Jeweled Finish

[tommegow]

Hi there
I am a newb knifemaker needing y'alls advise. I would like to finish a few knives with the same effect y'all put on bolt-action rifle bolts. I think it is called a jeweled finish or engine finish. I will be working on flat surfaces. I also need an inexpensive way to do it.I am also inexperienced, this to hard for me??
Thanks
Tom Megow
So.Ga.

 

[Jim Watson]

All you need (except a drill press) right here:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=609&title=ENGINE+TURNING+KIT

 

[Chawbaccer]

In order to get a nice and evenly spaced job you will also need some kind of a jig, with some thought and ability you can make your own.

 

[dfariswheel]

Probably the easiest and cheapest method, especially on flat surfaces, is with a cheap bench top drill press and a cross slide vise.

You can buy both at Sears.
The drill press usually can be bought for less than $100.00 easy, and the drill press cross slide vise is fairly cheap too.

To do the actual engine turning, buy "Cratex" type rubber bonded abrasive cylinders and a Menck collet cylinder holder from Brownell's.

I recommend the 3/16" Cratex rods for most work.

Cratex Abrasive rods, 3/16" X 6"--- #190-036-002
Menck Damascening Tool--- #590-111-001

Bright Boy also makes cylinders and an even cheaper collet cylinder holding tool.

For flat surfaces, I think the rubber abrasive cylinders work better and faster than the brush type.

 

[scott.cr]

Getting those little circles evenly spaced can be a tough job!!

The only way I've managed to get a job that looks perfect is to use a cross slide vise as dfariswheel has suggested. (Actually I use a mill, but the end result is about the same.)

Securely mount a dial indicator and use it to get the spacing between the circles precise to within .005" If you go over .005" it's noticeable to a close eyeball inspection.