Novice looking for engraving advice!

[amandahw]

Hi I've just started making some bracelets for friends who have had new babies and want to engrave ( so expensive to get someone else to do it) the date of birth and name of the baby onto charms! I bought a electric engraver ( £1.99 you do get what you pay for) and it was terrible but I can't find what is the best tool for the job! Can anyone recommend what to use - I'm willing to do lots of practice!! Thanks for helping a novice out! Amanda:~:

[ps_bond]

Hi Amanda -

Define "best" :)

On the traditional side of engraving, a square graver is what would be used for most lettering work. A very versatile tool, but it takes a moderate amount of practice to use, not least of which is learning the sharpening. They're quite inexpensive, but you'll need to do a lot of practice and it's one of those skills that is a lot easier to learn if you have someone show you first. Learning to form the letters with a pencil is actually more important than the cutting (although that's not to diminish the skill in cutting!). Katia (kfil) here may be able to help you with tuition.

The engraving generally done at trophy shops/key cutters etc. is carried out by using a pantograph controlling either a motorised burr or a point (for the cheaper machines anyway - there are completely computer controlled ones too). This allows enlargement/reduction of a typeface and is what most people will see in the way of engraving.

There are a few relatively inexpensive stippling engravers around; the Dremel one springs to mind (I've not used it, but I know a few people who quite like it) which use a reciprocating point to add dots to the metal - not strictly engraving, but you can use them with a stencil.

You can use a rotary tool, sort of - I'm not usually a fan of the results though.

[Dennis]

The Dremel might not be a great advance on the £1.99 one, although I think it's the best of the bunch. If you get one, it is still best to practice on scrap and write something with it prior to each use to retrain your hand to cope with the imbalance of the tool. It makes a trail of tiny dots, but there is nothing as satisfying as the bright cut of real engraving, a skill that eludes me. Dennis.

[caroleallen]

I'd say engraving is a very specialised art and needs lots of practice to get good enough to engrave names. I've recently got a Dremel and it's quite good as long as you're not looking for copper plate.

[Polly]

Hi, I agree with Carole, it takes time and practice, though you say that you are up for that, so go for it! I usually hand engrave with a graver/scroper and would recommend this book 'Engraving on Precious Metals by A. Brittain and P. Morton (Hardcover - 8 Nov 1993)'. It's a bit wordy but is an excellent book for starting off, good luck!

[ps_bond]

I keep meaning to get that one - I've got Meeks' Art of Engraving, Hardy's Jewelry Engravers Manual (which is pretty good for lettering) and a few others (including Hasluck); how does Brittain compare?

[Polly]

Couldn't say Peter, I've not seen the books you mention so unable to compare :( The book I have was recommended by 3 different hand engraving tutors, so I guess they rate it :) Its the only book, apart from snipnets that can be found in the Anastasia Young book etc. that I have on the subject and it as served me well... :)

[medusa]

Hi, I agree with Carole, it takes time and practice, though you say that you are up for that, so go for it! I usually hand engrave with a graver/scroper and would recommend this book 'Engraving on Precious Metals by A. Brittain and P. Morton (Hardcover - 8 Nov 1993)'. It's a bit wordy but is an excellent book for starting off, good luck!

my copy came this morning!

[amandahw]

thanks to you all for your advice! I think I will try the dremel I will keep you updated!!