My daughter is interested in being a Gunsmith - Engraver

[Hargrave]

My fellow like minded cyber buddies ......

As a father, it is my duty to work with my children and help them decide what they want to do with their lives. I was talking to my 2nd daughter (12 years old) today about what she wanted to do. She loves working with her hands and is a genius at knowing how things fit together. To my delight and surprise, she said she would like to learn about gunsmithing and hand engraving.

now a question ... does anyone have any "projects" or parts they might be willing to sell, trade or donate for her to learn with? Probably looking for black powder or pre 1898 junk guns. I have a few old rifles and a shotgun I was going to donate to her cause, but wanted to see if anyone else had something they might want to part with.

I am going to work with her on ......

• Assembly

• Wood stripping and re-finishing

• Bluing (cold for now)

• Traditional Plumb process

• Light engraving

• If I get a working pistol, action work .. .etc.

Jacob

[Dick Dastardly]

The very best wishes to you and your daughter.

Hands on skills are sadly lacking in our schools and under appreciated by the public at large.  Until they need them.  Then they expect them cheep.  Gun owners know and respect the skills that we enjoy in our guns.

Tell her I'm appreciating her choice and will support her as she learns her valuable skill set.  FWIW, I have a piece of choice walnut that needs to be sculpted into a butt stock for my 311 Stevens SxS.

DD-MDA

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Hargrave -
allow me to offer some entertaining links that I hope may be some use:

http://www.grstools.com/
http://www.grstools.com/practice-pieces/gun-parts/?page=gunparts
http://www.grstc.com/
http://www.engraverscafe.com/
http://www.engravingforum.com/
http://www.thecarvingpath.net/forum/index.php

yhs
prof marvel

[Noz]

Jim Downing offers classes. You might want to wait until she is a little older.

[Oregon Bill]

That's just too cool. Put her in touch with Suzi Bradley, the engraver at Shiloh Sharps!

[Hargrave]

Everyone,

Thank you very much. Professor Marvel's links were very helpful. I am going to order her a few practice pieces and some engraving tools to get started. I will also get in touch with Suzi at Shiloh and see if she can have a conversation with my daughter.

I also did some research and found that Yavapai County college in Prescott (where my in-laws live) has a great school. When she is older, I might send her out there in the summers to take some classes.

In the mean time, I found an old T/C Hawken rifle in the basement that belonged to my Dad who put the kit together back in the 70's. It is now covered in rust and the wood is all dried out. I think this would be a good piece for her to start with to practice her skills at stock finishing and rust plumb finish.

She is 12, so I am going to start her out with some "kits" to put guns together and then have her "doodle" on the engraving with those practice pieces.

I look forward to hearing from some others on suggestions or whatever comments might be had. So far, she is pretty excited. She is already working on a school project - cook book for Kids along with some videos to teach them to cook healthy and tasty foods. Her younger sister is a great artist at age 8 already and I think the two of them will work together on designs.

I can't wait to see if they make a "spongebob" side-plate. 

[Professor Marvel]

RE hand engraving -
It might be a good idea to find good, local, hands-on instruction for actual engraving using hand tools. I am slowly acquiring a few bits and pieces, books & doco - and amongst the things one learns is the importance of proper sharpening and especially
how easy it is to put a graver right through your own hand...

yhs
prof marvel

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Sir, you have a real gem there.  And ... she is lucky too, in that you are willing to help with such a path to follow.

Cheers to you and her!

Merry Christmas & have a Happy New Year!