Airgraver foot controller do I need it ? - Engraving Forum.com - The Internet's Largest and Fastest Growing Engraving Community

Phil W · #1 03-07-2009, 10:19 PM

Hello. I am looking to purchase the Palmcontrol handpiece & any necessary extras. Do I still need a foot controller & why ? Is it good to have additional control other than what the palm control gives you.
Thanks
Phil

dhall · #2 03-07-2009, 10:46 PM

Hi Phil,

You don't need the foot controller - the Palm control is so intuitive. Make sure you've got somebody to take a photo of the grin on your face the first time you go to use your Palm control. You haven't smiled that big since you were a kid!

Enjoy,
Doug

jlseymour · #3 03-09-2009, 08:58 AM

Phil, you can do anything with just the PC, I also have a foot control that I just use for stippling so I don't have to push down on the PC which I prefer and it gives me a little more control, but that's just my preference...
You will enjoy the PC and you will have a grin you can't get rid of...
Good Luck and enjoy...
Jerry

Daniel Houwer · #4 03-09-2009, 12:05 PM

Hi Phil,
I agree with both Doug and Jerry.
The PC will do everything you want but for stippling and bezel settings I like to use the footcontrol just a bit more.
So whenn you need the end of a stroke to do the job a foot control just works better but stil could be done with a PC.

Daniel

Steve Lindsay · #5 03-09-2009, 12:26 PM

The tungsten piston is helpful for stippling as the impacts are slower and harder at a longer stroke setting.

There are several methods for stippling with the PalmControl :
Method 1: Hold the tool like a jewelers screwdriver and press on the handle with your index finger while holding the point loose on the work.
Method 2: Turn the idle up so that the tool is running all the time.
Method 3: Disconnect the air line off the back of the PalmControl handle and attach it direct to the body. Now adjust the regulator so that the tool is running continually. This is good because you get the same sized dot all the time.
Method 4: Disconnect the air line off the back of the PalmControl handle and attach it to the body of the tool. Now connect the other end of the line to the foot pedal controller. In other words, we can operate the PalmControl with the foot pedal too. A foot control with dual regulators for an AirGraver is $249.

If there is a lot of stippling to do I prefer method #3 for the palmcontrol and for the foot pedal Classic. If there is just a little stippling to do I'll use method #1.

Daniel Houwer · #6 03-09-2009, 12:31 PM

Ah, nr 3 is a good tip.
Never would have thought of that.

noud peters · #7 03-11-2009, 01:25 PM

Hi,

I just was reading this item and Doug was telling that someonehad to take a picture of the grin on your face the first time you use the palmcontrol. I once used Daniel Houwer his airgraver

regrettably nobody took my picture but you can ask Daniel about it.
I still use my gravermax and I whout miss the footpedal I think. Steve's different methods he mention looks as a good alternative.

Daniel; tell them about my grin, it is nice to remember

Noud Peters

Daniel Houwer · #8 03-11-2009, 02:08 PM

Hi Noud,

What I know about you is that you are a born goldsmith, maybe a bit reserved if not a bit shy.
Great tutor and friend and whenn you used the PC airgraver for the first time I saw your grin evolving from just a little grin to a complete ear to ear one within seconds.
It was only that I saw your wife's expression that I knew this was not an everyday sight.
She even comented on your grin as "whell, that's something you don't see often" or something similar.

If you want to try it again, let me know. Might just let you play with it for a week or two!
Help remember to take a picture this time you hook it up after almost a year. The grin should be back in no time.

Oh, thanks for the ball bearing again! It made a nice turntable.

Call you soon,

Daniel