Inlay for the EITH2

[threefingerdave]

Well here is my attempt at inlay. This is going to be my entry in the EITH2 I posted this in the EITH2 thread also but thought i might get better feedback here
this is a knock out plug from an electrical box and the inlay is copper
the border was done with wire and the leaf is a small piece of copper sheet that i cut out
boy it is hard to cut a piece of copper that size
i might do more but i thought i would post for your critique
the leaf is sticking above the background for a little bit of relief
this is the first time i have tried inlay by cutting out something and inlaying it
It is alot different than inlaying wire that is one diameter
please feel free to comment as this is how we learn
thanks
Dave

 

[John B.]

Hi Dave.
Good job for a first try. Copper can be tough.
Your line border would be even better if you cut a very light "shadow" line
into the steel surrounding it.
This will give you the opportunity to create a nice clean edge and make the line pop out.
I may not be explaining this just right.
Take a look at some of the other posts and the tutorials on inlay that Sam and others have posted.

Good job, best regards.
John B.

 

[threefingerdave]

Thanks John
are you saying to engrave a small line right at the edge of the copper inlay?

Dave

 

[monk]

looks good, dave. that is kind of tiny to cut unless you have a jewlers saw and bench pin. heck,it's even very tricky then till you get used to it. the 2nd hobo i posted a couple days back was the first inlay i ever tried. once i started tho, i had to finish- it was to cover a major boo boo in the coin ! keep at it, pal !

 

[John B.]

Yes Dave, that's right. Lightly cut just into the steel so that the inside of the cut falls right up against the copper without cutting into it.
It gives great pop to the contrast and also allows you to shave any bad little edges of the inlay with the inside of the graver.
Look back for one of Sam's posts of his demo work for GRS shows.
He had a great one maybe a month ago and there are also several that clearly show this technique in his tutorial section at the top of the page.
Best, John B.