I'm getting ready to try to restore the factory lettering on a 1903 Colt pocket pistol and I was planning on making gravers as John B.describes using 1/16 colbalt bits.
My question is how should I shape or grind them for this type of cutting.
Bob

Bob Bullard
2/13/2007 6:31:58 PM

Hello Bob.
I shape the graver into a slightly rounded ongelette for recutting factory
rolled in lettering.
For just the serif portions, when the letters are that style, I use a tiny flat.
Others will add some of their valuable advise, I'm sure.
Hope you enjoy the little gravers and that your recut goes well.
Best regards, John.

John Barraclough
2/13/2007 8:12:42 PM

John
Thank you I just finished makig up 4 of your gravers and will now try sharpen them as you describe. What a neat idea on how to make the small ones.
I have a old junk pistol in the safe to practice on that I had been saving f
or this.
Bob B

Bob Bullard
2/14/2007 2:02:00 PM

Bob, let me know how it goes. John.

John Barraclough
2/14/2007 4:43:52 PM

John
They work great, They are so easy to make I tried a few cuts and they worked great. Now to experiment and find the right shape and angles to do what I want. These gravers should be in the How to Book.
Bob


Bob Bullard
2/14/2007 10:52:46 PM

Hello John....
Thanks for the simple but elegant idea about inserting the round shanks into the square tubes. I remember you having us sharpen round gravers at Susanville, but I don't remember the idea of the square tubes.

I have all kinds of HSS, M-2 and cobalt round stock that I haven't been using because of the frustration of easily resharpening them. Now you have solved that problem with an elementary solution.

Thanks for continuing to be a great instructor...
Stu Millar

Stu Millar
2/15/2007 11:14:37 PM