I'm trying to get started out in this as a hobby maybe something more later. I have read a few of the forums and watched youtube. I was wondering if there were any books that could explain graver geometry and there uses. Also what should i work on first being able to draw or could i just start trying to engrave. Also i was planning on using push style gravers i can't afford a pneumatic system but maybe in the future.
beginner starting out HELP!!!
- Thread starter cbuff93
- Start date
Terrezar
Elite Cafe Member
http://www.igraver.com/sharpening.shtml
This is a good place to start. It can also be found in the "Tips Archive," and in the "iGraver Tutorials," on the top of every page of the forum. Also, take a look at this, for a few tips on graverhandles and sharpening gear http://www.engraverscafe.com/showthread.php?14579-My-homemade-stuff&highlight=homemade+stuff.
I musst also say that I support the idea of doing palm push engraving, but do get a vice, and do get a dual angle sharpener. That will make your life so much more easy. http://www.grstools.com/tool-sharpening/sharpening-fixtures/003-570.html.
Also i recomend using copper plates to experiment on at first. They are brilliante to engrave. Steel, iron, and brass puts up more of a fight.
Beeing able to draw does help, but I know several skilled engravers with the drawing abilities of sugar addicted children, and they manage somehow.
Again I will mentione the "Tips Archive," and then, as an ending to the post, I'll just wish you the best of luck.
Best of luck.
This is a good place to start. It can also be found in the "Tips Archive," and in the "iGraver Tutorials," on the top of every page of the forum. Also, take a look at this, for a few tips on graverhandles and sharpening gear http://www.engraverscafe.com/showthread.php?14579-My-homemade-stuff&highlight=homemade+stuff.
I musst also say that I support the idea of doing palm push engraving, but do get a vice, and do get a dual angle sharpener. That will make your life so much more easy. http://www.grstools.com/tool-sharpening/sharpening-fixtures/003-570.html.
Also i recomend using copper plates to experiment on at first. They are brilliante to engrave. Steel, iron, and brass puts up more of a fight.
Beeing able to draw does help, but I know several skilled engravers with the drawing abilities of sugar addicted children, and they manage somehow.
Again I will mentione the "Tips Archive," and then, as an ending to the post, I'll just wish you the best of luck.
Best of luck.
Last edited:
don hicks
Elite Cafe Member
Welcome to the forum;
Great advise from Terrezar. You need Gravers, a sharpening method, and a method of holding your work,minimum.
After that, necessity will dictate your needs. For me it was some method of magnification. I have to admit that I am a tool junky and have accumulated a pretty good set of engraving gear for a rank novice. The best tool I have is my laptop which allows me to access the various engraving forums and youtube videos. The experienced engravers that participate in this forum are a resource you will treasure.
Best of luck , you will be hooked in no time.
Cheers
Don
Great advise from Terrezar. You need Gravers, a sharpening method, and a method of holding your work,minimum.
After that, necessity will dictate your needs. For me it was some method of magnification. I have to admit that I am a tool junky and have accumulated a pretty good set of engraving gear for a rank novice. The best tool I have is my laptop which allows me to access the various engraving forums and youtube videos. The experienced engravers that participate in this forum are a resource you will treasure.
Best of luck , you will be hooked in no time.
Cheers
Don
mitch
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2007
- Messages
- 2,636
take a class. a few days of hands-on demos will save you months & years of frustration. at the very least, see if you can find an engraver in your area who's willing to spend a couple hours showing you the basics (buy him or her lunch). engraving is one of THE most difficult arts/crafts to learn under the best of circumstances. don't handicap yourself by trying to figure out its arcane 'secrets' from books & youtube vids.
Roger Bleile
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
cbuff93,
Everyone above has made good points for you. For someone who wants to engrave as a hobby, I think learning to use the burin (push graver) is the way to go. An idea I used when teaching myself the burin was to get some Gravoply from a place that machine engraves signs and name badges and practice my cutting on that. Once I built up control on the plastic laminate, I moved on to copper. http://www.professionalplastics.com/GRAVOPLY1ENGRAVINGSTOCK
Everyone above has made good points for you. For someone who wants to engrave as a hobby, I think learning to use the burin (push graver) is the way to go. An idea I used when teaching myself the burin was to get some Gravoply from a place that machine engraves signs and name badges and practice my cutting on that. Once I built up control on the plastic laminate, I moved on to copper. http://www.professionalplastics.com/GRAVOPLY1ENGRAVINGSTOCK
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