Engravìng borders plate

[celticjohn]

Got this idea from Mike Dubber. He gave me a cast plate something similar to this last Easter. Put my own spin on it. The guide lines were transferred only, the rest was layed out by hand, some executed better than others. Not finished yet but this is as much as I got done over a busy weekend. total engraveable area when complete will measure about 80mm or so.

 

[Willem Parel]

Looks great, is this ment as an example plate for future customers or is usable for wax transfering or is it just for study.
What material is this, it doesn't look like metal in the picture.

 

[celticjohn]

Willem, it's more a practice plate but when finished hopefully good enough to show to potential customers.
I've been picking up inexpensive silver dress rings and I'll attempt to engrave borders on the shanks when
I decide what borders I like and don't like from the practice plate.
Material is 1mm thick brass sheet. Photos taken with an iphone.

 

[mrthe]

Cool! look very nice!

 

[Brant]

John,
Great idea, well done.

I'll have to try this when I get farther along in my learning.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[LVVP]

Looks really great

 

[Marrinan]

These type of display pieces can be very helpful especially if you are courting the jewelry trade. Cut one, do casting and price sheet (your standard price not wholesale-there is no wholesale in our business. If discounts apply that would be valium discount. everything else is retail. leave casting plates and your pricing list. With professional business cards with the store owner. If they need your services they will call. Don't be afraid of POR as to material and shape and size. If you are hit with a haggler walk away. They will mark up 300% anyway. Lettering (my weakest area) is a big market. Don't haggle, the price is what it is. They will tell you how much work they can send you and you should give them a price break-that a load of ...They pass it on with huge markup. You are ready John to start making your skills pay. Remember time is money, skill is money, Don't be afraid to turn jobs down that are above your skill and comfort zone. I don't cut guns I cant pay for in a worst case disaster. my rule, one of a kind family treasures are also one of the scary ones for me. I have gotten in way over my head and after studying the job in-head returned it with contact info for others I knew could do the job. Customers have always been grateful for my honesty they have said. Fred

 

[celticjohn]

These type of display pieces can be very helpful especially if you are courting the jewelry trade. Cut one, do casting and price sheet (your standard price not wholesale-there is no wholesale in our business. If discounts apply that would be valium discount. everything else is retail. leave casting plates and your pricing list. With professional business cards with the store owner. If they need your services they will call. Don't be afraid of POR as to material and shape and size. If you are hit with a haggler walk away. They will mark up 300% anyway. Lettering (my weakest area) is a big market. Don't haggle, the price is what it is. They will tell you how much work they can send you and you should give them a price break-that a load of ...They pass it on with huge markup. You are ready John to start making your skills pay. Remember time is money, skill is money, Don't be afraid to turn jobs down that are above your skill and comfort zone. I don't cut guns I cant pay for in a worst case disaster. my rule, one of a kind family treasures are also one of the scary ones for me. I have gotten in way over my head and after studying the job in-head returned it with contact info for others I knew could do the job. Customers have always been grateful for my honesty they have said. Fred

Many thanks for the kind words, Fred. That my next step, however, at what stage do you step from engraving borders on a €2.00 plate to attempting it on a €2000+ ring.
My lettering I'm pretty happy with, borders I need to practice, practice, practice and practice some more.

My engravers borders plate is finished and I'll upload it tomorrow.

 

[Marrinan]

CelticJohn, The beauty of the sample plate with your letter on it tells the jeweler and customer what your work is like. Making the order for the 2000 ring says your good enough. You have to know how to fix a slip ect. You have to know how to clamp or hold the piece but they have agreed that you have the skill they want. A new Holland and Holland in the white can $140000. At sixty-two I will never have the courage to put one in my vice. I know my skill level and confidence level. I would not touch one. The first cut is always scary. After that it is just a job like any other. Will the butterflies go away? Sir Lawrence Olivier through-up in the wings before every performance. No they won't. Make the first cut and get on with your best. Cheap work is less coverage all work should be your best at the moment in your career. I personally cut lots of cheap knives that I could afford and gave them away to build confidence. Then someone ask how much to do a bit on my 1911 and I was scared but I quoted a price (lost money) and went on. Most of my work is for plantations who want logos on this or that. Name plates on house guns etc. I do work for the plantation employees. Not high end stuff but probably their favorite gun or knife. When you read Sam Alfano's stuff he says you could just about make a living cutting lettering and borders for the jewelry trade. Jump in John, I still cut practice plates of anything new or a design I am not sure of. I think most of use do. I think you will find a practice cutting plate on everyone's bench. Fred