4 Types of Wood Engraving Tools: How to Choose Your Right One

Wood engraving is one of the oldest methods of sketching and printing wooden items. It’s quite popular and trending these days. People love to have personalized and engraved items. Through this practice, it is possible to personalize items and objects, such as baseball bats, home décor items, art pieces, signs, and tons of things. Due to massive demand in the market, it is undoubtedly a rewarding hobby and business. You can make your own products and sell them in online stores or local craft shows. 

There were different methods and tools used for engraving wood. In this article, we are going to explore the four popular and commonly used wood engraving tools. We will discuss the factors you need to consider while choosing the right one. 

Wood Engraving Hand Tools 

Wood engraving has been practiced for centuries, and the initial tools used for this process were special hand tools. These sharp tools were used to remove wood from the surface and create the desired pattern. Wood craftsmen still use these tools for furniture, home décor items, art pieces, etc.

Some of the commonly used wood engraving hand tools are,

Chisels

Chisels are the ideal hand tools for engraving wood. These have a metal front piece, which is quite sharp, and there is a wooden handle for ergonomic handling.

Wood craftsmen place the tip of the chisel at the desired place of engraving and then hit the top using a mallet. The tip is quite sharp, so it is quite easy to drive the chisel into the wood. It engraves wood with perfection and does not make cracks. There are dozens of chisel types available on the market. They have distinct designs and sizes. Professionals keep a set of chisels for their engraving work. The design of the chisel defines its use. Some are used for fine engraving, while some can do deep engraving.

Gouges

Beginners usually get confused between chisels and gouges. Many consider them the same; however, they are quite different. A chisel has a straight or flat sharp edge, but a gouge has a curved or rounded sharp edge, like a spoon.

Gouges are used for deep wood engraving. They remove a big chunk of wood from the surface. They are ideal for 3D engraving. Similar to chisels, gouges are also struck with a mallet. These can remove wood from the surface quicker than chisels because of their round shape. For carving, hollowing, shaping, finishing edges, removing excess wood, and curved cuts, these are preferred. Wood craftsmen also use them for creating curved edges and smooth aesthetic edges and lining.

Veiners

A veiner is similar to a gouge, but the blade has a V-shape. Its edge is quite small or narrow, which is why it is an ideal option for fine details. It is good for fine engraving, small details, and narrow cutting.

Electric or Power Wood Engraving Tools 

Power Chisels

A power chisel is a time-saving option compared to a hand chisel. It works the same and due to the power of the motor, it can do the job in no time. It is like a free-hand carving or engraving tool. You can change the chisel bits and use whatever you like. You can also get gouges and use them with the power tool. But keep in mind these are quite fast, so exceptional control is needed. 

Routers

A router is another powerful tool for engraving wood and making curved edges and patterns. It has a rotating blade that removes wood from the surface of the material or object. The flat base of the tool rests on the wood surface, and when you move it in the desired direction, its blade removes wood from the surface. The height of the blade can be adjusted according to the depth of the engraving. It is a very powerful tool, so it is used for making large cavities or patterns. You can get an electric or pneumatic router. It is a must-have tool for wood crafting.

Rotary Tool Kit

A rotary engraving kit is like a small handheld drill machine that is used for engraving wooden objects. The kit contains the rotary motor and some bits that are changed for various purposes, including engraving, cutting, sanding, drilling and more. It is a complete kit for engraving fine details on wooden objects. Professionals use this kit for their projects. If you are looking for a power tool that can allow you to engrave whatever you want, it could be an excellent option.

Laser Wood Engraving Machines

Laser engraving machines are the most advanced and latest wood engraving tools that have taken wood engraving to the next level. It is the first choice of professionals because of its accuracy, speed, and fine details.

How Laser Engraving Machines Work

Laser engraving machines contain a powerful laser source that produces laser beams. When the laser beams fall on the object, the temperature of the surface increases quickly. The temperature can reach the boiling point of the material and make it start sublimation, a process in which the matter changes from solid to gas. The material is turned into smoke and fine debris, which is removed through the powerful blow of air from the air assist. Thus, a cavity is left, which creates an engraved surface.

It is possible to engrave softwood, hardwood, plywood, and engineered wood, such as MDF, by using a laser machine. It can engrave materials in no time and leave minimal waste, which is commendable. The depth of the engraving is controlled by the power and speed of the laser machine.

You can feel the engraved surface through touch, and if the depth is considerable, you will also observe a 3D effect. These machines are incredible for engraving any type of wood and getting the best results without any hassle.

Benefits of Using Laser Engraving Machines

High Speed: The speed of the laser machines is incredible. Some powerful desktop laser engraving machines even engrave at a speed of 400-600mm/s. These engrave any type of graphics you like faster than other engraving methods and tools we have discussed. Some machines can also process multiple materials and a complete batch at the same time. It is undoubtedly a time-saving option that can process wood and other materials at a good speed.

