Gravers

[Lonstar]

Thanks for the advice on the chisels.
I went with the Pfeli set. They should be here the end of the week. :grin:
If I may bother you again, I am venturing off into something once again I know very little about. I am looking for a set of Gravers and a chasing hammer and of course a way to sharpen them and keep them sharp. I am no good at hand sharpening. I cannot maintain the angle. I have to have some sort of jig. As with the chisels, I Googled around and found several made from high carbon, tool steel and all kinds of confusing stuff. They will be used primarily on brass and GS with some barrel and lock steel on occasion. Does anyone have a favorite and a place to get them? I could order them individually but not sure what to get. :idunno: I prefer sets of tools. That way if I need to make an odd cut (mostly to fix mistakes) I have what I need and do not have to stop. Besides, I’m a tool nut. Ya just can’t have too many tools. :wink:

 

[Mike Brooks]

Ya just can’t have too many tools.

You can do all the engraving the old timers ever did with a square graver. A big tool spread isn't needed for KY rifles.
I like 3/32" momax cobalt. I get them from Brownell's.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Go To Brownell's website, and catalog, and take a look at what they offer. You can use the "LINKS" thread on this forum to go to their site. By all means, buy the Linton McKinzie video or DVD on Engraving to use as an educational reference. I have his book, but its nowhere near as helpful as the films are.

 

[Lonstar]

Thanks,
I thing I need to order the CD first. I checked Brownell’s. They say they are Precision-ground and Finished, Ready For Final Touch-up and Stoning To Exact Shape. I ain’t a kiddin when I say I cannot sharpen them without some kind of jig much less stone them to the final shape. :rotf: I don’t know what the final shape is. I have one that I have worked on. I would be lucky if I could push it through hot butter one I got done with it. Does the CD cover shaping and sharpening? That would be my biggest hurdle.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Does the CD cover shaping and sharpening

Probab ly does, that's the whole key to engraving, learning how to sharpen. I took an engraving class from MacKenzie 25 years ago and paid him $400 to learn how to sharpen a graver.... it was worth it!

 

[Birddog6]

I suggest you buy a set of Die Sinker Chisels. If you don't want the whole set, get # 9-10-11-12 and that will do almost all of the graving you want on a rifle as a beginner. Had I originally done this, I would have saved probably $300. in what I have wasted on the small gravers in learning how to use & sharpen them. I have a set of Gesswein Die Sinker chissels and they are tough, big enough to hold on to, hold a really good edge, and pretty easy to sharpen. Only other gravers you may come to need is a 4 line graver & a you can make the rest of the gravers from square graver blanks or drill rod stock.
IMHO, learn to do wall you can with these, then go for the refined work. May save yourself allot of time, $ and aggravation.
Ohm you will need a set of diamond stones & you can get 3 of them on line fairly reasonable. You will need a magnifying lense to see the tips well so you can see what you are doing when sharpening.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Ya just can’t have too many tools.

You can do all the engraving the old timers ever did with a square graver. A big tool spread isn't needed for KY rifles.
I like 3/32" momax cobalt. I get them from Brownell's.

i looked at their site and couldn't find them, is there a specific name to look under? :idunno:

 

[J.D.]

Here are a coupla DVDs you can rent, then decide if they are the ones you want.
http://smartflix.com/store/video/3148/Beginning-Engraving-with-Jack-Brooks
http://smartflix.com/store/video/457/Engraving

God bless

 

[Rogue River]

Track of the wolf has gravers! In their search box just type "gravers"! Same with Brownells just type "gravers" in their search box! :grin:

 

[Lonstar]

I suggest you buy a set of Die Sinker Chisels. If you don't want the whole set, get # 9-10-11-12 and that will do almost all of the graving you want on a rifle as a beginner. Had I originally done this, I would have saved probably $300. in what I have wasted on the small gravers in learning how to use & sharpen them. I have a set of Gesswein Die Sinker chissels and they are tough, big enough to hold on to, hold a really good edge, and pretty easy to sharpen. Only other gravers you may come to need is a 4 line graver & a you can make the rest of the gravers from square graver blanks or drill rod stock.
IMHO, learn to do wall you can with these, then go for the refined work. May save yourself allot of time, $ and aggravation.
Ohm you will need a set of diamond stones & you can get 3 of them on line fairly reasonable. You will need a magnifying lense to see the tips well so you can see what you are doing when sharpening.

