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  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=6249.1</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:40:09 UT</pubDate>
  <title>Mickey Mouse Job</title>
  <link>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=6249.1</link>
  <dc:creator>Stunt Engraver (DGL)</dc:creator>
  <description><![CDATA[MICKEY MOUSE JOB
by David Lavaneri

Who wouldn't like this familiar, happy face staring up at them?



If you're an engraver, you may not be as eager as the average person.

Why is that?

Occasionally, pocket watches are engraved on the outside of the case.
That's ideal; although, at some point, through a
customer request or due to the fact that some cases don't
have ample &#34;clean&#34; area for engraving, you'll be faced with the
task of engraving the inner side of the case.



This photo shows, when the watch is opened, the cover
of the watch doesn't open to a 90 degree angle.

Why is that important?

Because of the size of a pantograph's engraving spindle,
the effective engraving area of the watch is limited to the
travel between the spindle and the crystal of the watch.



In this photo, I've cheated the angle of the cover, by placing
the cover at an angle, in a standard New Hermes watch-holding jig.

A piece of light-tack painter's tape, protects the crystal from
incidental contact with the spindle.

The slight change of angle to the engraving surface isn't so noticeable
in the photo, but you'll see that the taped crystal is very upright.

That increases the travel of the spindle; not by much, but enough for this job.



All's well that ends well!


]]></description>
  <comments>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=6249.1</comments>
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<item>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=5165.1</guid>
  <pubDate>Sat, 21 Oct 2006 20:38:33 UT</pubDate>
  <title>Screwy Louie</title>
  <link>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=5165.1</link>
  <dc:creator>Stunt Engraver (DGL)</dc:creator>
  <description><![CDATA[SCREWY LOUIE
by David Lavaneri
Photos by Robyn Lavaneri



I've engraved many wrist watches over the years, but never 
thought that by accepting this Louis Vuitton chronograph,
I'd be facing one of the more challenging of them all.

Engraving any item valued at thousands of dollars, isn't something to treat casually,
but when it comes to engraving watches, I employ a mindset of,
&#34;A watch, is a watch, is a watch.&#34;

After all, the procedures for engraving watches are basically the same and after
doing enough of them, there's little difference between engraving a Timex or a Rolex.
Generally speaking, if the expense of a watch, or any item, for that matter,
becomes too big a distraction, it's better not to accept the work.

Why would this watch present such a challenge?

Actually, the challenge ahead didn't point to a single stumbling block;
 rather a combination of factors, beginning with the fact that
the customer was in a hurry and reluctant to part with the watch at all.

There would be no time to fashion special fixtures, consult an expert on any
aspect of the watch, or in the event of catastrophe, order another watch back.

In fact, you'll see by the following picture, the back of
the watch itself, presented a major challenge.



Not only is there very little engravable area, but the only useable space is
around the outside edge and that surface is punctuated by small screws.



As if those factors weren't daunting enough, the amount of copy
 I was being asked to engrave, presented another challenge.

Asking the customer to lower their expectations, as to
 how much of their desired copy can be engraved,
is an option, although, I say, &#34;If there's a will, there's a way&#34;
 and usually find a way to accomodate the customer's choice of wording.



Here's a sketch of the layout I decided upon.  Certainly not fancy,
 but ample enough to determine my layout.

The following photo, shows the shape of things to come and frankly, I don't like what I see.



The thickness of the watch, combined with the fact that the sides
are tapered, (not parallel), means, not only will the shape of the watch
 cause it to work its way out of a traditional holding jig, but there won't be
ample clearance between the engraving surface and the diamond graver.

This isn't going to be the slam-dunk I was hoping for.

What I would would normally do, is remove the back of the watch,
and engrave it as a single item, but not knowing if doing so
 would, in any way, void the customer's warranty, I elected to perform
 the engraving with the watch intact.

Deciding how the wording would be layed out, was much easier than
 determining how the watch could be held securely in the machine.



The natural, half-round shape of my machine's vise
 looks like a natural watch jig.
There would be plenty of clearance for the cutter,
 although the troubling issue of the tapered sides of
 the watch remained a concern.



Although risky, I surmised that the same physics that would force
the watch out of the vise, could also work in my favor.

Through experience, I generally knew how much physical resistance
 to expect, during the diamond-drag engraving process.
I figured if I gently forced the watch downward, with my fingers,
 along with the downward pressure of the cutter,
 the watch shouldn't move, during engraving.



In order not to scratch the watch, I laid a cloth over the area
 in which I would lightly clamp the watch.
This was a crucial adjustment, in that, I needed snug contact,
 but also needed the face of the watch to
 remain flat against the bottom ledge of the vise.

