Rolfkt
I would go back over to Steve’s web sight . There you will find a number of very good books . Some of them on line and free for down load .
Most books I have read will not teach you the ins and outs of depth control. doesn’t mater if the books are about chase or push engraving . Learning that takes time and practice .
there are a number of folks just learning there as well . so ask . you will get help . again do take a look at the list of reading material steve has posted .
Also
While Steves web site can be alittle intimidating to post on do to the number of very, VERY experienced engravers . I know of non who will not help you out or give you pointers .
there also are a number of beginner engravers there . so jump in and ask .
again take advantage of the Online books steve has posted as well as his online Videos. they will help you
As to your graver .
The Lindsey graver .
As you know the hammer stroke is adjustable. I would suggest try turning the it down . It then becomes less likely to dive . If your running with all the ports open and on high pressure , it will literally drive itself out of sight if you cant hold the angle .
As to width . Im guessing but it sounds like ,to me, your having an issue with holding a consistent brace “ ie keeping the graver at a consistent angle . Also regardless of the use of the foot peddle or the hand control , Constant speed is important . If suddenly you give the graver more power it will dive deeper .
Also if you don’t have a sharpening system “ I highly recommends Steves system “
What can happen is if one of your angles is off , the graver will act like a car that’s out of alignment . Thus it continually will want to pull away . A chipped point acts the same way so always check to make sure your graver tips are true , sharp and clean
When I first got my Lindsay I found I wanted to grip the graver to tight . Simply put , the grave has a lot of power . But its so smooth that you don’t need to really grip it . You can actually hold it with 2 fingers and she will cut very smooth and even . So work on keeping the angle of your hold consistent.
As to strait lines .
The two hardest things to free hand are a circle and a strait line .
With a circle and scroll work a good turn table is a must .
But strait lines are another subject . There simple is no short cut to practice .
Strait lines have to be IMO one of the hardest things to accomplish . The longer the line . The harder it is
One of the things that helped me ,this seems simple but here is what I did .
Draw a strait line with a ruler , then follow the line .
Try your best to stay on course and control the angle .
Another thing I do is to lay a piece of thick tape down just outside the line . I look down and follow the edge of the tape with the corner of the engraver . IE I don’t concentrate on the tip but the side of the engraver .
On the next practice plate I do I try and do it free hand as much as possible. Thus I try and train my eye and hand to better work together.
Here is a practice plate I just recently did on aluminum from a broken lawn chair a fella had .
Now I will be the first to say it sucks .
I did not have a turn table when I did this . Nor did I have my vice . It was kind of a spur of the moment deal to show what the lendsey would do . This was cut out side , by a fire , on a log . Using a board with a nail in it as a turn table . the lindsey was powered by paint ball gun cylinder .
So" PLEASE know im showing this to you so as you can see the importance of a good working equipment .
Notice how the scroll work has flat spots . This is do to the wobble of the turn table compounded by the fact I could not re center the piece . The plate was also nailed to the board IE it was fixed permanently .
Now notice the strait lines. see how the walk up at the upper end .
Again this relates to what I was using as a engraving table . The further I got away from my center the less ability I had to properly control the graver . Thus it walked because my eye was not looking at a good angle ..
My point is . IMO you have the very best Pneumatic hammer gravers on the market . Having the correct tools to help you along will help you more then you will ever know .
But they do not take the place of practice