High Accuracy: Laser machines are quite accurate. They have powerful and precise motors that are controlled through the laser engraver software. The movement and repeat positioning accuracy are near to a small fraction of an inch, such as 0.001 inches or even lesser. You won’t see any error in the engraving if you do multiple passes on the same design. It is quite accurate and precise. The most important thing about the laser machine is the fine laser spot. It ensures fine details of the graphics and optimal accuracy. 

No Physical Contact: There is no physical contact in laser engraving. Therefore, there is no wear and tear on the object. When you engrave a wood surface, only the area where the laser beams fall is engraved, and the rest of the area remains intact. In other methods, such as power tools, CNC routers, and hand tools, the tools create physical contact with the object, so there are chances of excessive engraving and wear and tear.

Contrast: Laser machines burn the material through powerful laser beams, so the engraved area is darker than the other portion. This contrast makes the engraving more appealing and beautiful. You won’t have this contrast when you remove wood from the surface using a chisel, router, or any other tool.

Automation: The most important thing in laser machines is automation. The machine does the job on its own. You only need to upload the design file, and the machine will do the rest. There is no human involvement, which is why there are no errors. You only need to wait for the process to complete.

Versatility and Flexibility: Using a laser engraving machine, you can engrave almost anything. It can be a name, logo, photo, or anything else. It offers complete flexibility in engraving whatever you like. The sky’s the limit. Secondly, you can engrave wood and various other materials, so it is a versatile option for engraving.

Types of Laser Engraving Machines

There are different types of laser engraving machine technologies available, but we will discuss only the ones that are compatible with engraving wood.

Diode Laser Engravers

Diode laser engravers are the most ideal laser machines for beginners. These laser machines are affordable, user-friendly, and advanced.

Diode lasers contain laser diodes that emit laser beams. The wavelength of the beams is usually in the range of 450-455nm, which can be easily absorbed by any kind of wood.

For laser cutting, high-powered lasers are used, but for laser engraving, low powered lasers are preferred. It is because low-powered lasers have a tiny laser spot that ensures fine and tiny details during engraving. The result of the engraving is exceptional. Secondly, for engraving, low power is more than enough because you only need to remove the material’s surface.

Diode laser engravers are suitable for DIY, small businesses, professional work, and art & craft. Its lifespan is around 25,000 to 50,000 hours. You can get a diode laser engraver for $700 to $1,400, depending on the features and specifications of the machine.

CO2 Laser Engravers

CO2 laser engravers are also good for engraving wood and a wide range of non-metals. These lasers offer laser beams in the wavelength of around 10,600nm, which is quickly absorbed by the wood. CO2 lasers are quite powerful. They have a laser tube filled with some gasses, including CO2, helium, and nitrogen. When a certain potential difference is applied to the tube, laser beams are produced. These laser beams can engrave or cut wood without any hassle.

The commonly available desktop CO2 lasers have an optical power of around 30W to 55W. You can go with any of them because engraving requires low power. But keep in mind that these lasers are more powerful than diode lasers, so you need to control the power to prevent the burning of the wood.

CO2 lasers are much more expensive than the diode lasers. You will get a CO2 laser engrver for $3,500 to $7,000. Industrial lasers are more expensive, but a desktop laser is more than enough.

CNC Wood Routers 

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, which controls the wood router using preprogrammed code. Thus, it is an automated machine just like a laser engraving machine, and does the whole job on the commands of the operator.

We have discussed routers in the power tools section. It is controlled by the craftsman. On the other hand, a CNC router also has a similar rotating blade or drill bit, but it is controlled through software or commands.

The object is placed in the working area. The motor moves the spindle, which contains the drill bit or blade, and engraves the desired pattern. The information on positioning and coordinates is communicated through the file uploaded.

The blade creates mechanical contact with the object and removes the material from the surface. It is a computer-controlled drill machine that engraves whatever pattern you like. There is no contrast in the engraving because the wood is removed, not burnt.

The machine can be used to engrave wood, plastics, metals, and a wide range of materials. It is a powerful and versatile machine. You can get a desktop wood router for $200 to $700, depending on the quality, features, and specifications. There are also industrial CNC wood routers, and they cost more than $5,000.

How to Choose the Best Wood Engraving Tools

Skills

First, you need to consider the skills you have. For instance, if you want to use hand wood engraving tools, you should have some skills to use them. If you have those skills or you are planning to learn how to use them, it could be a good option. Otherwise, you should not go with hand tools.

Power tools also require some expertise and experience to work on wooden objects. It is not easy to control them and get the desired results.

Laser engraving machines are user-friendly, and you can use them without any experience or expertise. You only need to import the graphics. However, you should know how to change some settings of the images to get the best results. Secondly, if you are a graphics designer, you will be able to make your own designs. Otherwise, get free or paid designs from dedicated websites.

