Swirly Star Etch Test in Steel

Just the first test etch. I've already thickened the arms a bit. Which will help them etch better.

Alliance Enamel

It's not done. It needs another round of fill in a firing. Then more clean up up it's coming along. It got warped because I forgot to anneal it before doing the backing enamel. Oops. Won't forget that again.

Also here is MHog's Tiger Company(south) enamel. I haven't fired the orange yet. That orange is just from the clean on the copper. His will be fired more than sanded down to expose the copper. This technique on enameling is called champleve. These are my first attempts.









Finally is MHog's heraldry. It is still very hot, just out of the heat so the colors are not what they will be when it cools. The enamel has been fired to what enamelers call sugar. Rough. I'll fix a few more flaws then fire to a nice glossy finish. Then sanding and polish to finish it up.

Petal Fittings For MHog

Round 2:

Much better. Can't wait to enamel these.

While browsing the Met Museum online I came across this suit of armor.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/40003050?rpp=20&pg=4&ft=gilt+armor&pos=68#fullscreen

Which is mind blowing. I really picked up on the rivet decoration and thought that would fit nicely in a belt I'm doing for Sir Michael. So here is my result for the 1st round of testing.

Lessons learned for round 2:

Need better touch up mordant. Silver sharpie is not cutting it.
The CK is pretty messing. To many amps maybe. Also, maybe change the font to an easier to read.
Going to use the larger 3/8 rivets. Closer to historic sample.
Also going to "lengthen" the petals to the center. Have them touch the larger rivet.

Almost forgot also going to try and round the petals dish them up a bit.

Messing around with power

This is one of the first etches I did using the galvanic method with steel. They are getting better. I used a torch to heat it up and oil dip for the bluing. I only did 3  cycles. AA folks recommend 5+.

Dragonblade Merc's are a fighting company that my MoA is a member of. These will eventually decorate his belt. Someday soon.

For Gondor!

Final 2 medallions. All polished up and ready for patina.

Tolkien Inspired

Today was quite warm in the garage. We hit 106 in the valley.

I worked on these medallions etched with the royal heraldry of Gondor.

"The royal standard of Gondor was an image of a white tree in blossom upon sable field, surrounded by seven five-rayed stars and by a winged crown."

2.5" diameter, brass

These are the first two of five. The new patina I really like. I think it's called black magic or something. That and the AZ sun turned out a deep black patina with hints of yellow/green. On another brass etch it turned a deep slime green color. Pretty but not what I had in mind.

I also messed around with galvanic etching some stainless steel using salt water. Not good results. Going to repeat with some mild steel I've been dragging around for the last 7 years. That worked well last time. Going to give it a go with vinegar instead of the salt water. See how that effects the outcome.

Also, dyed, oiled, burnished the back and edges, and an initial top coat for my MoA's belt. It turned out quite well and is ready to get riveted with some metal.

I also punched all the Alliance plates. They are ready to ship on Monday.

Aaron's squire belt is ready to ship on Monday.

Anatole's order is ready to ship.

I'm hoping to get the Gondor medallions finished tomorrow ready to shipped Monday.

99% Finished

Only thing left is a final coat to protect the leather. 

Etching level up.

Riveting level up.

Leather work, half way to level.