Birddog,
I read somewhere that a lot of folks use the Die Sinker Chisels for engraving just can’t find it again. I like the idea of having more to hold onto. Purdy much got everything else. I have the stones and a couple of magnifiers. Just need some good chisels a sharpening fixture and some more learning patience. When ya get my age learning is a bit slower and the Early Virginia has gotten most of my patience. :surrender:

 

[Birddog6]

Well, it just depends on what ya want to do & how ya do it. Those Die Sinkers will take some brutal punishment. There is just so much meat there backing it, it will take allot of abuse. The small graver will do some intricate & beautiful work, but most likely you will end up about 75% of your time making new tips on them & resharpening them, til ya learn what not to do.
I guess you would say the Die Sinkers are much more forgiving...... :idunno:

 

[Steve Boyleston]

Hey Lonestar, Pinyone down in Pensacola, you know where that is I am sure. Mike Brooks was right- I bought a collection of 1860,s Gravers with Rose wood Handles and Silver Caps. Some 38 in all- the man who owned them had work at the US Mint engraving plates for money- way past what I cold ever do. I use just 2 of them for longrifle engraving. You can actually do it with 1. I rarely ever use a stone- I use wet ot dry 400 grit- 600 grit them 1000 grit. After that they cut so clean its unreal, every so often on steel you need to redo them real quick- on Silver or Brass very little at all. Main thing is don't get in a hurry, do a little practive and do it. remember shading is everything and keeping a line without running them together. I was fortunate enough in the late 80,s to be invited by John Bivins to come to his home at Old salem and watch Lynton engrave for 3 days filming a Video on how to. what a treat, John Called me and said drop what you are doing and hall as- over here right now- whell I did- timing is everything- good luck! TGP

 

[Lonstar]

Hey Lonestar, Pinyone down in Pensacola, you know where that is I am sure. Mike Brooks was right- I bought a collection of 1860,s Gravers with Rose wood Handles and Silver Caps. Some 38 in all- the man who owned them had work at the US Mint engraving plates for money- way past what I cold ever do. I use just 2 of them for longrifle engraving. You can actually do it with 1. I rarely ever use a stone- I use wet ot dry 400 grit- 600 grit them 1000 grit. After that they cut so clean its unreal, every so often on steel you need to redo them real quick- on Silver or Brass very little at all. Main thing is don't get in a hurry, do a little practive and do it. remember shading is everything and keeping a line without running them together. I was fortunate enough in the late 80,s to be invited by John Bivins to come to his home at Old salem and watch Lynton engrave for 3 days filming a Video on how to. what a treat, John Called me and said drop what you are doing and hall as- over here right now- whell I did- timing is everything- good luck! TGP

Yep,
Know right where the Pensacola is. Had an office there for a couple of years. Construction was in the tank and had to close up and move everything to Al and GA. Hopping to get down that way this summer and do a little fishing.
I got the Gesswein site up now and ready to place the order. I want to get it all at one time. What are you guys using as far as a jig or fixture to sharpen these things? Please don’t tell me you are doing it by hand. I can’t sharpen a knife, broadhead or any kind of chisel without something the will lock it down and maintain the angle. :surrender: I have Jack Brooks DVD on the way as suggested by JD. Long wait according to Smartflixs. Hopefully it will have a segment on sharpening.

 

[bob243]

Interesting. Has anyone tried a 1/8" tool bit (as used on a lathe) to make a graver? Plenty of grades of colbalt, carbide, and HSS available for a few dollars a bit.

 

[idahjo]

Has anyone any hands-on experience with this sharpening jig for the occasional engraver?
Lindsay Graver Sharpener

 

[Lonstar]

Has anyone any hands-on experience with this sharpening jig for the occasional engraver?
Lindsay Graver Sharpener

Thanks,
I need all the help I can get. I will add another question. Can you use the Lindsey sharpener on Die Sinker chisels? They see to be fatter than the average engraving chisel. No sure if the shank will fit the sharpener.

 

[idahjo]

I am not the one to be asking but I have drilled a rod or square stock(as a handle) and either epoxied the graver shank into it or used a tiny set screw to be able to separate the two to allow for sharpening the bit. I would think the specified size of bit could be utilized in this manner !?

 

[LRB]

The Lindsey has a great rep, but is not cheap. I use a Crocker. I think they are still under $40.00, and give a traditional point. The Lindsey is something different. Maybe better. At the least different. It was developed primarily for use with the power graving systems, but should work as well with a hammer.

 

[fitter]

Thats what I use. Cheap and work well.

 

[fitter]

No