This was a job I did today.

I can't think of a laser or computerized system that would be up to this task. I did it on a New Hermes GTX Universal (manual pantograph).

The technique is Route & Color-Fill w/ Gold Leaf enamel. The typeface (don't know the name) is one I had never seen in 33 years of engraving. I bought the set of brass type from one of my trophy shop clients.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

David,

Up all night waiting for that picture, now I've got to go to work(:P)

David & Joe,

I'll try again. I engraved this piece without disassembling anything.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

David,

Very nice work, and a nice piece as well.

A laser engraver with an angle device may have accomplished that task, but it would have been a bit nerve racking to hit those centers.

I find it so interesting how ocassionally that old archaic equipment resurfaces as the best tool for the job.

David,

I use a manual pantograph almost daily. It's sometimes the difference between a job being possible or not.

The laser may have worked, but when the item is held at an angle, where the engraving surface is level, the globe itself sticks up pretty high. It may get in the way.

I did this job more for the challenge than money. I charged $15.

Why?

The customer was a very nice Grandmother who is sending the clock, as a Birthday present, to her 30-year old Grandson in the Persian Gulf.

At least that's what she told me :-)

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Nice job David. There is always more than one way to skin the cat. Odd shape pieces can prove to be a challenge. For laser engraves
a few tricks come into play for something like this. A little playdoe, a small level,
turning the piece & graphic/text to the side or even up side down - use the red dot pointer
for positioning - and your off to the races - set up - a few minutes - engrave time- a few seconds.
Joe

Hi,

Along the lines of playdoh........I find more uses for automotive bondo for screen printing jigs than you can shake a stick at. I suspect that if you had multiple parts that it would make a nice jig for a laser as well.

Coat the piece you need set up in a jig with some simple automotive oil, or hold some saran wrap on the piece. Press the oiled or saran wraped piece into a prepared proper thickness of mixed bondo set on a flat board that can be clamped or fixed into place. In around 5-35 mins or so, the bondo will harden. You can then remove the piece and you will have a nice jig for multiple pieces in a laser, mechanical engraver, or many other production processes.

Brian G.

Brian that is a really good idea. Not sure I would have ever thought of using bondo.
The last time I played with bondo it was to patch a 1961 chevy pickup. I was 16 -
and it was my first fixer-upper.
I would suggest that maybe David should put your idea in the tips and tricks
folder.
Thanks
Joe

Thanks,

It works very well in lots of situations, is readily available, and is relatively inexpensive. :)

Brian G.