Wildfowler Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 This is a bit random but might be of interest to some of you... I've always been amazed at the skill and artistry of engravers and love the look of scroll engraving in particular. I've never tried it but have been thinking about giving it a go for a while now. I plan to start building a double 8 bore some time this year and want the side plates to be hand engraved so I've started looking around for the tools so i can start getting some practice. I know the traditional way is either push engraving (simply pushing the graver through the steel by hand) or by using a small hammer to tap the graver through, but push graving looks like I'd almost certainly end up impaling myself and I think using a hammer will take a lifetime to learn, gauging the strength of the hits, etc. It would appear that most if not all the professionals now use pneumatic gravers, the favorites being the Airgraver by Lindsay or the GraverMach by GRS tools. Whilst both tools get great reviews and look like superb items, I didn't much like the price tag, especially as I'll only use it every so often! So i decided to make my own! I spent last night sketching it up to get the principals of how it works straight in my head. Then I spent a few hours this morning drawing it up on AutoCAD so I've got a decent set of drawings to work from. This afternoon I started machining the components. I started with the outer casing and the piston / hammer. This is a picture of them so far. The diameters of the piston are 0.01mm smaller than the bore of the casing, this ensures it uses as little air as possible to run and minimises 'slap' of the piston. I included the vernier to give an idea of scale, but the small hole on the left is 1.5mm diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) Here is a quick video of the first test... The second part, I had to put some tape on the end to avoid it blowing air into my finger. I put the bolt in the end to give the piston something to hit. So far, so good. I'll try and get some more done next weekend, hopefully I'll get it finished! Edited March 2, 2014 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampwick Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 This is brilliant! I just wish I had an engineers mind and understood what you are doing! Can't wait to see it engraving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad93 Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 For this sort of piston you want a Teflon ring on it, similar to what is used on air blowers for ponds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I've been away all week so couldn't get any more done until Friday night. I made a couple more components for the tool holder This is it by the end of Friday night... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I spent some time yesterday finishing it off (the wood isn't very good but its all i have about at the moment, i'll replace it when i get some walnut for my gun stock) And this is it testing the pedal (i'll make the actual pedal this week) and making the first few cuts. Seems to work ok?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Looks great wildfowler I like the pics of you turning the material on the lathe What type of stee or other material did you use just out of curiosity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) I used some left over EN24T, it's tough and doesn't corrode as easily as normal mild steel. I've given it a light coat of lacquer too to make sure it doesn't corrode. (I wanted to use aluminium for the outer parts but I've run out! If it goes ok I'll make another one!) Edited March 9, 2014 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I used some left over EN24T, it's tough and doesn't corrode as easily as normal mild steel. I've given it a light coat of lacquer too to make sure it doesn't corrode. (I wanted to use aluminium for the outer parts but I've run out! If it goes ok I'll make another one!) Looks the job anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzab Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 ****** that's clever. Id love a lathe. Id never want to stop making stuff!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 it's certainly handy! And good fun! I need to crack on with the 8 bore now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 it's certainly handy! And good fun! I need to crack on with the 8 bore now! Ill be looking forward to that wildfowler Have you already drawn up plans for the double 8? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I've done some but not finished yet. I promised the mrs I'd get the plans for the extension finished and submitted by the end of last month... Not quite managed that yet so that's got to be done before the 8 bore. I'll definitely get started this summer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I've done some but not finished yet. I promised the mrs I'd get the plans for the extension finished and submitted by the end of last month... Not quite managed that yet so that's got to be done before the 8 bore. I'll definitely get started this summer! Theres always something eh Should be good looking forward to see how your gonna engineer your next gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Hi Cleaver stuff just can't believe the finish you get Will the 8 have a punt and big gun engraved on it ? Love to see your projects Great work All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) engraving is REALLY difficult!!! I need to get some serious practice in! Once I'm confident that I won't completely cock it up I'll probably start with engraving the 'makers name' on the punt gun. For the 8 bore I want to come up with a nice scroll design. It's not going to be a quick process though! Edited March 14, 2014 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 wish i had the skills and equipment to make up an engraver.. or even a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 This is getting silly now the only thing you don't seem to do is grow the wood and make the steel. Hats off to you can't wait for another gun build thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 This is getting silly now the only thing you don't seem to do is grow the wood and make the steel. Hats off to you can't wait for another gun build thread I can just about "make" a cup of tea. I find threads like this fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Cant beat en24t.....good material....Nice work on the engraver...very clever TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Thanks for the posts gents. Hope it interests some of you... The 8 bore will hopefully have a bit more content! The only thing you don't seem to do is grow the wood and make the steel funnily enough the oak I used for the punt gun was actually cut from one of my trees and dried (originally for fire wood) but worked ok. I do really want to make some Damascus! I was thinking maybe a Damascus action or side plates... Maybe one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Thanks for the posts gents. Hope it interests some of you... The 8 bore will hopefully have a bit more content! funnily enough the oak I used for the punt gun was actually cut from one of my trees and dried (originally for fire wood) but worked ok. I do really want to make some Damascus! I was thinking maybe a Damascus action or side plates... Maybe one day! Come on Moderators he's making us all feel inadequate now ban him!! Thanks for the posts gents. Hope it interests some of you... The 8 bore will hopefully have a bit more content! funnily enough the oak I used for the punt gun was actually cut from one of my trees and dried (originally for fire wood) but worked ok. I do really want to make some Damascus! I was thinking maybe a Damascus action or side plates... Maybe one day! Come on Moderators he's making us all feel inadequate now ban him!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted March 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 :lol: :lol: not intentionally!!! Just projects I fancy giving a go, so as and when the time allows I do it. Hopefully it will inspire a thought or spark the imagination of some of you guys and maybe even get some young blood interested in engineering (something this country is lacking in as they don't seem to be valued! - not quite a bankers salary unfortunately!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hi Think Damascus would look good though you may not need to engrave that Go for it sure someone will lend you a forge for a day or two Great satisfaction to making your own steel I've got a recipey somewhere maybee a bit hard for lock pates though its more a blade recipe Great stuff All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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