Learning in Kansas

[DM1975]

Hello, I'm currently learning to engrave. So far I've made all of my own equipment but am about to purchase a hand engraving kit to up my game a little bit. Eventually I would like to get an air engraver of some kind but for now I'm just palm pushing.

I make guitar picks from quarters and engrave some as well. I make the signature pick for the delta blues artist Charley Hicks and have made picks for a variety of other artists as well. I began using a dremel but quickly decided to make my own gravers and start pushing metal instead.

I'm trying to learn as best I can but it's been a steep learning curve. I'm medically retired from the Army and have had the need for a small business like this for a while now. I've been at it for about three months total with about a month push engraving. I hope to learn a lot here.

Here is some of my work. Thank you.

[Steve Lindsay]

That is pretty cool making the picks from quarters.

[DM1975]

Originally Posted by Steve Lindsay

That is pretty cool making the picks from quarters.

Thanks. I just ordered a basic coin carving set from you today. Hopefully it helps me out. I like the ones I made but it's hard for me to get the geometry just right on them.

[settings]

Hey, thats good work. I also starting to learn palm push about 3 month ago. Your well ahead of me. Do you use a engraving block! I don't but am starting to believe a block might be helpful? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks, Marc

[SEngraver]

Hi
Nice work with the picks DM.
Can the be used for playing an eight mandolin ? I use the medium one.
SE

[DM1975]

Originally Posted by settings

Hey, thats good work. I also starting to learn palm push about 3 month ago. Your well ahead of me. Do you use a engraving block! I don't but am starting to believe a block might be helpful? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks, Marc

Thanks. I use a bowling ball vise I made. I cut a bowling ball in half, bolted a 10# weight to the top, then a drill press vise. I have it sitting in a metal dog bowl. Here is a photo of my bench. I think I have $30 invested in the vise and love it. I make my coin jigs from aluminum angle that I run nails through and clip off the ends of.

[DM1975]

Originally Posted by SEngraver

Hi
Nice work with the picks DM.
Can the be used for playing an eight mandolin ? I use the medium one.
SE

Thanks, you can yes. I've played mine with one several times but I'm about to make a copy of a blue chip pick out of a Sacajawea dollar coin for a friend of mine for his mandolin.

[SEngraver]

Originally Posted by DM1975

Thanks, you can yes. I've played mine with one several times but I'm about to make a copy of a blue chip pick out of a Sacajawea dollar coin for a friend of mine for his mandolin.

Hi
Thank you DM I will write a private message to you
SE

[Sam Welch]

Looks to me like all you need is a classic airgraver in your hand and you will be off and running and flourishing!

PS..I might have to try making a pick like you make, to go with my home made and engraver guitars and ukes.