Laser Engraving

[Flinter987]

Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting a small laser engraving done on our CVA Tower pistol. What do you guys think? Is it a good idea? Have any of you done this before?
Thank-You,
Flinter

 

[Birddog6]

Well, unless you just want it engraved, I can see no use in doing it at all. :hmm: It is a CVA pistol, go shoot it. Putting any money in it will not increase the value of it at all, cause it is what it is. Now don't misunderstand me, I am not cutting it. I have a CVA I built back in the 70's and it is still a good shooting rifle.

However, like I said, unless ya just want it to be engraved. :wink:

 

[paulvallandigham]

CVA guns do not appreciate in value. They are a low priced gun, and used, they bring even less money when sold. Engraving such a gun is the equivalent of putting an elevator in an outhouse.

If you want something to practice Engraving on,
because you are wanting to teach yourself the skills to do your own engraving, this would be a worthy canvas. If you screw it up, you haven't destroyed anything of value.

But to pay someone to put engraving on any part of it with a laser is just throwing good money away. BTW, anyone can tell the difference between laser engraving, and tool engraving. you can even tell the difference between engraving down with a powered engraver, and that done by hand tools.

Of course, its your money. Do as you wish. We are just cautioning you that spending that money is not going to increase the value of the gun.

 

Engraving such a gun is the equivalent of putting an elevator in an outhouse.


Dang, Paul. You should post a warning before you wax eloquent. I just reat that, and blew coffee out my nose and all over the keyboard. Now I know why you're a lawyer. I'm gonna save that phrase for future use, know a guy that likes to customize Yugo's.

Bill

Ice is a very good, non-addictive, pain killer. I works especially well when it has whiskey poured over it!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Engraving such a gun is the equivalent of putting an elevator in an outhouse.


Dang, Paul. You should post a warning before you wax eloquent. I just reat that, and blew coffee out my nose and all over the keyboard. Now I know why you're a lawyer. I'm gonna save that phrase for future use, know a guy that likes to customize Yugo's.

Bill

Ice is a very good, non-addictive, pain killer. I works especially well when it has whiskey poured over it!

Bill: I stole that line from the Movie, " Roadhouse", where Patrick Swaze's new landlord, Emmitt, tells him not to call him " Sir ".
" Calling me 'Sir' is like putting an elevator in an outhouse- it just don't fit!"

Good lines like that should be remembered, and used on the right occasion. I also don't mind giving credit where credit is due, if I can remember my source! I happened to see Roadhouse on the TV a few nights ago, and heard that line, so I could remember where I got it.

 

[Martin Ullman]

Like paul said it is just a CVA, nothing speacal.All the import rifles and guns seem to have it on there barrels to day.Not imprested with it at all.Like he said to get the practise why not.I for one whould go the other way and learn how to acidetching it would look better.I had a freind that had a old Bill lardge barrel that was call Old Bear Paws,it had Bear Paws etched with scrowl work all over the barrel it looked very impresvice.Well who ever seen a moutainman rifle or pistol of 1780 to 1850 with lazer etching,maybe I'am a purest.

 

[dallas10c]

It's your pistol and if getting it engraved, or engraving it yourself, is what YOU want to do...then do it! Just becasue it's not a $900+ pistol doesn't mean it's not special to you. If you never planned on selling it then make it yours! It may not be[url] PC..in[/url] this case period correct or politiacally correct, doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

Some people seem to think that something has to cost $$$$ to be worth doing anything to. It's like expensive golf clubs...if you have a crappy swing, there is no expensive driver that will make you hit the ball farther. Similiarly, if you are a crappy shot, having an expensive rifle will still make you a crappy shot.

Some of the best shooters I have ever seen have done it with old, cheap firearms. They said to me, why should I spend lots of $$ when I can hit the target just as well, and kill as many deer with what I have.

Sorry for the rant, didn't want to flame anyone....just my $.02

 

[Zonie]

It's your gun. Do with it as you please (but most of the other comments are true).

As for laser engraving, to me, it doesn't really look like the classic engraving that is done with a hard cutting tool.
The engraving you are planning may be really fancy in design and perhaps even period correct but it still won't look quite right.

A simple laser engraved pattern on the gun could make a real good thing to "chase" with a normal engraving tool to get the "old time" look provided the engraver removed all of the surface left by the laser. I know something like that to follow with my engraving tool would help me when it comes to making very smooth curves and such.

Just a thought.

