Engraver Sharpening ?

[jerrywh]

Mike
Just out of curiosity, what does it cost to go to the classes?

 

[gonzomann]

Jerry,

Here is a link to the flyer for the classes. http://www.nmlra.org/pdfs/web_GunsmithSeminarInfo2011.pdf

 

[Old Salt]

Capt Fred,

While looking over the Lindsay web site I see he sells a mandrel so a person with a drill press can do essentially what you have done with your grinder.

I tried to work with the borrowed gravers last night. It was a pretty discouraging beginning.

After looking at tools and stone prices I could hire a guy to do the engraving and break even. I only want some simple work on a patch box and side plate.

But then I don't gain any experience.

Leo

 

[saber]

Hi Sir I use the one on the drill press with the 250gt to ruff in my graver blanks then go to 400,600,800,1200,2000 grt dim stones and it only takes a few mins but with the drill prss one always use water to cool the graver never let it get hot and when engraveing the points will brake all the time some times you can only see it through the scope but when they do it realy makes working hard

 

[Capt. Fred]

Thanks Old Salt, I was unaware that they made such a rig. :thumbsup:

You're right that it costs some bucks to get going. It only makes sense if you think you'll do it on several guns. I like trying to learn these skills but I do try to keep the costs down. I buy W-1 tool steel to make my own engravers and you can get a lifetime supply of it for about $20. Item number 8894K12 in the Mcmaster catalog.

I do the rough shaping before I heat treat and it is real easy to shape them when the stuff is annealed. Then I heat treat with a propane torch and do the final sharpening then. They have worked fine for me on the brass and mild steel used on these guns but they might not fly on tougher stuff.

 

[Old Salt]

Saber,

Are you using the Lindsay templates when shaping and sharpening your gravers? Do I underdtand that you also make your own gravers from tool steel or can a person buy a graver blank and shape it as needed?

I'm trying to get my mind around the annealing and tempering processes but I still don't fully understand.

:grin: I do have a propane torch though. One less tool on the list.

Can a person buy the various grit wheels to use on a grinder?

 

[Capt. Fred]

I got my 220 grit stone for my grinder on line. I forget where but it was pretty easy to find.

The heat treat and tempereing of the W1 is very easy to do since it is such a small piece of steel. Once you've got it shaped the way you want, heat it to cherry red and quench it in water or oil. Re-heat to straw yellow and quench again in water or oil. Done. It takes only a couple of minutes. Experiment some because you can get different results by over heating the second time. It can start to get brittle. So I just barely get it to straw yellow and then quench and this seems to give the best results.

There is a good post on one of the engraving forums explaining it all in more detail. I'm heading out to go hunting right now but when I get back I will try to find it for you.

 

[LRB]

I usually buy mine from www.fdjtool.com I buy the 3/32" blanks. They work very good for me. I think they were around $4.00 each, heat treated and ready to shape.

 

[saber]

Hi Sir yes I use the Lindsay templates I have 5 differnt ones and they work very well anyone can shape there blanks and then hone with them and get a perfect graver every time .After I rough in a blank with the drill press one and sharpen with the diamond stones it only takes a min or so to repoint the graver when the tip brakes or it dulls. I get all my blanks from steve also and the blanks last a very long time.there are a lot of free videos on Steves site you can watch on the use of sharpening with the differnt templates

 

[hoochiepapa]

Jerry,
Sorry about the delay, I'm helping my mom move up here.
The classes are $660 for a six day class, and $330 for a 3 day, plus my transportation out there, and food. Mine is six.
I'm being optomistic about the class, they ask that you pick three that you would like to attend, and then if your first choice is full, they can move you around. But I only want to take the engraving, and don't have other choices. But I enrolled the day I got my Muzzle Blasts, so I'm thinking I'll get what I want. The lady said there were only two ahead of me.

 

[jerrywh]

Good luck Mike. I'm sure you will lean some valuable info.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Thanks.

 

[Old Salt]

Just a follow up note.

I decided to hire an experienced engraver to complete the work on the patch box and the side plate. He quoted $150.00 which seems fair to me.

The original patch box was done by Jacob Metzger and can be seen in "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age" by Joe Kindig junior. The design on my rifle follows that design.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Old salt, may I enquire who you hired?
I'm thinking of doing the same thing on this Verner so I can sell it to possibly buy a graving system. I know I probably won't get what I would like, but right now, anything will help. :v

 

[Old Salt]

I'll get you his contact information when I get home this afternoon.

Gene Constantini if I'm not mistaken with the spelling of his last name. He lives in Bucks County PA. I've seen his work on two locally built rifles.

Several of his completed rifles are on display and for sale at Neshanic Depot in Ottsville Pa. :bow:

 

[hoochiepapa]

Thanks