Do you do your engraving yourself?

Thanks for the tips Ed. I do have James Meek's book. I read it when I got it but without hands on practice there is no reference points. I will go back to it now that I am actually practicing.
I do have the Steel Canvas book. I also highly recommend it. Beautiful stuff! Very inspirational. :thumbup:
 
Patrice, were are you in Quebec? look around and see if any of the community colleges or art campus's have night classes on design or jewellry work. I bought some gravers off Stacy a few months back just because I want to try and engrave eventually and they were a good deal. i plan on taking some night courses at the college here (NSCAD) that, while aren't engraving are related. I may even, eventually, try engraving a bolster hehe. I suggest looking at the local schools and see what they have, they might surprise you.
 
http://www.verney-carron.us/design/plain_site/images/pdf/US-luxe-2011-L_Atelier_Verney-Carron.pdf

Here's an illustration of what is needed in a fine engraving See page 12 and 14 .
The ability to draw
For animals ,the knowledge of anatomy of the animal
The ability to lay out the drawings for an artistic composition
The ability to engrave as far as the mechanical process

For the engraving of the cape buffalo I would rate this work as excellent[wow !!] in drawing , anatomy, and engraving .However for me the composition I don't think is good as he's put too much into that space on the rifle .
No ,I don't like ornate stuff ! Another thing I don't care for on a rifle is color case hardening and engraving - the two conflict - pick one or the other.
 
mete said:
Here's an illustration of what is needed in a fine engraving See page 12 and 14...The ability to draw...
Click to expand...

Well that doesn't bode well for my engraving future. :(

Tatoo, I looked around a bit but did not find anything. I'll do like most things and "wing it" I guess. ;)

Count, you are a very mean man. I am broke enough already. :p;)

This thread is a little old but I still appreciate the help guys. :thumbup:
Except for The Count of course. :p
 
After looking at lots of pictures and engraving, you can "doodle" your practice. Many people draw, "doodle", etc. when on the phone, bored, etc.
Just draw engraving patterns instead. It's great practice. Once you acquire your own style and draw a pattern you really like, the desire to cut it into a piece of metal will draw you into cutting it properly. It won't look good the first time, but maybe the third time will. This practice will teach you tool control, too.
Learn to sharpen gravers consistently-it's very important. Don't get into the mindset that you have to have a $1000 graver sharpening setup, either. Engraving was done well before powered sharpening was available!
 
Can anyone explain the drill bit in the nail tool described by Ed Fowler in post 16? Thanks guys.
 
Go to the engravingforum.com and register, they have a lot of videos as well as pay classes. The site itself is very informative and helpful.
 
Thanks Tatoo, I am a member at this forum. As I mentioned, this thread is 8 months old and I did do some research since then. Not saying I don't appreciate the help of course, just want you to know.

Count, what did I ever do to you? Why do you torture me like this? :(
And how much do you think that trinocular head thing is worth? :o
 
Apparently you have to do a quote request

It is used, but lots depends on brand.

German Zeiss is more $$$
good Japan is less, but good
Chinese is even less

You can see some prices here
http://www.martinmicroscope.com/MicroscopePages/Stereomicroscopes.htm

but cheap optics give me headaches.


Since it's used equipment they have 2 in stock, I think there should be room to negotiate.

You will have to rig up your own lighting, or buy it extra - but I suspect you can rig something up.

I'd also ask what it takes re camera mount and adapter rings and such - what sizes fit and so on.
USB cameras are popular now & easy to capture photos and video on.




A quick google shows
You can get new Chinese equivalents for
http://www.amazon.com/7x-45x-Trinocular-Stereo-Microscope-Stand/dp/B001CWYQI2


I'd see the price they quote and offer less.


You may find a similar dealer in Quebec
I'd try and see what they had in person too.
Lots of lab supply business is based there too.
 
Last edited:
Mykel:
All I did was grind the tip off of a 10" spike, drill a hole in it and insert a broken drill bit just a hair a little to big, had to grind off a shade to get it started then tapped in down tight. Sharpen it and you have an engraver. Used it for years!! You can also set any engraving pit into a spike in the same manner.
 
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