Wedding Invitation

[Baygraver]

Hello all,

This is a copper rendering of a wedding invitation presentation piece I’m doing for my niece. I needed to resolve some design issues in the border, which is why I did it in copper first. In the lower corner is an echeveria, a type of succulent, which is “theme plant” for the wedding. It measures 6”x8” and is chased, repoussed and engraved.

I’m currently almost finished with the final piece which is done on Argentium silver.

Jim Slaughter

[Steve Lindsay]

Hi Jim, Oh man.. Very nice! I hope you're still using the PalmControl for these works. How much time does something like this take? You don't happen to have a video camera handy, so we could see the process for next time you're on a project? Again, very impressive how you do these.

[rodstan]

Beautiful script and repousse.Even in copper it is a true work of art
Rod

[Baygraver]

Originally Posted by Steve Lindsay

Hi Jim, Oh man.. Very nice! I hope you're still using the PalmControl for these works. How much time does something like this take? You don't happen to have a video camera handy, so we could see the process for next time you're on a project? Again, very impressive how you do these.

Steve, Thanks so much. Yes, I used the PC with the "calligraphy" cut graver for the slanted script and the PC with the tungsten piston for the "planishing".

As usual, the design takes most of the time. The actual final piece took maybe 20 hours, most of it the chasing and repousse.

You might look at http://www.valentinyotkov.com or www.dbcollection.net for good demos of chasing/repousse. I think they have some work on youtube also. Regards, Jim

[Steve Lindsay]

Okay good Jim.. Thanks for the links to demos and videos! I'll check them out.

[carl bleile]

Very attractive, how thick was the copper.
Carl Bleile
southwest,Ohio

[Baygraver]

Carl, Thanks. The copper is 22 Gauge (0.0253 inch, 0.644 mm, I think) I've done the chasing/repousse on from 18 Gauge to 24 Gauge. Certainly one could also do it on thicker or thinner than these. I'm also doing the Argentium silver piece on 22 Gauge.

As you know, one can accomplish the same effects on steel on guns, removing metal to create the EFFECT of repousse and then moving the metal around on the surface (chasing) with the planishing.

Regards, Jim

[Dave London]

Jim
Excellent please show the silver when it is done I got to get back to repouse, soon as the Doc say it ok

[Baygraver]

Originally Posted by Dave London

Jim
Excellent please show the silver when it is done I got to get back to repouse, soon as the Doc say it ok

Dave, OK. I'm a doctor. Now get back to the repousse! Jim Slaughter MD

[Dave London]

Thanks Doc
Want to come by and sew up my rotator cuff

[Daniel Houwer]

Thats great work Jim!
If you spent about 20hours on this, how many time was spent on engraving and how many on repousse? And how many time's did you have to aneal the piece?

Thanks,

Daniel

[Baygraver]

Originally Posted by Daniel Houwer

Thats great work Jim!
If you spent about 20hours on this, how many time was spent on engraving and how many on repousse? And how many time's did you have to aneal the piece?

Thanks,

Daniel

Daniel, Thanks!

I'd say about half the time was spent on engraving and the other half on chasing/repousse. I did a single "light" anneal on the eccheveria (succulent plant). Light means heating to probably 900-1000 F after coating it with boric acid. The Argentium silver piece will get the same treatment, except no anti-oxidation measures (no firescale) are needed.

The engraving was done first although it certainly can be done on a previously repoussed area. This was followed with gentle bougeing (flattening out with soft wood punches to keep distortion to a minimum and keep the engraved surfaces flat, or at least not rumpled). The repousse was done with steel punches and a hammer, as was the chasing. With the piece held in pitch, the above contour changes can be achieved. Regards, Jim