GraverHelper Out of the Box review (not working properly yet) Pt.1

This is a $218 Graver Helper from ebay.com and I am doing an "out of the box" review with minimal modification just to show how this product generally works right out of the box.
The other product I am using along with it is a small pneumatic air compressor the goes up to 58 working PSI from Harbor Freight for $70.
I also bought a few aquatic air lines and connectors that I knew I would need just to set up the machines.
Where the lines go and how to connect them is incredibly simple, and I didn't need to go into much detail on how I actually did that. I just needs to fit the plugs, and be air-tight. (Up to about 45 PSI)
You will see by the end of the video that my hand pieces are leaking too much air, they are supposed to have vent holes in them, but I'm losing a lot of pressure that I need in them in order to work properly.
There will be a follow up video on how I get them to work, and them working properly.

[@ModdedGarage]

So these need proper pressure. I just got one hooked it up gave it 50psi on a decent compressor with regulator and the graver was weak. Dialed the machine pressure down to 12 psi because it seemed to worm ok. It didn't. I disassembled the graver and pulled the piston and spring out. Stretched the spring and then installed it with the handle threaded about half an inch out from the stop with a nut I added for a stop. Now it requires 20psi but works far better.

[@johncantrell8873]

I have the graver helper. I am sure you will need a bigger compressor for proper operation. I am using a 17 gallon harbor freight compressor and the unit works well. I think the real issue is the volume of air needed when hand piece is in operation, good luck...

[@Whelessry]

Yeah a bigger compressor definitely would have worked better immediately, I was actually able to make it work with the smaller compressor I have

[@bignatethejeweler5209]

What fitment is the air inlet line how do you connect

[@emilymaeproudfoot]

Which type of line did you use to connect your compressor to the machine? I’ve just bought the same one but it stays to use a water filter between the compressor and machine but have no connections for either 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@bogdandanciu6500]

It doesn't work, what should I do, please, if you can help me @@Whelessry

[@TyroneDamShewlaces]

Hey thanks. I've been looking at how expensive the "real" equipment is and it really makes a guy just not want to try. Some setup like this might be a good way to dip a toe in just to see if I like it at least. Your video is the only one that kinda showed me what I needed to know for now, so thanks for putting in the effort - I know it takes time. The negative comments crack me up. I'm not sure why there's a kind of chingrish smear campaign descending on this video, but it's kind of entertaining at least.

[@TayouTroy]

The parts used to make the original graver mate are made in China. props for this vid I bought one I have a bigger silent compressor with a tank, so hopefully, mine works. Grave on, Stay tuned

[@vergusbey346]

The GRAVER HELPER is a very good tool, robust and fine, i used a lot and got a Compressor of 60 PSI, no need no more, the tools comes with pedal and are really good, PLUS 2 HAND GRAVERS !!!,and the price is real good i pay 285 USD, Pedal Graver and " hand Tools, when compare with GRS they pretend 1890USD just for the Graver Helper (the cheap verssion), and 2379USD for same BUT with more knobes...i find a robbery. I recomended and isnt no any problem to work with. The fine tune , plus my Compressor got also a regulator , so got 2 tunes of pressure and puls in the Graver, nice. OF COURSE THE HAND OF THE ARTIST IS THE MORE UNIQUE TOOL. Cheers !!!( i got from Ebay)

[@dr.paint-pinturasespeciais8088]

Hi! my friend, before spending all that money, I should have tried a homemade inhaler device, it makes this burin work wonderfully and has it in any pharmacy to sell.or aquarium

[@Whelessry]

Hey dont know what the heck you're talking about none of this has to do with what you're talking about no clue man you seem crazy or misinformed

[@grouseeyedesign]

Thanks for the review definitely told me what I need for this thing... Took a risk with it on Amazon it looks cheap as hell but hey 1/10th the cost of most other models

[@Celestial_Reach]

Hey I got mine from Vevor directly. havnt needed customer support, but ive heard decent things from the pro kitchen industry. mine works jsut fine

[@Celestial_Reach]

thanks for this video my friend. I got one my self, im hoping its exactly what i need.

[@CrowClouds]

I just bought this. What blade did you get for it? The one I have is GRS it has a round shank and won't fit in. This one seems to require a triangular shank? I can't even find a blade like that. Frustrating

[@michaelperez668]

Would you happen to be looking to give this away to a kid who’s looking to get into engraving but financially can’t afford the products

[@overtimecuztompaint]

Why dont you get them a hand engraver or one u can hammer . Not the machine type then

[@Gunsgame1966]

Will these machines engrave steel like knives and gun metals ? Do they have the balls to do nice scrolls?

[@toofankumar8457]

Very good machine.

[@mylgphoneelgee162]

Hey. So what does the engraver do if the compressors is separate? Does it basically control air pressure? Or can you control the power too? Or is it the direction of airflow?

[@insederec]

Bit late, but basically all an engraver machine does is generate oscillations. The compressor has what amounts to a pneumatic full bridge rectifier -- it turns up and down into constant one directional air out. The engraver makes the air go forwards and backwards at the set rate. If you look at sean hughes DIY engraver it's essentially a mod where you remove the check valve and get a compressor that pushes and pulls with the piston. Another guy here on youtube then modified that further into something where you can connect a flex shaft directly to the compressor and you hook directly up to the handpiece.

