.8 meters. Experienced users know very well that a short wire is very annoying when working. An additional advantage is the very convenient digital display, which displays all the important information about the mode of use.

Advantages:

equipped with many attachments;
affordable price;
convenient speed adjustment;
high power.

Flaws:

There is no protection against overheating; the engraver must be used intermittently.
Poor quality assembly is quite common.

Dremel 4300-3/45EZ

If this is not the fastest engraver in the rating, then it is certainly one of them, the number of revolutions per minute is 35 thousand. To this it is worth adding high power - 175 W. At the same time, working with the tool is quite easy and comfortable thanks to its weight of 0.66 kg. So, in combination of price and quality, this model is one of the most successful.

When purchasing, it is very important to know the power of the tool. For jewelry and fine work, a low-power engraver is quite suitable. But for construction and just rough work, it is better to choose a tool with increased power.

Illumination of the working area makes using the engraver truly comfortable and enjoyable - no need to worry about installing a special lamp or solving the problem in other ways. And 45 different attachments are a serious plus. Therefore, we can confidently say that this is one of the best engravers in terms of functionality.

Advantages:

many attachments;
increased power;
high speed of materials processing;
stable speed maintenance;
presence of backlight.

Flaws:

Not suitable for fine work, noticeable chuck runout.

Makita GD0800C

This model is not even an engraver, but a grinder. Therefore, its power is simply enormous - 750 W. For large and rough jobs it is simply ideal. The disc can be installed with a diameter of up to 25 mm, which makes it possible to quickly cope with complex tasks. A 2.5 meter power cord allows you to work comfortably even without using an extension cord. And adjusting the rotation speed makes work easier and simpler.

Advantages: