In introduction, my name is Gary Perkins. I’ve been a jeweler/engraver for almost 40 years now. I’ve been lurking in the forum for the last few months trying to determine what equipment to buy. I am primarily a commercial jewelry engraver (mostly lettering on jewelry and holloware) working in gold and silver doing work for jewelry stores in the southeast region around South Carolina. Most of my work is in the fabrication end of the business, but engraving is steadily growing. At my age now, I would like to start slowing down on the jewelry end and just do engraving. The last gun I engraved was back in the mid 70's, and that was also the last piece of steel. Between arthritis and bursitis, my graver control is starting to wane, and I’ve been a push engraver all these years. Although all my work is in precious metals, I think that Steve's tool could help me regain the control I’m losing. I don’t have a suitable camera, but as soon as I figure out how, I'll post a scan of a picture of a couple of rings I did for the Altadis Cigar sales rep some time ago. The picture is only so-so, and I don’t have the ability that Steve and the other fine engravers on the forum have, but it will give you an idea of the type of work I do.
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