Using bright cut techniques, engraver Brian Powley finishes out the sparkling surface of these high-quality flutes with engraved designs.

Unlike a bracelet, where you engrave and then curve the metal, the lip plate of flutes like these are already curved. "The curved surface is a bit tricky," says Powley, "but I have a custom fixture that allows me to turn the piece while it's being rotated in the vise."

Since the metal of the flute lip plate is quite thin in places (around 0.014") — unlike guns and knives — the possibility of cutting completely through the metal while engraving is always a concern. The custom fixture and experience helps reduce this risk, as well as working only with professional quality instruments. Brian says, "I won't engrave any plated metals--too much can (and usually does) go wrong." He always works with solid alloys of gold, silver, and platinum.

To do the beautiful bright cuts, Brian uses special high-speed steel flat graver and 120 degree gravers with a polished, mirror-like finish to the face. After polishing with a ceramic lap, he goes one step further and uses 2500-3000 grit wet/dry automotive paper adhered to a blank wheel, giving a slight radius to the heel.

Powley has engraved over 8,000 of these lip plates over the last 10 years, and gets them from manufacturers, importers, dealers, and repair shops as well as individual artists from all over the U.S., Canada, South America and China."

It's always great to see the variety of applications for the engraving arts. If you have been inspired by work you have seen featured here, or have a creative piece you would like GRS to consider for Featured Photos, send an email with your photos to featured@grstools.com.