Alison Harman
Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2020
- Messages
- 17
Cheers.
I am a retired sign painter, trained in the traditional ways. Helper first then, apprentice, journeyman, pinstriper, gilder, digital graphics, digital printer, screen printer, and still... the student.
Hobbies in my past include caving, technical diving, vintage motorcycles, skydiving, professional model builder, and vintage anything. I'm a jumpmaster and a senior parachute rigger. Most of my last two decades have been spent in falconry. I have a fondness for birds of prey and have done extensive research into new and old world vultures. I prefer hunting with hawks or owls instead of falcons. My wife owns and operates a successful falconry equipment company. I am a heart attack and cancer survivor.
Last fall I picked up an awl and dug my name into my old brass Zippo. Always wanted to try engraving. Too bad for the Zippo. I bought an ebay graver blank, one wooden handle and then a 600/1000 diamond stone from a hardware store. I put a terrible point on it and proceeded to ruin anything that wasnt nailed down, including the hammer. That's how I started.
I now have templates, a sharpening system, homebuilt graver box and a Rick Alexander handpiece. I own a stereo microscope, the correct 10x lenses, .5x barlow. Bought a ball vise, turntable and rotary tool. Just purchased a Silentaire 20A and will be ordering a Bench Jewel shortly.
I have included photos of some of my practice plates. My comfort zone is cutting bulino like images, but I need to improve a lot. My scrolls are still a struggle, but I'm still very new to this.
Thank you for allowing me to join the Cafe.
I am a retired sign painter, trained in the traditional ways. Helper first then, apprentice, journeyman, pinstriper, gilder, digital graphics, digital printer, screen printer, and still... the student.
Hobbies in my past include caving, technical diving, vintage motorcycles, skydiving, professional model builder, and vintage anything. I'm a jumpmaster and a senior parachute rigger. Most of my last two decades have been spent in falconry. I have a fondness for birds of prey and have done extensive research into new and old world vultures. I prefer hunting with hawks or owls instead of falcons. My wife owns and operates a successful falconry equipment company. I am a heart attack and cancer survivor.
Last fall I picked up an awl and dug my name into my old brass Zippo. Always wanted to try engraving. Too bad for the Zippo. I bought an ebay graver blank, one wooden handle and then a 600/1000 diamond stone from a hardware store. I put a terrible point on it and proceeded to ruin anything that wasnt nailed down, including the hammer. That's how I started.
I now have templates, a sharpening system, homebuilt graver box and a Rick Alexander handpiece. I own a stereo microscope, the correct 10x lenses, .5x barlow. Bought a ball vise, turntable and rotary tool. Just purchased a Silentaire 20A and will be ordering a Bench Jewel shortly.
I have included photos of some of my practice plates. My comfort zone is cutting bulino like images, but I need to improve a lot. My scrolls are still a struggle, but I'm still very new to this.
Thank you for allowing me to join the Cafe.
