Where to start???

[Bobby Branton]

After 2 false starts and now having most of the equipment that I need, it is now up to me to start practicing. I have the time now to practice and I am kinda overwhelmed with the specialized DVD's and tutorials.
Can anyone point me in the right direction to some good DVD's or tutorials to help me attempt to master the fundamentals.
Do I need to pick a style or can I learn the basics and then go from there??

Thanks,
BB

 

[Ron Spokovich]

Check out Sam Alfano's videos on lettering showing layout and cutting. There are demo videos all over the place, some better than others. If you can layout and cut letters well, you'll always have work of some kind to do. Bruce Beebe gave me that tip years ago. From there, toss a coin and check out the other areas of scrollwork, borders, and so on. I guess there's no one special place to start, but it's the customer who decides what he/she wants, so you'll have to familiarize yourself with everything.

 

[diandwill]

The first need is to gain a little graver control, to not have it dig in then skitter across the surface. Practice plates work well for this. Learn, and practice, straight parallel lines maintaining equal width and depth. Then, when you are fairly secure with that, do some curved lines, same depth and width, in both directions. Once you are able to repeat these cuts, laying out basic scrolls and leaves, with simple shading (see the revolver that Lynton McKenzie cut, in a recent thread), and simple lettering are enough to get you started.
Rio Grande sells nickel money clips, $24 for 20, in a 1"x2" size. They are like small practice plates that can be given as gifts, sold or thrown away if they arent good...it's just a little cost. Once you have become moderately adept at layout and cutting on something like this, progress on to bigger and better. I would probably advise against cutting a firearm, at least at first, especially if it is someone elses. LOL
It isn't needed to decide a style, but you have to decide a direction. It is mostly jewelry, motorcycles/cars, knives and firearms, unless you have a fabulous artistic side. If you get a chance, before you learn too many bad habits, a course is the best money you will ever spend. You will learn more in that week than 1-2 years of trying to figure it out. Of course Arnoud, Didyoung and some others have bridged that gap very well.

 

[Willem Parel]

Beside Sam's video's I would go for Lee Griffith's book and DVD's, they will help you in the right direction. ( somewhere on this forum you will find a link)

I looked it up for you
http://www.lgartistry.com/forsale.html

 

[DakotaDocMartin]

The first need is to gain a little graver control, to not have it dig in then skitter across the surface.

Here's the basic getting started from the beginning tutorial to get you going. Just the basic cuts that, when combined, you can actually make something from.

The Art of Hand Engraving - Tutorial 1

 

[GTJC460]

Pick one simple scroll and script lettering. Learn them till you can do it with your eyes closed.

 

[Bobby Branton]

Thanks everyone. Doc, that looks like a great place to start.

 

[sam]

Learning to engrave is like learning to drive a car or fly a plane. At first you're all over the road or sky. As you build muscle memory the graver will become an extension of your hand and you'll be able to cut smoothly without thinking much about it. It's been my experience that students start to achieve this after 20-25 hrs of practice with a handpiece. Start with straight lines with the goal of consistent width and depth. After that cut some curves rotating the vise into the graver which is held stationary. When you can cut decent straight lines and curves you can move on to leaves or other simple shapes.

 

[JJ Roberts]

Bobby,Why don't you join us at the Ken Hurst Engrave-In in Wilson N.C.on May 2,3 & 4th a weekend sharing tips & tricks and some great cooking by chief Dave & Kathy Bain.Phone 252-292-2583 J.J.

 

[Bobby Branton]

Bobby,Why don't you join us at the Ken Hurst Engrave-In in Wilson N.C.on May 2,3 & 4th a weekend sharing tips & tricks and some great cooking by chief Dave & Kathy Bain.Phone 252-292-2583 J.J.

I would like to, but unfortunately I have something else going on that weekend. Looks like it would be a lot of fun.