Bracelet for Betty

[BrianPowley]

Here's a bracelet I made for my wife Betty.
Pretty basic in design, but attractive enough for daily wear.

And a side view:

 

[JBrandvik]

Brian, I'm a big fan of western engraving and this is a beautiful bracelet. I just got my first couple of liners (from Ngraver) and I'm having a real difficult time getting good results. So I am envious of your controlled use of the liner. I'm going to have to hope my wife doesn't see this or she will expect something of this caliber from me!
Thank you for posting!

 

[BrianPowley]

Liners can be tricky. I usually find that I have to grind them to the width I need instead of using them "out of the box".
After you sharpen one, examine the bottom edge and make sure there isn't a small "wire" buildup in the grooves.
Those things can cause some grief in your control.

Brian

 

[Ron Smith]

OK Brian, what did you do wrong? ............A beautiful gift like that must be a bribe or something, huh?....... Oh okay, love will do as an excuse. ....................I also am particularly impressed with your lettering. Great job!!! .....But wait! That is not a slip is it, in the lower picture, or just a wear mark? Probably just a reflection. Don't mind me.....Just like yanking your chain every once in a while to keep you straightened out.....Keep up the good work..

 

[BrianPowley]

Ron, What did I do wrong?????????? More like when did I ever do anything right! LOL!

(And to be honest----a little bribery before or after the fact seems to work for me)

The mark is a wear mark--my bad. I didn't realize it until it was posted.
Thanks for the Kudos on the lettering...directly from the Ron Smith School of common sense.

And Ron---Happy Fathers Day! Since my dad isn't around anymore, I elected you and Ray Phillips as my very own.
Give a big hug to Liz for me.

 

[Ron Smith]

Thank you, my son!!!!, ........Adoption accepted.......but never the less very proud of you. Keep up the good work!!
Liz gives a hug back!
Ron S

 

[JBrandvik]

Thanks for the tip on the liners, Brian. One question...What kind of face angle do you put on your liners? Ngraver's info warns against taking too much off the face. Out of the box they are about 80 degrees. I took a little off but still have trouble seeing over the top. Maybe your new Dad has some advice too? Any advice afrom Ron Smith would be golden.

 

[BrianPowley]

Since silver/gold metals are soft, 40-50 degrees is plenty.

 

[Abigail]

Brian,
That is very very pretty. I'm sure she loves it. Lucky lady!
Cheers,
Abigail

 

[KSnyder]

Brian, I've got to agree, the liner work is very crisp/ clean I'm sure your wife is happy with it.
and you're right a little bribery/ flattery can't hurt.
Kent

 

[BrianPowley]

Abigail and Kent:
Thanks for the kind remarks. My youngest daughter is now jealous and wants a bracelet for herself.
I'll get busy and post that one when I get it done.

 

[Steve223]

Very Nice...I have heck gettin liners to work like that also.

 

[ddushane]

That's sweet Brian! Dwayne

 

[Ron Smith]

Jim, I usuall put a light bend in the tool as described in another post I think, for hand clearance. Next I will arc the face slightly horizontally, which allows the tools to make cleaner turns. Using a liner for radii is not an easy task by hand, but with the pneumatic tools it is a snap although you are likely to get some drag no matter what you do. I also stub the tool off to help the tool cut shallowly to help minimize that drag, as you want only the teeth cutting and you should see individual chips coming up off of each tooth. This works mainly on the brightcut style work. For small lettering, the fine line gravers are flat faced and you cut down deeper with them for cutting letter stems and are very difficult to cut an arc with. The only way you can get any hand and point relief is to bend the graver unless you order bent gravers, but often times you have to find the sweet spot as you sharpen the tool back. Flat spots might occure along the length of the bend which makes the tool harder to use, but as long as you are only cutting straight lines no problem. Well, that is the nature of those nasty little beasts...........Hope these little tips help. Ron S

Oh also Jim, "seeing over the top" is enhanced by applying two faces. The cutting face(down close to the surface of the metal you are cutting) and the secondary face at a greater angle and swept back. Get the idea?

 

[cowboy_silversmith]

Brian, I am liking the symmetry of your wriggled scroll. Nicely done. I am also impressed with your lettering!
Kudos to you Brian!

Best regards,
Greg Pauline

 

[John B.]

Beautifu piece and a future family hierloom, Brian.
Best regards, John B.

 

[Christopher Malouf]

Great conversations today Brian....

I like the way you use the 120 degree to execute this style. The flowers and dots are an excellent addition and it's got that hint of "19th century" style that I find most attractive. I think I'll be adding a 120 to my arsenal of flats I use for Western. Awesome work as usual. Chris

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Very nice Brian. You'll be getting requests from all your family members I'm sure.

 

[BrianPowley]

Thanks to all for the compliments! It was a fun project and it's nice to be able to do these kind of things for the most important person in my life....my wife Betty.

 

[jmcutting]

Brian,

I love your bright scrolls... as a western style enthusist I love what you have done and your lettering is very impressive!

-justin