CNC wood routers are also beginner-friendly. They work like laser tools in terms of software and uploading the desired graphics. However, they are not as precise and accurate as a laser engraving machine.

Nature of the Work

The nature of the work matters a lot when choosing wood engraving tools. If you are a furniture designer who wants to engrave simple designs, chisels, rotary tools are excellent. These can help in deep and 3D engraving.

But if your work is engraving objects for personalization, such as engraving pens, tumblers, photo frames, and other objects, the best option would be a laser engraving machine. You can also use a CNC router, but it is only suitable for flat objects and no-contrast engraving.

If you want to start a business from scratch, you can get a laser engraving machine. There are massive options to engrave, and you will have a vast range of products to sell.

Speed

Engraving takes too much time, which is why craftsmen would love to have a speedy tool to save time. Sometimes, engraving takes several days if it is done using hand tools.

Hand tools take too much time for engraving, and then there are power tools that undoubtedly save time. CNC routers are also fast, and they are automated.

Laser engraving machines offer ultimate speed. The reason behind this is no contact with the object and powerful laser beams. They can quickly engrave wooden objects with an eye-catching contrast. Nothing can match the speed of a laser machine. Even if the graphics contain tiny details, such as an image, the machine can do the job in a few minutes.

Accuracy

All tools have a certain accuracy limit. If you are using hand tools, there can be errors and excessive engraving. You won’t get accurate and identical results every time. The same is the case with power wood engraving tools.

CNC routers and laser machines offer excellent accuracy. With these machines, you can get identical engraving as many times as you want. They have precisely controlled motors that drive the laser head or drill bit according to the graphics. If you want to get the best accuracy, there is no other tool than a laser engraving machine. It can offer accuracy up to a small fraction of an inch.

Capability

You also need to check the capability of the wood engraving tools. Consider what you can do with them and what products you can make. It will help you choose the right machine for your needs.

Hand and power tools depend on the craftsman. You need to control them through your hands. They are ideal for carving and small engraving projects.

For detailed and accurate engraving, laser machines and CNC routers are preferred. These can make almost any pattern, design, photo, or logo. You only need to upload a high-quality image, and the machines will replicate the same image on the object.

Budget

Hand tools are the least expensive because these are only simple sharp-edged tools. You can get a good chisel set in the range of $20-70.

Power tools are also quite affordable. An excellent rotary engraving kit can be bought for $100.

CNC routers and laser machines are quite expensive, but they are worth it. They save your precious time and ensure perfect results. These can cost from $200 to $1,500, depending on the features of the machine.

Best Wood Engraving Tool for Beginners

xTool D1 Pro is an incredible diode laser machine that is a must-have for engraving purposes. It can engrave wood, acrylic, stone, ceramics, leather, some metals and various other materials with utmost perfection and accuracy.

The laser machine is ideal for engraving and cutting. The laser diode module can be changed to get the optimal results. For engraving, the 10W module is perfect. Its laser spot measures only 0.08 x 0.06 mm, so it never misses tiny and fine details during engraving. It does the job at an incredible speed of up to 400mm/s. It is much faster than the common desktop laser machines available on the market. 

For cutting, you can use the 40W laser module, which can cut thick materials like a piece of cake. It can cut up 18mm Cherry wood in only one pass. So, you can cut wood to desired shape using this powerful laser module.

The accuracy of the machine is exceptional. It offers up to 0.0004 inches of movement accuracy and 0.0007 inches of repositioning accuracy. You won’t have any errors or doublings in the engraving. The machine can also engrave cylindrical and spherical object by attaching the RA2 Pro rotary attachment. It can engrave pens, glasses, tumblers, mugs, balls, rings, or any other irregular cylinder. 

The engraving area of the machine is large enough. It measures 930 x 430mm, and you can double the area by using the extension. Thus, it can engrave common and even large objects without any hassle.

xTool D1 Pro is a beginner-friendly and safe machine. Its software is quite easy to us. It has flame and tip-over detector. You can upgrade the machine with new laser modules. There are also other accessories, such as an enclosure, and air assist to make the machine more versatile and powerful. It is a worthy machine that takes your engraving skills to the next level.

Wood Engraving Tools FAQs

How to engrave on wood?

Wood engraving is done using the right tools. We have discussed hand tools, power tools, laser machines, and CNC wood routers. All these machines and tools can be used to engrave on wood. They have distinct features, limitations, and capabilities, so you can choose the right wood engraving tool according to your needs and budget.

What is the best way to engrave wood?

The best way to engrave wood is by using a laser engraving machine. It is an automated machine that can engrave almost anything you like with utmost precision and accuracy. The fine details that it considers and the contrast are incredible. It can engrave on almost any object, from a large baseball bat to a small toothpick.

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