Any movement, during engraving and I'm in deep...well, at this point,
I can't afford to think along those lines.
Any loss of confidence paves the way for disaster.



My confidence builds as the theory holds up, during a light
engraving of a segement of copy, on Scotch tape.
(shown at top of photo)



Here we go!  No turning back.  The tape is removed and I'll
literally have to hang on while the computer cuts,
irreversibly, into the back of the watch.

When the machine was finished with its pass, I removed my fingers
from the watch.  Everything looked good, except...uh oh...I hadn't
given the spindle enough downward (Z axis) depth and parts of the
name &#34;Sheryl&#34; hadn't engraved!  Now what?

I was pretty sure the watch hadn't changed position, when I
removed my fingers, but had no way to be certain.  I was about to take
and ultimate leap of faith.  If the watch wasn't in exactly the
same position, as during the initial pass, there would be a double-vision.

This was it!  Do or die!

I added more depth to the Z-stroke and with the cutter raised, let the
machine engrave up to the point with the missing characters.

I took the machine off pause and quickly placed my fingers back on
the watch, hoping nothing had shifted its position.

When the machine returned to its home position,
 I was half-afraid to look at the engraving.



Here's a photo of the finished item.  As you can see, my gamble paid
off and nobody, but the people reading this article, will ever know
there was a heart-stopping moment.

I keep saying to myself, that I should quit taking on risky jobs,
but I really do enjoy a challenge, so you can expect to see more
 articles like this, in the future. :-)



]]></description>
  <comments>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=5165.1</comments>
</item>
<item>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=4085.1</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:14:04 UT</pubDate>
  <title>Stunt Engraving:  Can you dig it?</title>
  <link>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=4085.1</link>
  <dc:creator>Stunt Engraver (DGL)</dc:creator>
  <description><![CDATA[CAN YOU DIG IT?
By David Lavaneri
Oh boy!  Now I've done it!

A local University needs a ceremonial shovel engraved for a groundbreaking event, only two days away!

A local trophy shop calls and asks if I can engrave the shovel and have it ready in time.

Can you believe it? A person donates $5-million dollars for the construction of a new Library, at a California University and their presentation shovel shows up at the last minute?

What would you do?  What would you do?

Here's what I did:

I said, &#34;Absolutely!  I've got ya covered!&#34;

- or did I? -

It's not the first time I've stuck my foot in my mouth on an engraving project, but that's what makes the job description of &#34;Stunt Engraver&#34; so interesting.

Since my early days as an engraver, it wasn't uncommon that a project would be accepted, based sheerly on the concept that I'd find a way.

After all, the job would either be turned down by most, or somebody else would find a way.  Why not me?

Not armed with state-of the art-equipment, it was necessary to cobble a method together, though, before accepting the task, I already had a concept in mind.

Knowing anything, even the most advanced computerized systems could hold, could also be jigged in a New Hermes GTX-Universal pantograph and having one of the most versatile &#34;old technology&#34; computerized systems, in the way of a New Hermes Vanguard 3000, at my disposal, (and some laser help from my customer) I was loaded for bear.

These were the steps I took, to dig my way out of this predicament:

Here's how the copy was presented:

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

I didn't like the way the lines were arranged, so it was decided to break the lines up, not only to read more easily, but in order to put emphasis on the recipient's name -- Also to limit the line width.  The business end of a shovel is bowl-shaped and it's only possible to minimally climb the inclines of the shovel.  I was dealing with a limited engraving area.

For ease of set up, and the ability to engrave the shovel in an awkward orientation, my computerized system was put to work, in creating a plastic template that could be used on a manual pantograph machine.

Here's the layout I devised, as shown on the monitor of the computerized system.

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

Now, it was time to engrave the template.  A pantograph, unless fitted with a 1:1 arm, can only engrave a maximum character height of half the size (2:1) of the master template.  Of course, smaller ratios, scaleable down to 7:1 are possible.

The effective engraving area of the shovel had already been determined to be about 2.5&#34; x  3.5&#34;.

The computer-generated template size would be twice the size of the engraving area, at 5 x 7 inches.

Here's the template being engraved into a piece of scrap plastic engraving stock.

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

In order for the stylus of a pantograph to properly trace a plastic template, the template must be designed to create a path-width of about .030&#34; and approx. the same depth.

It was a whacky way to set the job up, but it was the only way it would work.  I'd have to engrave the job sideways!

