Foredom Safety Instructions for Using - Manual (Page 3)

tightened.) The shank of the tools should
be at least 1
″ (25mm) long so that it will
make contact with the bottom of the
collet holder. This is important because
it maximizes the hammering action
efficiency and the tool will not “slip back”
in the collet.
Insert the tool or graver into the collet
until it touches the bottom of collet
holder, then tighten the chuck nut
securely with one wrench while holding
the collet holder shaft with the other. Do
not tighten chuck nut without using a
wrench on the flats in collet holder shaft.
Failure to use both wrenches can damage
the handpiece.
Retighten the chuck nut periodically as
you work since extended use may loosen
the chuck nut.
Modifying Gravers and
Other Tools To Fit the
Handpiece Chuck –
Modifying tools to fit securely in the
handpiece chuck is not difficult. The shank
or tang end of the tool must be ground or
cut so that it is at least 1
″ (25mm) long
and 1/8 ″ (3mm) or less in diameter.
Modifying Gravers –
The tapered tang on the traditional style
gravers need to be ground as shown in
Illustration 3. A new graver’s tapered tang
(Fig. A) can be ground with a bench
grinder or grinding wheel in a flexible
shaft handpiece until it is straight (see
Fig. B) and 1
″ (25mm) long and 1/8″
(3mm) wide. Then grind the corners off
(see Fig. C) making it as round
as possible.
If the taper is less than 1/8 ″ (3mm)
at the end of the tang, grind a 1/2 ″
(12.5mm) long section (see Fig. D)
behind the heel into a 1/8
″ (3mm)
diameter. This is the section held
by the handpiece collet jaws.
For smaller gravers and tools, grind the
tang or shank end to a 1
″ (25mm) long
by 3/32 ″ (2.35mm) or 1/16″ (1.6mm)
diameter for use in the smaller collets.
Try to keep the 1
″ long section in line
with the top, bottom and sides of the
graver as much as possible for better
control of the cutting edge. Remove all
burs or sharp edges on the tang or
shank end to prevent damage to the
collet or inside of the collet holder.
Holding the PowerGraver
Handpiece –
Because the PowerGraver is designed to
help the jeweler or engraver with bead
setting, bright cutting and engraving,
the handpiece should be held like a
conventional graver. Hold the handpiece
by placing your hand, palm down, over
the top of the handpiece. Locating the
adjustable palm rest in the center of your
palm, extend your thumb to the left side
of the chuck nut, put your index finger to
the right side or on top of the chuck nut.
Your other fingers can go around the palm
rest until they rest on the flat underside of
the palm rest. This is a very natural and
comfortable position to hold the
handpiece, similar to holding a regular
graver. The only time the handpiece would
be held like a pencil would be when using
it for applying a texture finish or doing
channel setting.
Determining the Length
of the Graver or Tool –
Having the graver or tool at a comfortable
length from the chuck is very important. A
graver that is too long feels awkward and
is difficult to control. To determine a
workable graver length first insert a
graver with the tang end modified into
the collet. Then, place the handpiece in
your hand as suggested above. Extend
your thumb along the length of the graver
blade while still holding the handpiece
comfortably in your hand. Mark the graver
at about 3/4
″ (19mm) past the end of
your thumb. This is the length where the
graver should be to provide an efficient
working length.
The palm rest can also be adjusted for-
ward about 1/4
″ (6mm) to accommodate
a longer graver and moved back up the
grip as the graver becomes shorter from
repeated sharpening.
To shorten a graver use the corner of a
bench grinding wheel to first grind half
way through one side of the graver where
marked. Then grind most of the way
through the other side of the graver until
it is thin enough to snap off after placing
it in a bench vice.
Adjusting Impact –
Turning the impact adjustment ring
(page 2, Illustration No. 2) to the right
(clockwise) will reduce or soften the
impact. Turning it to the left (counter-
clockwise) will increase the impact
force. The ring can be rotated while
the motor and handpiece are running
so that you can “feel” and “hear” the
change in impact.
Section held
by collet
Illustration No. 3
Fig. A
Fig. B
Fig. C
Fig. D
Tang
Heel
1 ″
(25mm)
1 ″
(25mm)
1 ″ (25mm)
1/8 ″
(3mm)
1/8 ″
(3mm)
Remove all
four corners
1/8 ″ (3mm)
Holding the Power Graver Handpiece
and Determining Best Graver Length
Helpful Hint For even lighter
impact when doing very delicate
work or to avoid damaging small
stones when doing setting work,
grab the chuck nut with your thumb
and index finger and pull back
slightly while handpiece is running.
This will reduce or “cushion” the
impact even more
.
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