Hello from Australia

[paul66]

I thought it only fair to introduce myself, as this site has given me so much help and inspiration reading other peoples experiences. Mabey my journey will help someone else.
I have worked in my famillys jewellers store for 23 years,5 years ago i sent myself to trade school to do a jewellery apprentice to expand on my self taught skills.Most trade jewellers i talk to want to get away from the bench,but i had so much FUN learning, and want to learn more.
I use basic engraving in setting,but most efforts so far are more like metal plowing than engraving.
What i have read from this site and my experiences so far at school and work I need to eliminate as many variables and learning difficulties as possible

My progress so far
I have purchased a meiji scope (to see the work) only arrived last week
I have purchased a small ball vice (I perviously hand held work, not good for fingers )
Am now thinking of purchasing lindsay sharpening system as my self taught efforts are crap always getting different and inconsistent angles. this alone causes alot of my troubles

Well thats my progress so far, for now I will be practicing ( Push graver ) in brass or copper plates for now (can only dream of a classic at the moment )

Until next time Paul

[rbaptiste]

Welcome Paul
I hope you post some picture nearly

[SVD]

Welcome to the forum! :waving:

Getting a sharpening system (pretty much any system) will make a major improvement in your engraving efforts. A clean, consistent point will mean that it does the same thing every time (meaning the problems are all yours. :p)

[Roger B2]

Hi Paul,
I purchased the Powerhone a couple of years ago and quickly got the extra mount to be able to sharpen a multitude of angles. You need to take care that the angles on this device don't slip. I have since bought the set of 5 templates that Steve produces which allows for a number of "V" shaped angles from 125 degrees to knife edge. Sharpening is time consuming even on the Powerhone and if I had my time again would opt for the high speed system (something to put on the Christmas list).

By the by, I had a shop down in Casterton up until 10 years ago when we moved to Adelaide. Will try to look you up next time 'm in the Wimmera (not very often lately).
Regards,
Roger

[airamp]

Roger B.

Keep a eye out for a faceting machine to grind points. I have a thread on sharping using a faceting machine.

Check it out and see if you can find a used one. Australia makes one of the best faceting machines in the world..

airamp

[Roger B2]

Thanks Airamp, I'll look out for it

Roger

[paul66]

Thanks for the welcome

Roger B, hope one day we do meet up be nice to see an actual engraver

Airamp, I started another thread just on this topic under tools and technical. I will keep an eye out for a faceting machine

Paul

[mckeenh]

Welcome Paul. I would like to see you post some of your work too. for shapening check out the posts on shapening machines, one or more people are using a drill press to sharpen. Good luck.

Neil:yesnod: