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Topic: beginning: 4 questions Number of Responses: 10
Hi,
I am very interested in learning to engrave, and particularly the "bullino" style whereby I could accomplish detailed portraits. However, I am a student on a budget.
First question: in his book, Meeks details building one's own engraver's ball. Can this be done in a college machine shop (as of yet, I have no machining experience), and do you recommend trying this as a way to save money? I understand that balls aren't cheap. Also, if I make my own it will lack the adjustable braking of a commercial magnablock, for example; do you find this a vital function in a ball vise, or do you rarely use it and so making my own without it is no handicap?
Second: I have heard various comments on how tools like the gravermax or lindsay's pneumatic engraver have greatly improved the quality of one's work, to such effect that it is almost discouraging to start out without one. As I wish to accomplish engraving on a very small scale, is this a necessity? If so, will the cheaper "system 3" suffice? Or, are these tools most useful on hardened steels and other tough metals to cut by hand, and while I'm just practicing anyway, I could easily cut mild steel or aluminum or something as a practice piece without resorting to a powered pneumatic handpiece?
Third question: what gravers do I want to start out with? There seems to be a great deal of variety. I will, too, purchase FEGA's dvd on bullino engraving, which may give some ideas as well; though I'm almost equally interested in traditional scrollwork as well.
Fourth Question: Will 10X optivisors suffice, or do I want to use a microscope, and if so, how much clearance and magnifications should I look for and will a college lab probably lend me use of one during odd hours when it's not being used for a class?
thanks for your advice!
-Bernard Arnest |
Posted by: Bernard Arnest - 8/4/2005 1:22:44 AM.
Most recent response - 8/9/2005 10:24:52 AM. |
Topic: who is this engraver Number of Responses: 2
| can any body tell me who engraved this colt .. thanks .. ron p. nott |
Posted by: Ron Nott - 8/3/2005 9:05:17 AM.
Most recent response - 8/3/2005 9:14:49 AM. |
Topic: Engraving through plating Number of Responses: 0
While looking over another web forum, it is interesting reading comments from non engravers quoting an engraver and discussing if you can/should engrave through an existing nickle finish or not. These so called consumer experts are rather firm in their belief that you can engrave through the nickle with no problems and the job would be rather professional according to their favored engraver. Their are a few wise dissenting voices trying to tell them that this is not a good idea.
As we all know, or at least should know, engraving through an existing plated finish CAN be done and a few engravers try to do this to save money for the client or just are too lazy to do the job right.
Let me state for the readers of this forum that this is NOT a professional way to engrave a gun. The plating should be removed from the gun and replated afterwards. If you leave the finish on you open up a whole can of worms that will affect the finished engraving. When you engrave you are raising burrs along the cuts and at the end of your cuts. How do you sand these down when done without ruining the existing plating? The plating can also flake as you cut creating an ugly ragged edge to your engraving and the future potential of the plating flaking off. You also are exposing bare engraved metal that would be a different color and prone to rusting.
The bottom line is..if you're an engraver or client, do the job the right way. Don't engrave through existing plating in order to save a few bucks. |
Posted by: Martin Rabeno - 7/28/2005 9:10:23 AM.
Most recent response - 7/28/2005 9:10:23 AM. |
Topic: Sources for platinum? Number of Responses: 2
Where can platinum wire for inlay be purchased?
Thanks
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Posted by: Bill Gamradt - 7/26/2005 10:37:10 AM.
Most recent response - 7/28/2005 8:14:03 AM. |
Topic: help ID a sig Number of Responses: 4
Can someone ID this Engravers "Mark"?
Thanks for any help.
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Posted by: ROBERT HEDLEY - 7/17/2005 8:58:10 AM.
Most recent response - 7/18/2005 8:51:45 PM. |
Topic: the new U S FIREARMS CATALOG Number of Responses: 0
| U S FIREARMS is listing 3 saa that i have done in there new catalog under there custom shop section, they are the 3 saa on the left page, the gold inlayed ones .. ron |
Posted by: Ron Nott - 7/17/2005 9:40:06 PM.
Most recent response - 7/17/2005 9:40:06 PM. |
Topic: Posting Photos on the forum. Number of Responses: 8
To post an image on the forum:
when adding a topic or response, see where it says 'Photo:' and follow directions below that.
The image must be on a site somewhere. If you have the image on a site somewhere, right click on it, click properties, then copy the "address'url'" text and paste where it says 'photo:' on our forum 'add topic' or 'add response' page.
If the image is not on a site, and you want it shown here, email the picture to myself or Rex and we will upload it to our 'forumpics' folder and you can add your topic or response, and, in the photo text box add the following:
/forumpics/complete name of file
such as
/forumpics/EaglFlyingSide.jpg |
Posted by: Wm. Gamradt - 7/15/2005 11:18:33 AM.
Most recent response - 7/17/2005 9:26:33 PM. |
Topic: Stepping up Number of Responses: 7
| This new format is a real step upwards which I am glad to see. Good job! |
Posted by: Sam Welch - 7/14/2005 9:23:05 PM.
Most recent response - 7/15/2005 3:09:09 PM. |
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