Is anyone familiar with Mastergrave (UK company) and their small GEM portable engraving unit featured on page 75 of the April A&E magazine?

It is a 12/24 volt unit for small items like pens, lighters, pet tags, etc.

Steve,

I haven't seen the A&E article. Is the device a hand-held piece of equipment?

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

It is a small desktop unit that "you connect to a laptop computer and a 12/24 volt portable power supply"............

I couldn't find it on Mastergrave's website since it is a very new item.

Won't take large items per their description, but will engrave all the way around pens and pocket flashlights if you believe their ad.

It just seems like an inexpensive (don't have the price yet) way to go on-site at gift shops, craft shows, etc.

The items they specifically mention are trophy plates, lighters, handbag mirrors, medals and pet tags.

Hi Steve
On mastergrave's website go to 'Latest News' The GEM is featured there.

Cheers
Jim

Steve,

There's a lot of money to be made in the engraving of small items. Being portable also opens up possibilities for on-site engraving.

A friend of mine, in the early stages of his business, was hired by a yacht club, to come to their location and update their perpetual award plaques.

He was using a Dahlgren Wizzard (another portable machine) and charged $50 per hour for the service. Of course, the good people of the yacht club didn't want my friend to go hungry and provided a sumptuous meal, as part of the deal :-)

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

I was within inches of getting a Wizzard a few months ago.... for $100 and take it away....

Then the "seller" said the "owner" decided not to sell it.... Yeah! Right!

I will continue to pursue the Gem if it is reasonably priced. Seems like a "no brainer" if it lives up to the hype.

Edited to add: Just check out the price and it is around US$5600 after converting from 2995 UK pounds. Can't find a US source yet..... gotta keep looking.

Steve
The company you are looking for is U-Marq Ltd. based in the UK their website is: www.u-marq.com, e-mail: aac@u-marq.com. They showed it at the ARA Show at Las Vegas, I think they have a tie in with Mastergrave who market it also. I know someone new to our industry who bought one and is quite please with it.

Good Luck

And U-marq shows US dealers here:

http://www.u-marq.com/dealers/dealer_info.php

Wow, thats twice as much as I paid for my GEM. Must be catching on to the craft fair market.

I use mine at craft shows and etc. I really like it for that, just the right size to do that kind of items. Love the software since you can do fills and import without a lot of hassle.

Theres a company on eBay selling them for around $5000 if you can locate them. I never bookmarked them so don't remember the name right off but will look to see if I can locate them again, it's in a eBay store.

Puck

I do believe there's a company called signature that makes similar, small engravers?

I'm not sure of the quality, just came across their web site through my searches for an engraver.

Yes, that sounds somewhat like I got. Might be different fonts and maybe some new kind of add on now, not sure but bought mine at the ARA show for just at $4000 which included shipping when they came out. Sure have gone up in price.

Any way I like it and the setup I got was a good deal at the time.

Puck