Engraving Transfer Technique

[@airbrushken5339]

I was Army for 9 years before I left for Australia to teach. I grew up hunting on our 164 acre all wooded property, we had a lot of deer and deer hunting was a big family issue. I was an Army Sniper in Vietnam and after getting back state side I got into black powder guns and "Turkey" shoot competitions. One guy from Pontiac Michigan has this beautiful engraved flint lock so i asked him who did the work. Seems it was a local gun smith in Pontiac ... sadly that was in 1971, but back then as a father day's gift I got his lever action 30-30 Winchester rifle totally hand engraved .... his work was magic and it so made my father's day ... I actually got him to engrave the primary cover on my WWII military Indian Scout motorcycle, that I changed back to stock. I miss those days, as personally I used to pin stripe everything from boats, horse drawn carriages, hot rods, trucks and motorcycles. Even the odd reverse image gold leaf, with chip glass.... I have NEVER seen a guy work magic like this old fart.... a quick drawing, I said do what ever you think would work...

[@bbennett8772]

Thank you for sharing. You are having many good, memorable experiences. I wish you many more. Take care, Bill

[@jaccorless647]

I have used just the white Dykem and drawn my design directly on it. Works very well as a drawing surface. And have not experienced skid problems with any graver because of it.

[@bbennett8772]

That sure works well, I know. You are right. Nick Francolini showed me that, if you add some talcum powder to the Dykem White, it will add more "tooth" to the drawing surface. It holds the graphite better. I use it always, too. Thank you for your comment, Jac. Best wishes with all your engraving. Bill

[@sphandengraving5691]

It’s nice seeing others way of transfers

[@MrDarwin-pn1cr]

1: draw sketch large size 2: scan and reduce artwork to size in photoshop then invert image (make background black) 3: print onto silicone transfer paper using a LASER PRINTER ONLY!!!!! 4: iron on to clean steel (or workpiece) 5: after cooled, peel off. 6: etch for no more than 5 SECONDS in ferric chloride Image is permanantly on workpiece.

[@mulanjamilah7849]

Is there a link to purchase paper transfers?

[@bbennett8772]

I apologize for my delay in responding. Please note: This transfer paper works in ink jet printers, not laser printers. Link: www.amazon.com/Grafix-Adhesive-2-Inch-11-Inch-6-Pack/dp/B000S15KDS?th=1 Thank you. I'm pleased this is helping you. Best wishes for achieving your dream. Bill

[@brianheight4471]

Does this work on transferring to metals such as gold, platinum, and silver?

[@bbennett8772]

Hello Brian. This technique should work equally well on precious metals. I am using it on a sterling project right now. It is working great. Good luck.....

[@mulanjamilah7849]

@@bbennett8772 I wish there was a video how to draw a good scroll on your channel

[@bbennett8772]

@@mulanjamilah7849 I plan to add some scroll drawing videos soon. Thank you for your valuable suggestion.

[@mulanjamilah7849]

@@bbennett8772 it's so good can't wait. Suggestions maybe you can make a video on how to draw leaves and insert them into the scroll, of course it will be very interesting.

[@jbux1983]

What kind of printer did ya print them on??

[@bbennett8772]

Epson WF-7520. I Apologize for the late reply.

[@mulanjamilah7849]

@@bbennett8772 i just learned another art metal and i just bought air graver. I was lucky to get how to draw scroll on weapons in pdf form. I like this art but equipment is very expensive in my opinion

[@jeremywhite7976]

I've bought all the same material and followed this tutorial to the T. I still can't seem to get the ink to transfer at all. I must be doing something wrong. How hard are you burnishing and for how long?

[@jeremywhite7976]

@BBennet oh also, I'm practicing on brass. Could that be the issue?

[@bbennett8772]

@@jeremywhite7976 Hi Jeremy, I understand that you could have problems. It took me several weeks (not full time) to get it to work. I placed the method onto THE ENGRAVER'S CAFE Forum. Here is the link: engraverscafe.com/threads/engraving-transfer-technique.27432/ In this forum page please see my comments on March 25, 2022. This has an ATTACHMENT in which I go to great length to describe each step. I think this could help you. From what you describe to me I would suspect that you are not getting enough moisture from you breath exhale onto the hair spray layer and/or not not closing the film with the ink quickly enough to trap the moisture before it can evaporate. Please let me know, if you can get it to work. If you still have problems, we may need to talk, personally. Feel free to let me know. Best wishes, Bill

[@jeremywhite7976]

@@bbennett8772 Thanks for the quick and informative reply! I'll check out the link!

[@bbennett8772]

Brass will be just fine. Make sure it is clean, though.

[@bbennett8772]

Please let me know, if you got the technique to work for you. Thanks, Bill

[@lightning9279]

Why not use an inexpensive laser machine to put the pattern to the metal? Easier said than done, I guess.

[@bbennett8772]

Very interesting idea. Would work on a flat surface. Would require multi-axis control for curved surfaces. Thanks for the comment and the new area of thought. Good job. Worth researching.

[@lightning9279]

A high end gun manufacturer who offers very high end engraving on their products is now offering engraving done by lasers. The laser option is way less expensive. Hand engravers need not worry because the difference between the two is very obvious. The laser work looks like it was done by a laser and not by hand.@@bbennett8772