Hello from Tennessee

[ShawnReed]

hello everyone my name is shawn. i am from a very small town in East Tennessee. i collect hobbies that involve metal. i do blacksmithing, knife making, and i build custom tattoo machines.( every part except the screws). i also run a small motorcycle and paint shop.

my engraving experience so far is, well not as good as i had hoped. i think the biggest problem is my tools. they consist of old mill bits that i have forged into gravers. i wish i would have read about tool angels and tips before i started.

one thing i must say is, you guys rock. i have noticed several posts where you are willing to answer noob questions. sometimes the same questions over and over. you share your knowledge freely, and even go as far to help people with tools. the kid from Vietnam you helped was just amazing. it is selfless acts like that, and the willingness to help that made me want to join.

Thanks for the great site, and the great information.

[SEngraver]

Hi ,

Welcome to the engraving Forum Shawn .

SE

[JESSIE H]

Welcome where about in tn you at

[paulsph]

Welcome on the forum Shawn! Yes, I totally agree with you, all the experienced (and not so experienced) engravers here are really generous with help & good tips. It's not that easy to figure out all the graver sharpening angles, heels and different techniques. Cutting that perfect line or scroll needs lots of practice and patience to get familiar with. However, I'm sure that a creative guy like you (who's used to working with metal) will find the right way Greetings, Paulsph

[mrthe]

Welcome to the forum Shawn,will be great can see one of your custom tattoo machine!

[Roger Bleile]

Shawn,

Since you are teaching yourself and making your own tools, I recommend the instruction book Engraving Historic Firearms by John Shippers. It is available on this site.

If you want instruction, Scott Pilkington in Monteagle, TN is not far from you.

Good luck,
Roger