Hello Everyone, I have been having a problem with my #52 round graver
tip constantly breaking while trying to raise a bead , and would
appreciate any comments you may have as to why this is happening.
(I have re-read my class notes, and all chapters on gravers, but am
at a loss here)
So far, this what I have been doing… Regarding grinding, I am
using the coarser of the 2 wheels on my craftsman grinder. I am
grinding away from the tip, and dipping in water often. (When
shaping, I sweep the blade along the wheel, about 1/2" to 3/4"
length of blade at a time- (am I on the wheel too long?)
Regarding the 45 degree angle on the tip, should I be starting this
on the grinder? (maybe this is overheating the tip (?). Or should
the 45 degree angle tip only be done on the india oil stone?
After grinding, I use the india oil stone with oil. (If I go too
fast, would that overheat the tip?)
Then I remove the burrs on crocus paper glued to a glass plate.
I make isolation cuts for the bead, then proceed to raise the bead
(starting at 45 degree angle and wiggling forward to a 90 degree
(perpendicular) position.
It is usually right at the final upward wiggles that the tips
breaks.
I feel it break and want to cry. My right arm is going to get
bigger than my left arm from all the sharpening going on (which
would be fine if I was actually accomplishing something).
Also (I have been worrying about this) If a graver tip gets
embedded in a bead set piece, and it gets pickled for some reason
later (like if the customer later trys to re-size it), will it get
plated in the pickle from the tip being in there? (if there are like
25 tips in it?)
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Julie Balonick
P.S. Special Thanks to Kay Taylor, David Keeling, and David Barzilay
for their help regarding my previous emails.