Newbie wants to engrave a bicycle. Where do I start?

[Nick H.]

Hello everyone! I've built a bicycle and want to engrave some fairly simple motifs in it. This may be a one-off project so I don't want to invest in expensive tools. I'm happy to do it slowly with basic tools on the kitchen table. The only equipment I have is a Dremel Stylus. Will that get me anywhere?

So where do I start? Here are some pics. These aren't the designs I want, but they're about as complex and about as deep (about 1 mm). The parts to be engraved are made of steel or aluminium alloy.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a248/nhorley/photo_17.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a248/nhorley/photo_40.jpg

Thanks in anticipation!

[Steve Lindsay]

:welcome[1]: Nice work on the bicycle making :cheers2[1]:

First step is engraving on practice plates until you feel ready to begin cutting on your bikes. Check out the Tehniques and resources page (http://www.handengravingforum.com/showthread.php?p=2810)

Inexpensive way to give it a try (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=4)

On-line videos (http://www.engravingschool.com/private/videos.htm)
Another video (http://www.engravingschool.com/images/Sample%20engraving.wmv)

Videos ~ 11 hours worth (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2904)

Artwork for studying scroll and pattern designs.
http://www.enkeboll.com/2DLA/start.htm (http://www.enkeboll.com/2DLA/start.htm)

On-line old engraving books (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=258)

Engraving Scroll and Techniques ~ (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1214)Lynton McKenzie Book (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1214)

Must have book download (drawing Acanthus leaves) (http://www.handengravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2104)

Microscope information
http://www.handgravers.com/microscopes.htm (http://www.handgravers.com/microscopes.htm)

For inexpensive magnifying an optivisor works well. They make replaceable and different strenght lenses for them.
McMaster has them. www.mcmaster.com (http://www.mcmaster.com/) At mcmaster site type in the search page 2250 and hit enter.
On that page they are called "Headband Flip-UP Magnifiers".

AirGravers
PalmControl AirGraver (http://www.airgraver.com/PalmControl.htm)
Classic foot control AirGraver (http://www.airgraver.com/Classic.htm)

Forum Tutorials
An Engraving Puzzle (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=780) Mike Dubber
Cutting a Coin for fun or profit (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=709) Steve Ellsworth
Damascening a sheep with a Lindsay (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=554) Barry Hands
Cut together - PalmControl practice plate (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=886) Steve Lindsay
Damascening an Elk with an Artisan (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=972) Barry Hands
Tutorial: Scuba Power for Lindsay Airgraver (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=614) brandvik
Beginners Progress Plans, Tutors Tips, and Informational link (http://www.handengravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2365) AirAmp

Tutorial with videos from the school site (http://www.engravingtraining.com/private/tut1.htm)
More advanced tutorial (http://www.engravingtraining.com/private/designs.htm)
More topics on school site: www.engravingtraining.com (http://www.engravingtraining.com/)


Turorials and contests
http://www.engravingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6 (http://www.engravingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6)

Tutorial contest archive
http://www.engravingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14 (http://www.engravingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14)

Sharpening fixture info.
http://www.engravingschool.com/priva...0Sharpener.htm (http://www.engravingschool.com/private/Lindsay%20Sharpener.htm)
http://www.handgravers.com/sharpening.htm (http://www.handgravers.com/sharpening.htm)
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1098 (http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1098)




Here are pictures of a bike engraving by Ricky Low.

http://www.handgravers.com/feedback%20photos/rickMvc-006s.jpg

http://www.handgravers.com/feedback%20photos/rickMvc-003s.jpg

http://www.handgravers.com/feedback%20photos/rickMvc-011s.jpg

[Roger Bleile]

Nick,

Given that this may be a one off project I believe you would be miles ahead to pay a professional engraver to do the work. The time, effort, and expense of tools are just not worth it for a one time job. It would be similar to learning dentistry so you could fill a cavity in one of your wife's teeth. Hand engraving is one of the more challenging skills you can attempt to learn and is similar in effort to learning to master a musical instrument.

I don't mean to be discouraging but those with a passion for hand engraving can't be discouraged and those without the passion will not succeed any way.

CRB