LESLEY
PYKE
Glass Engraver
Glass Engraving - The Drill Technique
Lesson 1 to 4
(by popular demand)
Lesson 1
When the surface of the glass is scratched it catches the light, so by roughing it up with a diamond or stone bur, the area will appear white.
When the surface is smoothed a little the light passes through and the engraving appears grey.
When the glass is smoothed even more with rubber it appears dark, clear glass is darkest.
Above is a Heraldic Lion which I have engraved on the under side of a glass paperweight. Shadows are also created by the depth of the engraving. The eye of the lion has been engraved with a small diamond bur and then smoothed by a white arkansas stone, and then polished with a brown rubber bullet.
I took this photo whilst engraving dry so that you can see the dust, otherwise I will use water when engraving with diamond burs. This will keep down the dust, lubricate the bur and ensures a clean cut. It is advisable that protection is worn to avoid the dist being inhaled. Eyes, nose and mouth need protection. Even ears need protection if engravimg on a large piece of glass as it can be deafening. I also use a dust extractor.
The drill I am using here is a micromotor. I also use a heavy duty flexible drive hanging motor drill for the very heavy work. (eg carving and cameo engraving...will explain another time)
As you can see I am sitting comfortably. I have an adjustable chair so I am always at the right height depending on the item to be engraved. My home made vices are also adjustable. I have 3 of these. This one , a much larger one for HUGE pieces, and an upright one to engrave on bases:
Can you see how I have stuck some artwork inside the glass ready to trace the main details later. This is a transparent medium, USE IT! I will tell you at a later stage how to find the curve of a glass to make sure that the lettering on the bowl of the glass is straight....if I forget...please remind me.
I made this fun tower for all my burs in use. Above is a very small selection of burs that I would use most in a small piece of engraving.
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If you only have a diamond or tungston carbide point to work with, or even a diamond coated bur in a pencil...you can still get engraving. Here I have "stipple" engraved my sons . Stipple is gently tapping the glass producing tiny dots. You can also scratch lines (linear engraving).
It is important to remember a basic rule......shade the light!
Practice on a piece pf black paper with a white pencil:
Lesson 2
A commission for a customer July 2007:
Here is a 10 oz crystal whisky glass which I used 4 different engraving techniques to re-create this boating scene using the whole glass. The first thing I did (was a bit late in taking the photo though) was to sandblast the basics of the vessel, so that the lettering especially, has a neat finish.(second photo) . Then going back to the first photo, back of the glass, I drew with an acid resist pen and etched with hydrofloric acid paste, the sky, clouds, mountain and then the water which goes all around and underneath. In the third photo, you can see I am using a grey rubber bur by hand to darken parts of the clouds to produce a soft water colour effect. I have also used a black rubber disc in the drill and bounced it slowly along the water to create the dark speckles.
Here you see me stippling by hand with a tungston carbide point. It is extreemly sharp and just tapping on the glass produces the sparkles on the sea that I need back and front of the glass.
Here I am using white stone, then green stone and then rubber to fill in the blank spaces with half tones and then polishing out in places. It is important not to leave "holes" in the glass, by leaving blank glass inbetween.
This green stone bouncing gently on the glass leaves larger sparkles in the foreground.
So a small glass yet 4 different techniques used. That was great fun!!
Lesson 3
OK back to some more ideas....
Another way to transfer the design onto the glass is to use a waxy carbon. Once you have done that, use a small stone to slowly go over the outlines ...don't use water or you will wash off your carbon. Why not let your hair down and use a black permanent pen and draw straight onto the glass....or if you are really brave.....drill straight on...let yourself go, especially if it is an abstract that will develop on the glass.
A good trick is to use the largest bur in the area concerned to avoid the ridges that will form...unless you specifically want ridges, eg relief on leaves etc.
I use a slow drip feed system (used for fish tanks I believe) for my supply of water whilst I am engraving. If you can't find one, just sponge it on. dab the wet sponge onto a bar of soap first, this will keep the water on the surface for longer...about 2 seconds longer ...yes you have to do this all the time. I did all the years I was in Zimbabwe, I held it permanently in my left hand. The drip feed gives you much more freedom.
Note that my vice is lined with a black cloth, it has sponge underneath and then the glass is held tight and comfortably in the vice. I then have 2 hands to hold the drill and leaning my wrist on the edge I have full control.
Tip....always sign your work. Keep photos and records. You may be famous one day.
Lesson 4
To photograph glass I use an old box, painted black on the sides and lined at the back and base with black velvet. Either a light, or even better window light coming in through the top/back. Fix your camera to the tripod , pull a fixed black cloth over the box and camera to block out all other light and take the photo. Use the timer if you can.
Well this was a "quickie", I have promised so many keen engravers out there. I hope it helps and when I can I will add some more to it and make a couple of little videos about the basics and put them on my website. I love your e mails, I just can't always answer quickly but will as soon as I can.
Links:
PRACTICE * PRACTICE * PRACTICE
