Removing back ground ?

[JOSIAH HANLEY]

i am using a 90 then go over with a flat to clean up my back ground before i stipple finish it is this the best way ? does a 105 or a 120 work better ? i do have a 850 grinder but don't like the finish

 

[Beathard]

I have used all three followed by a flat or a 850 with a bur. I don't see much of a difference. I believe you should use what you find both easy and pleasing to your eye.

 

[monk]

i sometimes use a round first. cut parallel lines, then cross cut with the round- leaving a batch of mini pillars. i then go in with a flat and shear off the pillars. after this, i'll usually level the mess by repeated wriggle cuts till i'm satisfied with the surface. many ways to do this- try the tips section.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Whatever works and removes the most metal at one time.

I just use a flat in most cases and don't bother with a square graver. With watches I use a 120 followed by a burr because the bacgrounds are tiny.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[JJ Roberts]

I use a 90 drgree graver to cross hatch out the background and then go over with a flat never use a rotory tool or burrs I don't trust myself afraid of slipping. J.J.

 

[JOSIAH HANLEY]

thanks for the advice !

 

[monk]

yeah-- jj mentioned rotary usage. this can speed things considerably-- but if you don't have good rotary, they are a bugger to control. most engravers have a dreml hidden out of sight. dreml has its place-- but not for background removal. way too difficult to control, and the shaft is too wobbly for serious work.

 

[Beathard]

If you use a rotary, you might want to cut a buffer with a flat graver next to your nice bevel cuts. This will help keep you from buggering up the bevels with a slip of the rotary.

 

[tim halloran]

Josiah: Most of the time i use a 130 or a 140 degree tool to hog out background. The advantage is that it cuts shallow and wide, then go in with a flat to level it out.