Rating of the best sets of attachments for engravers for 2022

High-quality engraving on various surfaces often involves choosing an appropriate and reliable engraving tool. Such a tool is called an engraver, the same name as the corresponding profession. In addition to its main purpose - engraving, this device is capable of performing other types of work:

• Polishing;
• Drilling;
• Precise cutting.

In some cases, this unit can replace a drill, a grinder and cutting equipment.

Engraver Attachment Basics

To perform individual operations, special attachments can be installed on the engraver, with the help of which strictly defined work is performed. The design of the nozzle itself consists of two main parts: the shank (it is responsible for holding the device used in the chuck) and the working part (the main element that directly interacts with the surface being treated).

The choice of one or another attachment directly depends on the type of material to be processed and on the technical task assigned to the engraver. Specialists who are engaged in engraving on a permanent basis (whether at home or in a workshop) immediately purchase a set of attachments, and despite the fact that it will include a sufficient number of tools, different in purpose and type. As a rule, the budget version of such a set includes no more than two dozen elements, but more professional samples are already supplemented with a variety of attachments for working on wood, metal, etc.

IMPORTANT! When selecting attachments, you need to pay attention to the fact that some samples may be equipped with collet chucks, which means that they can only interact with a tool of a certain brand. However, this problem can be solved by purchasing special universal adapters.

The principle of operation of the engraver and its purpose

Although the device in question is universal, it is more intended for performing work on a narrow specialization. The more common type is an engraving machine powered by an electric motor. The working elements will be removable attachments, which will mechanically interact with the processing material.

There is also a laser variation of the described device - it does not physically come into contact with the material, but produces burning on the surface using a high-energy beam of light.

In general, an engraver can perform the following procedures:

• Engrave on glass, wood, metal and even stone. This device will be especially effective in the manufacture of souvenirs. The principle of operation is simple - a certain engraving element is fixed in the collet and then you can apply designs on dissimilar materials.
• Remove the coating - this may include sanding small objects, sanding the paintwork, etc. All this can be done by installing abrasive rings or felt wheels on the machine.
• Cut a narrow section, make precision cutting of metal or wood. Master jewelers most often resort to such operations, because only in this way is it possible to accurately cut precious metals.

Among other things, engraving is used to apply marks and stamps, for example, on metal parts; they are used to produce impact stamps, seals, and various cliches. These types of work are usually carried out by advertising agencies or souvenir workshops.

Manufacturers of engraver attachments

Universal nozzles will be useful for beginners, while professionals will prefer special nozzles for a specific type of material. Moreover, most engravers choose products from a specific manufacturer. Below we list the most popular of them.

The products of Dremel and Dexter are professional equipment and are intended for performing various manipulations with various materials: wood, glass, metal, ceramics, plastic. It has high technical characteristics, so it will delight users with reliability and durability despite the high cost.

The mid-price category is occupied by Stayer products, intended mainly for metal processing.

No less popular are the budget companies Kolner and Zubr, which offer high-quality universal sets of attachments for engravers at a low cost. The kits include all kinds of attachments for different types of work.

By purchasing and installing various attachments for the engraver, you can carry out grinding, milling or engraving, as well as drilling

Diamond bur is the most common type of attachments

Typically, the vast majority of a standard engraving set consists of diamond burs. The base of this tool is made of steel (tool steel), onto the working part of which diamond powder is then applied. As you know, the strength of diamond is very high, so a similar device can successfully process natural stone, glass, ceramics, and steel.

Diamond-coated burs (aka cutters) are most often used for lining complex shaped holes. Typically, such consumables are sold in special sets of 10-20 pieces per set, and they vary in shape and size. However, when working with them, certain operating rules must be strictly observed so as not to prematurely damage the diamond coating. In the nominal version of such engraving parts, the diameter of the shank will be 3 millimeters.

Abrasive tools

The most budget-friendly option for use in conjunction with a drill or engraver are attachments, the working part of which is made of rubber and abrasive material. The diameter of their shank is 2.3 mm, and they are used mainly for work on metal, including stainless steel. Abrasive tools are usually sold in sets of 6 pieces and have different working part configurations.

Abrasive cutters (aluminum oxide) for processing steel and non-ferrous metals

Some manufacturers (in particular,) produce abrasive engraving attachments in various colors, which allows the user to easily determine the category of the tool. Thus, red abrasive wheels, intended for working on metal, are made of aluminum oxide, and green ones, made of silicon carbide, are used for processing stone, glass and ceramic products. For the convenience of performing various technological operations, diamond cutters are made with different shapes of the working part, but their shanks always have the same diameter.

