HUGE Engraving Problem

[Bill Raby]

   I just got a Lindsay Airgraver and I absolutely love it. Time for me to start engraving the gun I have been working on. I have not started on it yet. So far I am just practicing. I want to get used to this thing and get it all figured out before starting on the gun. So I have been in my shop in the basement working at that every free chance I get for the last week or so.

   There is a woman living with me. She likes to yell at me if I am working on guns and making noise too late at night. But other than that she is really awesome. That is where I run into my huge problem. Tonight I am not practicing engraving because SHE IS USING MY NEW LINDSAY AIRGRAVER!!!! She got her niece a bracelet for Christmas and wants to engrave it herself so now she is practicing. OH NO!!! Worst of all, she is enjoying it.

   She used to be a tattoo artist and is far better at the art stuff than I am. And yes, she is entirely covered in tattoos. She says that the airgraver is kind of like a tattoo gun. With a bit of practice I think that she could be truly amazing at engraving. I don;t know what to think. On one hand I think it is really cool that she is interested in it. On there other hand THERE IS A GIRL USING MY TOOLS!!! But she does not get to touch my chisels. No way. That is just going too far.

[steven baker]

Bill let her have play time then put your foot down and tell her a mans shop is his kingdom ,my time and space is mind. Hope that helps , you could buy her one for Christmas  as a quick fix ,take care Steven.

[WadePatton]

Let her go nuts. 

Then you don't have to send out for engraving, or bother learning it yourself.  Whoot!

[FALout]

Tell her to get her own tools

[retired fella]

At this point I don't think you got a problem but if she starts talking about sharing your shop to put in a sewing room you might be in the market for a bigger house.                                 

[Goo]

At this point she might learn to engrave mote gracefully and efficiently than you.   Maybe you will be asking her to engrave your guns 😉

[Long Ears]

Bill, what Lindsey engraver did you purchase? I'm considering purchasing but the options are somewhat overwhelming. Thanks, Bob

[hortonstn]

I had a artisan airgraver it worked perfectly for me be sure to get his sharpening templates
Also
As usual I sold it to one of the members here now I wish I had kept it
Just my opinion
Paul

[flinchrocket]

The engraving on longrifles was done by hand and doesn't look the same as engraving done with an airgraver. I know that people use them and that's ok, but I prefer to do my engraving by hand. It took a lot of practice without any classes to do a halfway respectable job,not something you pick up overnight. So, buy a hammer and engraving chisel and maybe if your nice your friend will help you with some designs. Try to hold down the noise please.

[WKevinD]

Make sure she has access to lots of period engraving examples and lots of practice plates and don't yell at her if she practices late in the evening.

Kevin

[Clark Badgett]

I don't know if I can see this as a problem. If she has the skill, then you can make this very positive. My wife has no clue how to properly use tools. I purposely buy cheap tools to keep in the junk drawer for her to use when she feels a need and I still find one of my good gun stools in the drawer frequently enough, and I usually have to fix it when I do.

[JBJ]

Good luck!

[Bill Raby]

Bill, what Lindsey engraver did you purchase? I'm considering purchasing but the options are somewhat overwhelming. Thanks, Bob

I got the Classic Airgraver with the foot control. Had a hard time deciding between foot control and palm control. I went with the foot control because I have so many years experience using foot control tools that it just seems more natural. I have also been using gravers for a lot of years. Diamond setting and such, not engraving. The harder you push, the less control you have. But then most of what people are saying online is that the hand control is easier to use. I don't know. The extra $1500 made the decision a bit easier. I think the adjustable stroke is worth the extra money. I can see myself getting one of those Nitro G20 gravers sometime. Maybe I would get that with the palm control.

There is no question she could be amazing at engraving and I always encourage her with any artistic thing she does. But the idea of her using my fancy tools makes me nervous. Reminds me of how many times I found my mallet upstairs. But then she takes very good care of her tattoo guns.

I don't want to have her do engraving for me. I want to do it myself! I suppose I can let her help out with the designs a bit though.