Stock Escutchion engraving

[Barry Lee Hands]

We were talking about hours, and charges and cutting script on another thread. I thought I would post these pics from a job a few weeks ago.

The first is the drawing for the client.

Next we scan it, flip it digitally, print, size and photocopy it, and then do an acetone transfer of the layout to the oval escutchion on the underside of the stock. On this stock the radius is very sharp, making it more difficult than the typical shotgun or double rifle job.

Because of this difficulty I used the parallel line method , rather than bright cuts, because each line is thinner, and less room for error. In Olde England they called this a "threaded cut" monogram.

The last pic is the finished job.

Two hours,$300.00 billable work, a happy client and engraver.

[Tim Adlam]

Well done Barry, and great pictures too!


The last escutcheon plate I cut was a star-shape cheek plate on a flintlock long rifle stock.
Ended up constructing a temporary vise stand in order to swing that long bugger around.
I'm glad jobs like that are few and far between!

Tim

[Barry Lee Hands]

Thank you Tim. Yes, even this american classic style stock is hard to swing. Fortunately my engraving stand has a 30 inch swing.
A long flint would be quite a chore!

[sword]

thanks for the info, hard facts and numbers. Please keep them coming i.e. different size jobs, what you charge extra for ect. It makes a BIG difference when we can see the quility and complexity of the the work along with the price you charge.

Thanks agian,
Tom

[Barry Lee Hands]

You are welcome Tom.
Basically, In my head I work at $150 per hour. The clients however, prefer to have a quote. To do that I have to guess a little high. Once I quote, I never exceed the quote without client approval.
Sometimes I make out a little better, sometimes a little worse.
Either way the client has his quote and can plan for it.
Your work must be excellent quality of course. After that you will find what you get paid depends on your marketing. The client will mainly look to you to establish a valuation of your work.

[KurtB]

Barry, your efforts are always a pleasure to see. Something as deceptively simple as a monogram... perfect cuts. Thank you!

[Barry Lee Hands]

Thanks Kurt, I am glad you enjoy it.

[Dave P]

What a difference a little line makes. I especially like how you overlapped the outside line on the right side of the cross on the F. Nice touch.

Thanks also for the nuts and bolts of the job.

Dave

[Peter]

Thanks for the pics and the explanation. You do great work and your post is just the kind of information that allows learning the business side of engraving as well.

Thanks,
Peter

[Barry Lee Hands]

Dave and Peter, thank you.

[Zernike Au]

I enjoy every of your post and your photos.
What a beautiful Monogram! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing.

Zernike

[Barry Lee Hands]

Zernike,
the pleasure is mine, thank you, Barry

[monk]

nice , the way that looks. i'm thinkin that to be a bugger doing that on the gun !:thumbsup:

[Rich Hambrook]

Nice work Benchmate!
I have to laugh because up until a few years ago Browning used to cut these ovals with a pantograph. Not anymore! Question, what vice did you use to hold the stock in when cutting?

Rich Hambrook

[Barry Lee Hands]

Hey Benchmate,
A positioning vise with the tall tops, for pins, whatever they are called.
The real trick is having cork between the jaws. I think the cork is from Brownell's.

[Rich Hambrook]

arrg matie. (don't know how to spell it)
You are doing the same way as I do then. I just found that moving the scope up and down was a pain in the butt. I still have not switched to the adjustable vice stand.

[Barry Lee Hands]

Hi benchmatie (?) people are going to wonder about us using these terms of endearment,hehe.
My stand does have a very large range of height adjustment. I designed a whole new setup about six months ago and it really works great.
I am sure you see some stocks that are drilled for balance, they can be very thin, so as you know one must be careful not to crush them.
Cheers,
Barry

[Rich Hambrook]

Benchmate Barry,
I sure would like to see your new set up. I have been wanting an upgrade. How did your elk hunt go?
Rich