Using abrasive attachments for an engraver, operations such as boring holes, grinding surfaces, etc. are performed. These attachments are optimal for use at home; for a professional, their capabilities will not be enough.

Nozzles can be in the form of removable working heads mounted on the corresponding shank

Popular attachments for working on metal and wood

In engraving, the above materials are among the most processed - they are clearly inferior to stone and glass. Very often, craftsmen have to carve a wood base, drill mini-holes in it, apply complex images, grind the surface, create patterned tongues or grooves. Thus, the best attachments for such work are considered to be:

• Special cutters (for wood);
• Special drills;
• Cutting wheels.;
• Grinding and polishing cylinders (circles);
• Burs, both cone-shaped and spherical;
• Carbide (diamond) nozzles in different forms;
• Felt balls.

Purpose of attachments by type of operation

1. Milling is carried out with attachments in the form of a milling cutter made of hard material.
2. Ball-shaped attachments are used for tongue and groove work.
3. The material is cut using prefabricated forms.
4. Polishing is carried out with nozzles of varying degrees of roughness based on the surface texture: the most common are wheels coated with sandpaper, leather and felt.
5. When creating grooves, cone-shaped burs are needed.
6. For drilling, steel or carbide nozzles are used.
7. Clean the surface from corrosion and dirt using a brush.
8. The final processing is carried out with diamond cutters. They are used for metals, alloys, and ornamental stones.

The use of nozzles is clearly shown in the table:

Video - DIY engraver attachments

Independent production of nozzles

In the process of professional engraving work, situations often arise that it is very difficult to find a suitable nozzle part to perform a certain technological task (whether it is processing a special surface or cutting out a complex hole). Then the craftsmen have to make the nozzle themselves. This usually applies to various cutters for wood - specialists independently make either a grinding head or a cutting disc. The simplest cutter is made from a grooved cylinder with teeth, which is found in any gas lighter. If a grinding head is required, it is prepared from a wooden drum on which ordinary sandpaper with a certain level of grain is fixed. Sometimes such “homemade products” are of such high quality that they can even replace factory-made versions. But as for the elements for wood carving, they are more difficult to produce, because their working part has a complex geometric shape, which is extremely difficult to replicate in artisanal conditions.

Professionals advise paying most attention to the reliability of fastening when making “homemade products”. It is better to take this part from a broken factory tool than to do it by hand.

A little about drills

A drill is a special engraving tool, which is often called a small drill. It is intended for handicrafts and souvenirs; it is used for carving and grinding. Copes perfectly with drilling holes in plexiglass, wood, and metal. Most modern engravings are done using a dental drill. Such factory-made devices most often have excellent equipment: the default set includes polishing discs, cutting wheels, various drills, as well as cutters, felt and brushes. Engraving specialists deservedly call this unit multifunctional.

Types of equipment by type of processing material

Before purchasing attachments, you should always remember in which area of ​​work tasks you will most often need to work. Therefore, to make it easier to select the appropriate set, you should remember the current classification:

1. First of all, we must understand that the vast majority of attachments are designed for processing wood. A striking example here is a wood engraving cutter. This is due to the fact that even a non-professional with the help of such equipment is able to perform high-quality work and obtain the most complex patterns. Among other things, the cutter guarantees a highly accurate result, regardless of the complexity of the task.
2. If you plan to process metal surfaces, then you will need a special tool. Professional craftsmen speak extremely positively about samples made from tool steel or carbide materials. In this case, the base material will guarantee a long service life and minimal wear. At the same time, again, it is necessary to proceed from the task at hand. If you need to process steel, then equipment based on soft aluminum will be useless.
3. Devices for working on glass stand apart - this material is considered the most labor-intensive to work with, because it has increased fragility. For such material, the best choice would be a diamond-coated tool. Here it is worth talking about a certain ratio of materials - from the processed to the worker.
4. Another popular variety will be attachments for working on stone (no matter what kind - artificial or natural). This is where a special diamond cutter comes in handy. Due to the fact that it has an increased level of hardness, it copes well with hard stone bases. But the requirements for such cutters are excessive - the tool for this work must be of high quality, otherwise the master risks “ruining” more than one workpiece.

