AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: davec2 on January 20, 2013, 02:05:46 AM
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This is the second of the rifles that I started many years ago and then stopped because of what I was learning here. Original story is here and I won't repeat it http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=23271.msg222953#msg222953). As before, I had started several parts of this rifle long ago and am just trying to do the best I can with what I have. The stock is fairly well shaped and most parts inletted. Before I make some other decisions, I thought I would engrave a few parts trying to incorporate the suggestions I received on my last rifle (http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=23558.0)
Lock, side plate, and rear ram rod pipe using less overall engraving and more traditional designs. Not there yet, but making forward progress.
(https://preview.ibb.co/eLkr3H/Scott_M_s_Rifle_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dn9JiH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jUEJiH/Scott_M_s_Rifle_7.jpg) (http://ibb.co/no8diH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dLdNAx/Scott_M_s_Rifle_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jjipqx)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cM0r3H/Scott_M_s_Rifle_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/b4qDHc)
(https://preview.ibb.co/c5odiH/Scott_M_s_Rifle_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bvMyiH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/eJHtHc/Scott_M_s_Rifle_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gzaPOH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/inOB3H/Scott_M_s_Rifle_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cOKjOH)
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Great job on the engraving. beautiful
topknot
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Dave,
I've seen a lot of fence posts over the years but none like yours. Fantastic, didn't think they could, but they just keep getting better.
Mark
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Nice but dont drive it into the ground.
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Wow! Great job man. Looks Great. Can't wait to see the finished Rifle....
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hmm..."not there yet". :D Where ya goin'? I'll never even get to where you were when you were 10! Dunno if I'll be able to look at your work when you get happy with it! I guess that's how you keep getting better. It's always a pleasure to see your work!!
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No fence post that I can see and that lock is superb.
Keep up the fine work.
Bob Roller
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"Not there yet"?
Dave, If you need some more practice, I'll be happy to send some hardware your way to scratch on.
rudyc
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With the title "Fence Post" I thought I was going to see something I might have made. But all i see is exceptional work. I really like the side plate and the top jaw!
Your friend,
Albert
PS: Yes I am still over here...
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@!*%, Dave, you're getting really good.
Think English.
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I sure wish I could make fence posts that looked like that. I wish I could just get a lock looking that good without the engraving.
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That's some kind of fence post! :D
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If I ever get close to the level of work you do now, I'd be exstatic!!
Best regards
Rolf
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Oh man!!
Keep working on that fence and keep posting pics.
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Let me know when you need more pieces to practice on.... Dave, your work is amazing!
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It's gonna take a lot of those to make a fence. Maybe you should just shoot it instead.
Gorgeous work.
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I'm with Acer...
I'd love to see an English piece.
Jeff
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I see what you mean...still needs a lot of work. You could keep going and finish it or, you could send me all those junk parts and I'd be happy to dispose of them for you...
Kevin
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Very nice work!
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DITTO! What everybody just said!
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Had a chance to get the muzzle cap and trigger guard engraved today:
(https://preview.ibb.co/byzCtH/Scott_M_s_Rifle_8.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m0qJYH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bYnoiH/Scott_M_s_Rifle_9.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fdyuOH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mnsAxc/Scott_M_s_Rifle_15.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nwKqxc)
(https://preview.ibb.co/f5yHcc/Scott_M_s_Rifle_14.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kEcoiH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dNeCAx/Scott_M_s_Rifle_13.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mpB3Hc)
(https://preview.ibb.co/eP9CAx/Scott_M_s_Rifle_12.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dzHccc)
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Dave, you're developing a really nice feel for line quality. You have good control over the depth of cut, and you vary the line from thin to thick and thin again. This adds a lot of visual interest to your designs, especially apparent in the foliage.
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Tom,
Thanks ! Per your last comments, I am trying to "think English".
Dave C
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Dave, Along with your engraving being fantastic, so is your aging process on the brass. Not overly done. Very nice.
Could you elaborate a bit on that?
MikeH
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Your photographs are excellent! Your engraving looks good even magnified several times, very impressive.
Bruce Robb
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Mike H,
Thanks. The brass darkening is accomplished per Jim Kibler's recommendations using a "brass ager" solution sold by a company called Historic House Parts (http://www.historichouseparts.com/pdshop/shop/category.aspx?catid=107). I usually finish the brass parts to a 600 grit or so, do the engraving, and blacken the engraving itself with brass black from Birchwood Casey. I then buff off the surface with 1500 or 2000 grit paper that just takes the black off the surface but leaves the engraving dark. This also removes any very slight burrs that are left from the engraving. Then I clean the parts with acetone and rub the brass darkening solution on the part with a cotton ball or piece of folded cheese cloth. I try not to get it overly dark to start with and rubbing on the solution slows the process. Usually, you are supposed to immerse the part completely until the desired color is achieved, but this leaves it uniformly colored which doesn't look right. To me, there should be worn areas that are brighter and other areas that are darker. The process of rubbing on the solution also leaves the surface a little blotchy which variegates the overall coloring. To blend it all, I use Taylor's trick of swiping the surfaces, all in one direction, with fine (0000) steel wool. If I overdo the rub down, I just darken again until it looks right.
I did a very quick job on these parts to get a sense of how they will eventually look. I won't do the final finishing until I'm ready to assemble the rifle for the final time.
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Your engraving patterns are very pleasing and well cut. I love seeing your stuff.
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Like Taylor said.
Dan
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Taylor, Dan:
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I was fairly well pleased looking at the parts in my hand, but blown up ten times size on the screen makes me a little nervous. The shading still looks like I did it with my left foot.
(I think the answer is smaller photos !)
Dave C
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Dave C,
All I can say is exquisite! I guess there might be better engravers alive or dead out there, but to me your work is amazing! My wife and I truly enjoyed the beauty of it. I have done a few engravings that are not very good, but you gotta start somewhere right? Still practicing...Do you use all hand gravers or do you use power ones? Thanks for posting.
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Simply wonderful! I find myself staring so closely at the detail. I am only beginning to learn engraving and your work is a bit of inspiration to me. Thanks for posting.
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Wetzel / Muggsy;
Thanks for the kind words. I do some of the work with a hand graver, some with a graver and hammer, but most with a 30 year old Gravermeister. I don't get to work at it enough to get really good, but I have had more time to practice lately. I enjoy the work and it is a good way for me to "veg out" a little from the very technical work I do for a living.