Practice/test plate in abalone

[Meshach]

I was given a chance to try out an ultrasonic hand-tool and this a is a project I did over the weekend with it to test and see how well it would work on abalone shell.
I haven't done any scrimshaw work before but I feel like this falls into a sketchy border line between engraving and scrimshaw.
This was a .007" (.18 mm) piece of abalone veneer glued onto a brass practice plate.
The shading didn't really come out so great to my eye, I did the original artwork a couple months ago and probably should have done a bit more paper practice before I cut it, but I guess I was just too eager to see how it would cut..
Anyway, I found it to be an interesting little project and plan to play around with it more in the future.
I'm interested to know what all you talented folks on here think.

 

[monk]

very interesting project. i'd like to know more about the tool you did this with.

 

[Meshach]

Afraid I don't know too much about the tool itself Monk but I'll tell you what I can.
It was made in Japan, brand name is sonotec, it is a "split-V" ultra sonic hand-tool, it has an SP-9600 transducer.
I tried to look it up for more information but couldn't find the exact model online, I did find a similarish model but it is listed as a discontinued product. Sonotec does have a large list of tools online, it would appear you have to contact them for pricing. And they appear to be used on circuit boards, to remove flashing from injection molded parts, polishing and various other things, they even have one listed under "engraving" although it doesn't list much for details and also says "archaeology work arepossiple" so I'm taking that with a grain of salt hehe.
The tool holder on this model was at an awkward angle that made me feel like I was using a welding stinger to engrave when I first tested the tool to see what it would cut but I was able to deduce from optional parts lists that the tool holder head did indeed screw off although it was a tight bugger. After which I made a straight tool holder that is much better to use.
It's interesting because it kind of just turns the shell to dust in front of the tool. It has power settings from 1-10 (edit: actually I guess it's got lights for 1-7 and 11 dots on the potentiometer ... ) and pretty much anything above 4 gives next to no tactile feedback when cutting the abalone veneer..
I will attach a few pictures, if you have any further questions I will do my best to answer them.