 

[Flinter987]

Thanks All,
I wrote this out hurriedly, and should have explained it a little better. First of all, I do know that this is a cheap "starter" pistol, and that expensive engraving wouldn't make any sense, unless that is what you really wanted. Here is what I was thinking of. My younger brother and I, would like to dress the gun up a little. I was thinking of a small brass or coin inlay, or maybe a small,simple engraving on the side opposite the lock in the wood. Maybe put our names and date, or a small squirrel or deer. We aren't particular about PC with this one as it's just supposed to be a fun project,something to do with my younger brother,and get him interested in BP guns. There is a local shop that does custom wood engraving for pretty cheap. My brother likes this idea. I'm not totally sold on it yet,still kicking around ideas. I appreciate each and every one of your comments. Thank-You,
Flinter

 

[Zonie]

Hey, if it's for interesting your brother in BP, then have at it. It's a worthwhile experience for both of you.
Inletting a coin might be a good idea too. It sure couldn't hurt anything.

Although this link is about inlaying the usual brass inlays, it has some stuff that will be helpful to you if you decide to go ahead with your project.
INLAYING

 

[cptleo1]

This subject really frosts my butt !!!!!

Just cause a fellow does not have a $2,500 rifle he shouldn't decorate it !! = HOGWASH

My wife is not the prettiest girl in town
Does that mean she shouldn't wear lipstick ?

My dog is a mutt. Does that mean he shouldn't goto the groomer for a bath and a hair cut.

My truck is a little ratty - I can spruce it up with a new paint job for $1500.

Waste the money or get a new PC one that is what, $30k.

So this means I should ride around in a ratty truck,with a ratty dog and a plain wife.

Sorry it ain't going to happen, for a couple of bucks I can make the things around me a little prettier - I am going to spend the money.

About the guns:

Lets see, a Chambers lock is worth engraving a L&R is not ?

A Rice barrel is worth engraving, a Colraine is not ?

The only wood worth carving is p+++.

Where do I find the list of which gun builders work is worth improving and which isn't.

There is not a doubt in my mind you could give Birdog6 a Jackie Brown rifle and he could make it prettier.

There is not a doubt that you could give a Birdog6 rifle to Larry Gardner and get a prettier rifle back.

As for one of Paul's rifles - Oops Paul doesn't build rifles - He just pontificates about them -
Probably have to send his keyboard out to be engraved.

It just amazes me that I have seen folks ask about sprucing up their CVAs, GPRs, TCs and such.

NOT ONE has ever asked if spending the time or money was a GOOD INVESTMENT. They just want to make something they own a little nicer - How can there be anything wrong with that ?

This GPR has about $20 worth of silver added to it.

Looks pretty good to me.

Does this make it a $2000 gun - NOPE.

But,it does make it special to the fellow who owns it and that is what this is all about any way.

 

[RickD]

I agree with what you say..Its your gun make it as pretty as you want..Nice gun by the way..

 

[Rogue River]

BRAVO :thumbsup: and I like your gun!

 

[Pork Chop]

cptleo, remind me to buy you a beer sometime! Bravo - great rant!! :thumbsup:

 

captleo, I agree with everything you say HOWEVER, even though "NOT ONE has ever asked if spending the time or money was a GOOD INVESTMENT" I don't think it should be assumed that the poster KNOWS that the expense will not increase the value. In fact, the original post says "I'm thinking of getting a small laser engraving done on our CVA Tower pistol. What do you guys think? Is it a good idea?" Well, "What do you guys think?" I think if that's what you want, great, but it won't increase the value. "Is it a good idea??"...not from an investment standpoint. Even though the question was not specific to value, these answers are still valid responses to the questions asked. I don't see anything wrong with pointing out that fact just to be sure and to do so is just being a good friend IMO.

 

[engravertom]

I don't know much about laser engraving, but make sure that the laser is capable of working with steel. Some can "engrave" wood, but not steel also.

The idea of having it cut with the laser, abd then going over it with a hand tools is not bad either. A less costly way to try something like that would be to make a reverse copy of your design or text, print it out on a laser printer, lay it face down on the clean metal, then press on the back with an acetone soaked paper towel. It should print the toner right on the metal. Then, you just follow the lines.

Oh well, that is enough engraving talk for today!

Take care,

Tom

 

[Dan Fangle]

Maybe you should trade the gun for the laser, take the laser to the range, and let us know if it blasts clean through the backstop. If the laser is a real good shooter, then maybe you and your bro should get that 'un engraved. I dunno if there is a forum for lasers though.