source for engraving tools

[chipper]

I want to try my hand at ingraving and I'm unable to find a source for a graver that I can practice with. Some of the big name guys have kits for $$$. I'm cheap and just want one or two tools to get me started. It would be cool to find the stuff locally here in Denver. Any suggestions on what to buy would be helpfull too.
Regards
Wounded knee

 

[john4645]

possibly track of the wolf?

 

[Roy]

I get mine from a jewelry supply place (they sell stuff for jewelry making & casting). Besides getting the wonderful saw blades they also sell top notch needle files. I bet that Denver also has a place like this.

 

[chipper]

Bingo, I never thought to look there.

Thanks

 

[Roy]

Tell us how it goes. You should also look at the other stuff they have there like buffing and pollishing wheels.
It ends up costing me $100 everytime I go there :grin: .

 

[CARBABY]

HOW TO MAKE A LINE ENGRAVER: Just trying line engraving on a non-ferrious metal like soft brass”¦.need not be a costly venture. One can make the engraver out of a metal drill bit (HSS ”“ High Speed Steel) a longer shank helps. A used l/8 inch diameter drill bit with the cutting edge stuck in a wood handle can be used as a starter. The big concern is the Sharpening”¦.obtaining a cutting face. Hit the local library and see what is available on metal line engraving . Hopefully something should turn up to give you an idea of what the cutting end should look like (as a description here would be a little lengthy) . Rsearch books out there on it, and don’t forget to check out gunsmithing books with engraving as sub-chapter . I have seen articles in magazines like Muzzle Blast and Muzzleloader which would wet your appetite and give you a close enough idea to actually try the cutting. As far as tools ~a grinding wheel would be the one thing you would need if you intend on making your own engraver. Mastering the cutting Edge is a large part of the experience. A little research and perseverance will get you there.

 

[chipper]

Thanks for the info. I've been wanting to give this a try since I was a kid growing up in Wyoming. There was an old man that used to engrave things. I'll try the trick using the drill bit first.

Regards

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Sue over at MBS has a pile, cheap
[url] http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/[/url]

Give her a ring

 

[CrackStock]

Track does have them. You might want to reshape them slightly to get a slight curve underneath so as to make it glide easier as it cuts.

CS

 

[Harddog]

I want to try my hand at ingraving and I'm unable to find a source for a graver that I can practice with. Some of the big name guys have kits for $$$. I'm cheap and just want one or two tools to get me started. It would be cool to find the stuff locally here in Denver. Any suggestions on what to buy would be helpfull too.
Regards
Wounded knee

Most of the muzzleloading gunsmiths that I know, including myself, use high speed lathe tool bits for graver and grind them ourselves. I use 5% or 8% cobalt high speed tool bits. The cobalt content keeps the tips from breaking of and keeps the graver sharper for longer.

You might contact Michael Lea, the muzzleloading gunsmith from Dayton??, Ohio. He sells a high speed bit like I mentioned, already sharpened to the proper shape, and with a handle. They are relatively cheap. You only need two or three gravers to do typical engraving on muzzleloaders. You need a square graver with a short bottom releif angle for doing around curves, a square graver with a long releif angle on the bottom for long straight lines and a chisle graver for nick and cut borders and some accent cuts.

If you order a couple from Michael Lea you will get them ready to go and will know how to grind more. Tou can buy the high speed cobalt cutters from any machinist supply for less than a couple of bucks apiece.

I would also recommend that you buy a book or better yet, a video on beginning engraving to get you started.

Randy Hedden