[@mylgphoneelgee162]

Thanks for the reply I figured it outage you happy with the easy graver? I ended up splurging and got the pulse graver it's airless electric. I'm very happy with it although i think it's still overpriced. No issues at all though. Im curious tho bc am.ost went for that engraving machine

[@insederec]

@@mylgphoneelgee162 I've just been looking at stuff. Planning on doing the build I mentioned.

[@michaelmoore7975]

@3:52 "....gonna move on from that situation..." HAHAHAHaaaa!! Yeahhh rrriight...suure you are...mmm hmmm. Good vid. I'm just getting started myself. There's lots of good info here. ;)

[@bogdandanciu6500]

hello, I also have such a device and I don't know how to use it, I did the same but it doesn't work, please help me so I can use it

[@savestheday258]

That compressor isn't gonna have the power to power the graver hand piece properly. Build a shaun hughes machine with that compressor if you want it to work. Or try that Chinese knock off graver helper with a larger full size compressor. That's why the second hand piece isn't tapping like the first. Or make a softer spring like you stated. But really that graver helper would run best with a higher cfm compressor. You need something with a tank or that little compressor will burn out eventually being run all the time. The handpieces are supposed to bleed air but just a little. And it doesn't matter when using a larger compressor. It will fill every so often so maintain operating pressure.

[@Whelessry]

It's works fine for me. If you read the comments people have suggested this over and over again. It gets the job done. If I feel like I need a bigger compressor I'll get one. Thanks

[@grouseeyedesign]

What size/type of gravers should I buy? Are there any universal ones? I've legit never used any electric gravers before pneumatic or otherwise. Just wondering what equipment I should snag at Lowe's today

[@Whelessry]

Try Riogrande.com they sell to the general public they may have gravers you can put into the handpiece or sometimes I cut off the end of a graver tip from just a simple hand held graver with a wooden handle and put it in the pneumatic one, a lot of times I make my own out of an old beading tool, most of the time I only use the pneumatic hammer tool for stone setting like pushing a bezel or channel setting for small gemstones, I would use a larger air compressor than I have in this video, I have since upgraded and it works much better, also, you'll have a better time using this machine with a real gravermate foot pedal, the graverhelper foot pedal kinda sucks but I still use it

[@shelterskelter]

Has anyone yet explained that the handpieces are air cooled and will always release a small amount of air. Learning how to tune these helps also.

[@القاضي-د5ث]

I just bought this and it works for me but the air is not coming out what do I do

[@schpoe123]

so what is the graver helper. Just a air regulator? why not just skip the machine and go to small air tank with a regulator and a foot pedal? New at this so I am asking

[@Whelessry]

Good question. The machine in the video is a cheap version of the name brand graver mate. I don't understand the machine completely,but from what I understand there is a regulator for air coming into the machine, but it also has an air oscillator inside, which pumps air into the hand piece, and then sucks it back out rapidly over and over very quickly. This gives the hand piece the hammer like effect needed for engraving and setting stones. The foot pedal allows more or less air coming in giving you more or less of a hammer effect. Hope this helps

[@dawnhewlett4327]

Yeah, you could do that. I do it now for filling flat tires, filling beach stuff, whatever. However, it's gonna cost you- $50-75 or $100 for a full-size tank. For a used pony bottle (small scuba tank), $ 50-75, old scuba first stage $30-50, with an air line and air chuck $35, foot pedal $10-15. Plus you have to be scuba certified to get your air tank filled, $6-8. Unless you have a diver friend, forget it. So, too expensive

[@ryanyahudza]

How Volt airbrush and egraving mechine ??

[@Whelessry]

Im not sure what youre asking

[@henryholcomb5420]

Did you ever get it to work properly?

[@Whelessry]

Henry Holcomb yeah check out parts 2 and 3:-)

[@vergusbey346]

I will give you a help, what is needed (apart from the manual engraver and needle-tool) is compressed air, how do we get it? Either in two very simple ways, one with a decent compressor that has a tank to accumulate compressed air) and a pressure regulator, or else have an oxygen tube, with a manual pressure regulator, which are very cheap in the market. The pressure regulator as the compressed air tank, are of equal importance, this that I write to you, is all that is needed as power to be able to make high presisin and professional works, do not buy anything that is seen in this video (very amateur), because it is throwing money in the trash, Greetings!

[@JasonBeck26]

can you recommend good and not too expensive manual engraver and needle-tool

[@bigboom3812]

Moreover, it does not work well, it is generally dangerous to use, our workshop burned out.

[@Whelessry]

Is there a question you have or would you like to share a complete thought?

[@bigboom3812]

@@Whelessry No, I just want other users to know that this tool is very bad to work. the quality is just disgusting and it's life-threatening.

[@CrowClouds]

@@bigboom3812 How? What happened

[@YourOldDog]

Put a real compressor on it and see if it don't work better. l Buy one with some capacity and you might be surprised. As it is you must be at the very edge of working with no capacity for more when called for.

