Half Round | Burnishing |
Quarter-Round |High
Speed | Specialized | Bevel
& Border | End Mill
Collet Cutters | Super Carbide Collet Cutters | Diamond Gravers
| Nose Cones | Accessories/Jigs
Cutters & Gravers
 |
|
Cutter Length
Cutter Shank Size
Solid Micro-Grain Carbide Cutters
| SHANK SIZE | FOR USE ON |
| 1/8" X 4-1/2" | Dahlgren® System One®, Wizzard®, New Hermes® I-M, IL-II, ILK-II |
| 11/64" x 6-1/2" | Xenetech, Newing-Hall® (Domiteaux), Meistergram® (H-Square), New Hermes® ITX, ITF-II, ITK-II, GTX Universal and Computer engravers, Dahlgren® System One Burnishing attachments or chip remover |
| 1/4" x 6-1/2" | Xenetech, Newing-Hall® (Domiteaux), Meistergram® (H-Square), New Hermes® IRX-IV, IRX-KIV, Dahlgren® System One, System Two, 10, 300, 500, Mark 12 |
| 4 mm x 110 mm | Scripta® 'S' Model, MC-2 Beveller |
| 6 mm x160 mm | Scripta® 'G' Model |
| 1/8" x 1" | Scott® SM 100, 300, 400, 500, Kantograph PM-3, PM-5 |
Cutter Resharpening
- Available for all cutters. Your cutters are sharpened and returned
- Specify tip required. See above chart
- DO NOT use tape on cutter shank
Engraving Cutters
The tools used for rotary engraving are generally referred to as "cutters." Cutters are manufactured from different materials and are produced in a variety of configurations specific for certain applications and materials. Most engraving cutters are "half-round" tools which means the blank is split or halved on center producing a "single-lip" tool which is one of having only one cutting edge. This configuration affords a significant amount of clearance and allows the tool to run at relatively high speeds to maximize material removal and produce good finishes. Some cutters are also made as "quarter-round" tools which allow even greater clearance, but they are inherently weaker and are recommended for specific applications.
The majority of the engraving machines used in the awards and engraving industry have spindles that use "top-loading" cutters. These are cutters that are inserted into the spindle from the top and are typically held in place by means of a threaded knob. This arrangement allows for easy cutter adjustments and changes. Top-loading cutters are most commonly available in 1/8", 11/64", 1/4", 4mm, and 6mm shank diameters. Cutter lengths vary to accommodate machine spindles and accessories (burnishing attachments, vacuum chip removers, etc.).
Some machines, particularly industrial ones, utilize collet spindles. The cutter is inserted into the top or the bottom (usually the bottom) of the spindle and is held in place by a collet. A collet is a segmented, clamping device somewhat similar to a drill chuck. By means of a "drawbar," the collet segments are tightened against the shank of the tool, holding it securely in place. This arrangement is more rigid and precise than the top loading spindle, but does not offer the ease of cutter change and adjustment.
Most engraving cutters are manufactured from carbide or high speed steel (HSS). Carbide is an extremely hard and abrasion resistant material and is recommended for the majority of engraving applications due to its toughness and durability. Generally speaking, carbide cutters will outlast HSS cutters by a factor of 5-10 times depending on the material being cut.
Cutters manufactured from high speed steel do not have the hardness or strength of carbide. Therefore, they become dull more quickly than carbide tools. On the other hand, high speed steel cutters are not as brittle as carbide, and tend to be the best choice when making deep, fine cuts in metal such as those required for making seal dies.
Half Round
| Burnishing | Quarter-Round
|High Speed | Specialized
Bevel & Border | End
Mill | Diamond Gravers | Nose
Cones | Accessories/Jigs
