Starting to venture into a brass engraving business? If yes, then it’s time to learn as much as you can about this metal and how to work on it. One of the most commonly used metals in the engraving industry, brass provides a certain appeal to customers.
With its elegance and shine, it can be used in a variety of engraving projects, from plaques to trophies. To help you out, here are four factors you should consider before starting a project.
Tools
There are different engraving tools, including hammer, chisel, pneumatic or hand-pushed gravers or burins, and high-speed rotary. Gravers or burins give you more control and stability while a high-speed rotary works faster but is harder to guide due to its quick heads spin. If you want to be more intricate with the design, a hand-held chisel may be the best option. It fits your hand better, allowing you to carefully trace the design.
Metal
To add appeal to your products, you may want to choose from the different types of brass on the market. Brass is available in bright and satin finishes, as well as enamel-colored and normal lacquer-coated. Lacquer-coated brass enables you to make products that shine in natural gold. Enamel-coated, meanwhile, brings out a certain elegant look that comes from the contrast between the colored enamel and the underlying brass.
Whatever type you choose though, make sure that you clean the metal before marking it. Use a dry cloth to remove the moisture on brass tubing or scrub it with soap and water to clean grime and dirt.
Design
You can draw the design directly on the metal or on paper. If you opt for the latter, you need to transfer it to the metal using materials such as varnish, shellac, polyester film, and scotch tape. For a beginner, it’s best to stick to simple designs with lines that are well spaced because intricate details are more challenging to engrave.
Process
Ensure that the engraving brass is clamped in place before working on it to prevent it from slipping. Then, carefully put pressure using your tool as you remove pieces of metal away based on your design. Don’t forget to put on eye goggles for protection from the metal pieces that are chipped away.
Engraving is a skill that you need to hone to be successful in this business. You may want to search for more techniques or learn from local engravers so that you can acquire the knowledge and qualities needed for this profession. You should also look for a reliable supplier of brass so that you can provide your customers with high quality products.
Sources:
How to Engrave. www.wikihow.com
What Are the Best Tips for Engraving Brass?. www.wisegeek.com
Chasing Away Those Engraving Blues. www.engraversjournal.com