It is always worth remembering that the price of the final product will depend on the type of material. Wood cutters are the cheapest, diamond burs or cutters are the most expensive.

Tips and tricks when choosing attachments for an engraver

Ready-made, fully equipped kits are often purchased by specialists for use in their professional work. Small sets of individual types of attachments are suitable for one-time operations and home use.

When choosing nozzles take into account:

• diameter and type of cartridge - the most common type of nozzle is with a shank section of 2.4 and 3.2;
• processed surface - metal processing requires the use of carbide drills or diamond sputtering on the material. Softer attachments can be used for wood processing;
• type of work;
• degree of complexity of operations;
• skill level.

It’s a good idea to study reviews of the manufacturer and information about a specific product before purchasing. You can use our rating and make a choice depending on your financial capabilities.

Video - How to choose attachments for mini drills

Division by type of production task

As mentioned above, each operation will require its own type of equipment. And this will be determined not only by the type of processing material, but also by the features of the technological process itself (cutting, grinding, drilling, etc.). The following varieties are most in demand:

• Engraving is probably the most common reason for purchasing an engraver. The principle of operation is amazingly simple: with the help of special equipment, drawings, patterns, and inscriptions are applied to the surface of the part. However, the attachment used will depend on the type of material - it is possible to work on wood with a diamond bur, but it is not advisable. At the same time, a carbide nozzle is absolutely not suitable for glass processing. In addition, sometimes you will need to draw a complex image, so using one element will not be enough. For example, on glass you will need to create a complex pattern with geometry differentiated in depth. Therefore, it will be necessary to use several diamond drills with different head sharpening at a certain angle.
• To create a neat and pleasing appearance to the material, it is better to choose a tooling element with an abrasive end and an all-metal rod. Typically, such items are included in most kits available for sale. Due to its great demand, this combination can also be found in a separate set. But in this case, you should pay attention to the graininess of the tip.
• Grinding or polishing work will also require special equipment. Due to the fact that this task is also common among people involved in engraving, finding the appropriate cutter or roller will not be difficult. In addition, making such a tool at home is considered the easiest, because you only need a strong handle and sandpaper of the required grain size.

Professional tools

Such tools include attachments that are multifunctional or universal. They are particularly reliable and are designed for large-scale work of both narrow and general profiles. The following options are very common:

• Cutters of various lengths and geometric shapes.
• Tips with improved hard coating (meaning high-quality diamond chips or a special abrasive composition).
• Special mini-drills used for complex and delicate drilling jobs that a conventional drill cannot handle.
• Some wire products that professional craftsmen use as manipulators that can quickly remove contamination.
• Cutting discs - they have a small diameter and delicately cut off unnecessary parts on the workpiece.

NOTE. Most professionals still prefer to assemble their own set of individual tools. Usually it includes both attachments from other kits and equipment of your own making. However, such a thing is quite expensive and it is worth collecting such a set only if you are constantly engaged in engraving activities.

Ideas for using an engraver at home

The capabilities of the engraving machine are not limited to precision operations in the professional field. Using the device, you can easily solve minor household problems, for example:

• clean dishes and cutlery, as well as metal surfaces;
• sharpen scissors, knives, sharp objects, and other tools;
• polish the surface of plastic or metal products, jewelry;
• trim or grind small parts;
• apply a design to leather items, furniture;
• engrave an inscription on glassware and metal products;
• make a stone souvenir, keychain or pendant;
• clean the textured surface.

This list is quite diverse. Just use a little imagination and your home will be transformed.

As you can see, the scope of application of the engraver is quite wide. By choosing the right attachments, you can perform various types of work both in a specialized field and at home.

We examined the main issues in choosing attachments for an engraver, their characteristics, purpose and application. We got acquainted with the manufacturers and ratings of the most popular models. Taking into account all the nuances of the choice, you will acquire a truly useful set of tools that will delight you with reliability and long service life!

Video - What you can do with an Engraver

Basic recommendations for making the right choice

You should always remember that the brand alone is not a guarantee of a quality set. It is necessary to pay attention to what the tips are made of (material) and for what technological tasks they are intended. Thus, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• The scope of tasks for which the set is selected. Their range can be wide - from creating drawings to banal polishing. Therefore, if the intended scope of work is quite narrow, then there is no point in spending money on a set with a large number of elements. As a last resort, it is better to opt for a small set, but in which universal devices are well represented.
• Technical characteristics and features of individual parts in the set - it cannot be allowed that, for example, a set for working on metal contains only attachments that contain aluminum.
• Dimensions and working angles - this parameter will also depend on most technical specifications. If the set is dominated by too small samples, then processing large areas with them will be extremely inconvenient.

