Engraving question

[Ed Wenger]

I know one technique for holding smaller parts is to set them in automobile body putty.  My question is how do you release them once your done with the engraving?  And also, do you put the putty on anything for a base, or is just a glob of putty with the item to be engraved placed in it?  Many thanks in advance...

[California Kid]

Heat it gently with a propane torch and it will release-Kid

By the way put it on a block of wood so you can hold it in your vice.

[Acer Saccharum]

for flat work, I use hot melt glue on a block of wood. heat the part slightly, stick it down. You can re-use this style block almost forever. Clean the part with some denatured alcohol.

The bondo makes a nice nest, especially if the part is domed.

Tom

[Ed Wenger]

Sweet, thanks guys.  I'm of to the store for some bondo and hot melt glue...  Tom, see ya in a couple of days!

[holzwurm]

Ed, you don't need to use a propane torch on work pieces to get them to drop away from the bondo. A heat gun or your wifes' hair dryer will heat the part plenty warm to part off the mount.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I like the hot melt glue....and the smell is better  too!

[sz]

For regular engraving I also use body putty on a piece of wood.  I use a paint stripper gun to get them off.
For deep chiseling I take a 2" piece of steel flat stock and I cleaned it up with a sand blaster  (you could file it too, to remove the slag, but i used a sand blaster)
Tin the surface with solder.
Take the piece you are going to work and coat the back with tinner's acid, and clamp it to the plate.  heat until the solder melts and let it cool.

Such a "mount" will resist even heavy hammer blows.
SZ

[Ed Wenger]

Thanks for the help guys...  I ended up using Bondo for the lid of the patchbox and hot glue for the side pieces.  Both worked great!  I gently used a propane torch on both to release them...  Next time I'll try the heat gun.

SZ, thanks for the tip ...  Looks great by the way...