[@savestheday258]

That's exactly the problem. If played with these machines my self. Ive built the shaun Hughes machines and also have a legit Steve Lindsay setup. Solid my original gravermax when I got my Lindsay so I know all the differences on how these machines work.

[@snowwhite7878]

GraverHelper is a toy, not a professional tool.

[@Whelessry]

Im not sure what you mean snow white

[@arthurparramoure2923]

Y

[@givervelez8930]

Pero por favor marque algo aga un garabato lo que sea que horror

[@Whelessry]

Don't know what you're talking about please speak more clearly

[@ramiroornelas5422]

Que tipo de compresor usa si me puede dar el dato por favor

[@talento9109]

En español plis

[@bencrazy2220]

Graver Helper is a completely unreliable machine. I can understand that to get a rating on KZbin you are looking for the cheapest way to invest, and earn some money on KZbin. But let's be honest, tell the truth about these Chinese copies. They are not suitable for real work.

[@Whelessry]

I'm sorry you feel that way. Mine has been working great for a while now. I bought this machine because I was on a budget, and I wanted to tinker with it. Been doing real work with it ever since. Make money on youtube? Don't have a clue what you're talking about

[@Hustler_state]

That's not entirely true though is it? Although it's made on China, that doesn't automatically make it garbage. It works, and can work fairly well. The Chinese copy everything from around the world, and they maybe cut a few corners here and there but they are able to make what the world makes, at a fraction of the price. Because they have very cheap labor and really no laws to stop it from happening or stop them from copying equipment made here in the US, or elsewhere. could you use this daily and engrave firearms and make things to sell, yea you could, is it cheaper and going to break before a higher prices version that maybe costs 4 times as much. More than likely. I get what your saying support america made, or your countries own industry. But I also understand that, let's say, I want to buy an apex sharpener for sharpening knives, developed and made here in the United States, costs over 250 USD. It's a couple plastic knobs, some aluminum and some metal, and comes with a few oil stones. 250usd. You can go to eBay, get a very very similar design, for 30bucks. I own both, I bought the china version for 30, to see if I would like the usa made item. And the Chinese version worked so well I did buy the American version, only to support our business. The difference is, the stones on USA are better, the hardware, nuts and bolts and degree knobs, higher quality. Degree markings, more accurate on USA, warranty in case you break it somehow some way which seems unlikely, and that's about it. 250bucks, r&d costs I'm sure go into those, but from just a tools standpoint, it's 10times as expensive for just about the same quality. That's ridiculus. I don't mind spending twice as much, maybe 3 times as much for USA tools if the quality is there but when it's 5 6 7 8 10 times as much. Not everyone wants to, or can afford to always do that. That's a problem. If it requires an American company to charge that much to be a feasible company than they have other issues going on. Chinese Spyderco knives, 40bucks. Steels not as good, internal bushings I'm sure as well, not quite as good, American made Spyderco with high quality stainless, over 100. 140ish for similar sized knife I'm okay with that. I can see the value in that. For some machines Sanders from harbor freight, or other chinese made tools, it's just electric motors, pully wheels, and a switch and some steel. There's not alot to them. I don't see the problem buying Chinese if you can't afford American or whatever. When the time comes, and you decide you want to upgrade because you love what your doing, then you can save up and decide to go that route. I use the harbor freight airbrush compressor for airbrushing, works fine for that. Runs warm, but been using it 2 to 3 times a week a few hrs at a time for almost two years and it was cheap. If I bought the iwata compressor which I also have, it was 250bucks. Does the same thing, just smoother delivery, it's quieter, and runs a bit cooler. Should it cost 250bucks? Imo, no. I can buy a big ass DeWalt for that price and use it for all kinds of stuff I just wish companies would price certain things more fair, as to not just take the consumer to the cleaners.

[@WilleyGHD3]

@@Hustler_state I agree with you to a point. I'm a Custom Jeweler and have had several Flexshaft machines that are of Chinese manufacture that sell for around $50. Great for general usage but do NOT run 'true' like the Foredom handpieces they copy. I have a Foredom as well and, although it cost me in the $150 range years ago, it has lasted me for over 35 years and the handpiece STILL runs true. Chinese tools have their place AND their limits. My biggest gripe is when they produce machines with the same look AND name of the American manufacturers but not anything even close to the quality! I've seen 'newbies' in the jewelry business buy these things on Ebay THINKING they're getting the 'real deal' and then complain that nothing works right. I've even written Ebay abut this and have seen 'some' items removed but not all. On the other side, I don't think that American manufacturers should overcharge just so that their "CEO' can get his extra $100,000 yearly bonus!

[@BabyJesus66]

@@WilleyGHD3 Some people said the real graver mate is made in China not sure if it's true. Maybe the parts are made in China.

[@WilleyGHD3]

The Graver Mate ( THE REAL ONE) is totally made in Kansas and has been since the company started.

[@sargel2423]

A very troubled engraver. The price corresponds to the quality. And even that money is not worth it. Better to donate it to WWF than to Chinese fraudulent manufacturers.

[@CrowClouds]

Nooo I just bought it, please don't say this. I don't want to spend 1k on a GRS