Engraving is a fantastic way to label, customize, and add flare to metal items. If you just embarked on the art, then you need the right set of tools to perfect your skills.
What is the best beginner metal engraving kit? The best beginner metal engraving kit features a lightweight multi-speed engraving tool with strong bits and stencil templates.
Keep reading to learn how to choose your tools of trade for DIY metal engraving. We also review the best beginner metal engraving kits.
How To Choose The Best Beginner Metal Engraving Kit
To put your newly acquired engraving skills to the test, you need the right tools of trade. The following considerations will guide your purchase.
1. Power And Speed
When purchasing a metal engraving kit, pay attention to the device’s wattage and RPM. These factors determine the suitability of the tool for metal engraving.
Wattage tells you how powerful it is, and RPM denotes the speed at which it engraves. A high RPM doesn’t automatically mean a powerful tool. The RPM is not tantamount to how powerful an engraver is, but wattage is.
Still, a high RPM is crucial to engrave metal. For acceptable results, ensure your engraver is powered by at least 20 watts. As for RPM, aim for a minimum of 5,000.
As a beginner, it is even better for you if this speed is flexible and can be adjusted upwards within a range.
2. Corded Or Cordless
When choosing an engraving kit, you want to check whether the tool is corded or cordless. The power of corded models is far superior to cordless models and produces better results on metal.
Notwithstanding, cordless models have the added advantage of portability.
It would help to consider the battery run time and whether they are rechargeable or one-time use batteries. The latter is expensive eventually due to continuous replacement. A shorter run time also means extended downtime.
3. Size
Consider the size of the engraver. As a beginner, you do not want anything large and cumbersome that will leave your hand sore.
When you are uncomfortable, you are less likely to master the technique. That is why pen engravers are recommended for anyone starting.
Go for a lightweight tool that is easy to maneuver. Furthermore, it should be shaped for maximum comfort.
4. Quality
It can be pretty discouraging if your tools die on you within the first few uses. Since you’ll be doing a lot of practice, opt for a high-quality kit.
Ensure the bits are carbide steel or diamond tip bits. These hold up well when engraving metals. The bit locking mechanism must be secure and the overall build of the unit sturdy.
5. Add-Ons
You do not need anything more than an engraving tool with a bit installed to get started. Still, bonus accessories add value to a kit and allow you to experiment with different engraving styles.
Therefore opt for kits with a variety of bits and stencils. Stencils help engravers create beautiful and neat lines, as freehand engraving cannot be mastered overnight.
The Best Beginner Metal Engraving Kits
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? Our list of the best beginner metal engraving kits is an excellent place to begin. Here are unbiased reviews of our top picks.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dremel 120-Volt Engraver Rotary Tool With Stencils | Corded engraver, 35-watt motor, carbide bit, adjustable speed, lightweight and soft grip body |
| 2. | UTOOL Engraver Pen With Letter/Number Stencil | Corded engraver, 24-watt motor, tungsten carbide bit with 4 replacement bits, adjustable speed, soft contoured grip, 1 stencil template, Allen wrench |
| 3. | Dremel 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit | Cordless engraver, variety attachments, rechargeable battery, 35000RPM, adjustable speed, storage case |
| 4. | WEN 21D Variable-Depth Carbide | Corded engraver, tungsten carbide bit, 13-watt motor, adjustable speed, 7200RPM, 2 stencils |
| 5. | FOLAI DIY Pen Electric Engraving Tools | Cordless engraver, 2AAA replaceable batteries, diamond tip bit, 5 replacement bit, 21000RPM, variety of stencils |
1. Dremel 120-Volt Engraver Rotary Tool With Stencils
The Dremel 290-02 is our top pick for beginner metal engraving kits. It is small, powerful, and versatile enough for engraving metals across various hardnesses.
With a 35-watt motor, we wouldn’t call it a beginner engraver. The tool is adaptable to both light and heavy use.
It has a 9924 carbide bit that you can use as a novice to sharpen your skills. And the best thing is that you do not need to buy another engraver once you become a pro and take up more extensive tasks.
The engraver is compatible with the 9929 diamond bit as well. You only have to buy that separately. There are 5 points for stroke adjustable ranging from fine lines to thicker, deeper grooves. A blue dial on the side does the job.
The unit is compact with a soft rubber grip that feels great on the hands. It is lightweight too, giving newbie engravers great control.
