The slide of a 1934 Beretta that I'm starting to engrave is quite hard. I'm having a horrible time maintaining the point of my gravers. At a 55 degree face angle with 15 degree heel it seems I just touch the work and the tip shatters. Tried going up to a 70 degree face which seems to last a bit longer but the face angle is so steep I can't see the very point of the graver which is extremely unnerving and and frustrating to say the least.

Any help would be appreciated.

Luis Uzueta
10/4/2007 3:40:16 PM

hi Luis .. what type of chisel are you using . try some of GRS or Steve Lindsay m42 chisels I have the best luck when engraving hard steel with the Lindsay .. also try changing your heel , go to a 30 deg. heel .. and a 50 degree fave .. ron p.

Ron Nott
10/4/2007 3:46:46 PM

hi luis do you have a fixture to change the angle from 90 to 110degres.if not try carbide a short heel and a face angle as steep as you can stand. also polish the cutter on a ruby stone. 11o degree angle you cut less depth but wider so the engraving still looks as it should.m. cooper

Mark Cooper
10/4/2007 8:41:50 PM

Hi Luis.
On very hard steel it helps if you put a minute verticle tip at the point of the graver.
I'm talking about .10 to .050 mm. or 2-4 thousands of an inch.
Also a minute radius along the keel of the heel.
A good cobalt graver should work with these changes.
If you go for carbide watch out for sudden, unexpected breaks and slips.
Hope this helps, good luck.
John.

John Barraclough
10/5/2007 12:54:37 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm using carbide gravers and have adjusted the face to 55 degree with a 30 degree heel. That seems to help but, I must say, the presentation of the graver to the metal sure feels odd. I've had to lay aside the art and focus on survival.

My predicament does bring up some questions though. How expensive is it to send out a slide or frame to a shop to have it annealed prior to engraving it and then have it re-hardened? Who does such work? What is the typical "turn-around" time?

I have a friend who suggests using a torch to anneal the slide but I have neither the tools nor the inclination to try as the liability seems overwhelming.

How do you do it?

Luis Uzueta
10/10/2007 3:45:34 PM

I have used Classic Guns Inc, PO Box 367, Beecher, IL 60401, 708-946-6141, Mr John Gillette. Ken Hurst recommended him and I am very pleased with him and his work.

William Moody
10/10/2007 4:53:39 PM