work in progress
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
Andrew, I think the sheep saw snow and is hibernating. Brass is a different animal than steel. The curl one normally sees with steel, breaks or crumbles oftentimes in brass. Fortunately the edges of the cut are reasonably clean. I employed some techniques with this piece that I would not typically be able to use on steel. I used a sharp needle point to "scribble or doodle" some of the background and especially some trees. I think it is likely that this will be at Reno. With luck it will be on my table or Bruce Farman's. As always one's ego enjoys the kind comments. It seems all of us have too many days that are all fetch and no pat on the head.
A comment or two regarding the design. The stylized eagle, beaded background, and border are very similar to ones from the period. Those elements help give it a feeling of tradition and the scroll and "dolphin's headish, lookalike, psuedo..........well who knows but if it seems to work a little then I am grateful.
Christopher Malouf
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
I've been staring at this all day. It's composition is reminiscent of late 19th Century bank/treasury notes with their rich vignettes. I know I've seen the large building somewhere before.... Nice theme with both the Union and St. Andrew's Cross flags.
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Roger Bleile
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
I'm guessing that the building on the left side is the Lee mansion which is now within Arlington National cemetary.
jerrywh
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Lee.
Is this rifle for Billy Bright???
Is this rifle for Billy Bright???
rod
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Lee,
This piece is so wonderful to admire, and I second all of the posted compliments! It will be great to see it in Reno. The engraving has a quiet sense of restraint, yet a superb design and execution, and you must have been firing on all cylinders to bring off this splendid result.
Regarding working with brass, is this cast or rolled brass? We metal turners know that when preparing our cutting tools, "zero rake" is preferable for brass turning, in comparison to cutting steel, where the tool likes a positive rake of about 15 degrees. What do I mean by rake? That is the angle of the top face of a turning tool, the face over which the chip flows as it leaves the workpiece. Thinking of engraving as being start/stop metal turning, what we call the front-face is what the turner calls the rake angle. In that context, if a 45 degree front face is common for engraving steel, might a steeper front-face cut brass better, say 55 degrees ?
best
Rod
This piece is so wonderful to admire, and I second all of the posted compliments! It will be great to see it in Reno. The engraving has a quiet sense of restraint, yet a superb design and execution, and you must have been firing on all cylinders to bring off this splendid result.
Regarding working with brass, is this cast or rolled brass? We metal turners know that when preparing our cutting tools, "zero rake" is preferable for brass turning, in comparison to cutting steel, where the tool likes a positive rake of about 15 degrees. What do I mean by rake? That is the angle of the top face of a turning tool, the face over which the chip flows as it leaves the workpiece. Thinking of engraving as being start/stop metal turning, what we call the front-face is what the turner calls the rake angle. In that context, if a 45 degree front face is common for engraving steel, might a steeper front-face cut brass better, say 55 degrees ?
best
Rod
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I must add that I took some significant artistic liberties with regards to the buildings and other elements and acknowledge that they are not perfect renderings but are "based" on historical buildings, themes,etc. This is partly because of the size constraints and the desire for it to be seen with something other than a 10x loupe. I have simplified and altered while still trying to keep the feel of the period and a North/ South theme. I hope to have depicted both with respect and honor
I normally cut with about 65 degrees at the face and this works well in brass. It seems brass also has a tendency to wear a point to dullness instead of breaking a point. Almost like an abrasive effect.
Roger Bleile
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
The Uberti frames are cast however I am not sure that they are actually brass. I do know that the originals were made of "gunmetal" which while looking like brass were more like bronze in metalurgical composition. The Uberti's I've done cut pretty well in spite of being cast.
What a beautiful design, Lee! Another one of those that requires careful study to appreciate all of the nuances of the engraving. I love it. 
Barry Lee Hands
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Excellent! as always. . .
Bunic
Elite Cafe Member
Lee,
Out of curiosity, what / where are the buildings?
Mike
Out of curiosity, what / where are the buildings?
Mike
ragi07
Member
Hi have no msn address, ragi.
rod
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Roger,
In Scotland "Gunmetal" was the name we gave to a sort of cast bronze suitable for bearings, such as journal bearings on railway rolling stock, a better bearing metal than brass, for sure. Same in the US?
Rod
In Scotland "Gunmetal" was the name we gave to a sort of cast bronze suitable for bearings, such as journal bearings on railway rolling stock, a better bearing metal than brass, for sure. Same in the US?
Rod
Roger Bleile
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Gunmetal, also known as red brass in the United States, is a type of bronze – an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc. Originally gunmetal was used chiefly for making cannon. Gunmetal is resistant to corrosion from steam and salt water, and is thus suitable for valves, pump parts and steam fittings like the rolling stock you mentioned. I have heard that Victoria Crosses (the UK's highest medal for valor) were made from the gunmetal of cannon from the seige of Sevastopol.
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