Hello,

I have been hand, and hammer/chisal engraving for about a year now. I recently purchased a older 800-1200 spm gravermeister, and was wondering if I could get some advice on how to start learning to use this?

I'm really not sure what spm I should set it at, or angles to use on the gravers.

I've started @ 800spm, with a flat sharpend to 45*/10* combination. My results have been less than satisfactory to say the least. I intend to do western bright cut, mostly on german silver or jewelers bronze.

Any, and all input/advise is welcome!...

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Billy & Amber Dodson.
BAD Western Wurks.
Geronimo,Tx.

ON MY MACHINE I USUALLY SHARPENED TO 55 AND 15 ON FLATS FOR BRIGHT CUT AND ON THE SPEED MAYBE 800-900 ON NICKEL SILVER. NICKEL AND BRASS ARE HARDER THAN THE STERLING SILVER AND TAKES A LITTLE MORE TIME TO GET THE CUTS THE WAY YOU WANT. KEEP TRYING TILL YOU GET IT. TED

I sharpen my gravers at 37.5 and 15. I think I have some at 45 too. I think what might help you the most is try copper to practice on. It is softer than brass or nickle. Much closer to sterling. Bright cuts are a lot easier in the softer metal. I have an old gravermiester like you. I run it as fast as it will go. I want to get the new valve so I can run it faster. Main thing is to just keep hammering, and you will find what works for you. Post your pracice stuff so we can see. This forum is a great chance for all of use to get help from some great craftsmen and I don't think it is getting used enough. I check every day hoping to see something new and there are so few new postings. I hope this site will really take off, but to do so we all need to post more. Now I'll get down off the soap box. Sorry for the rant.
Jim

Jim/Ted,

Thanks for the replies, I'll give your suggestions a try. I'm sure alot of the problem is probably me though, still need to get used to the power!

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Billy & Amber Dodson.
BAD Western Wurks.
Geronimo,Tx.

cut the plug off and pick up your chisel and get to hammering!!!!!!!!!

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I'm only as good as you think I am.

Silverchip,

That's actually starting to sound like a good idea!

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Billy & Amber Dodson.
BAD Western Wurks.
Geronimo,Tx.

Jim,

Do you think it would be worth upgrading to the higher speed? I thought of that too, but was afraid it would loose to much bottom end power. Might be good for fine line engraving though?

_________________
Billy & Amber Dodson.
BAD Western Wurks.
Geronimo,Tx.

Billy,
If you have nobody there to help you, see if you can get a hold of Jeremiah Watt's video. It will go along ways toward clearing you up on some things. Or you could just take Dave's advice and cut the cord off. If you have never seen any of Dave's work, you need to. It is astounding what he can do by hand. Good luck.
Stewart

PS
The fellows I'm around who use a machine to engrave with usually grind the heels of their bright cutters somewhere between 15 and 20 degrees, and the face somewhere between 35 and 45. Johny Weyerts has his students start out with a 35 face and a 20 heel. He recomends starting with that and then experimenting till you find what you really like.

Jim,
Thanks for getting up on your soapbox. Somebody needed to. Otto did us all a huge favor by starting this forum and we need to get to using it a little more. Most evenings when I come to the house, I check this site and Sam Alfano's. His usually has quite a few posts, and this one doesn't. Let's see if we can't change that.
Stewart

Billy,
The sales lady at GRS told me the speed does nothing to change the power. It just hammers faster. A friend of mine told me that it also would help make your bright cuts smoother. I don't know? I just haven't wanted to spend the $200.00.
Jim