Graving Practice - First Try, No Laughing Pls

[rootnuke]

ok, I used a Onglette Graver to do this practice graving. I also have a round graver and a square graver.

I applied graving white, let it dry for 10min then freehand drew the scroll. I used the Onglette to chase.

The picture is shows 1 run of the graver.

Am I supposed to go multiple times and make the lines deeper?
Or/And just sand the surface?

Feel free to give all opinions good/bad. You guys are my only teacher.

BTW: I sharpened my graver just like you would a wood chisel or knife. I don't know whether I did it right though.

I know it is not exactly like the book but the whole idea was just to try a practice and get some group input. :hmm:

 

[robinghewitt]

Rootnuke, your engraving is pretty grim, but the second piece will be better and it won't be long before you are doing real fancy stuff.

One thing is sure, you never get better at anything until you start doing it. There are so many people who would love to do engraving but never start because it looks difficult and that includes me.

My hat is off to you Sir :master: do keep posting so we can see how you progress. Put something in the picture to give us the scale.

best regards

Robin G Hewitt

 

[B.Habermehl]

Heck that's not at all bad for a first try. If you can get one of the book out there they will help with explaining the sharpening techniques. Tool sharpening is the key then practice. Really well done line engraving does not deed to be sanded to level the burrs. Mine still need sanded too. I don't do fine engraving thats for sure. BJH

 

[RussB]

rootnuke....I have no "expert" opinion. However, if this is your first attempt, I am of the opinion that you can accomplish this with a few practice runs.
I would like to hear more about the tool you are using. Like anyone else who has "dabbled" in the art, I have that desire to try it for real. I just haven't got up the nerve yet.
:m2c:


Russ

 

[musketman]

As with all things, the more you do it, the better you'll get...

The trick is to practice on everyone elses guns until you get good enough to do your own... :thumbsup:

You can find old brass items at yard sales and such to practice on as well, old spittoons, bed post, 45-70 rifle cases, door knobs, any thing brass will work to hone your skills...

 

[LRB]

Lose the onglette. You need to be using your square graver. You need more practice drawing your designs, and keep them simpler for a while. Properly sharpening the graver, and getting the angles correct is of great importance, also the weight of the hammer and the graver size and comfort. Practice cutting straight lines with an even depth will help you learn control. Most beginners put too large of a heel on the graver. This makes a ragged edge when cutting a curve. If possible, get Lynton Mckenzie's tapes. Learn to sharpen before you go any farther.

 

[LSU TIGER]

Don't feel bad, my first try was far worse! I have to agree, master the square graver, and you'll have 98% of longrifle work done. Another good tape is the engraving tape by Wallace Gusler from <a href="www.americanpioneervideo.com" target="_blank">American Pioneer Video</a> . It and his tape on stock carving is priceless.

 

[tg]

My two year old grandaughters crayon scratchings on the table top were much better than my first (and last) attempts
I do not have the eyes or control due to a bumb arm, but I would be happy to have something as good as yours for a first try, typicaly starting simple with the basic tool and designs is a good way to get started.

 

[rootnuke]

Lose the onglette. You need to be using your square graver. You need more practice drawing your designs, and keep them simpler for a while. Properly sharpening the graver, and getting the angles correct is of great importance, also the weight of the hammer and the graver size and comfort. Practice cutting straight lines with an even depth will help you learn control. Most beginners put too large of a heel on the graver. This makes a ragged edge when cutting a curve. If possible, get Lynton Mckenzie's tapes. Learn to sharpen before you go any farther.

I did a little reading on sharpening and I am using the square graver now.
I looked up the graving movie and ordered that...
In the mean time I did this as a Second try...

This time instead of just eye-balling the drawing I used a copy and transfered it with carbon paper. I also used the square graver and sharpened often. I dug too deep a couple of places and got tired but it seems to be better than my first try.
:crackup:

The whole thing with ruler.

Let me know what you think and other sources of knowledge. :master:

By-the-way: To the one that said it was "grim", I hope my second try is atleast semi-pathetic now. :crackup: :crackup:

 

I must try that some time, I have a double-barreled flintlock I plan on doing soon and engraving on it is a must.

