Mike Dubber
Elite Cafe Member
I have a class to teach next week in Franklin, Indiana The school is The Marc Adams School of Woodworking (www.marcadams.com) So, that's a great place to learn woodworking, huh? As it turns out Marc had seen some beautifully engraved wood working tools by Cloudy, had called her, and she recommended me as an instructor - thanks Cloudy!
Marc called early this year to see if I had and interest in teaching engraving to woodworkers. After some discussions we decided to offer the first engraving class to be held at the school. This will be an introductory class where students will learn the basics of hammer and chisel engraving. We'll be there for a full week to learn to engrave on brass furniture, i.e., brass corners and locks, knobs and backing plates for cabinets and other metal/woodworking projects. Late in the week we will also study the rather new art of hand engraving on woodworking tools (thanks again Cloudy).
Then, of course, I thought the students might want to see an actual project, so I bought one of the small Lie-Nielsen Manganese Bronze Block Planes and put my hammer and chisel to work. Hammering is slow, but fun and rewarding. I use my hammer and chisel every day, and I fear that practice of that essential skill is declining and out-of-favor - in favor of air!
It's been years since I engraved a complete piece with hammer and chisel - so back to my roots!
Please note::beatup:
This is not an effort to diminish or enhance the skills required for engraving with any tool or by any method...or to choose one over another. In my opinion whatever tool(s) one uses, it's all the same, and it all requires the same level of art and hand skills to produce Master Level engraving. Likewise, I believe every engraver should at least try - and could prosper by - understanding the basics of hammer and chisel work.
Additional Working Phos:
I've been asked to show the Palm Swell in more detail, and to describe how I held the Plane in my vise. Without necessary dialog, here are some photos showing those details:
Marc called early this year to see if I had and interest in teaching engraving to woodworkers. After some discussions we decided to offer the first engraving class to be held at the school. This will be an introductory class where students will learn the basics of hammer and chisel engraving. We'll be there for a full week to learn to engrave on brass furniture, i.e., brass corners and locks, knobs and backing plates for cabinets and other metal/woodworking projects. Late in the week we will also study the rather new art of hand engraving on woodworking tools (thanks again Cloudy).
Then, of course, I thought the students might want to see an actual project, so I bought one of the small Lie-Nielsen Manganese Bronze Block Planes and put my hammer and chisel to work. Hammering is slow, but fun and rewarding. I use my hammer and chisel every day, and I fear that practice of that essential skill is declining and out-of-favor - in favor of air!
It's been years since I engraved a complete piece with hammer and chisel - so back to my roots!
Please note::beatup:
This is not an effort to diminish or enhance the skills required for engraving with any tool or by any method...or to choose one over another. In my opinion whatever tool(s) one uses, it's all the same, and it all requires the same level of art and hand skills to produce Master Level engraving. Likewise, I believe every engraver should at least try - and could prosper by - understanding the basics of hammer and chisel work.
Additional Working Phos:
I've been asked to show the Palm Swell in more detail, and to describe how I held the Plane in my vise. Without necessary dialog, here are some photos showing those details:
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