Getting there.

So I've arrived in Trinidad Colorado where I will be going to school for gunsmithing, seems like a great time to start my blog. Ive got a great two bedroom apartment with enough space for all my stuff and a living room full of tools and workspace. The rents' helped me get all settled and left me with a kitchen full of food so I'm off to a great start.

Engraving Practice Plates

Working with Adobe Illustrator has been quite an experience, allowing me to have a greater degree of precision in engraving layouts. On the right is an example of my very basic practice plate layout that would measure 2"x2". I then print the layout on transparency and can rub that onto a metal plate; this way I don't have to draw over and over on every new plate I want to cut.
The live trace function is also a big help, as i can make a quick sketch and then scan it into the computer click the live trace button and have a vector drawing ready for scaling. I can then smooth out my lines and make them all the same width for a better transfer when i print it.