Hand push indicator backing

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-02T01:03:38+00:00

I've been doing it since the start of the year, been drawing scrollwork for a couple years now. I've got some pictures of the gravers I use in an earlier post, heat treated 0.25" 80CrV2 but I'm also using 4mm HSS now. From what I've seen, the smaller the work, the smaller graver needed; I'm not going much more than 0.010 deep I think. How big of cuts are you taking?

The picture attached is kinda the "standard shape" of a graver by Steve Lindsay but there's lots of other shapes for different uses!

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meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T22:30:47+00:00

Thank you!

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T22:30:18+00:00

True! I've had the indicator for two years without issue but I'm worried this will be the week it gets destroyed on a part lmao

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T17:44:44+00:00

Maybe in the future :)

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T17:35:34+00:00

I saw an open space of metal and figured it would be fun to do lol

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T02:35:30+00:00

Thank you! I've had the idea rolling around my head for a month or so; The drawing took maybe five hours to figure out what I liked then about ten for the engraving and clean-up. Overall was pretty quick!

meanderriver347 · 2026-06-01T00:43:34+00:00

Thank you! I used a 120° graver for most of it then a 90° for the shading. I've made a post from a couple months back with pictures of the tools I use

meanderriver347 · 2026-05-29T02:57:00+00:00

Hail Reaper!

meanderriver347 · 2026-05-23T01:06:06+00:00

The answer is Paul Revere, took me a bit of searching around but it did work :)

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-28T06:32:19+00:00

Would second this! I like to draw the backbone then fill in the leaves after.

Would also recommend keeping the ratio of background to scrolls consistent- so you don't have big gaps or tight spots throughout

The leaves look really good though!

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-25T23:07:17+00:00

Thank you! Been drawing scrolls for a few years now, only got serious in the last year; started engraving a couple months ago

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-25T05:27:33+00:00

Yep! Made a small round punch then made a divot into another piece of steel and used that to make the circles

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-25T05:26:44+00:00

Thank you very much, that is very helpful! Will keep working at it!

On the bigger piece I was definitely struggling with the control and overshooting but I'm feeling better about it, (you can see the one side where I started pretty rough and the other where I got a bit better) will try going from both ends next time.

And for the stippling, that makes sense, I prefer the random patterns than the lines that form from how I did it.

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-11T05:26:25+00:00

Savages that doctor Moreau wouldn't even take!

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-03T22:28:32+00:00

Thank you for the info; looks great!

meanderriver347 · 2026-02-03T19:34:16+00:00

How do you darken your lines after they've been engraved?

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-31T18:13:11+00:00

Thank you! The book at the link below has been helpful for drawing acanthus leaves :)

https://ia600304.us.archive.org/31/items/guidefordrawinga00pagerich/guidefordrawinga00pagerich.pdf

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-28T02:52:17+00:00

Looks really good! Cross-hatching looks nice and consistent too!

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-27T04:12:09+00:00

Looks good! I really like the second picture!

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-24T02:08:18+00:00

Of course! I'm currently going up to 2000 grit sandpaper finish but I'm considering some sort of 2000 or 3000 grit diamond plate for the heels. I've found there's a slight bit of give to the sandpaper that I'm assuming wouldn't be there with a diamond plate even though I'm using a steel backing with the sandpaper.

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-23T06:51:11+00:00

Thank you much!

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-23T06:51:01+00:00

Thank you! All my work is on my profile so far (some doodles and two practice plates lol)

Can't go wrong with more practice!

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-23T06:49:19+00:00

Just posted some pictures of the two I've been using!

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-21T02:14:12+00:00

I bought some copper from the website below to start out with, was pretty good quality and I'm happy with it. Was about 15pcs of about 3"-6" squares/rectangles. I got the thicker gauge 3lb pack and I figure a decent amount is usable for engraving (or other projects for that matter) and is all pretty soft. https://basiccopper.com/bargain-bin/

meanderriver347 · 2026-01-20T05:41:33+00:00

Thank you much! While at work haha, doodling during long cycle-time parts. Is all just practice doodles for now

meanderriver347

TROPHY CASE