It did take a number of hours over a few days to get the layout finished. I started with a proper sized pencil drawing, made an acetate transfer and then scribed the general layout onto the metal. There was much "erasing" (burnishing) and redrawing to get it all like I want it.
This takes a well polished surface so a very light touch of the scribe can be easily seen and yet easily burnished out when needed. A well worn 600 grit polish works...something on the order of 400 grit requires too heavy a hand to be seen well and thus harder to burnish out, if at all possible.
And it takes good lighting. I have a 4 ft. 3 bulb fixture (converted to led bulbs) hanging over my vise about 2 1/2 feet above and half a foot behind and the very light scribing is very easily seen. The light fixture has velum paper taped over the light as a diffuser to soften the light somewhat.
This takes a well polished surface so a very light touch of the scribe can be easily seen and yet easily burnished out when needed. A well worn 600 grit polish works...something on the order of 400 grit requires too heavy a hand to be seen well and thus harder to burnish out, if at all possible.
And it takes good lighting. I have a 4 ft. 3 bulb fixture (converted to led bulbs) hanging over my vise about 2 1/2 feet above and half a foot behind and the very light scribing is very easily seen. The light fixture has velum paper taped over the light as a diffuser to soften the light somewhat.