Unrealize Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I guess it would be possible, but with hand tools..? What kind of tools would be needed for this. I have some fine blades from StewMac, but something tells me that even the extra fine blade is too rough for this one. I probably shouldn't even think about it, but still, I can't help for it. The design is 4 cm tall, and on this picture it should be at approx 200% So, any encouraging words and hints..? How should I go about doing this...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 way way WAY too fine, you'll never be able to do it in shell. Thicken it up a bit, and you'll be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I thought it might be thin, but not impossible, I mean, I inderstand that some of the lines would cause trouble, but I thought I might be able to get it done with some scribes of sort... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 In a thin sheet of sterling silver it would be do-able I'd imagine. And then you could engrave the fine lines. You'd need blades, dremel with tiny router bits, stewmac's dremel routing stand, and their standard engraver with filler paste. That should about do it.... tool wize. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I thought it might be thin, but not impossible, I mean, I inderstand that some of the lines would cause trouble, but I thought I might be able to get it done with some scribes of sort... You intending on using shell?? Lines are no problem, its the thickness of the legs/wings/neck, etc. Its just too thin. Have a look around and see what you can find by any pro/semipro/amatuer inlayer, cnc cut, or handcut. You wont find one that thin. Even at the size it is, you'll never get the thin tail, claws, horns, etc, and you want to to it half that size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I'm not the most experienced inlayer around (I've barely done ANY, but I have done SOME) but I could tell from first looking at it that there's no way it's going to be possible in shell. For the exact reasons Perry just gave. In order to enjoy the endeavour, you need to set yourself up for success, and that means understanding limitations of the shell (primarily) and also of the material being inlaid into (secondarily). Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Ok, so I think that I will just forget about doing this in shell then.. hehe.. I kinda thought so, just wanted to check with you guys first. I have some friends in various graphic companies that can print stuff on plotters, like artwork for cars and so on, do you think that this could work? Having it printed in white, I suppose it is like a decal or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 At the 200% size you've got, it's borderline doable for a master inlay artist, one with some sh**-hot engraving skills to boot. The sharp 'bits' would have to be done via engraving and filling with black filler, post-inlay, I'd think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 If it doesn't need to be genuine pearl, some sort of decal would be the way to go-- and adding some sort of protective layer over top would be ideal. A coat of a clear glossy varnish or something. Something to consider: is this mainly for the purposes of up-close viewing or medium-distance viewing? Details that fine will be lost at any more than a meter viewing distance, and the up-close attention that it would require would be less awe-inspiring if the graphic is in the form of a decal. Myself, I like an inlay idea. I like a dragon. I just think the design needs to be reworked so that you can have some sort of dragon inlay within the realm of the materials' possibilities and your own skill set. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it. Greg, the main purpose of the inlay is for me personally. In one of the songs in my band I'm singing "I am a dragon..." and due to that I thought it would be a nice touch to put a dragon there. I also considered using the chinese symbol of "Dragon", which is a way simpler design, but I don't think that it goes so well with the rest of the design/intention of the guitar. I could consider simplifying the design a lot more to give it a more stylized look, which could be cool. I'll see if I can do some more work with it, and see what comes out of it. I really do want something on the cover tho, I really want something on the cover, without it I think that the headstock would look kinda naked. I considered doing something with my initials, but I don't feel too comfortable about that either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikvo Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 You know I understand the point is that you do the work yourself, but there may be another way... I have a friend who uses a computer engraver, and we have had some amazing results for our Judo Club. We had our full club logo put on a wooden disc type key ring - probably about 1.5" accross, and the detail was so intricate and yet so perfect. So would you consider using this method on a 2piece metal construction... so when you engrave through the black the silver shows ? Hope that made sense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted January 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 I had to give it a go, and I think that it turned out quite useable. I simplified the design a little bit, but all in all I think it looks cool. The picturequality is terrible, but it gives an impression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzocchi705 Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Good on you for trying mate! looks quite good to me. Itl be nice to see it in the wood and polished up. keep the pics coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Very, very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sscovill Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 I guess it would be possible, but with hand tools..? What kind of tools would be needed for this. I have some fine blades from StewMac, but something tells me that even the extra fine blade is too rough for this one. I probably shouldn't even think about it, but still, I can't help for it. The design is 4 cm tall, and on this picture it should be at approx 200% So, any encouraging words and hints..? How should I go about doing this...? If you have the dragon design in a vector format, I can make it for you out of vinyl and you can just apply it to the cover instead of inlaying it. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmarlin Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Very cool and I never thought it could be done that small. Good job cant wait to see it inlaid, thats awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_ado Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 dude that looks crazy and thats got to be at least twice as big wat uve done looks good id be happy with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 very nice so far...it looks like the tail broke off? you going to etch it for the fine details? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 well, Im glad to be proven wrong!! Awesome!! I honestly didnt think even I could do that one, and i reckon ive got a lot more experience than most Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croaticum Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 It looks good to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 you must have alot of patience,unrealize.did you use a jewelers saw?or a fine blade scroll saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Thats awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted January 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Thanx a lot guys! Westhemann, I used the saw and blades from StewMac, fine and extra fine. My girlfriend always claims me to be the most patient man ever, but I can't really agree, I'm not that patient, but I never quit. If I get an idea, I'll go far to get it done. I'm not going to etch or engrave it at all, it looks far better in life than on the picture, and I'm happy with the kinda stylized look of it. Yes, the tail broke off, and also the lower arm, bummer.. rhoads, I'm happy to prove you wrong. I must admit that it was easier than I feared, it isn't perfect, but like you said, with some simpler details, it went ok. Considering that I cut pearl like 4-5 times, I'm quite happy with the outcome. Tho, I haven't inlaid it yet, I can still f**k it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 , I used the saw and blades from StewMac, fine and extra fine. you really are patient then...i have that same saw and those same blades...and cutting out a small demon head took every bit of patience i have.. i have been wanting to get a tiny little variable speed scroll saw so i can start in on the inlays....i think that suits my patience level better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 i don't want to try to change your mind on the etching...but i think it would look twice as good with some fine lines etched on the belly like the original pic you posted...and then fill the etches with black just my opinion...i think if you successfully cut that out,then etching would be nothing for you. did you get the little etching tool as well from stewmac?i have that,and it works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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