How to 'clean & repair' your "FLAT graver"? => 15 photos

  One of the most often and well-used engraving tools is the FLAT graver. 

 It produces such an array of cutting that it's a pity that very few of my peers write about them. But what happens if this graver needs to be repaired at a moment's notice?

 As I'm a frequent writer about our 'engraving tools', this cutting blade needs to be mentioned in the greatest detail.

 To recut the 'face' of the graver, the blade must be held at a 45-degree angle all through this 'resurfacing' process. 

 For taking these photos, my blade was held on the oil stone also at a 45-degree angle.

 This resurfacing process is very important in getting the most accurate angle to the 'face' of the FLAT graver. If this is not controlled, the metal cutting will be endangered. Don't take any unnecessary shortcuts.

 The bottom of the FLAT graver needs to be again, recut, but so very carefully. This section of the blade leads to the cutting area of the modified graver. Accuracy is paramount, ALWAYS EXAMINE THE BLADE, EVEN WITH A 10x power loupe, your "Optivisor" doesn't have the required magnification.

 

 I find it necessary to use my DREMEL coarse grinding wheels instead of my bench grinder. I need to examine very closely every grinding step as this is a 'highly controlled maintenance program'.

 This particular well-used blade is my "#40 FLAT" engraving tool.

 

 Under careful scrutiny, I saw that the defects in my metal cutting were attributed to the defective cutting face of this graver. 

  Under no circumstances could I continue doing any further Diamond Setting. With this damaged blade, my work had come to a "COMPLETE STOP".

  The underneath cutting section, as seen with my Digital Microscope proved that a complete repair was warranted.

 The most delicate area of this blade was the bottom of the graver and had to be redesigned as soon as possible. It had to be carefully placed flat upon the #400 grit polishing paper.

 I could use the oil stone, but when the blade was not giving me any adequate viewing, I scrapped that idea.

 I kept resurfacing the underneath section of the blade. You can see the little rubbing that was now taking place.

 I decided not to leave any section of this blade untouched. The sides of the graver blade also needed a "Spring Cleaning". If I'm doing a full repair, I might as well go the full route, agree?

  I used different grits of paper to have my FLAT graver sparkling again. The sequence of papers used is #400 => #600 => #800 => finally #1,200 grit.

 

  In this photo, you can see the highly polished surfaces of the blade..WOW, eh!

 With the DREMEL grinding wheel, I've reduced the front face of the cutting blade. In many designs and patterns, the face blade must be kept rather thin at all times. (These coarse wheels are my answer to trimming the blade.)

 When all of the work in refurbishing has been completed, this is like a new engraving blade. This process has taken me approximately 30 minutes.