[Steve Lindsay]

Welcome Mike,
Here is a link to the resource page. It may help.
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=419

The learning curve with the PalmControl is less since it isn't necessary to push so hard which can cause slips, however check out the inexpensive way to give it a try thread

If your eyes are good then it may be easier to learn without a scope and ony use a head magnifier/optivisior. There is information about various scopes in this thread:
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1177

Engraving vises/blocks:
http://www.handgravers.com/vises.htm

http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?cat=15&sub=7&subsub=4&catalog=1&CFID=619512&CFTOKEN=80917258

http://shorinternational.com/EngravingBlockshtm.htm

Steve