Engraving Gun Metal

[MAC 1]

I am in the process of engraving a Krieghoff Model 32 receiver and I am having some difficulty starting and keeping the cut going. The metal is very smooth (polished) and hard. I am using the Lindsay Classic with the tungsten piston. The gravers are 116 degrees and 96 degrees using M42 graver material. I will be out of town on business for the next couple of days and might not be able to respond to any replies until the weekend. Thanks in advance for your recommendations and suggestions. Mac 1

[Sam Welch]

I fear the only advise you will get is to tough it out. American engravers usually get firearms in their final finish (meaning hardness) form and some are very hard to engrave. Some even impossible to cut. I use a square carbide (Ngraver brand) tool with a 60 degree face and dub the point when cutting harder metal. I still get very frequent tip chipping. Lynton McKinsey once said he was a professional tool sharpener who occasionally got some engraving done.