Basic elements › Machines & tools › Machines

THE FIXED GRAVER

Fixed gravers seem to have appeared during the 18^th century. Their use is still common in prototyping, the manufacture of unique pieces or small series, and restoration. Their speed and simplicity of use as well as their great precision are appreciated. This type of Lathe is intended to be used on a bench. Some are fixed on a wooden support, others are clamped in a bench Vice. Most of the Time, the axis of rotation of the fixed graver is horizontal. However, some machines are sometimes designed to work vertically. In all cases, the craftsman can easily give it the most comfortable inclination.

The main elements and the body of a fixed graver are generally made of Brass or German silver, the fastening elements in Steel and the bearings in bronze. Fixed gravers are manually driven lathes of which there are two types. In all cases, the craftsman drives the lathe by a handle fixed on the periphery of the drive wheel. The lathe is then driven either by belt (cord) or by gears. The component to be machined is fixed on a circular plate by three steel dogs. The plate is driven by the drive wheel. The graver is firmly fixed to the carriage of the lathe, which is attached to the body of the fixed graver. Just like the carriage of a conventional lathe (type 70 and/or 102), the craftsman can move the carriage by graduated micrometric screws on both axes (X & Y).