Engraving layout

[rfcbuf]

For a "first timer" how is it best to layout a simple design on a piece of brass? Is china white necessary or can a simple soft lead pencil sketch be used.

 

[Capt. Fred]

I trace the outline of the part onto paper first, then I draw the design into that traced outline with pencil. Once I'm happy with the design on paper I freehand it onto the brass with an ultra fine sharpie. I think it is a .05 point on it if I remember correctly. I use a Q-tip with laquer thinner on it as an eraser when drawing with the sharpie.

You can also draw the design onto paper, and then lay some carbon paper under the paper and trace the design onto the part, but I've never had much luck with that technique for some reason.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Hello,
You'll be hard pressed to get a pencil to show up with out the china white. If your gonna freehand a design you could do it with a fine tip sharpie, rubbing alcohol makes a good eraser.

 

[saber]

you can also use blue dikem layout we use gesso which is what a artest uses on there canves for a base very cheap at a art store then print pic from compt then carbon paper under print on to the gesso and work pc

 

[der mike]

there is an artist spray thats like hairspray that leaves a clear coating on the part that is rough enough to take the pencil markings. can't remember it's name,,,try artist suppliers. we use it to seal charcoal and pencil drawings to prevent smudges der mike

 

[paulvallandigham]

Visit an Art Supply store. The people there know exactly what you need to use, and can offer different techniques, and the materials needed to do the technique successfully. These stores serve college students in Engineering, Architecture, and Art schools.

If you have a college or University near you that provides instruction in any of these fields, there will be an Art supply store near the campus. Trust me. I worked in such a store during my final year as an undergrad in 1968-69. The store is still there, altho under new owners.

 

[saber]

Hi Sir here is a engraveing site with ans to all or most of your questions on lay outs and how to do it alone with so much info it would take yrs to understandit all has viedos to watch and so forth for free on site schools, tools and most of the members will try to ans all your questionhttp://www.engravingforum.com

 

[jerrywh]

I don;t know any professional engraver who use chinese white anymore. first scuff up the surface with 600 or 1000 grit paper then just put a very light coat of motor oil on the metal with your finger. then you can draw right on the metal with a .3mm pencil. You can erase with a fine tip erasure.
It's good to draw on paper first. Also look at your design in a mirror and see what it looks like.
It will make all the errors easy to spot. If you draw something wrong long enough it will begin to look right to your eye. The mirror will detect it.

 

[longcruise]

A local guy showed me this. Spray paint the surface lightly with flat white paint. Draw your pattern onto it and engrave. When done, remove with paint remover.