Etching brass with a dremel

[-Ember]

Okay, I know that a dremel can be used on metal and there is a word I want to etch/carve onto a small peice of brass. Anyone have any good tips so I don't ruin the metal or the dremel or hurt myself? Anything I should know before I do this?

[Enozgirl]

If you can, tape off the lines. And be very very very careful. Keep an eye on how deep you're going versus how deep the glass is. It'll shatter easier than you would believe.

Any reason you're using a dremel rather than glass etching compound?

[*Rain*]

I have the pen like attachment and find that easier to use. If you can, practise beforehand on something similar. If you can, clamp the thing you're engraving so you don't have to worry about holding it steady. I found it hard in the beginning to be accurate. I've never tried it on metal yet so i'm afraid I can't give you any tips specific to that.

[Morgandria]

If you can, tape off the lines. And be very very very careful. Keep an eye on how deep you're going versus how deep the glass is. It'll shatter easier than you would believe.

Any reason you're using a dremel rather than glass etching compound?

Brass, not glass. ;)

[-Ember]

I have the pen like attachment and find that easier to use. If you can, practise beforehand on something similar. If you can, clamp the thing you're engraving so you don't have to worry about holding it steady. I found it hard in the beginning to be accurate. I've never tried it on metal yet so i'm afraid I can't give you any tips specific to that.

I like the pen tip too. I've worked wood and stone, just never metal... and this is something where if anything could go wrong it would..... it just wouldn't be right if it didn't... which means it might not... hmmm ("Kaliste" on an apple....)

[Londubh]

you had better just keep that apple to your self missy!

[-Ember]

But I promised..... Eris would never forgive me.....

I agreed to not do the bell... ;)

[Keroberos]

hmm, I've only used it on iron, and that makes all the bits break, I'm waaay to hard on my dremel, oh well.

[Romani Vixen]

keep the bit well lubed (beeswax works), wear eye protection, and vise the piece to your working surface. Writing it out with a fine point sharpie or pencil would be helpful. Practice on scrap first. What you're going for is engraving, not etching (that involves acid). And it really sounds like you might want to invest in a fordom. Dremels are nothin in comparison... with our jewelry work, we'd kill a dremel in a week or two easily... lol