You’ll also get a stencil template with this kit, though many users reported it being useless as it is too thick. The tool is a little noisy too, as expected of all pulsing engraved of that capacity.
Still, it is an excellent choice for the price, versatility, and performance.
2. UTOOL Engraver Pen With Letter/Number Stencil
Utool engraver pen takes the second position as the best beginner metal engraving kit. It is powerful enough to tackle medium to hard metals yet simple enough for beginners to use without problems.
The engraver pen is contoured to fit into the curves of your grip. Together with a soft rubber lining, these features support extensive handling without fatigue.
It runs on a 24-watt motor making 7200 strokes per minute. You can regulate it to a comfortable speed and stroke length using a 5-level dial.
You can rely on its strong tungsten carbide bit to engrave a variety of metals. In addition, you need not worry about replacement bits because you get a set of four bits.
There’s also an Allen wrench and one stencil template. This kit is just as good as the first and even has more ad-ons, only that it is slightly less powerful hence second place.
3. Dremel 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit
The Dremel brand is associated with the best tools, so it’s no surprise that the third choice again comes from the same company.
The 8220 is a versatile rotary tool that can serve in the capacity of a metal engraver excellently.
It is a cordless version with a rechargeable battery. This gives you unlimited maneuverability, and you can fully recharge it in just one hour.
This Dremel beats other standard pen engravers in size and thus power. With a motor capable of a maximum of 35,000 RPM, you can certainly engrave deeper on hard metals and take on bigger projects.
Its strength shouldn’t intimidate you as a novice. The tool has an adjustable speed from as low as 5000 RPM, which is beginner-friendly until you gain confidence.
We also love that this metal engraving kit comes packed full of accessories. There are various bits to not only engrave but also polish your metal.
The simplicity of replacing bits is also a game changer thanks to the unique EZ easy twist cap with an integrated wrench. It enables you to switch bits in a snap.
Another highlight of this engraving kit is that it comes with a sturdy storage case that keeps both the tools and add-ons organized and safe.
If you are serious about engraving and looking for your forever tool with an impressive performance, this kit will do. The engraver will stand by you as you advance your skills and even try out diverse operations.
However, it fails to tick the box regarding accessibility and ease of use hence third place.
This Dremel has a high price tag attached to it which may lock out beginners who most times don’t want to spend so much at first. In addition, it tends to be extra large and heavy for a pen engraver, and newbies may have problems working with it.
4. WEN 21D Variable-Depth Carbide
WEN is a popular brand of affordable and reliable tools for DIYers and has the ideal engraving tool kit for beginners.
It features this lightweight engraving tool with a comfortable soft grip for novice hands to handle easily.
The tool is fitted with a 13-watt motor which is not as powerful as the first three engravers hence fourth place. Still, it gets the job done on softer metals.
It is capable of 7200 RPM. At the side is a conveniently located adjustable knob that aids in switching between 5 different stroke lengths and speeds.
It has a tungsten carbide tip that is robust enough to engrave various metals. You’ll also find two stencil templates to get you started.
We love that it holds steady for precise engraving due to the gentle running motor. As long as the tip is installed well using the provided guide, you can expect outstanding performance. Unfortunately, there’s no replacement bit in the kit.
5. FOLAI DIY Pen Electric Engraving Tools
Lastly is the FOLAI pen engraver. This battery-operated engraver allows you to work from anywhere without the hassles of being confined to power outlets.
But unlike the Dremel 8220, its batteries are not rechargeable but replaceable. It runs on 2 AAA batteries.
It is small, lightweight, and ergonomically shaped to support the most natural grip. It is also designed for precise and finishing engraving.
The beginner metal engraving kit is equipped with 5 reliable replacement diamond tip bits ensuring no downtime when one wears out. Besides, the tool is compatible with other popular 3/32″ bits.
The screws unlock easily to quickly replace the bit using the tiny screwdriver included in the kit. The manufacturer also threw in some stencils to help you try out different designs.
Rotating at 21,000RPM, you can get most light jobs done with this engraver. But don’t expect it to pull off heavy-duty or professional engraving, especially on hard metals.
Portability is a sacrifice for power, and this engraver does not match up to corded pen engravers. The need to constantly replace batteries also becomes costly in the long run.
It could be better with variable speeds, but if you are up for the challenge, you can try it.
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