TSJC Summer NRA Program

June 18 - June 22

Introductory Hand Engraving

This course covers basic concepts and skills related to hammer and chisel engraving. Special emphasis will be placed on tool sharpening, pattern theory, designing, transferring, and cutting patterns.

Dr. Michael J. Pierson, Instructor

Tool List

1. Engraver‘s chasing hammer, 1- 1/8‖ face

3. Three cobalt gravers, .085 sq. x 2 -1/2‖
4. #7 straight liner in standard width
5. #12 straight liner in standard width
6. #20 straight liner in standard width
7. Steel ruler, 6 inch
8. Dividers
9. Scribe
10. Stabilio # 8008 pencil
11. Burnisher
12. Dot punch set, No. 1, 2, & 3
13. Optivisor, #3 lens recommended
14. 35mm empty film canister
15. Talcum powder
16. Clear tape
17. Money clip, nickel silver, spring tempered
18. Etching ink

TOOL & SUPPLY SOURCES

1. Engraver’s chasing hammer, 1-1/8" face
2. Four 3/32” Carbalt XD blanks
3. #7 straight liner in standard width
4. #12 straight liner in standard width
5. #20 straight liner in standard width
6. Steel ruler, 6 inch
7. Dividers
8. Scribe
9. Stabilio # 8008 pencil
10. Burnisher
11. Dot punch set, No. 1, 2, & 3
12. Optivisor, #3 lens recommended
13. 35mm empty film canister
14. Talcum powder
15. Clear tape
16. Money clip, nickel silver, spring tempered
17. Etching ink

TOOL AND SUPPLY SOURCES:

GRS Tools
900 Overlander Road
Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: 620-343-1084
Toll Free: 800-835-3519
Fax: 620-343-9640
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Ngraver Company
67 Wawecus Hill Rd
Bozrah, CT 06334-1529
Phone: 800-823-1533
Fax: 860-823-1533
Web site: Ngraver.com/engrave.htm

Rudolph Faust, Inc.
542 South Ave East
Cranford NJ 07016
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 908-276-6555

Stuller
P.O. Box 87777
Lafayette, La. 70598-7777
Phone: 800-877-7777
Web site: www.stuller.com

Lindsay Engraving and Tools
3714 West Cedar Hills
Kearney, Nebraska 68845
308-236-7885
Web site: www.LindsayEngraving.com

REQUIRED TEXTS:

None, complete Power Point notes will be provided.

RESOURCE TEXTUAL MATERIALS:

Abbiatico, Mario, Modern Firearms Engravings, Gardone: Mario Abbiatico, 1980 – Library Call Number NE 2700 A 1980 c.2

Bergling, J. M., Art Alphabets and Lettering, Quincy, Ill: Gem College Press, 1967 – Library Call Number NK 3620 B4 1967

Bergling, J. M. and Berling, V.C., Art Monograms and Lettering, Quincy, Ill: Gem College Press, 1964 – Library Call Number NK 3620 B4 1964

Goloschmiot, Fredrich, Kunstlerishe Warren gravvren, Stuttgart: Journal – Veriag Schwend, 1977 – Library Call Number NE 2700 G6

Meeks, James, The Art of Engraving, Montezuma, Iowa: F. Brownell and Son, 1973 – Library Call Number NE 2700 M43

Wilson, R. L., Book of Winchester Engraving, Beinfeld Publishing Co., 1975

Wilson, R. L., Colt Engraving, Beinfeld Publishing Co., 1982

Wilson, R. L, L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver, Terneck, New Jersey: John J. Malloy, 1965 – Library Call Number NE 2700 W52 1965

Wilson, R. L., Steel Canvas – The Art of American Arms, New York: Random House, 1995 – Library Call Number NK 6520 W55 1995

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. Engraving tools
   1. Types
   2. Sharpening
2. Pattern theory
   1. Spiral type
      1. Circular
      2. Elliptical
   2. Spiral characteristics
      1. Corridor type
         1. True corridors
         2. Holding corridor
      2. Relationship to other spirals
         1. Common stem spirals
         2. Overlaid spirals
   3. Spiral measurements
      1. Spiral height
      2. Corridor height
      3. Extension length
      4. Standoff
      5. Number of turns
      6. Angle of departure
   4. Leaf anatomy
      1. Leaf types
         1. Adjacent
         2. Separated
      2. Leaf parts
         1. Sweeps
         2. Buds
         3. Lobes
      3. Leaf measurements
         1. Leaf height
         2. Stem thickness
         3. Sweep height
         4. Bud height
         5. Leaf meter
         6. Leaf width
         7. Leaf separation
3. Designing patterns
   1. Selecting scroll style
   2. Laying out the pattern
      1. Outline the panel
      2. Establish the panel’s center line
      3. Draw planning circles
      4. Establish point of origination
      5. Establish scroll height, corridor height, and rate of turn
4. Cutting patterns
   1. Hammer and chisel or chasing method
   2. Borders
   3. Lining
   4. Backgrounds
      1. Flush
      2. Relief
   5. Transfer plates
   6. Transfer techniques