Looks good to me so far keep going and rock on .
Also keep posting every practice piece if you would I am really interested in the steps you go through as you progress.

 

[Zonie]

It looks a H of a lot better than I've been able to do!
Keep at it and you'll get so good that you can charge the exorbitant fees other engravors charge.

 

[rootnuke]

You may or may not see my mistakes so I will point them out;

I did not sharpen as well and often as I should, this caused what I call "chattering" as opposed to smooth edges.

I did not apply even ever so lightly any oil to the end of the graver, Alexander states you should have the graver ever so slightly oily.

I went too deep in atleast 3 places by having too great of an angle.

When I could not see where my tip was I should stop and backout, several times I assumed where the tip was.

I progressed too fast, graved when I was tired and should never of done that.

I started my graving too soon and did not lower the handle to ease out of the cut as I should.

I do not understand the dynamics of all the gravers I have and thus only used the square graver when another graver would of served better. :hmm:

 

[robinghewitt]

By-the-way: To the one that said it was "grim", I hope my second try is atleast semi-pathetic now. :crackup: :crackup:

That was me :shocking:

I think you have passed pathetic and have now achieved folksy :: ::

Have you got one of those ball things and a bench magnifier/light? How are you holding the brass? I would be fascinated to see a picture of your set up.

best regards

Robin G Hewitt

 

[2158]

hey rootnuke, the second plates look much better. like
wick said stick with the square graver at first.
the hardest thing to do is cut a straight line, let
alone two or three side by side (boarders). just a tip
if your right handed, cut all leaf and scrolls counter
clock-wise and tip the tool sligtly to one side for
a brighter cut. varing the width of the cut line
will give the work more depth as does shading lines.
a lot of beginer engravers start with to heavey of
a hammer, which causes them to dig tool in to deep than
to shallow,called (pourposing) use a lot of strikes
and less pressure and your cuts will be cleaner.
last note.. look at origonal work, not all gunmakers
were master engravers. and not all did ther own engraving.

 

[musketman]

Repetition aids comprehension, the more you do, the more you can do...

Art is art, be it carving stone, oil on canvas or engraving on brass...

:thumbsup:

 

[C_Laubach]

rootnuke

One other thing that may help. When cutting shading lines where you will have lines very close to one another, use the raised bur from the previous line and let that be you guide for the next line. This will allow you to keep your shading lines close and somewhat straight. I hope I made sense in my explanation.

 

[B.Habermehl]

Keep it up good progress! Keep learning with each step. At the rate your going you will be doing better engraving than me. BJH

 

[Packdog]

I assume that is a piece of sheet brass you are practicing on? Did you anneal it before try to engrave? I think you are doing great. I have the gravers but haven't taken the time to try it. I'll be as happy as can be to have something look that anywhere on the first couple of tries. Thanks for posting.
Packdog

 

[Zonie]

I know the folks who engrave mount or glue the part to their engraving ball so they can rotate it while cutting arcs but I had a thought. (Most likely a bad one but that's what I want to find out about.)

Sense most of the parts we are working are relativly flat, would something like a lazy susan (where it rotates only in one plain)work?
It seems it would allow you to rotate the part around as you were cutting the arcs. Does engraving really need the part to be rotated in an infinite number of directions?

Any thoughts on this??? ::

 

[rootnuke]

I know the folks who engrave mount or glue the part to their engraving ball so they can rotate it while cutting arcs but I had a thought. (Most likely a bad one but that's what I want to find out about.)

Sense most of the parts we are working are relativly flat, would something like a lazy susan (where it rotates only in one plain)work?
It seems it would allow you to rotate the part around as you were cutting the arcs. Does engraving really need the part to be rotated in an infinite number of directions?

Any thoughts on this??? ::

Interesting thought:hmm:...I have been on a scavenger hunt since this past weekend... Soon I will unveil what I affectionately call my "Magnificent Contraption", Stay tuned.
I think a picture post will be in order tomorrow night.
Ahhh the suspense.:shocking:
It may even deserve it's own post.::