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Rex Pedersen's Background Stippling Technique


GRS engraving instructor Rex Pedersen shares his stippling technique which also helps to level the background. Read on...


stippling
Rex's engraving on a Marlin .22. Photo courtesy Rex Pedersen

"This is a"modernized" American scroll on a Marlin 22. Just a fairly simple job, but instead of a dot punch [beading tool] background, I removed some of the material using a combination a 90 degree [square graver] and flat gravers. You can also use a dental burr as well. The background wasn't made "dead flat" but just close. I use a carbide point stippler similar to Sam's, but I round over the end slightly. This allows you to "peen" down any high spots and level the background. You must hold the tool fairly vertical and allow it to be suspended. I usually use a Magnum handpiece set at a fairly low stroke, from 800 to 1200. This lets you "move" the metal quite a bit. Always do the edges first (carefully) then you can go crazy in the middle of the background.

For what it is worth, there is a spot I missed (well, more than that) on this that could be fixed easily. It's about 3 o'clock from the large takedown screw on the second to last background, right about at the end of the leaf. This can leveled easily. "


stippling
Closeup view of Rex's stippling technique. Photo courtesy Rex Pedersen.

"This method doesn't take any more time than using a dot punch [beading tool] because the GraverMach makes it go so much faster. Also, after stippling, I clean up the edges with either a 90 or 120 degree and give some of the cuts a slight bevel".

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