KarlB
Member
Another attempt at photographing my work.
The spoke shave was found in a box of old tools, left behind by my father, who was a pattern maker. I decided it would make a nice restoration-engraving practice project. I thought the material would have been some sort of cast bronze alloy. Thinking ahead, I made a couple of small test cuts in an area that would be removed later. It appeared to engrave easily. Then when I cleaned the piece up and started the first outlining cut, the graver cut nicely for the first 3/16" and then stopped dead in its cut. I checked the tip of the graver and it was still perfect. Went back into the cut, applied more pedal and the graver pushed through a hard spot and proceeded to dive down. Long story-short, the material was full of hard and soft areas. I changed my hand piece to the Magnum, and finished engraving the piece with authority!!! About now I imagine the more experienced engravers are sitting back in your chairs and laughing. Im Ok with that as long as you all are laughing with me and not at me. Moral of the story, be sure of the material before starting the engraving... Karl
The spoke shave was found in a box of old tools, left behind by my father, who was a pattern maker. I decided it would make a nice restoration-engraving practice project. I thought the material would have been some sort of cast bronze alloy. Thinking ahead, I made a couple of small test cuts in an area that would be removed later. It appeared to engrave easily. Then when I cleaned the piece up and started the first outlining cut, the graver cut nicely for the first 3/16" and then stopped dead in its cut. I checked the tip of the graver and it was still perfect. Went back into the cut, applied more pedal and the graver pushed through a hard spot and proceeded to dive down. Long story-short, the material was full of hard and soft areas. I changed my hand piece to the Magnum, and finished engraving the piece with authority!!! About now I imagine the more experienced engravers are sitting back in your chairs and laughing. Im Ok with that as long as you all are laughing with me and not at me. Moral of the story, be sure of the material before starting the engraving... Karl