Is there a significant difference in the visual effect when you stipple with a gravermax essentually "vibrating" a faceted tip round graver, as opposed to punching a matting tool onto the metal background areas? Which gives the most attractive surface treatment? Or are both valid depending on the effect you want? And, do any companies sell premade matting tools, or must the engraver always make his own?

Thanks guys,

Mark Sedlak

ps. By the way, I love the new Ron Smith book. Very helpful. Thanks for the heads-up reviews.

Mark Sedlak
3/8/2006 11:24:18 AM

Both have advantages and different looks. Personally, I like to use a GraverMax to "stipple". I usually use a point from one of those carbide scribers. I chuck it in a cordless drill and grind a better taper on it with a diamond wheel. From there, you can make various points from round to a faceted face. I run the Max at a slow rate (about 1000 spm) and "hover" above the surface. Makes a quick and easy background. You can "level" with it as well,
The "matting" tools are nicer if you are doing it with a hammer. Covers more area at once. It also levels. The background is more "subtle" as well.
Most of my work is on firearms that seem to be way too hard and any punches I have made just don't seem to last so I usually opt for the carbide tip and GraverMax method. If a customer requsts the other, I will do it. I'm not sure if there are pre-made tools but since they will "dull" so soon you would be better off making your own.

Rex Pedersen
3/8/2006 1:11:41 PM

Thanks Rex,

I wondered about how often you would have to sharpen a matting tool. I'll probably try to make one just to see the effect, but it certainly seems that stippling is more time efficient.

Mark

Mark Sedlak
3/9/2006 7:59:51 AM

Mark,
There are a lot of variables there. It depends on how hard the steel you are trying to matt and also how well you have tempered the punch itself. If you did the tempering right and are working on something like a nice Colt SAA, it may last a long time. If you are trying to matt the front ring of a Winchester Model 70 action, you may wonder why you ever decided to use this tool in the first place......

Rex Pedersen
3/9/2006 9:01:21 AM