I stumbled across this diamond drag engraving bit when I was looking for some other cutters for my CNC. This bit allows you to engrave hard materials like stone, steel, and glass, or soft materials like plastic, aluminum, and brass. You can even score glass for cutting.
The special bit measures 3-3/4″ long and doesn’t spin like a regular bit. It chucks into a 1/4″ collet and is designed to be dragged across your work material by the CNC – kind of how you would use a manual scriber.
Yes, that’s correct – your spindle must be OFF when you use this drag engraving bit.
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The diamond tip is spring-loaded, to apply constant pressure on the material. Since it is spring-loaded, the bit can compensate for a waste board or materials that aren’t perfectly flat. As it is dragged, the bit will engrave a line approximately 0.005″ wide.
When you buy the bit, you get the spring-loaded holder, high and low pressure engraving springs, the 120° diamond tip, a hex wrench for replacing the tip, and detailed instructions on how to set up your CNC. You can also purchase a 90° tip separately, which is recommended for engraving coated materials.
The bit will run you $180 at Widget Works Unlimited and the cheapest shipping method listed was about $9. There’s also a 1/2″ shank version for the same price.
If you are curious about seeing a bit like this in use, check out this video from Jim McPherson. He’s using a similar diamond drag bit to engrave a name on a knife handle. Skip ahead to about 2 minutes if you just want to see the bit in action.
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Nathan
new to me. so CNC machine now is a CNC scribe. Not the worst idea honestly just never seen that before. thanks.
Andrew
Why not include more machinists tools on the site? As a student machinist, I would love to see opinions on more than just stuff meant for the woodworking or contractor side of things. I guess I’m probably a minority in that respect, but can’t help but feel like us “metal heads” are an untapped corner of the population for this great site.
Benjamen
For one, I’m not a machinist and I don’t necessarily recognize when a tool is worthy of sharing. I’m not opposed to machinists tools, in fact I love learning about new areas and the tools people use.
I’m slowly learning though, the trip to Matabo was quite informative and you’ll definitely be seeing more coverage of their metal working tools and as an extension some of their competitors in that area.
Please let us know when you see something you think we should share.
Stuart
I have a strong interest in machining, but my experiences hover around small equipment – a Taig mill and Sherline lathe.
So if I talk about the tooling I’m familiar with, it might not apply to what a majority of machinists are interested in, lowering the urgency of getting thoughts to paper.
There is a long list of machining tools I’d love to review right away. But there are only so many posts we can write and publish each week.
Also, there are not many new innovations in the world of machining, outside of maybe small scale CNC technologies.
Precision measuring tools: Mitutoyo. Dial indicator: Interapid.
Tooling: Made in the USA, whatever is on sale in the MSC sales flyer and suited for the material you’re working with.
We’re always happy to consider requests. Did you have any specific review requests or tool of interest?
fred
It seems like expecting that there would be wide interest in specialist tools might be a a bit of a stretch. But maybe Andrew would like to encourage other machinists to post on ToolGuyd’s Community Forum Web Page
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/
and then there might be spinoffs.
The same could be said for other specialty tool areas like those used for small aircraft repair and maintenance, appliance service, auto and motorcycle repair, bicycle repair, electronics, glass work/stained glass, HVAC, jewelry -clocks-watches, lawnmower and small engine repair, leatherworking, locksmithing, RC Models and Hobbies, Upholstery and Wood Carving – to name a few . Posts on these at the Community Forum site might be interesting and avoid diluting or hijacking the main ToolGuyd site.
Rustin
All Stuart and Ben are able to introduce and explain on Toolguyd.com is awesome! It’s a huge amount of work to study, plan, and teach as they do, but having said that, I also love the idea of expansion into small machine shop and other fields.
There are other true teachers on many forms of media that I believe could supply an occasional post, review a tool, discuss a build, or teach their project planning method here. YouTubers Lyle Peterson, Keith Rucker, Izzy Swan, Jay Bates, Wood by Wright all come to mind as people I’d love to see put up an occasional post on Toolguyd.
Stuart
Thank you!
Here’s the difficulty in what you’re asking: most of those that would contribute at a reasonable fee lack the time to do so, and most of those that have the time ask for huge payments. There is a lot of talent out there, but most are striving to build their own brands, which is understandable.