To summarize, it should be noted that purchasing a set must be approached very responsibly and it is best to choose the “golden mean”. There are sets on sale that include many different attachments, but they are not of particular quality and are intended for a small number of tasks. At the same time, there are sets with a small number of elements, but they are mostly universal.

Rating of the best sets of attachments for engravers for 2022

Economy class

3rd place: Bison 33383-H10

Quite a budget set, although it copes well with most tasks. The tools have sufficient diamond coating and do an excellent job of engraving on glass. It is an even better alternative to the Chinese “1000 engraving tools” set.

Bison 33383-H10

Advantages:

• Reasonable price;
• High-quality diamond coating;
• Universal diameter for collet.

Flaws:

• Afraid of overheating;
• There is some curvature of the shanks.

2nd place: FIT 36487

The set consists of cutters (18 pcs.) and discs (5 pcs.) and is designed for working on wood, ceramics, metal and even concrete. All equipment is made of tool steel, the cutting edges are made of artificial diamonds. The set is suitable for both professionals and beginners.

FIT 36487

Advantages:

• Budget price;
• Quite a wide range of tools;
• Strength.

Flaws:

• They do not hold well in “Dremlev” collets;
• Sometimes you come across attachments with a curved base.

1st place: KMGS 100 Kolner kn100kmgs

The set is designed specifically for engraving machines. The set includes equipment of various shapes and grain sizes. Focused on polishing and grinding various materials - plastic, metal, wood. For ease of transportation, it is supplied in a special case.

KMGS 100 Kolner kn100kmgs

Advantages:

• Convenient case;
• Affordable price for a large number of items;
• Copes well with plastic operations.

Flaws:

• Not for frequent use.

Middle segment

3rd place: Stayer 29900-H186

The set includes mini attachments for engraving machines for performing work of any complexity. The variability of different grain sizes and shapes of the tools in the set allows for high-precision cutting, metal polishing, grinding (plastic-wood-metal). The convenient transport case has a special place for the engraving machine.

Stayer 29900-H186

Advantages:

• A large number of items;
• Convenient case;
• German quality.

Flaws:

• Some drills do not fit “Dremlev” collets.

2nd place: Dremel 26150688JA

A set from a well-known brand in the engraving world. The set includes attachments for cutting plastic, wood and metal. It makes it easy to cut bolts/screws and does a great job of cutting grooves in a variety of materials. Supplied in a convenient and durable case for transportation and storage.

Dremel 26150688JA

Advantages:

• Smooth holder, does not “knock out”;
• Good wear life;
• Acceptable price.

Flaws:

• Narrow focus.

1st place: MEKKAN MK 92704

This set with expanded tools is designed for particularly complex work. With its help, you can perform tasks in the field of high-precision cutting, metal polishing, sanding wood and plastic. A convenient case is used for transportation.

MEKKAN MK 92704

Advantages:

• Extended equipment;
• Acceptable price;
• High quality performance.

Flaws:

• Completely incompatible with Dremel collets.

Professional samples

3rd place: Bison 35902-H238

An almost universal set from a Russian manufacturer. Excellent filling allows you to carry out operations of any type of complexity, including in hard-to-reach places. The shape and grain size of the attachments are extremely variable. Convenient to handle and carry.

Bison 35902-H238

Advantages:

• Excellent price/quality ratio;
• Variable filling with objects;
• Fully compatible with Dremel-4000.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

2nd place: Dremel 2615S723JA

This set includes only high-quality equipment and branded attachments that can process any material. In addition to standard operations, a cleaning function is also provided. Compatible with any related devices without the use of adapters.

Dremel 2615S723JA

Advantages:

• Reliable fastening;
• Variability of sizes;
• High quality.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

1st place: Dremel 2615E725JA

The elements in the set are made using EZ SpeedClic technology, which means easy and quick replacement of attachments without resorting to a special wrench. Suitable for a wide range of work. Storage/transportation is provided with a convenient suitcase.

Dremel 2615E725JA

Advantages:

• Expanded functionality;
• High-quality discs;
• Quick change system.

Flaws:

• Expensive price tag.