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Thread: Sparkle/sparkly texture using graver?

  1. #1
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    Default Sparkle/sparkly texture using graver?

    Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone familiar with gravers/chisels could give me some insight or suggestions. I'm trying to achieve a textured sparkly pattern on flat/curved metal. I know its possible, having seen a texture which looked almost as if the metal was sprinkled with sparkles and was told it was made by hand. Unfortunately I didn't ask more about the actual technique, only meeting the man in passing...

    I wish I had a picture to show you want I mean, as its hard to explain.

    I did some experiments with a round graver and sort of raised beads all nearby each other which was of similar in appearance in sparkliness, but my guess is that the original texture was done with a hand piece or hammer & chisel vs raising individual beads. My texture came out more "pokey" and less "chunky".

    I was thinking maybe a sort of faceted and highly polished mini 'spike' with a hammer/handpiece driven in at multiple angles? Does anyone know if I'm on the right track or can give any advice?

    Thanks so much
    - Emily

  2. #2
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    If you use a "mini spike" don't make it too small & sharp otherwise you'll be doing a kind of stipple which will darken the metal..this is what engravers do with the negative space to give contrast.
    I've used the edge of a small bearing cutter in a close random manner in the past to texture, followed by a brass brush wheel to brighten...would that do it?
    You'll have to experiment on a bit of scrap.
    Last edited by Gemsetterchris; 10-12-2015 at 05:34 AM.

  3. #3
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    Are you sure it wasn't made by texturing in a rolling mill with sandpaper? It would be faster, but not ordered

  4. #4
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    Yes but put it in an envelope to protect your mill from grit.
    Another low tech. method is to use a frosting wheel on your motor/flex shaft. Medium (blue) is best, but wear eye protection and use a slow speed. Dennis.

  5. #5
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    The thread title says 'using graver' but as its a question, I'm going to throw in the use of the foredom hammer handpiece as a possibility.

  6. #6
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    don't make it too small & sharp otherwise you'll be doing a kind of stipple
    Ah yes, thanks for the tip. I tried making one out of an old drill bit, but in my hurry didn't do a proper job so haven't figured out if this is a valid avenue yet. How many digs/hits to the metal do you think a tool like this would take before needing a resharpen again (with sterling)? Its not so much the cutting action that I think I need, but the shiny metal to metal contact.

    texturing in a rolling mill with sandpaper
    The texture was more like old popcorn ceilings, but with random facets of shiny - as if the two attached pictures had a sparkly, textured baby.. The finish was also was applied to a curved (and not anticlastic/forged) surface. Another thought is some sort of chiseled texture that is then burnished but I think the shiny facets were not all on the same plane.

    frosting wheel
    The texture was more chunky and less frosted, I'm afraid :S

    foredom hammer handpiece
    Yes I was thinking possibly something along those lines ..


    Thanks for your thoughts all, I feel like a dog with a bone with this one. I'll keep experimenting.

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    - Emily

  7. #7
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    As Dennis suggests, some kind of rough diamond rotary burr might be easier & quicker followed by a burnish/brush to get the burrs down abit.
    Hammering will be tedious & noisy work to cover a biggish area.

  8. #8
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    Other possibilities might be some form of chemical etching, or perhaps granulation - fine grains of high carat gold, fine silver or Argentium can be fused to the surface of a sheet just by playing a flame over them. I don't think it's possible with sterling, only with metals that fuse readily to themselves or each other. A technique I've seen but not yet tried myself is fine gold on Argentium, followed by LoS or similar, so you end up with sparkly gold granules on a dark background.
    Alan

  9. #9
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    I'd suggest use a Foredom hammer handpiece too with a diamond tipped anvil in it.

    If you search under the show and tell section you'll see a ring I did using this technique some time ago.

    Cheers,

    Nick

  10. #10
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    I use my Faro hammer handpiece for texturing, I use hammerheads that I shape myself.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    James

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