Category Archives: Mastering Concrete Engraving

The Mongoose | Decorative Concrete Engraver

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This is the Mongoose, one of the most popular concrete engraving tools from Engrave-A-Crete.

This precision tool is often the starting tool for many decorative concrete engravers.

This is part 23 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Mongoose is a precision hand held engraving tool, which is ideal for smaller projects where space is limited. The Mongoose is especially efficient when adding special accents or details to your projects. The Mongoose can easily engrave straight lines, tile patterns, perfect circles, perfect arcs, free form curves and geometric patterns. We will be demonstrating the Mongoose capabilities, as well as different accessories, including a center pivot, connecting tubes, the trammel point layout kit.

All Engrave A Crete tools are designed with safety as the number one priority. Just like any other tool, it is essential that you use and wear all the appropriate safety equipment, including, but not limited to eye, ear, and respiratory protection.

When making adjustments or changing components of the engraving equipment, you must disconnect and unplug the tool from the power source.

Using the 3/16″ Allen hex wrench, which is included with your Mongoose, turn the depth limiting screw in or out, depending on whether more or less depth of cut is desired. A simple way to determine the approximate setting of the depth of cut, with the tool disconnected from the power, is to first position your Mongoose on a flat surface. Next, press down on the handle until the blade contacts the surface. And then view the distance between the bottom of the depth limiting screw and the chassis. This distance is an indication of the approximate depth of cut.

Turn the depth limiting screw clockwise to reduce cut depth. Turn the depth limiting screw counterclockwise to increase cut depth. One full revolution of the depth limiting screw equals approximately a 16th of an inch change in the depth of a cut.

If the depth limiting screw turns too freely, vibrations from the motor and blade may cause the screw position to change and will affect the depth of cut. To solve this problem, apply a very small amount of blue, low strength LOCTITE to the threads.

Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.

KaleidoCrete | Special Considerations For the Wasp

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There are some special things to consider concerning the Wasp which is part of the KaleidoCrete System from Engrave-A-Crete.

This is part 22 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When using a Wasp, treat the tool as you would a sharp pencil. Pressing down too hard when angled is likely to break the tip of the tool.

When cutting with a Shark or Barracuda be sure to angle the tool slightly towards the template edges to maintain a crisp cut line in your final work.

Your body weight is usually sufficient to hold the template in position while you are engraving. But be sure to stand or kneel close to the area you are engraving to limit template lift.

For vertical cutting, mount templates using concrete anchoring screws. Failure to maintain continuous movement of a kaleidocrete tool will result in unsightly deviations in cutting depth.

Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.

KaleidoCrete | River Rock, Cobblestone, Flagstone

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You can cut decorative concrete patterns like river rock, cobblestone and flagstone into existing concrete using the KaleidoCrete System.

In this video, these patterns and techniques are demonstrated using templates and the KaleidoCrete system tools.

This is part 21 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The flagstone template set can be particularly effective in achieving outstanding results on older and cracked concrete, as well as new construction.

Align the stone templates and lay out a few stones, using soapstone to check the aesthetics of the design. Engrave around the perimeter of the template. Continue by nesting another stone template next to the cut just made and engrave around it as well.

Stones will not always nest together perfectly. This leaves areas that will form a stone shape that does not resemble any of the templates. These are what gives the design its unique randomness. To gain maximum realism to the design, it is often necessary to reshape stones.

To do this, use the edge of a template to alter stone edges. Using this technique you can square off corners, create dimples in stone edges, and widen some grout lines. This process can also be done using the Wasp.

When choosing stones to reshape, look to see if the shape is what you might see in real flagstone. The further away you nest one template from your previous cut, the wider the resulting grout line.

A river rock design follows the same procedure as a flagstone pattern. The only difference is the more rounded template shapes. River rock should not be overlapped but should be nestled close together to prevent grout lines from becoming excessively wide.

The grout-line set is extremely versatile. It allows you to create a wide variety of designs to include cobblestone, tile, blocks, bricks, stones, ashlar slate patterns and more. Merely plan out your pattern and use a chalk line or soapstone to lay out the design. Use the Shark or Barracuda with the grout line template aligned over the layout marks to create the pattern desired.

Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.

KaleidoCrete | Multiple Templates & Cleaning Up Shadows

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This is an introduction to using multiple templates with the KaleidoCrete System.

In this video, decorating with multiple template, & cleaning up template shadows is demonstrated.

This is part 20 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Many template designs have bridges. Bridges are small sections of plastic left in the template to hold the design together. After initial engraving, the shadows from the bridges must be removed. To reduce the chances of frayed edges, angle the Wasp slightly toward the area to be removed. Also taking the time to clean up jagged edges produces a nice finished look.

Double template sets are useful for quick bridge shadow removal, using either the Shark or the Barracuda. The first template is the main design containing the normal bridges. After engraving with the first template, align the second template with the design for quick and easy bridge removal. Consider double template sets when you have to cut the same design repeatedly. Double template sets can save you time and money.

Large templates are often produced in multiple sections for easier handling and transportation. Multi-piece templates are spliced together with butterflies. As with single templates, place the multi piece template on the slab and align the template to the exact position desired. After you are satisfied that the template is correctly placed, lightly spray gray primer to define areas for color separation and to assist with realignment of the template. Do not use brightly colored paint. Some will likely remain after cutting is completed and will detract from the appearance.

Remember, the image within your template may not be centered within the plastic. Some repeating geometrical designs can be built as half or quarter templates. In these cases, you would merely repeat the half or quarter to form a full image. Using a partial design can save dollars on templates, but more work and complexity is created on the job site.

Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.

KaleidoCrete | Using Single Templates

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This is an introduction to using single templates with the KaleidoCrete System.

In this video, decorating with a single template, & cleaning up with the Wasp is demonstrated.

This is part 19 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Place the template on the slab and align the pattern to the exact position desired. It is often helpful to trace the design on the concrete to ensure the final position of your design is visually pleasing and to assist with the realignment if the template ever moves.

Also remember the image within the template may not be centered within the plastic. Always measure twice or more, and cut once.

When cutting with the Shark or Barracuda, first place all the impacting teeth inside the template opening of the design. Apply light downward pressure, and then squeeze the trigger.

If you start the tool prior to placing the impactors inside the template opening, you may damage the template, limit the number of times it can be used, and increase the length of time needed to complete the project.

To obtain a nice, crisp cut along the template edge, slightly angle the tool toward the side of the template opening. It is important to continuously move the tool during the engraving process.

Generally, use a circular motion in large areas. Narrow openings will only allow you to make back and forth linear motions.

As you are moving the tool within the template opening, visually inspect that the bottom of the cut is even and to the required depth. Failure to continuously move the tool will result in an uneven cut and unsightly depressions.

Using The Wasp

Turn the Wasp on and off by twisting the valve body. Sometimes the Wasp needs a jump start. Twist the valve until you feel air coming from the tip. Tap the stinger into an engraved area to start the pecking action.

When using the Wasp, treat the tool like a sharp pencil. Pressing on the stinger sideways too hard is likely to break it. Allow the Wasp to do the work by applying the least amount of pressure as possible.

Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.