"Jeweling" Your Metal

[Dugz Ink]

"Jeweling" Your Metal

This is a simple process that requires a lot of patience. However, if it is done properly, and applied to the appropriate piece(s) of hardware, it can have a major impact on the over-all look of the project.

Start by putting a small "jewelling" or "engine turning" brush in your drill press. These are readily available through gunsmith supply stores, and probably through some automotive machine shops in your area. NOTE: If you can purchase the type that have o-rings around the bristles, then the bristles will not spread out.

(tighter bristles = tighter pattern = better jeweling)

If your drill press has multiple speeds, set it to "high". Now, set up your shop/chair/etc. so that you can comfortably sit at your drill press for 30-60 minutes straight. If you are going to attempt something as large as a pick-guard for a Strat, set aside at least 2 hours.

Next, cover the metal with a thin coat (about 1mm thick) of "Fine" grade Metal Grinding Compound. The local auto-parts store will sell it as "valve grinding compound"... it's grease-mixed silicone-carbide goop in a tube. The gunsmith supply stores sell it too, but most will charge way too much for it.

Now place the metal in/on your drill press. Personally, I have a specially designed clamp that holds the metal part, but can be adjusted forward/backward and right/left by turning two small crank-handles. This is very helpful, but not absolutely necessary.

Start at one corner of the metal, with only 1/4 of your brush on the metal. (If the metal has a 90° corner, then the point of the corner should be directly below the middle of the brush.)

Lower the drill press until the brush makes complete contact with the metal and JUST starts to spread out. Hold it there for 2-3 seconds, then raise the drill press. You should now have a perfect circular pattern in the grinding compound. Move the metal 1/2 of the width of circular pattern, and repeat this process until you reach one end of the metal.

Then, starting at the end where you just finished, move the metal over 1/2 of the width of the pattern, and repeat the previous step until you get to the other end (where you started).

Here are two illustrations: the first shows the initial brush placements (working from left to right), and the second shows how your metal will look after 3½ passes.

After you have finished the entire piece, CAREFULLY clean the grinding compound off of the metal using a petroleum based liquid and a soft brush or rag. Inspect it closely to make sure that you do not have any grinding compound left on the metal. Then wipe down the metal with a very light coat of machine oil.

NOTE 1: You can use devices other than a small "jewelling" or "engine turning" brush; some people have used wooden dowels... but they have to be perfectly straight, and they will slowly grind down because of the compound.

NOTE 2: You can stop in mid-project if you have to, but this usually leads to a slight change in the pattern. Most people develop a rhythm and movement as they're working, and stopping the process disrupts both.

NOTE 3: The jewelling pattern described above (Up & Back) is the most common pattern, but there are many others, including "Fish Scales" and "Rope". Feel free to expirement, but ALWAYS cover the center of the preceeding spot, otheriwse EVERY circular pattern will have a nipple-like point in the middle of it, and that does not look good.

D~s

[FerretallicA]

I've only ever seen this effect on a restaurant/cafe table before now, and certainly never on such a tiny scale. Does anyone have any examples of this technique being put into practice on other guitar parts? I like the effect but can't really visualise how it would fit in on a guitar design. Great tutorial!

[silvertonessuckbutigotone]

i know theres a pic but i dont see what your talking about, what does this do im assuming it just makes circualr patterns on your metal but i odnt see that in the pic.

[Dugz Ink]

I like the effect but can't really visualise how it would fit in on a guitar design.

There are covers that are designed to go over Fender-style hardtails; you could jewel that. Or how about just jeweling the bridge? The plate that goes on the back to support bolt-on necks, or a front-mounted control cover, or...

it just makes circualr patterns on your metal but i odnt see that in the pic.

Look at the first picture again; you are not leaving behind a circular pattern. You are overlapping the patterns, so you never see a complete circle... just 1/3 of each circle. Also, if you could walk around that gas tank, you would see the pattern shifting... which is something that a still-camera cannot capture.

D~s

[Bill-Murray]

I'm going to be getting some stuff from www.knifeandgun.com and am wondering what is the best compound they have to offer (like 10)

[Dugz Ink]

I'm not sure what you're asking.

For jeweling, I just buy fine Metal Grinding (or "Valve Grinding") compound.

By the way, my local Home Depot now carries the steel brushes that I mentioned.

D~s

[Longwing]

I watched my father do some jewling to a bolt on a rifle. He used a pencil eraser in a small drill. This worked very well for those of you looking for a different approach.

Longwing

[Bill-Murray]

I meant from that website. I'd rather just get it from one place.