Hand Glass Engraving

[PiscesGlass]

I think that all of this discussion about blasting has gotten to me.  I don't have one, but I do have a couple of engraving tools and a dremel.  So I decided to play around with it a bit.

I wish I'd found this website before I jumped in with both feet, but there's no loss..I can always start a new project.  Now..what additional tools to buy. LOL.  I could see where this could be some more $$ spent.

This is an awesome website for anyone thinking about messing about with hand engraving.

http://www.lesleypyke.com/page/Glass%20Engraving%20-%20The%20Drill%20Technique.htm

And here's my weak attempt at engraving.

De

[Kev]

I think it turned out quite nice actually. Try the next time leaving the iris of the eyes clear. Anything you want to appear dark, leave it clear.

[JoanFrances]

Nice job De.  It is really fun playing around and deciding what you want to be the negative or positive sections of a piece. 

Nice site, thanks for sharing it with us

[Kev]

It can be quite confusing too...lol

[PiscesGlass]

Yep, good advice Kev.  Like I said, I wish I'd found this site before I'd begun this project.  And I need to def purchase some more tools for the dremel.  The little cheapo hand engraver I have has lots of bits, but they aren't interchangeable with the dremel.  And it gets pretty tired if you use it for very long.

De

[Audrey]

Awww, He's cute.

[ct4mom]

Great job De and great site who knows I may give it a try some day ...if a kid can do it...

[Becki]

Good first try, De!

if a kid can do it...

LOL!  Di, I learned a long time ago that kids can do a whole lot of things that, for one reason or another, are difficult for adults! 

[ct4mom]

You are soo right Becki

[Tom]

De, I like the dog.  I would like to engrave stuff sometime, but will have to stick with the sandblasting,,,,if I ever get the rest of what I need for it.  Keep up the practice and good work.  I know you will be great at it!


Lesley Pyke is a great artist and is world renowned.  Wouldnt it be nice to have her skill and talent? 

I know she has some video clips on line, You Tube has some for sure if you wanted to search her name there.  All of her work is great but since I have been to Africa, I really like the African animals she does.  I believe she lived in Africa for many years and that's where her interests lay.  I would like to own some of her work someday.

 

[Anne]

Well, speaking from the viewpoint of never having done it before it looks just fine to me De! Just think of what you'll be doing a few projects from now.  I'm not going to even go look at that website, don't need any more wanna do's! But go for it, looks good!

[Judy K]

I am very impressed. How did you keep the lines in place so well. I would have these little spin outs that would need to be disguised as vines and flowers or something. Very good !

Annebelle has been craving for years. She may be able to help with things like bits and how to keep the carver cool. I burned up a dremel carving wood one time. It's not a pretty smell, and really slows down finishing the project 

[PiscesGlass]

Thanks for the nice comments!  I really need to practice this big time..it's quite fun to do.  I need to figure out a good method of holding the bevels..or flat glass so that it doesn't move around..I used just one hand, or part of a hand to hang onto the glass. And also liked Ms. Pykes "drip" method of keeping the glass and tools wet to cut down on the dust and also no doubt lengthen the life of the bits.

I loved perusing Lesley's site..I believe that she was born in South Africa, but has lived in the U.K. for many years.  She does have some wonderful video's on Youtube.  I watched most of them..totally gorgeous glass etching/carving.  She is a huge talent.

Somehow I'm thinking that this is going to cost me...heading off to buy some more bits for the dremel this weekend I think. And following up at the office..one of the dentists just replaced his drill..and still has the old one. Whoo hoo.  He's a really nice guy..hoping I'll get a great deal. lol. Plus the dentist that told me about it said that I could buy bits through their wholesaler..yikes!

De

[Tom]

De I have a video on engraving, and one trick they used to hold some stem ware was to take a piece of styrofoam and cut the shape of your piece out.  They used the green styrofoam, not sure if it was like the florists use or not, but it appeared to be that same color and closed foam type of product.  If you can find a couple pieces of that to try it might be a help to you.

[ct4mom]

Maybe those drawer liners that are spongy and can get on a roll at the dollar store, put something under it to lean the glass on at an angle to work on. I use it to cut on and the waffle like grooves even catch the chips.

[annabelle]

Your dog engraving looks just fine for a start, De....It is all about practice.  I use a high speed engraver that runs on compressed air.  I also have a little Indland engraving tool....I have found they don't last long.....I have had about half a dozen of them.  Inland has been great about sending a new one to me when they develop severe vibrations....So I keep going back to my good engraving tool.....I usually  engrave dry.  I know it eats up burrs, but it is just easier than dealing with water.
annabelle

[Elizabeth]

Um!  not sure what happened to my last post there - think my server is very slow - in case it does'nt come through - think your dog looks just fine for your first attempt!   Love that website,  wish it had been around when I was playing with engraving!     
Have fun!!!

[PiscesGlass]

Thanks Tom and Di!  I'll try those methods of holding the glass while I work on it.  It would be oh so much better to be able to use both of my hands..lol.

Annabelle, yes, I too have one of the Inland engravers as well..the poor thing is getting sooo tired, and I have a spare when this one dies..I do happen to like it though because it's as close to a pencil type grip as I've been able to get.  I also have the Dremel engraver..which I find pretty bulky..but it has plenty of power...I need to purchase some more bits for it..it only came with one very pointed bit. And I've given consideration to purchasing the handpiece attachment for my regular full sized dremel.  I'll also be very interested in talking to Dr. Swan next week as he just replaced his dental drill..which Dr. Fuller tells me she thinks still works..that may be a find!

I've not tried the water drip method as yet..and noticed from her video's that she has to wipe the piece off frequently because the water tends to smear the glass dust all over the place, so it appears that she does a little burst and then wipes..and wipes..and wipes.  I've also had to wipe the surface of whatever I've been working on..but the dust does seem easier to deal with dry.   Also, would you consider posting some of your engraving?  I'd love to see it.

[Kev]

Try the flex shaft for the Dremmel...it makes it quite easy to work with.

[PiscesGlass]

I am going to give that a try Kev. Thanks!  I purchased the Dremel Engraver because I thought that it might be a better (read..less expensive) solution, but it's a little unwieldy to use.  It's shaped with more of a gun type handle..makes it harder to see what you're working on I think. 

I also think that I need to have a more vertical surface, maybe slightly higher..more eye level, I think that could help a bit.  And another piece of advice I found while working on the 'dog' piece was that having a dark background was definitely a huge help.  Ms. Pyke speaks to the same thing in her website, wish I'd found that site sooner.

De