Triggernosis
Member
Just how is the type of stippling that's on the blackstrap actually done - anyone know?
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How is this stippling done?
- Thread starter Triggernosis
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Just how is the type of stippling that's on the blackstrap actually done - anyone know?
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I like the stippling and the $17,000 in gold stacked under the revolver!
I use a variety of stippling punches and a small hammer to mark the metal surface. You can sharpen the end of the tool used into various shapes to change the resulting shape and aggressiveness of the irregularity created in the metal surface. As you would expect, striking the tool harder creates a deeper mark, and changing the tool angle creates a rougher surface.
When I stippled my 1911, I started with a ordinary 3/8" punch which I had ground the point to a sharp point, then heat treated and oil quenched. As stated above, you can vary the impression by the amount of force you strike the punch. I did it all with a 2 oz ball-peen hammer. With a little practice you can do a pretty good job. Start on a piece of scrap metal of about the same hardness. You can just see the stippling on the front strap and the front of the trigger guard of the 1911, I also did the mainspring housing, and the top of the slide. It is a lot easier than checkering.
OP
Triggernosis
Member
So the revolver shown in my original post was likely done with a stippling punch? If it was, I'm guessing it was probably a very sharp point with a very light touch, don't y'all think?
I've seen a similar texture on some sort of tools before..can't remember what..but I'd guess they were done by some type of automated mechanical means, not by hand with a punch and hammer.
I've seen a similar texture on some sort of tools before..can't remember what..but I'd guess they were done by some type of automated mechanical means, not by hand with a punch and hammer.
Badge54
Member
No pics but I once saw the top of a 1911 done with similar look. He said he took a sharp and slapped it until it was where he wanted it.
Try it in some scrap.
Try it in some scrap.
dfariswheel
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Stippling can be done with a punch and light hammer, but most modern gunsmiths use a special power hammer hand piece for a Foredom Flex Shaft.
This is a hand piece that can be used to rivet, hammer, or stipple, depending on what point you put in the hand piece. It's used by jewelers, gunsmiths, and tool and die men.
This allows better control of the depth, or force of the stippling and that makes for a faster, more uniform job than doing it with a hand held punch and hammer.
The actual hand technique is to hold the punch between your fingers with the point slightly off the work.
When you strike the punch it impacts the work and leaves a dimple, then finger tension "rebounds" it off the work. By rapidly striking the punch and moving the punch over the area, you get the texture.
You can use any number of shapes of points on the punch from round, to square, to triangular, to a checkered end on a flat punch.
This isn't the only way to stipple or matte metal.
As example, famed gunsmith Armand Swenson did his famous slide top texturing by laying a new, large file on the surface and hitting it with a soft hammer. The file left the texture.
This is a hand piece that can be used to rivet, hammer, or stipple, depending on what point you put in the hand piece. It's used by jewelers, gunsmiths, and tool and die men.
This allows better control of the depth, or force of the stippling and that makes for a faster, more uniform job than doing it with a hand held punch and hammer.
The actual hand technique is to hold the punch between your fingers with the point slightly off the work.
When you strike the punch it impacts the work and leaves a dimple, then finger tension "rebounds" it off the work. By rapidly striking the punch and moving the punch over the area, you get the texture.
You can use any number of shapes of points on the punch from round, to square, to triangular, to a checkered end on a flat punch.
This isn't the only way to stipple or matte metal.
As example, famed gunsmith Armand Swenson did his famous slide top texturing by laying a new, large file on the surface and hitting it with a soft hammer. The file left the texture.
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mkk41
US Veteran
There's an air-powered tool called a 'needle scaler'.
