AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Rolf on July 25, 2008, 09:54:30 PM

Title: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: Rolf on July 25, 2008, 09:54:30 PM

After seeing SZ's beautiful side plates, I started wondering how do you that beautiful metal chisel work? Is it harder to do than engraving? What tools do you use?
Any books you would recommend on the subject?


Best regards

Rolfkt

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: sz on July 25, 2008, 10:11:48 PM

I use the same tools to lay out the patterns that i do for cutting regular engraving, but after the "master lines" are cut in, I have tools I sharpened to various shapes to make the deep cuts.  (for removing the bulk of the metal)
It's not any different than line engraving, but just a lot more work
I know of no books about it.  There's a short excerpt on it in Meeks's book, The Art of Engraving.
Other than that, I am self taught.
I wish i did know where to go to learn, but I never found anyone that would teach me for a price I could come anywhere near affording.  Every class i ever heard of on that subject was insultingly expensive.
So I just taught myself.  I had no choice.

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: lew wetzel on July 26, 2008, 01:31:54 AM

maybe someone should do a tutorial on the subject......

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: ironwolf on July 26, 2008, 01:39:29 AM

  Maybe when Acer gets back from Dixons He'll do just that, Lew.
Kev

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: T*O*F on July 26, 2008, 02:05:21 AM

Try googling "die sinker chisel"

Search brownells.com or gesswein.com for the above words

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: Dphariss on July 26, 2008, 02:31:53 AM

Lynton McKenzie's engraving videos go into removing backgrounds.

Basically  make cuts then use a flat graver to flatten the area..

Dan

Title: Re: How do you chizel metaI?
Post by: sz on July 26, 2008, 04:14:17 AM

That's right Dphriss.  It's the same as doing carving in wood, but you just take less material at a cut.  All the forms are the same.  The one good thing about metal is that you never have to worry about it chipping out
:)
You use files and stones where you'd use sand paper on wood
You scrape too, like you would on wood, but the scrapers are shaped different and made of very hard steel
You make chisels to cut round cuts as you'd use gouges in wood
It's not a big deal, but like wood carving, it takes practice.
Get some 1/8" plate steel and brass, and have at it.  After a bit of time, it starts to come together for you.  Just dive in
:)
Steve