[Rob Bunting]

Hello out there! My name is Rob Bunting and I joined a little bit ago but have just been looking around at old posts mostly. By way of introduction, I've been a metal smith and engraver for over 30 years. I started out in the jewelry business where I met my wife Rebecca, also a goldsmith. It was then that I got the engraving bug when my boss bought a Gravermeister (pretty new technology in 1979 or so!).
For twenty years I got "sidetracked" with a wholesale craft business selling repousse copper wall hangings and weathervanes to galleries all over the country. I still do some but I burned out on production. I figure I hammered and cut over 10,000 critters out of copper over 20 years.
Fast forward to about six years ago when Paul Lantuch called my wife amd me and asked if either of us would be interested in helping start an engraving studio at Ruger's Southport, CT corporate headquarters which is about an hour from where I live. I thought about how burned out I was doing copper and answered yes and haven't looked back!
As some of you may know, Paul Lantuch was Bill Ruger Sr.'s personal engraver for 11 or 12 years. He taught three of us a lot of what he knew about basic engraving and design, including inlay and relief carving and all,and then let us loose.
Anyway, since then I've gotten to do some pretty cool projects including the 5 Millionth Ruger 10/22 and the 30 millionth Marlin rifle and others. I really enjoy doing critters and relief and feel like I'm finally developing my own style scroll. If you have questions about working on Rugers I can probably save you some grief! They can be difficult in a lot of ways!
This has turned into a book but what the heck. Better a little too much in one shot than dribs and drabs forever. I really enjoy reading all these great posts and look forward to joining in, when I'm not trying to make a living like everyone else!