Tool recommendations. Need help

[Keone]

Hi all,

this is my first post here. Right now I am gathering information about tools and equipment and trying to make decisions. I am a bamboo fly rod maker and make everything myself: the reel seat hardware, grips leather covered tubes, agate inlaid stripping guides, ferrules and I even started with reels this year.

What I would like to start with is engrave the metal parts on my presentation rods and reels myself. For one because it will eventually be more cost effective for me and second because this will be a new and extra challenge for me as I like to make and do everything myself.

What I would like to do is engrave the butt caps, reel rings, the metal rod joints (ferrules) and make a name plate on the mahogany boxes I make to hold or in some cases display the rod and reel.

Most of the metalparts are made from Duronze (C642) and the sideplates from the reels are made from nickel silver (C752. Also known as german silver).

To come down to the question I actually want to ask is: What tools do you recommend me to buy keeping in mind that I am not cheap but not wealthy either.

Thanks in advance

Best,
Danny

 

[allan621]

Here's the first tool I would buy and the most important. A class in engraving.

Its great that you want to do the engraving yourself but instead of spending time starting from scratch, give yourself a "reel" edge. There are classes that have the various tools available to try, Brian Marshall's classes in Stockton, California and Ray Cover's ( he engraves fly rods) in Festus, Mo. come to mind. Then there are the classes taught at the GRS school in Emporia. KS where you get to try all the full range of tools that GRS has to offer. At all three places you will get more of a hands on idea of what tools you will need.

Not wealthy? Very few of us are; but sometimes its the prudent man who spends the most.

Allan

 

[sam]

Danny: That's good advice from Allan. A class is a great way to begin.

 

[Keone]

Thank you for that tip Allan. I have been thinking about that and although you are probably right I can only spend my money once. The only classes I have found close to the Netherlands (where I live) so far is in Belgium which is really not that far but I think it costs 1000 euro...close to 1225 dollar for the basic engraving class. So I think I will have to do with a few good books and video tutorials first.

Or am I being stubborn here, wanting to spend my money on good and quality equipment first?

Thanks,
Danny

 

[Tim Wells]

I have all the equipment I need but if I had it to do over again I'd take a class first. You are money ahead merely by all the mistakes and hard knocks you avoid by getting competent instruction first, rather than learning it all the hard way like me. A direct result of my stubborn streak and lack of funds/vacation time from work.

As for the particular tools, I'd PM Ray Cover, he makes and engraves his own seats and could point you in the right direction.

 

[sam]

Danny: We have two other members from the Netherlands. Noud Peters and Joris Bloemers are very nice guys and maybe they could offer advice. / ~Sam

 

[Barry Lee Hands]

basic tools

The first photo is of the basic tool set I used for years. The !/8 inch diameter piece of momax at the top is used as a punch and as a crutch in sharpening the belly.
The face of the glensteel can be sharpened at about 45 degrees by hand. The long steel rod is a tool holder for using the glensteel in the hammer and chisel mode, the palm graver is used with the same bit for "pushgravering".
The stone is a fine ezelap diamond stone.

The second pic is a tool , from the bottom, showing the belly.

The third and fourth are tool angle sharpening info from GRS. The 90 degree I would use as a guide for glensteel, the 120 is for carbide. I would start with the glensteel, as you need a powerhone for carbide.
I would start with "square" gravers, as all tools are a variation of it.
I hope this helps.
Barry Lee Hands, Bigfork , Montana

 

[John B.]

Barry.
That is some great advise and good, clear drawings and photos.
It should help any starting engraver who is unable to attend a class right away.
Andrew and I enjoyed your company in Reno, best regards.
John B.

 

[ihsfab]

Thank you Barry this is some very helpful info from a beginers stand point (which is mine)

 

[noud peters]

Danny: That's good advice from Allan. A class is a great way to begin.

Joris and I joint class with Sam and it's great aprovment,if there are amy questions get contact

Noud peters

 

[Glenn]

Kulley& Danny
Wecome aboard. I'm a self taught engraver. All the advice given so far is so very correct. If you can not attend a class, then I suggest the following:
Book by James B. Meek "The art of Engraving"
"Drawing &Understanding Scroll Design" by Ron Smith
Also call Aaron at GRS and have him mail you a free catalog.
Don't hesitate to ask any question you have on this forum. These people are the best!
GRS phone No.1-800-835-3519
Regards, Glenn

 

[ihsfab]

Thanks Glenn, I have Meeks book but not Smiths I'll have to find it. I have lots of time on my hands so I am learning all I can. I've tried the hammer and chisel and that wasn't purty if you know what I mean. Plus with this MS I can't use a hammer anymore cause I can't hit the chisel end. I can't even hit a 6inch circle with a hammer anymore no big deal though. My wife is getting me some new tools I really like her.

 

[Keone]

Thanks for all the tips and pictures you shared guys. I really appreciate it!

Danny

 

[Bill Tokyo]

I'm in Tokyo--I know about isolation

I know how it feels to be far away from sources of instruction and advice. I'm in Tokyo, and there are very few engravers here in Japan. I wish I could find some to give me some advice.

I've already made some of my own tools: I'm particularly proud (?????) of an engravers ball that I made out of a bowling ball. I'm also getting ready to make myself some more gravers, punches and so on.

However, like all rank beginners, I really wish I had someone to "show me the inwardness of the thing" . I spend a lot of time feeling really dumb. Books and videos can only do so much.

If anyone knows of any engravers in the Tokyo area that might be willing to show me a few things, please give me a shout. My Japanese is fluent, so that's no problem.

Bill

PS I can't say how glad I am that this forum exists

 

[ihsfab]

Hi Bill, Do you have any way of showing us your tools? I have always enjoyed seeing how others come up with differant ways to do something ( like tools)
Nice to have you here with us.

 

[JJ Roberts]

Bill,

You might want to contact my friend Shigeru Tozaki.....2-3111-11, Kogasaki, Matsudo-City,Chiba-Pre, Japan
T271-0068..tel & fax: 81-47-368-0648...I met Shigeru and his wife at the blade show we have been corresponding every since, and hope to meet him next year in Atlanta. Shigeru is a knife maker and an engraver..He makes all his own engraving tools even the hammers. Last time I heard from him he sent me some pics of him and his wife in Tokoyo. Since you speak Japanese you should have no problem..just give him a call, and just tell him JJ Roberts referred you. I hope this will help you, and send him and his wife my regards.

JJ Roberts
Manassas, VA
School of Artistic Engaving
www.angelfire.com/va2/engraver

 

[sam]

Bill: I know some engravers in Japan that might be able to help you. Please send me an email reminder when you get a chance. / ~Sam

 

[Barry Lee Hands]

Japan is a fascinating country and if I get there anytime soon I would be happy to share whatever I can with you.
Barry Lee Hands, Bigfork Montana

 

[tmroper]

Keone being an avid fly fisherman I would love to see some pics of your work

 

[Keone]

Keone being an avid fly fisherman I would love to see some pics of your work

www.keone.com

I don't usually have a lot pictures on my website so you won't find many of them. Every rod is custom made and no one the same so I prefer not to have online pictures. I rather discuss what my clients really want and make that for them rather than make them think that the pictures that are shown is the only thing I can do.

I like, and encourage, creativity

You will find a lot of interesting information about my fly rods and how and why they are different though.

Danny