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

The platform to which the plastic, double-face-taped template was adhered, can be recognized by those familiar with V3000's, as nothing more than the machine's aluminum flatbed fixture.  Gotta have a solid surface beneath the flexible template.

By the way, the picture of the template isn't blurry.  A lubricant was applied to its surface, making tracing of the template easier, which helps the stylus from accidentally slipping out of the template's grooves.

With the template in place, all that's left to do, is administer the irreversible incisions.

No turning back now!

 

Now it's time to add the University's logo to the mix.  A laser engraved template was provided by my customer.

Here's where things get dicey.  &#62;.&#60;&#160;

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

Without defined grooves to follow, I had to hug the edges of the image with the stylus, creating an outline of the logo.  To make the task more daunting, the seraphs of the image seemed to be engraved at a shallower depth and too thin a path for the stylus of the pantograph.

The possibility of slipping out of the template and ruining the piece was very real.

I breathed a sigh of relief, when I had successfully engraved the logo and finished the job.

Because of the highly reflective surface, I wasn't able to get a quality shot of the item, but here it is.  I think you'll see the essence.

 

That's it, until next time I have to grab my crash helmet and take on another risky project. :-)&#160;]]></description>
  <comments>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=4085.1</comments>
</item>
<item>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=4084.1</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:10:18 UT</pubDate>
  <title>Stunt Engraving:  Don't Try This at Home</title>
  <link>https://www.engravingetc.org:443/archive/index.php?webtag=EE&amp;msg=4084.1</link>
  <dc:creator>Stunt Engraver (DGL)</dc:creator>
  <description><![CDATA[Well, I guess I can't really make that admonishment.

Home, is exactly where I engraved these items. :-)&#160;

From the following photo, the project seems harmless enough.

ÃÆÃ¢â¬Å¡ÃâÃÂ  	 

The color-filled emblem on the cast, pewter tankard was part of the original manufacture.  The customer wanted to personalize each tankard, aftermarket.

No big deal; right?

Well, no big deal if the group would have settled for diamond-drag engraving.  They wanted names engraved, that would have the same impact as the black, color-filled image on the front of the tankard.

Now, that's a pretty tall order!

The organization also wanted the characters to be large, meaning 3/4&#34; on the capital letters.

Now, they're getting ridiculous!  I mean, who in their right mind, would, or could, meet such a requirement?

I never claimed to be in my right mind, at any point, during my career as a Stunt Engraver.  In fact, I don't recommend taking these types of jobs on at all.

For me, it's too late to take my own advice.  As tedious and difficult as these jobs can be, I truly enjoy the challenge.

Here's how I went about the project.

First, I wanted a typeface with some style to it, but not a multi-line font.  I chose &#34;Cursive.&#34;

Hurdle #1:  My brass set of type would never generate a 3/4&#34; capital letter.

That's why I used a computerized rotary engraving system, to engrave 1 1/2&#34; high charcaters on plastic templates, which, when engraved at 2:1 on a manual pantograph, would render 3/4&#34; characters.

Hurdle #2:  Since using a nose-regulator, for depth control, would scratch the surface of the tankard and the item has tapered sides, there wasn't much choice, but to engrave without a depth regulator at all!

That means I would have to control the depth and width-of-cut, strictly by sight and feel!  Yikes!

I really don't recommend that method of depth control, unless you have a lot of practice on scrap material.  Of course, this job didn't leave any margin for error.

I was in my comfort zone. :-)&#160;

Using a .060, carbide-tipped cutter, I began to make the irreversible incisions.  Starting at the higher end of the taper (bottom section) and carving my way down the taper, I watched the &#34;walls&#34; of the engraved characters, to guage depth, while visually tracking the width-of-cut.

It's important to do this type of work under ample lighting, or ideally, natural daylight, in order to see how consistent a stroke you're developing.  You don't want to be fooled by shadows.

Using multiple passes and going over areas that needed &#34;beefing up&#34; I engraved all characters at an approximate depth of 1/16&#34;.

That's pretty deep, in anyone's book.

Hurdle #3:  Paint-filling on a curved surface.

On tankards with longer names, color-filling all the letters at the same time, meant paint would run out of some of the characters.  I had no choice, but to fill the letters in sections, going back to unpainted letters as previously-filled sections partially dried.

Final cleanup was done with WD-40; enough solvent to break down the dried enamel, and enough oil content to &#34;glide&#34; across letters without pulling the paint out.

With 32 tankards to engrave, I didn't take pictures of the process, but I did make a point of capturing a sample of the finished product.


 

Hurdle #4:  Getting the desire to ever engrave these items again!

But we know I will. :-)&#160;]]></description>
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