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    Question: Leica microscope s9d

    Here's a step-by-step I wrote about setting up a microscope, and it usually gets folks up and running readily. Really important info about ergonomics to keep you healthy with long-term use of a microscope. Best regards, Doug
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    Saxophone engraving advice

    +1 for what Monk said, and the real reason for wriggle cutting is that in many cases the brass is fairly thin and wriggle cutting is quite shallow. Conventional cutting might go too deep, and that's a whole big load of not much fun.
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    Question: Leica microscope s9d

    The suggestion Monk gave about the objective being fully seated can also apply to the oculars. I'm sure this is something you've gone over. That's a really nice microscope to be having this much trouble. Do you wear glasses? If not, are both of your eyes approximately the same from a standpoint...
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    Announcement: 2025 beginning engraving classes schedule - West Coast

    Bump A few seats left for the one-week class starting Feb. 24 in Southern California. If you're on the fence, I'd love to see you take the leap and invest in yourself. From ergonomics at the bench and setting up and using a microscope and positioning vise, to pattern transfer, layout...
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    Announcement: 2025 beginning engraving classes schedule - West Coast

    Hello Folks, The class schedule for 2025 engraving classes was finalized today and I wanted to let interested parties know. This is a beginning level class in ornamental engraving. Let me know if you have any questions. Location: Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Carlsbad, California...
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    still kicking

    Hi Danae, Another niggling bit of setting detail I see in your brass piece to which more attention could be paid is the degree to which all of the stones/tables should be level. In the photo, there are a few stones on the left and one on the upper right whose table is reflecting light. The more...
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    Posting for Critique

    Hi Kevin, At some point, most kids are given a crayon or pencil (or maybe nowadays a stylus and a tablet) and some paper to keep them "busy". This activity with drawing reflects development and growth, and folks who study childhood development can fairly accurately get an idea of a child's level...
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    Critique Request line width and depth

    Geometric shapes leave one particularly exposed for every minor wobble or inconsistency. Something I pay attention to when engraving these types of designs is to scrupulously back-cut the beginning of the cuts so that when they intersect other cuts, everyone has a uniform line width. Without...
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    still kicking

    Hi Dani, I applaud your diligence and hard work. My observation is that the setting is incompletely prepared. Edges on parts of the casting are a bit wavy, and too much metal is left in the area where the beads are to be formed. You're "forced" to use too large of a beading tool, and the shape...
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    Recommendations for West Coast Classes

    Hi Nick, The engraving class taught at GIA in Carlsbad, CA is indeed a beginning class, but is is focused on ornamental engraving. The emphasis is simply learning fundamental cuts through a series of 11 practice plates. Many styles and types of designs and coverage are employed to help folks...
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    Question: grs positioning vise

    I don't think you'd like the amount of force required. It's a fairly strong spring in the mechanism, though I know some folks weaken the spring or substitute with a lighter-duty one to make it easier to move. Definitely try before you buy, given your arthritis.
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    Martini Rifle in 22 long rifle

    Masterful JJ. Always appreciate your work and posts.
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    Scrimshaw: Second attempt at scrimshaw

    One of the things that makes this effective (aside from a compelling image) is the broad tonal range, i.e. from black to white. If pure black is a 10 and pure white is a 1, you've captured the full range from 1-10, and that almost always enhances a monochrome representation - photograph...
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    Critique Request Just finished this.

    Brilliant, and such an apt pairing of subject and object! Best regards, Doug
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    Announcement: Iconic Scrolls practice plate

    Mine just arrived and really looking forward to digging in to this great practice plate! I like the light touch with the laser marking. Really crisp, clean plate, and I love it's marked on both sides. A two-fer! Well done. Best regards, Doug
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    Question: (SOLVED) C-Max & Glensteel for the QC holder?

    It's a bit less fussing about if you orient all of the QC holders the same way for all of your gravers. Do a "test drive" and try it in a handpiece and then swap it over to your sharpening system. A little analysis will let you choose which combination is easiest for you to use. The most popular...
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    Graver Geometry - Color Lines?

    Well, the other option, used by most folks who use a flat graver, at some time or another, is to tilt the graver a bit and only use one corner to make a V-shaped cut. Gradually "rolling" your wrist as you cut will make the line get narrower or wider. This is the basis for much script lettering...
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    Graver Geometry - Color Lines?

    I'm pretty sure Allen encapsulated the idea very well. With all due respect for Chris DeCamillis, whose video you're referencing, I'm going to have to come down on the side of science regarding the physics of light. The overarching concept here is that the angle of incidence equals the angle of...
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    Announcement: Iconic Scrolls practice plate

    Brilliant, Sam! Thanks for this. Doug
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    West Coast Engraving Classes

    I appreciate all the views of this post. If you're on the fence, we still have some open seats for the class that starts March 18th. Thank you, Doug
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