Question: Gold Inlay

tayloredcreations · Apr 13, 2017

I've gone through all the gold inlay forums under the tips archive and had just a couple of small questions regarding the inlay process. In the picture below provided by Sam, I was curious as to what people used to removed the excess gold after hammering it in? I would imagine a flat, however I wasn't sure as many people do things differently. Additionally, when outlining the inlay afterward the picture comments you do the outline on the steel. Does the outline cut ever make contact with the inlayed gold?

Edit: I tried a copper inlay on brass sheet last night and this was my result. I slipped a couple times and will continue to practice but can't wait to try things other than lines!

Thank you everyone for the help

Southern Custom · Apr 13, 2017

I use a polished flat with a slightly rounded heel. I've heard of using a flat made from bronze but never tried it. Shave away the gold but leave it proud. Finally use a stone to bring everything flat. Stoning will remove the excess from the edges and leave the inlay crisp and clean provided it was set correctly. Last step is cutting border if desired. The graver should not cut into the gold. The borders edge should be touching the gold but not cut into it.

tayloredcreations · Apr 13, 2017

Southern Custom said:
I use a polished flat with a slightly rounded heel. I've heard of using a flat made from bronze but never tried it. Shave away the gold but leave it proud. Finally use a stone to bring everything flat. Stoning will remove the excess from the edges and leave the inlay crisp and clean provided it was set correctly. Last step is cutting border if desired. The graver should not cut into the gold. The borders edge should be touching the gold but not cut into it.

fantastic, thank you!

jerrywh · Apr 13, 2017

If the gold is to be flush i just sand it down flush. If it is to be left proud I trim the edges with a bronze or hard brass flat. Sometimes I cut my outline on the gold and sometimes in the steel Depends on what I want the outcome to be.

mitch · Apr 14, 2017

here are my gold trimming gravers. they all have spear points, more or less, are highly polished, and have the corners rounded off to help prevent digging in.

mitch · Apr 14, 2017

also, in this crude cellphone screen shot, i handle these areas differently. i would engrave the leaves right across the future path of the gold line, then cut the inlay channel right up to it. the original line would be left intact, then lightly recut after the gold is inlaid and polished back flush. that's what works best for me.

tayloredcreations · Apr 16, 2017

I ended up trying it with copper last night!

Marrinan · Apr 17, 2017

Layne, I am sorry to disagree with you on one point. When you mention cutting right up to the inlayed metal, gold in this case, you said "Last step is cutting border if desired. The graver should not cut into the gold. The borders edge should be touching the gold but not cut into it." If you follow this procedure you have removed the undercut you so carefully cut to hold the gold in. There should be a very small steel line completely surrounding the gold to insure that the undercut remains to do its job. In my opinion of course.

jerrywh · Apr 17, 2017

Gold is touchy to engrave because it is so soft. Once one learns the finesse of gold engraving it is not hard to go from one to the other without diving into the gold. Another thing is when installing a gold inlay hammer it in real well and the gold will work harden so that there is not a lot of difference between soft steel and the hardened gold.

SamW · Apr 18, 2017

Regarding Layne's comment about a bronze flat...I use one when you cannot afford to mar the surrounding steel surface.

Question: Gold Inlay

tayloredcreations

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