Copper and Silver

[Jenny2]

This is a small photo clip of Phil Barnes work. He is from England. I believe he manually hand engraves all of his work. He’s been at since he was 15 years old – my guess is 40-50 years of practice.

Having said that, and since I’m on my 20th reoccurrence of my 29th birthday, I don’t have 40-50 years to practice! I’m trying to figure out the best way to speed up the learning curve a little which probably points to power tools. Agree? I’m not saying I’ll be this good even with power, but I might be more satisfied with results?

The metals best for enameling (need to fire 1000+ degrees) are silver and copper - softer metals, so that should help. My question is with so much relief work and softer metals, would you still recommend top of the line tools, or would NgraverR work just as well. I can’t really figure out if I’m not working on steel if I need the big dogs.

I’ve yet to buy a tool and a new found friend is helping me select some hand push tools. I want to start budgeting for power tools and open to thoughts. I understand this question is asked again and again, but thinking maybe a different answer with a bit of a different technique or maybe not? Soon I’ll get a good vice and sharpening system, a must regardless.

Thank you for your time.

 

[sam]

Hi Jenny. Welcome to the Cafe.

Yes, pneumatic tools can get you in the game faster than hand tools because the learning curve is much easier.

I believe you'll find that the control factor is much greater with pneumatic handpieces as opposed to flex shaft handpiece, regardless of the metal you're engraving. Pneumatic handpieces are simply better. Others may disagree, but my advice is to put that money into a pneumatic system.

There's nothing wrong with learning with hand tools and I wouldn't discourage you from that pursuit, but if you're like most students you'll find that handpieces are easier to learn with.

 

[Jenny2]

Thanks! This answers a lot of my questions. I thought maybe where i want to end up would be different than working on steel, but sounds like much is still the same. Thanks again.

 

[dlilazteca]

Diddo!

Saludos,

Carlos

 

[monk]

the magnagraver is good to use. but for fine, highly detailed work, the mini jackhammers are better. when i used the magnagraver, i disliked the unwanted drag the flexshaft always seemed to produce. the nice thing about the 'jackhammers" as i call them, the little air hose powering the handpiece---- you wont even know it's there. the gravermeister, and the lindsay are the ones i use. both serve well for fine or rough work.
whatever you end up with, you are the artist, not the tool.

 

[LVVP]

I did not use the magnagraver, so I cannot judge about it. However, I am happy with all tools I bought from GRS.