Well as you can tell I'm new to engraving and also a new member of FEGA. Looking at all of the work that some members have posted is great work and I hope to be only half as good as some of you. I've been building guns for over 30 years now and just starting to engrave. I now own a GRS GarverMach and a 910 hand hammer to work with. By the way I enjoyed my frist issue of the Engaver Journal (April,May,June) and can't wait for the next, The information for a Newbee is great and what we need.
NewBee

Randy MacInnes
5/31/2006 10:22:08 AM

Welcome aboard Randy!
Glad the forum, newsletter and web site are of help to you.
Don't be afraid to ask those "dumb" questions on this forum. We've all been there at one time and before places like this we had to figure them out on our own. You'll find that there is many an engraver out there more than willing to help!

Rex Pedersen
5/31/2006 11:02:14 AM

Randy, engraving is easy! It's the learning that is hard...so ask any and all questions that come up in your mind.

Sam Welch
5/31/2006 12:19:01 PM

Thanks guys good to know some one is out there. I'm doing all the reading that I can and working with my GraverMach as time allows me. I also ordered some CD's from GRS that I hope will help me get started.

Randy MacInnes
6/1/2006 11:09:33 AM

This is a fabulous place to ask dumb questions. Those are the only ones most of us are capable of answering

Lee Griffiths
6/2/2006 3:46:32 PM

Randy, you've gotten your hands on a fine piece of engraving equipment but remember it won't do the job for you. I had the good fortune to have been trained to engrave by my father many years and that was tough enough, so you guys teaching yourselves really have to commit to the art. Whatever you do, keep practicing daily and you'll get there.

If you can spare the time and money I'd really consider taking a class as it can really help start you off on the right foot and will spare you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. As an example, I've been struggling to play golf on and off for 5 years now. I had a few lessons fairly near the beginning to start me off, but to be honest they really were just that...starter lessons. For the next 5 years I struggled, tore my hair out, swore and cursed the freakin game that was supposed to be a pleasure. A couple of weeks back my girlfriend and I decided to have lessons again and I can't tell you how much having just one lesson from a professional lifted my game. I still have a long way to go but you get my drift.....if I'd gone this route in the beginning I'd have enjoyed myself much more in the ensuing time.

Above welcome to the wonderful world of engraving and have fun.

Marcus

Marcus Hunt
6/3/2006 6:47:39 AM

Randy, you've gotten your hands on a fine piece of engraving equipment but remember it won't do the job for you. I had the good fortune to have been trained to engrave by my father over many years and that was tough enough, so you guys teaching yourselves really have to commit to the art. Whatever you do, keep practicing daily and you'll get there.

If you can spare the time and money I'd really consider taking a class as it can really help start you off on the right foot and will spare you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. As an example, I've been struggling to play golf on and off for 5 years now. I had a few lessons fairly near the beginning to start me off, but to be honest they really were just that...starter lessons. For the next 5 years I struggled, tore my hair out, swore and cursed the freakin game that was supposed to be a pleasure. A couple of weeks back my girlfriend and I decided to have lessons again and I can't tell you how much having just one lesson from a professional lifted my game. I still have a long way to go but you get my drift.....if I'd gone this route in the beginning I'd have enjoyed myself much more in the ensuing time.

Above all welcome to the wonderful world of engraving and have fun.

Marcus

Marcus Hunt
6/3/2006 6:50:45 AM

Hi Randy and welcome aboard.

Marcus Hunt, it's really good to see you here as well. Yanks, Kiwis, Poms and I believe there's even an Aussi floating around here somewhere. This is really starting to take on an international flavour!!!!

Best regards
Andrew Biggs

Andrew Biggs
6/6/2006 5:48:55 AM