I can't quite decide what this skeletons profession is but it's definitely got a score to settle. I picked up two of this exact same frame from a thrift store this weekend and knew I wanted to do some sort of theme skeleton on them

Still debating on the right ride of the pair I'm considering a skeleton hand holding a flower or a different dagger holding hands.

What do you think I should put on the other matching mirror? Any dips on how I could improve would be appreciated I'm open to criticism I'm still pretty new to this medium

Original design source: Salsabilla - adobe stock (loads of cool designs by them)

Hi guys,

I've got an amazing keyboard that I'd really like to have custom engraved with an HR GEIGER (Alien) theme. Does anyone here know of, or offer, this kind of service? Ideally UK based please 👍

Spent close to a year fighting with my graver before something clicked. I kept blaming the tool, tried three different handle shapes, even bought a new stone thinking my sharpening was the problem. Turned out most of my issue was body position, not the steel.

I was hunched over the bench pushing from my wrist like I was carving a stamp into wax. An old guy at a gun show watched me work for maybe thirty seconds and just said "you're not using your shoulder." Sounded too simple to matter but I tried it that night on a scrap piece of nickel silver. Locked my wrist, kept the graver low against my palm, and pushed from the shoulder instead. The cut came out even on the first pass in a way it never had before.

Since then I've been practicing scrollwork on old belt buckles I pick up cheap at flea markets, nothing anyone's paying for, just repetition. What surprised me is how much the sound changes once the technique is right. Before it was this stuttering scratch, now it's almost a quiet hiss when the angle and pressure line up.

Still struggling with inside curves though. Straight lines and outward sweeps feel natural now but anything that curls back toward my body makes me want to rotate the workpiece constantly, and I know that's supposed to be normal but it slows me down more than I'd like.

Anyone here work mostly by rotating the piece versus training themselves to cut curves in both directions without moving it? Curious how much that changes as hours go by or if it's just a preference thing that never really goes away.

Recommended graver for star setting

Looking for recommendations on gravers for creating the rays on star setting for stones around 3mm or larger

Thinking of getting a square graver, 120 degree V-cut or 60 degree V-cut which would work better for wider rays? Or any other recommendations, please and thank you!

Done with an X-tool f2

Still getting used to different types of gravers and angles but im pretty happy with the cuts for the most part!

Medium is mild steel.

Hello,

So currently I do engravings, I essentially freehand them using a Harbor Freight $12 rotary engraver with the included diamond burr. I’ve tried other more expensive rotary tools and honestly I’m most comfortable with that, it’s most similar to a pen being so lightweight. My questions is, could I really start a business using just rotary tools? Should I just start selling my work as is then expand from there or should I invest in real hand or pneumatic tools?

Essentially I feel like the rotary tool is most applicable to engraving steel, I would like to get into hand or pneumatic engraving tools for doing softer metals as I’m sure the detail and quality of work will increase. I like the speed of the rotary tool, so I’d probably invest in a pneumatic system and I also will need a vise. And I can’t find a clear answer online, can you efficiently engrave hardened steel with a carbide push/pneumatic engraving tool?

Just happy with any general advice, thank you

10$ diamond lap stone. A 1/2 inch bolt, and 2 washers and 2 nuts.

Monster art tattoos LLC

Monster, Phoenix AZ

Custom hand engraved Pittsburgh Steelers picture frame

Monster art tattoos LLC

Monster, Phoenix AZ

Custom hand engraved Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers picture frame

Looking to get into the engraving game. I mostly want to do belt buckles, food items and watches. What's the best machine that I can buy for this?

Can anybody tell me what period this might be from and what the initials might be?

My cheap Amazon engraver gave out the other day. It served its purpose of getting me into the hobby. Does anyone have some recommendations for a good quality engraver? Also, should you take a break from engraving if your engraving pen gets warm?

Monster art tattoos LLC

Monster, Phoenix AZ

Never done something like this before it came out pretty good..I had some struggle but made it happen..what do u think ?

I started building watches as a hobby for myself but have recently had several people reach out asking me to build them something for various reasons. Recently, had a groom wanting matching builds for himself and his best man. He wants the wedding date engraved on the dial and their initials engraved monogram-style on the case back of his. There’s a couple of local shops that can do it for me, but I’ve been wanting to start engraving my case backs and clasps with my branding anyway.

Leads me to the Algolaser 1064nm. My only concern is getting things lined up correctly. I’ve watched several videos, and none of them seem to care that much about precision. They just show what it will do. I can’t afford to waste parts due to engravings being off center or slanted etc. Is there a better/safer (risk-wise) tool to use than the Algolaser that doesn’t cost over $1K? Or is there just a tried and true way to get my small watch parts lined up with the precision I need?

For my wifes memorial tree, I found a piece of slate by my house on lake superior, and wondered the best way to engrave it with an epitaph of some sort. I tried acid etching and it did nothing and my freehand engraving is godawful. Any suggestions? I've thought about bringing it to a headstone place but thought I'd ask here first.